JP7720736B2 - Item management device and item management system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an article management device and an article management system.

When managing inventory in warehouses, stores, etc., manually checking stock numbers and recording items that have decreased due to sales, consumption, etc. is extremely time-consuming. Therefore, a system is known that automatically manages inventory numbers by attaching a storage medium for storing information, such as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag, to items, and then reading the information stored on the storage medium when inventory of an item decreases due to sales, consumption, etc. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-15577

When managing inventory of goods, it is sometimes necessary not only to manage the number of goods, but also to record information about who removed goods from a specified area such as a warehouse or store when inventory decreases. However, while the invention described in Patent Document 1 could automatically record decreases in inventory, it was not able to record who removed the goods when this occurred.

An object of the present invention is to provide an article management device and an article management system that can record information about a person who has taken an article.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides an article management device, comprising:
an item information acquisition means for acquiring item identification information, which is identification information of an item stored in a first storage medium provided in the item located within a predetermined area;
a person information acquisition means for acquiring person identification information, which is identification information of a person who takes the item out of the area, stored in a second storage medium carried by the person;
a storage control means for linking the item identification information acquired by the item information acquisition means and the person identification information acquired by the person information acquisition means and storing the linked information in a storage means;
An article management device comprising :
The article information acquisition means includes a first article information acquisition means that acquires the article identification information read from the first storage medium by a first reading device provided within the area, and a second article information acquisition means that acquires the article identification information read from the first storage medium by a second reading device provided at an exit of the area,
the personal information acquisition means includes a first personal information acquisition means that acquires the personal identification information read from the second storage medium by the first reading device provided within the area, and a second personal information acquisition means that acquires the personal identification information read from the second storage medium by the second reading device provided at an exit of the area,
a determination means for determining whether the first product information acquisition means has acquired the same product identification information as the product identification information acquired by the second product information acquisition means,
When the determination means determines that the first product information acquisition means has not acquired the same product identification information as the product identification information acquired by the second product information acquisition means,
The storage control means is characterized in that it links the item identification information acquired by the second item information acquisition means, the person identification information acquired by the second person information acquisition means, and specified information indicating that the removal process has not been performed by the first reading device, and executes a process to store the information in the storage means .

The invention described in claim 2 is the article management device described in claim 1,
The first storage medium and the second storage medium are characterized in that they are RFID tags.

The invention described in claim 3 is the article management device described in claim 1 or 2,
The article is characterized in that it is a medicine.

The invention described in claim 4 is the article management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The personal information acquisition means includes a third personal information acquisition means that acquires the personal identification information read from the second storage medium by a third reading device provided at an entrance to the area.

The invention described in claim 5 is an item management system,
The article management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ;
a first storage medium provided on an item located within a predetermined area and storing item identification information that is identification information of the item;
a second storage medium that is carried by a person who takes the item out of the area and that stores personal identification information that is identification information of the person;
a reading device that reads the item identification information from the first storage medium and reads the person identification information from the second storage medium;
The present invention is characterized by comprising:

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an article management device and an article management system that can record information about a person who has taken an article.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pharmaceutical shop in which an article management system according to an embodiment is installed. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an article management system according to an embodiment; 1 is a flowchart showing an outline of the flow of operations of an item management system according to an embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the operational flow of entry processing, take-out processing, and exit processing of the article management system according to the embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the flow of operations in inventory management processing of the article management system according to the embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the operational flow of the expense claim process of the item management system according to the embodiment.

The following describes an item management system 100, an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to Figures 1 to 6. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. In addition, the following describes an example in which the items to be managed are pharmaceuticals, and a hospital manages pharmaceuticals provided to the hospital by a specific wholesaler.

[First Configuration]
The article management system 100 is a system for managing the inventory of medicines stored in a medicine shop S established within a hospital, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises an article management device 1 and a takeout processing RFID reader 3 installed within the medicine shop S, an entry processing RFID reader 2 and an exit processing RFID reader 4 installed at an entrance/exit E of the medicine shop S, and staff RFID tags (staff RFID tags 5a to 5c, Hereinafter, when any of the staff RFID tags is referred to without any distinction, it will be referred to as staff RFID tag 5), pharmaceutical RFID tags (pharmaceutical RFID tags 6a to 6c; hereinafter, when any of the pharmaceutical RFID tags is referred to without any distinction, it will be referred to as pharmaceutical RFID tag 6) attached to each pharmaceutical (pharmaceuticals M1 to M3; hereinafter, when any of the pharmaceuticals is referred to without any distinction, it will be referred to as pharmaceutical RFID tag 6) in the pharmaceutical shop S, and wholesaler server 7, which is a server outside the pharmaceutical shop S used by wholesalers who stock pharmaceuticals in the pharmaceutical shop S.
In addition, the item management device 1 is connected to the RFID reader 2 for entry processing, the RFID reader 3 for removal processing, and the RFID reader 4 for exit processing via a communication cable C, and the item management device 1 is connected to the wholesaler server 7 via a communication network N.

Note that for ease of explanation, Figure 2 only shows three staff members, P1 to P3, and three medicines, M1 to M3, but in actual operation, many more medicines will be stored in Medicine Shop S and used by many more staff members.

The pharmaceutical shop S is a room in the hospital where a specific wholesaler who distributes pharmaceuticals M to the hospital keeps pharmaceuticals M. Note that, although Fig. 1 illustrates a case where there is no passage connecting the inside and outside of the pharmaceutical shop S other than the entrance/exit E that serves as both the entrance and exit to the pharmaceutical shop S, a separate entrance and exit may be provided.
Furthermore, pharmaceutical products M include medicines placed in pharmaceutical shop S by pharmaceutical wholesalers, as well as medical equipment such as hemostatic products, surgical tools, and syringes, and are not limited to drugs as long as they are used in hospitals.
In addition, hospital staff P broadly includes doctors, nurses, other staff, and others who work at the hospital where the pharmaceutical shop S is located.

While ownership of pharmaceuticals M placed within pharmaceutical shop S depends on the contract between the wholesaler and the hospital where pharmaceutical shop S is located, it is preferable that the pharmaceuticals M be retained by the wholesaler while placed within pharmaceutical shop S, and transferred to the hospital when they are taken out of pharmaceutical shop S through entrance/exit E by staff P, as described below.

[1 Article management device]
The item management device 1 is, for example, an information device such as a PC (Personal Computer) or WS (Work Station) installed in a pharmaceutical shop S, and as described below, acquires and stores information read from an entry processing RFID reader 2, an exit processing RFID reader 3, and an exit processing RFID reader 4, using these to read from an RFID tag 5 for staff and an RFID tag 6 for pharmaceuticals.
In addition, the goods management device 1 communicates with the wholesaler server 7 via the communication network N to send and receive information as described below.
As shown in FIG. 2, the article management device 1 includes, for example, a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, a display unit 14, and an operation unit 15.

[(1) Control Unit]
The control unit 11 is a part that controls the operation of the item management device 1, and is configured with, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and controls each part of the item management device 1 in cooperation with the CPU and the program data stored in the memory unit 12.

[(2) Storage section]
The memory unit 12 is a part where various information necessary for the operation of the item management device 1 is stored, and is composed of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), semiconductor memory, etc., and stores data necessary for the operation of the item management device 1 in a manner that allows it to be read and written by the control unit 11.
The memory unit 12 stores a program including various commands to the control unit 11 for operating the item management device 1, and the operation of the item management device 1 described in the operation explanation below is performed in accordance with the program stored in the memory unit 12.

The memory unit 12 also includes a staff database 121 that stores information related to staff P, a pharmaceutical database 122 that stores information related to pharmaceuticals M, and a staff member entering/pharmaceutical member taking out information memory unit 123 that stores information related to staff P who enter the pharmaceutical shop S and pharmaceuticals M taken out by staff P, as described below.

The staff database 121 stores information related to each staff member's name, affiliation (hospital, department, medical department), etc., linked to staff member identification information (staff member identification information D1a to D1c; hereinafter, when referring to any of the staff member identification information without making any distinction, it will be referred to as staff member identification information D1), which is a unique identification number assigned to each staff member P stored on the staff member RFID tag 5 carried by each staff member P.
In addition, the pharmaceutical database 122 stores information related to the name, product category, manufacturer name, sales price, name of the wholesaler that delivered each pharmaceutical, etc., linked to pharmaceutical identification information (pharmaceutical identification information D2a to D2c; hereinafter, when referring to any of the pharmaceutical identification information without making any distinction, it will be referred to as pharmaceutical identification information D2), which is a unique identification number assigned to each pharmaceutical M stored in the pharmaceutical RFID tag 6 attached to each pharmaceutical M.
The pharmaceutical database 122 also stores information on the number of pharmaceuticals in stock at the pharmaceutical shop S for each type (name) of pharmaceutical.

[(3) Communications Department]
The communication unit 13 is a part used for communication between the goods management device 1 and the RFID reader 2 for entry processing, the RFID reader 3 for removal processing, the RFID reader 4 for exit processing, and the wholesaler server 7, and is a communication interface having, for example, a communication IC (Integrated Circuit) and a communication connector, and under the control of the control unit 11, performs data communication between the RFID reader 2 for entry processing, the RFID reader 3 for removal processing, and the RFID reader 4 for exit processing via the communication cable C, and data communication with the wholesaler server 7 via the communication network N using a predetermined communication protocol.

[(4) Display section]
The display unit 14 includes a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays an image based on a display control signal output from the control unit 11 on the display screen.

[(5) Operation section]
The operation unit 15 includes, for example, a keyboard having character input keys, number input keys, and other keys associated with various functions, and outputs operation signals according to operation input using these keys to the control unit 11. The operation unit 15 may be, for example, a touch panel formed integrally with the display unit 14.

[2. RFID reader for entry processing]
The entry processing RFID reader 2 is a reading device installed at the entrance of the pharmaceutical shop S (in this embodiment, the entrance/exit E, which serves as both an entrance and an exit), and is used to read the staff identification information D1 stored in the staff RFID tag 5 when staff P enters the pharmaceutical shop S, as described below.

The entry processing RFID reader 2 comprises a reader body 21 and a sheet antenna 22 that communicates with the staff RFID tag 5.

The reader main body 21 reads information stored in the staff RFID tag 5 from the radio waves received by the sheet antenna 22 from the tag.
In addition, the reader main body 21 is equipped with a control unit 211 that controls the operation of the reader main body 21 and a communication unit 212 that communicates with the item management device 1, and is connected to the item management device 1 via a communication cable C.

The sheet antenna 22 is, for example, a rectangular sheet-shaped antenna, and as described below, receives radio waves emitted from an employee RFID tag 5 held over the sheet antenna 22.

[3. RFID reader for removal processing]
The RFID reader 3 for take-out processing is a reading device installed in the pharmaceutical shop S, and is used to read the staff identification information D1 stored in the staff RFID tag 5 and the pharmaceutical identification information D2 stored in the pharmaceutical RFID tag 6 when the staff P takes out the pharmaceutical M, as described below.

The RFID reader 3 for takeout processing comprises a reader body 31 and a sheet antenna 32 that communicates with the staff RFID tag 5 and the medicine RFID tag 6.

The reader main body 31 reads the information stored in the staff RFID tag 5 and the medicine RFID tag 6 from the radio waves received by the sheet antenna 32 from these tags.
In addition, the reader main body 31 is equipped with a control unit 311 that controls the operation of the reader main body 31 and a communication unit 312 that communicates with the item management device 1, and is connected to the item management device 1 via a communication cable C.

The sheet antenna 32 is, for example, a rectangular sheet-shaped antenna with an area large enough to place a pharmaceutical product M on it, and as described below, receives radio waves emitted from a staff RFID tag 5 held over the sheet antenna 32 and from a pharmaceutical product RFID tag 6 attached to a pharmaceutical product M placed on the sheet antenna 32.

[4. RFID reader for exit processing]
The exit processing RFID reader 4 is a reading device installed at the exit of the pharmaceutical shop S (in this embodiment, the entrance/exit E, which serves as both the entrance and exit), and is used to read the staff identification information D1 stored in the staff RFID tag 5 and the pharmaceutical identification information D2 stored in the pharmaceutical RFID tag 6 when the staff member P leaves the pharmaceutical shop S, as described below.

The exit processing RFID reader 4 comprises a reader body 41 and a sheet antenna 42 that communicates with the staff RFID tag 5 and the medicine RFID tag 6.

The reader main body 41 reads the information stored in the staff RFID tag 5 and the medicine RFID tag 6 from the radio waves received by the sheet antenna 42 from these tags.
In addition, the reader main body 41 is equipped with a control unit 411 that controls the operation of the reader main body 41 and a communication unit 412 that communicates with the item management device 1, and is connected to the item management device 1 via a communication cable C.

The sheet antenna 42 is, for example, a rectangular sheet-shaped antenna, and as described below, receives radio waves emitted from the staff RFID tag 5 carried by staff member P as he leaves the pharmaceutical shop S through the entrance/exit E, and from the pharmaceutical RFID tag 6 attached to the pharmaceutical M that the staff member takes out.

In addition, in the case where the entrance and exit to the pharmaceutical shop S are shared (entrance/exit E), as in the pharmaceutical shop S of this embodiment, a single RFID reader may serve as both the RFID reader 2 for entry processing and the RFID reader 4 for exit processing.
In this case, such a single RFID reader serves as both the second reading device and the third reading device of the present invention.
In contrast to this, unlike this embodiment, if the pharmaceutical shop S has a separate entrance for staff P to enter and an exit for staff P to exit, an RFID reader 2 for entry processing will be provided at the entrance, and an RFID reader 4 for exit processing will be provided at the exit.

[5. Staff RFID tags]
The staff RFID tag 5 is an RFID tag carried by each staff member P, and stores staff identification information D1, which is a unique identification number assigned to each staff member P carrying the staff RFID tag 5.

The staff RFID tag 5 is, for example, a passive RFID tag without a built-in battery, and as shown in Figure 2, includes an antenna unit 51 (51a to 51c) and an IC chip 52 (52a to 52c).

The antenna unit 51 receives radio waves emitted from the sheet antenna 22 of the RFID reader 2 for entry processing, the sheet antenna 32 of the RFID reader 3 for removal processing, or the sheet antenna 42 of the RFID reader 4 for exit processing, converts the received radio waves into electricity, and supplies power to the IC chip 52.
The IC chip 52 has an internal memory that stores staff identification information D1, and when the antenna unit 51 receives radio waves emitted from the sheet antenna 22 of the RFID reader 2 for entry processing, the sheet antenna 32 of the RFID reader 3 for removal processing, or the sheet antenna 42 of the RFID reader 4 for exit processing, the IC chip 52 controls the antenna unit 51 to radially emit radio waves including the staff identification information D1.

[6. RFID tags for pharmaceuticals]
The medicine RFID tag 6 is an RFID tag provided on each medicine M, and stores medicine identification information D2, which is a unique identification number given to each medicine M on which the medicine RFID tag 6 is provided.

The pharmaceutical RFID tag 6 is, for example, a passive RFID tag without a built-in battery, and as shown in Figure 2, includes an antenna unit 61 (61a to 61c) and an IC chip 62 (62a to 62c).

The antenna unit 61 receives radio waves transmitted from the sheet antenna 32 of the RFID reader 3 for take-out processing or the sheet antenna 42 of the RFID reader 4 for exit processing, converts the received radio waves into electricity, and supplies the electricity to the IC chip 62 .
The IC chip 62 has an internal memory that stores pharmaceutical identification information D2, and when the antenna unit 61 receives radio waves emitted from the sheet antenna 32 of the RFID reader 3 for take-out processing or the sheet antenna 42 of the RFID reader 4 for exit processing, the IC chip 62 controls the antenna unit 61 to radially emit radio waves including the pharmaceutical identification information D2.

[7 Wholesaler Server]
The wholesaler server 7 is, for example, an information device such as a PC or a workstation owned by a wholesaler that stocks pharmaceuticals in the pharmaceutical shop S, and performs processes related to inventory management and billing, as will be described later.
As shown in FIG. 2, the wholesaler server 7 includes, for example, a control unit 71, a storage unit 72, and a communication unit 73.

The configurations of the control unit 71 and communication unit 73 are identical to the control unit 11 and communication unit 13, respectively, in the item management device 1.

The memory unit 72 is configured, for example, with an HDD, semiconductor memory, etc., similar to the memory unit 12 in the goods management device 1, and stores data required for the operation of the wholesaler server 7 in a manner that allows the control unit 71 to read and write the data.
The memory unit 72 stores a program including various commands to the control unit 71 for operating the wholesaler server 7, and the operation of the wholesaler server 7 described in the operation explanation below will be performed in accordance with the program stored in the memory unit 72.

[8 Communication Cable]
The communication cable C is, for example, a cable such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or a coaxial cable, and connects the item management device 1 with the entry processing RFID reader 2, the take-out processing RFID reader 3, and the exit processing RFID reader 4, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The communication cable C is not particularly limited as long as it can connect the devices that make up the item management system 100 as described above and can transmit and receive data between them.
Furthermore, instead of the communication cable C, these devices may be connected by wireless communication.

[9 Communication Network]
The communication network N is, for example, the Internet, a telephone line network, a mobile phone communication network, a wireless LAN communication network, etc., and connects the goods management device 1 and the wholesaler server 7 as shown in FIG.
The communication network N is not particularly limited as long as it can connect the goods management device 1 and the wholesaler server 7 as described above and can transmit and receive data between them.

[Second Description of Operation]
The operation of the item management system 100 according to this embodiment will be described below. As shown in the flowchart of Figure 3, the operation of the item management system 100 is roughly divided into five steps: entry processing (step S1), removal processing (step S2), exit processing (step S3), inventory management processing (step S4), and expense claim processing (step S5).

[1 Step S1: Entry Process]
First, the details of the operation of this system when staff member P enters the medicine shop S will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When a staff member P enters the drug shop S through an entrance E, he or she holds up the staff RFID tag 5 he or she carries over the sheet antenna 22 of the entrance processing RFID reader 2 provided at the entrance E.
When the staff RFID tag 5 is held over the sheet antenna 22, in the entry processing RFID reader 2, the sheet antenna 22 receives the radio waves emitted from the staff RFID tag 5, and the control unit 211 of the reader main body 21 reads the staff identification information D1 stored in the staff RFID tag 5 held over the sheet antenna 22 from the radio waves received by the sheet antenna 22 (step S1-1).

After reading the staff identification information D1, the control unit 211 of the reader main body 21 of the entry processing RFID reader 2 transmits the read staff identification information D1 from the communication unit 212 to the item management device 1 via the communication cable C (step S1-2).

In the item management device 1, which receives the staff member identification information D1 transmitted from the reader main body 21 of the entry processing RFID reader 2 via the communication unit 13, the control unit 11 stores the received staff member identification information D1 in the entering staff member/takeout medicine information storage unit 123 of the storage unit 12 (step S1-3). At this time, the control unit 11 also associates information regarding the time when the staff member identification information D1 was received in step S1-2 (entry time information D4) with the staff member identification information D1 and stores it in the entering staff member/takeout medicine information storage unit 123 of the storage unit 12.

As a result, each time staff member P enters the pharmaceutical shop S, staff member identification information D1 related to that staff member P is stored in the memory unit 12 of the item management device 1.

[2 Step S2: Take-out Processing]
Next, after the staff member P selects the medicine M that he/she wishes to take out, the system performs the take-out processing using the take-out processing RFID reader 3, i.e., the process of having the take-out processing RFID reader 3 read the staff RFID tag 5 carried by the staff member P and the medicine RFID tag 6 attached to the medicine M to be taken out. The details of the operation of this system will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 4.

When a staff member P selects a medicine M that he/she wishes to take out from among the medicines M placed in the medicine shop S, the staff member P takes the medicine M to the RFID reader 3 for take-out processing and holds up the staff RFID tag 5 that he/she carries over the sheet antenna 32 of the RFID reader 3 for take-out processing.
When the staff RFID tag 5 is held over the sheet antenna 32, in the RFID reader 3 for takeout processing, the sheet antenna 32 receives the radio waves emitted from the staff RFID tag 5, and the control unit 311 of the reader main body 31 reads the staff identification information D1 stored in the staff RFID tag 5 held over the sheet antenna 32 from the radio waves received by the sheet antenna 32 (step S2-1).

Next, the staff member P places the medicine M that he/she wishes to take out on the sheet antenna 32 of the RFID reader 3 for take-out processing.
When the pharmaceutical product M is placed on the sheet antenna 32, in the RFID reader 3 for take-out processing, the sheet antenna 32 receives radio waves emitted from the pharmaceutical product RFID tag 6 attached to the pharmaceutical product M, and the control unit 311 of the reader main body 31 reads the pharmaceutical product identification information D2 stored in the pharmaceutical product RFID tag 6 attached to the pharmaceutical product M placed on the sheet antenna 32 from the radio waves received by the sheet antenna 32 (step S2-2).

The order of steps S2-1 and S2-2 may be reversed. Alternatively, the staff member P may hold both the staff RFID tag 5 and the drug RFID tag 6 over the sheet antenna 32 at the same time, and the control unit 311 of the reader main body 31 may read both the staff member identification information D1 and the drug identification information D2 at the same time.
Alternatively, the staff member P1 may hold multiple medicines M over the sheet antenna 32 simultaneously or sequentially, and the control unit 311 of the reader main body 31 may read multiple pieces of medicine identification information D2 simultaneously or sequentially.

After reading the staff identification information D1 and drug identification information D2, the control unit 311 of the reader body 31 of the RFID reader 3 for takeout processing links the read staff identification information D1 and drug identification information D2 and transmits them from the communication unit 312 to the item management device 1 via the communication cable C (step S2-3).

In the item management device 1, which receives the staff identification information D1 and pharmaceutical identification information D2 transmitted from the reader main body 31 of the RFID reader 3 for take-out processing via the communication unit 13, the control unit 11 stores the received pharmaceutical identification information D2 in the entering staff/take-out pharmaceutical information storage unit 123 of the storage unit 12, linking it to the staff identification information D1 stored in step S1-3 that matches the staff identification information D1 received in step S2-3 (step S2-4).
At this time, the control unit 11 also links information regarding the time at which the staff identification information D1 and pharmaceutical identification information D2 were received in step S2-3 (take-out processing time information D5) to the staff identification information D1 and pharmaceutical identification information D2, and stores it in the staff entering/take-out pharmaceutical information memory unit 123 of the memory unit 12.

As a result, each time staff member P performs a take-out process for a medicine M, the medicine identification information D2 for the medicine M that was taken out is linked to the staff member identification information D1 for the staff member P who takes out the medicine M, and is stored in the memory unit 12 of the item management device 1.

[3 Step S3: Exit Processing]
Next, the operation of the system when the staff member P leaves the drug shop S with the drug M in hand will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When staff member P passes through entrance/exit E carrying pharmaceuticals M, the sheet antenna 42 of the exit processing RFID reader 4 installed at entrance/exit E receives radio waves emitted from the staff RFID tag 5 and the pharmaceutical RFID tag 6, and the control unit 411 of the reader main body 41 reads, from the radio waves received by the sheet antenna 42, staff member identification information D1 stored in the staff RFID tag 5 carried by staff member P passing through entrance/exit E and pharmaceutical identification information D2 stored in the pharmaceutical RFID tag 6 attached to the pharmaceutical M taken out by said staff member P (step S3-1).

After reading the staff identification information D1 and drug identification information D2, the control unit 411 of the reader body 41 of the room exit processing RFID reader 4 links the read staff identification information D1 and drug identification information D2 and transmits them from the communication unit 412 to the item management device 1 via the communication cable C (step S3-2).

In the item management device 1, which receives the staff identification information D1 and pharmaceutical identification information D2 transmitted from the reader main body 41 of the RFID reader 4 for exit processing via the communication unit 13, the control unit 11 determines whether information matching the pharmaceutical identification information D2 received in step S3-2 is stored in the staff entering/pharmaceutical information storage unit 123 of the storage unit 12 (step S3-3).
That is, the control unit 11 determines whether the pharmaceutical identification information D2 received in step S3-2 matches the pharmaceutical identification information D2 received from the take-out processing RFID reader 3 in step S2-3 and stored in the entering staff/take-out pharmaceutical information storage unit 123 of the storage unit 12 in step S2-4, and if such information is found, it further determines whether the staff identification information D1 stored in association with such pharmaceutical identification information D2 matches the staff identification information D1 received in step S3-2, and if there is a match, it determines that information matching the pharmaceutical identification information D2 received in step S3-2 is stored in the entering staff/take-out pharmaceutical information storage unit 123 of the storage unit 12.

If it is determined in step S3-3 that information matching the pharmaceutical identification information D2 received in step S3-2 is stored in the staff member entering/drug information storage unit 123 of the storage unit 12, the control unit 11 associates information regarding the time at which the staff member identification information D1 and pharmaceutical identification information D2 were received in step S3-2 (exit time information D6) with the staff member identification information D1 and stores it in the staff member entering/drug information storage unit 123 of the storage unit 12 (step S3-4).

In contrast, if it is determined in step S3-3 that information matching the pharmaceutical identification information D2 received in step S3-2 is not stored in the staff entering/pharmaceutical information storage unit 123 of the storage unit 12, the control unit 11 of the item management device 1 links the pharmaceutical identification information D2 and exit time information D6 received in step S3-2 to the staff identification information D1 stored in step S1-3 that matches the information received in step S3-2, and stores it in the staff entering/pharmaceutical information storage unit 123 of the storage unit 12 (step S3-5).
At this time, the control unit 11 also links the pharmaceutical identification information D2 and stores predetermined information (uncompleted take-out flag D3) indicating that the pharmaceutical identification information D2 relates to pharmaceuticals for which the take-out process of step S2 has not been performed in the entering staff/take-out pharmaceutical information storage unit 123 of the storage unit 12.

As a result, when staff member P leaves the pharmaceutical shop S through entrance/exit E with pharmaceutical M in hand, it is determined whether the take-out process of step S2 has been performed for that pharmaceutical M. Even if pharmaceutical M is taken out without the take-out process of step S2 being performed, pharmaceutical identification information D2 for the taken-out pharmaceutical M is linked to staff member identification information D1 for staff member P who took out the pharmaceutical, and stored in the memory unit 12 of the item management device 1. At this time, a take-out process incomplete flag D3 is also stored linked to pharmaceutical identification information D2, making it possible to identify pharmaceutical M taken out without the take-out process of step S2 being performed later.

[4. Step S4: Inventory Management Processing]
Next, the details of the operation of this system when managing inventory of pharmaceuticals M placed in pharmaceutical shop S based on the information stored in the entering staff/take-out pharmaceutical information memory unit 123 of the memory unit 12 of the goods management device 1 in steps S1 to S3 will be explained according to the flowchart of Figure 5.

In the goods management device 1, after going through steps S1 to S3, each time new drug identification information D2 is stored in the entering staff/take-out drug information memory unit 123 of the memory unit 12 of the goods management device 1, the control unit 11 updates the information regarding the inventory quantity of drugs stored in the drug database 122 of the memory unit 12 (step S4-1).
Specifically, the pharmaceutical database 122 stores information relating to the names of corresponding pharmaceuticals linked to the pharmaceutical identification information D2. From this information, the name of the pharmaceutical corresponding to the pharmaceutical identification information D2 newly stored in the staff entering/taken-out pharmaceutical information storage unit 123 is identified, and the number of pharmaceuticals with that name in stock is reduced, thereby updating the information relating to the number of pharmaceuticals in stock.
The inventory of such medicines may be managed by the wholesaler server 7.

When the information related to the inventory quantity of pharmaceuticals stored in the pharmaceutical database 122 of the memory unit 12 is updated, the control unit 11 of the item management device 1 transmits the updated information related to the inventory quantity of pharmaceuticals, that is, pharmaceutical inventory quantity information D7, from the communication unit 13 via the communication network N to the wholesaler server 7 (step S4-2).

In the wholesaler server 7, the control unit 71 determines whether or not stock needs to be replenished (step S4-3) after receiving the pharmaceutical inventory information D7 transmitted from the product management device 1 via the communication unit 73. Specifically, for example, the minimum number of pharmaceuticals required for stock may be predetermined for each pharmaceutical product name and stored in the storage unit 72. If the pharmaceutical inventory received in step S4-2 is lower than the minimum number, it may be determined that stock needs to be replenished.
If it is determined that replenishment is required, the process proceeds to step S4-4, and if it is determined that replenishment is not required, the process of step S4 is terminated.

If it is determined in step S4-3 that replenishment is necessary, the control unit 71 of the wholesaler server 7 determines whether or not stock replenishment is possible (step S4-4). Specifically, for example, the storage unit 72 may store in advance the presence or absence of stock at the wholesaler for each name of pharmaceutical product, and the control unit 71 may determine that replenishment is possible if the pharmaceutical product is in stock at the wholesaler.
If it is determined that replenishment is possible, the process proceeds to step S4-5, and if it is determined that replenishment is not possible, the process proceeds to step S4-8.

If it is determined in step S4-4 that replenishment is possible, the control unit 71 of the wholesaler server 7 determines the earliest replenishment time (step S4-5). Specifically, for example, information related to the number of days required for delivery for each pharmaceutical product name is stored in advance in the storage unit 72, and the earliest replenishment time is determined to be the date and time at the time of determination plus the number of days required for delivery for the corresponding pharmaceutical product.

Once the earliest replenishment time is identified in step S4-5, the control unit 71 of the wholesaler server 7 transmits predetermined information indicating that the pharmaceutical product can be replenished (replenishment availability information D8) and information regarding the earliest replenishment time identified in step S4-5 (earliest replenishment time information D9) from the communication unit 73 via the communication network N to the item management device 1 (step S4-6). In the item management device 1, which receives the information transmitted from the wholesaler server 7 via the communication unit 13, the control unit 11 displays information indicating that the removed pharmaceutical product M can be replenished and information regarding the earliest replenishment time on the display unit 14 based on the information received from the wholesaler server 7 (step S4-7).

As a result, the hospital where the pharmaceutical shop S is located can place an order with the wholesaler to replenish the pharmaceuticals M that have been removed and reduced, based on the displayed information that pharmaceuticals M are available for replenishment and the information regarding the earliest replenishment time. The wholesaler may also automatically replenish pharmaceuticals M at the earliest replenishment time, without waiting for an order from the hospital where the pharmaceutical shop S is located.

In contrast, if it is determined in step S4-4 that replenishment is not possible, the control unit 71 of the wholesaler server 7 sends specified information (replenishment not possible information D10) indicating that the pharmaceutical cannot be replenished from the communication unit 73 to the item management device 1 via the communication network N (step S4-8). In the item management device 1, which receives the information sent from the wholesaler server 7 via the communication unit 13, the control unit 11 displays information on the display unit 14 indicating that the taken-out pharmaceutical M cannot be replenished, based on the information received from the wholesaler server 7 (step S4-9).

As a result, hospitals that have pharmaceutical shops S installed can secure the necessary pharmaceuticals by, for example, ordering alternative pharmaceuticals from wholesalers based on the displayed information that pharmaceutical M is unavailable.

The above describes the case of replenishing medicine M taken from medicine shop S, but in addition, the same inventory management as above may also be performed for medicines that have passed their expiration date or are in short supply.

In this case, for example, in the item management device 1, the pharmaceutical database 122 in the storage unit 12 stores information related to the expiration date of each pharmaceutical M, and when a pharmaceutical product has passed its specified expiration date or is approaching its expiration date (a specified number of days until the expiration date), information indicating that the pharmaceutical product needs to be replaced is sent to the wholesaler server 7, as described in step S4-2. Then, as described in steps S4-3 and following, information regarding whether or not a product can be replenished and, if replenishment is possible, the earliest possible time for replenishment can be notified.

[5. Step S5: Expense Claim Processing]
Next, the operation of the system when billing for medicines taken out from the medicine shop S will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the item management device 1, the control unit 11 compiles, for each predetermined period, such as one month, the medicines M that have been taken out of the pharmaceutical shop S during that period and for which new pharmaceutical identification information D2 has been stored in the staff entering/taken out pharmaceutical information memory unit 123 of the memory unit 12, by type (name) of pharmaceutical (step S5-1).
Specifically, the pharmaceutical database 122 stores information relating to the names of corresponding pharmaceuticals linked to pharmaceutical identification information D2, and from this information, the names of the corresponding pharmaceuticals can be identified for each piece of pharmaceutical identification information D2 stored in the staff entering/taken-out pharmaceutical information storage unit 123 during a specified period, and then the data can be compiled by pharmaceutical name.

In addition, the pharmaceutical identification information D2 newly stored in the staff entering/pharmaceutical item information storage unit 123 of the storage unit 12 during a specified period may be sent in bulk from the item management device 1 to the wholesaler server 7, and the control unit 71 on the wholesaler server 7 may perform the aggregation.
In addition, when compiling the data, it is preferable to determine whether each piece of pharmaceutical identification information D2 stored in the pharmaceutical database 122 is data that has been subjected to the take-out process of step S2, and also to identify the wholesaler that placed the pharmaceutical M in the pharmaceutical shop S and the hospital where the pharmaceutical shop S where the pharmaceutical M is placed is located.

Once the tallying is complete, the control unit 11 of the item management device 1 transmits tally result information D11, which is information related to the tally results for each name of pharmaceutical M taken out of the pharmaceutical shop S during the specified period, calculated in step S5-1, from the communication unit 13 via the communication network N to the wholesaler server 7 (step S5-2).

In the wholesaler server 7, which receives the tally result information D11 sent from the goods management device 1 via the communication unit 73, the control unit 71 bills for the cost of the medicines M taken out of the medicine shop S during a specified period based on the tally result information D11 (step S5-3).
The specific method of billing is not particularly limited, and for example, billing may be performed on this system by sending an invoice to the goods management device 1. Also, a predetermined company or the like that manages this system may perform processing related to billing for expenses via a route separate from this system based on the tally result information D11.

[Third explanation of effect]
Next, the effects of the item management system 100 according to this embodiment will be described.

According to the item management system 100 of this embodiment, the item management device 1 acquires the drug identification information D2 stored in the drug RFID tag 6 attached to the drug M located in the drug shop S and the staff identification information D1 stored in the staff RFID tag 5 carried by the staff P who takes the drug M out of the drug shop S, links these together, and stores them in the staff entering/taking out drug information memory unit 123 of the memory unit 12.
This makes it possible for the item management device 1 to record the medicines M taken out of the medicine shop S and manage the inventory quantity, as well as record information regarding which staff member P took out the medicine M.

In addition, the item management device 1 acquires the staff identification information D1 read from the staff RFID tag 5 by the entry processing RFID reader 2 installed at the entrance of the pharmaceutical shop S, making it possible to acquire the staff identification information D1 of the staff P entering the pharmaceutical shop S at the time the staff P enters.

In addition, the item management device 1 acquires the drug identification information D2 read from the drug RFID tag 6 by the takeout processing RFID reader 3 installed in the drug shop S, and the staff identification information D1 read from the staff RFID tag 5 by the takeout processing RFID reader 3 installed in the drug shop S. This makes it possible to acquire the drug identification information D2 for the drug M being taken out and the staff identification information D1 for the staff P taking out the drug M at the time when the staff member P performs the takeout processing in step S2, that is, at the time when the staff member RFID tag 5 carried by the staff member P and the drug RFID tag 6 attached to the drug M being taken out are read by the takeout processing RFID reader 3.

In addition, the item management device 1 acquires the drug identification information D2 read from the drug RFID tag 6 by the exit processing RFID reader 4 installed at the exit of the drug shop S, and the staff identification information D1 read from the staff RFID tag 5 by the exit processing RFID reader 4 installed at the exit of the drug shop S, so that at the time the staff member P leaves the drug shop S, it is possible to acquire the drug identification information D2 relating to the drug M being taken out and the staff identification information D1 relating to the staff member P who takes out the drug M.
This allows the item management device 1 to obtain pharmaceutical identification information D2 relating to pharmaceuticals M taken out of the pharmaceutical shop S without being held over the sheet antenna 32 of the RFID reader 3 for take-out processing. Therefore, in the case of an emergency, such as a sudden change in a patient's condition or during surgery, it is possible to prevent a record of the pharmaceuticals M being taken out by staff P without holding the pharmaceuticals over the sheet antenna 32 of the RFID reader 3 for take-out processing from being lost.

Furthermore, when the item management device 1 acquires the drug identification information D2 read from the drug RFID tag 6 by the exit processing RFID reader 4 installed at the exit of the drug shop S when the staff member P leaves the drug shop S in step S3, it determines whether matching drug identification information D2 has also been acquired from the take-out processing RFID reader 3 in step S2, thereby making it possible to identify the drug M taken out of the drug shop S by the staff member P without having to hold it over the sheet antenna 32 of the take-out processing RFID reader 3.

[Fourth Modification]
Next, a modified example of the item management system 100 according to this embodiment will be described.

[1. Variation 1: Alert when take-out processing is incomplete]
In the explanation of the above operation, when staff member P leaves the pharmaceutical shop S (step S3), the item management device 1 receives the staff member identification information D1 and pharmaceutical identification information D2 read by the exit processing RFID reader 4, and no matching information is stored in the entering staff member/taken-out pharmaceutical information storage unit 123 of the storage unit 12. In other words, even if staff member P takes pharmaceutical M out of the pharmaceutical shop S in step S2 without holding the staff RFID tag 5 and pharmaceutical RFID tag 6 over the sheet antenna 32 of the take-out processing RFID reader 3, the item management device 1 simply records the information in steps S3-5 and does not issue any warnings or the like.

In this regard, if the pharmaceutical shop S is located within a hospital and it is unlikely that an outsider will break in, it is sufficient to simply keep a record as described above. However, if the possibility of an outside intrusion cannot be ruled out, and it is necessary to prevent the removal of pharmaceuticals M that have not been processed for removal, a warning may be issued by a specified means.
For example, in step S3-3, if the control unit 11 determines that information matching the pharmaceutical identification information D2 received in step S3-2 is not stored in the entering staff/taken-out pharmaceutical information memory unit 123 of the memory unit 12, it may emit a predetermined alarm sound from an audio generating means such as a buzzer connected to the inventory management device 1, or it may send a predetermined message from the inventory management device 1 to a terminal used by a predetermined security officer, etc., warning that pharmaceutical M has been taken out without undergoing take-out processing.

[2. Modification 2: Installation of gates at entrances and exits]
In the above description of the configuration and operation, we have explained the case where no gate is installed at the entrance/exit E of the pharmaceutical shop S, but it is also possible to install a gate connected to the item management device 1 via a communication cable C at the entrance/exit E of the pharmaceutical shop S to prevent entry or exit without following proper procedures.
In this case, for example, if someone attempts to enter through the entrance/exit E without holding the staff RFID tag 5 over the sheet antenna 22 of the entry processing RFID reader 2, such a gate can be closed to prevent people without the staff RFID tag 5 from entering the pharmaceutical shop S.
Furthermore, for example, if someone attempts to leave the store through the entrance/exit E with a pharmaceutical product M without holding the pharmaceutical product RFID tag 6 over the sheet antenna 32 of the RFID reader 3 for removal processing, closing such a gate can prevent the pharmaceutical product M from being removed from the pharmaceutical shop S before the removal processing described in step S2 is completed.

[3. Modification 3: Entry processing using AI camera]
In the explanation of the above operation, in the entry processing of step S1, the employee P holds up the employee RFID tag 5 that he or she carries to the entry processing RFID reader 2 provided at the entrance/exit E of the pharmaceutical shop S, which reads the employee identification information D1 and sends it to the goods management device 1, thereby recording information related to the employee P who has entered the pharmaceutical shop S in the goods management device 1. However, instead of the entry processing using such an RFID tag and RFID reader, an AI camera capable of identifying the face of the employee P may be provided at the entrance/exit E of the pharmaceutical shop S, and the employee P entering the shop may be identified by facial recognition, so that information related to the employee P who has entered the pharmaceutical shop S is recorded in the goods management device 1.
This allows staff member P to enter the medicine shop S without having to hold up the staff member RFID tag 5 over the entrance processing RFID reader 2.

In addition, by performing both this type of processing using an AI camera and the processing using the RFID tag and RFID reader described in step S1, it may be possible to more reliably obtain information about staff member P who enters pharmaceutical shop S.

In addition to facial authentication, staff member P entering the room may be identified using other biometric authentication methods such as fingerprints, voiceprints, and retina.

[4. Variation 4: Assistance in item search using AI speaker]
When there are many medicines M in the medicine shop S, it may be difficult for the staff P to find the desired medicine M. In preparation for such a case, an AI speaker may be used to assist the staff P in searching for the medicine M, in order to make it easier for the staff P to search for the medicine M.
Specifically, information regarding the location of medicines M in the medicine shop S is stored in the medicine database 122 provided in the memory unit 12 of the goods management device 1, and an AI speaker connected to the goods management device 1 is provided in the medicine shop S. Then, when the staff member P states the name of the desired medicine M into the microphone provided in the AI speaker, data related to the matching medicine M is searched for in the medicine database 122, and information regarding the location of the medicine is provided by voice.

[5. Modification 5: Omission of Take-Out Processing]
In the above description of the operation, we have explained the case where staff identification information D1 related to staff P who takes out the medicine M and medicine identification information D2 related to the medicine M are obtained in both the take-out process in step S2 and the exit process in step S3.
In this regard, if the accuracy of reading the staff identification information D1 and drug identification information D2 by the RFID reader 4 for exit processing during exit processing is sufficient, it is possible to configure the system so that the staff identification information D1 related to the staff P who takes out the drug M and the drug identification information D2 related to the drug M are obtained simply by obtaining information when the staff P leaves the room using the RFID reader 4 for exit processing, without having to provide the RFID reader 3 for takeout processing.
However, in order to reduce the possibility of not being able to acquire this information, it is preferable to acquire the information twice, in both the take-out process in step S2 and the exit process in step S3, as described above.

[6. Modification 6: Application to items other than pharmaceuticals]
In the above description of the configuration and operation, the case where the items to be managed are medicines M has been described as an example.
In this regard, pharmaceuticals, which are often supplied and managed centrally by a single wholesaler through SPD (Supply Processing & Distribution) businesses, etc., are the most suitable items to be managed by the present invention, but there are no particular restrictions on the items to be managed by the present invention, as long as they are placed in a designated area and can be taken out and used by staff, etc. located within the facility.
For example, it can be applied to nursing care products in nursing care facilities to manage nursing care products, or it can be applied to equipment warehouses in general companies to manage equipment.

[7. Modification 7: Execution of warehousing work]
When a pharmaceutical wholesaler delivers pharmaceuticals M to a pharmaceutical shop S, the pharmaceutical RFID tag 6 attached to the pharmaceutical M may be held over the sheet antenna 32 of the RFID reader 3 for removal processing, and only the information relating to the item from which pharmaceutical identification information D2 has been obtained may be stored in the pharmaceutical database 122 of the memory unit 12 of the item management device 1.
This reduces the risk that information relating to medicines that have not actually been delivered will be stored in the medicine database 122 due to input errors or the like.
As described above, if the ownership of the medicines M in the medicine shop S is not transferred to the hospital where the medicine shop S is located but remains with the wholesaler, then such a stocking operation is not necessary, since there is usually no problem even if information about medicines that have not actually been delivered is stored in the medicine database 122. However, for items such as medicines and surgical instruments, the shortage of which could be expected to pose a risk to human life, it is desirable to carry out such processing in order to prevent inventory shortages.

[8. Variation 8: Analysis of Drug Usage Trends]
In the item management device 1, the control unit 11 may classify (analyze trends) information related to the taking out of pharmaceuticals M based on information related to the taken out pharmaceuticals M stored in the entering staff/taken out pharmaceuticals information memory unit 123 of the memory unit 12 and information related to the staff member P who took it out.
For example, by classifying information by employee P's affiliation (e.g., by hospital department), it is possible to obtain information about the drug usage trends (which drugs are used most frequently) for each employee P's affiliation.

[9. Variation 9: Management of pharmaceuticals from multiple wholesalers]
Since there is usually one wholesaler that supplies pharmaceuticals to a hospital, all of the pharmaceuticals M stocked in the pharmaceutical shop S are usually pharmaceuticals owned by the same wholesaler, but it is also possible for multiple wholesalers to stock pharmaceuticals M in the pharmaceutical shop S, and for the pharmaceuticals M owned by multiple wholesalers to be managed by this system.
In this case, by comparing the information stored in the staff entering/drugs taken out information memory unit 123 of the memory unit 12 of the goods management device 1 with the name of the wholesaler that supplied each drug stored in the pharmaceutical database 122, it is possible to determine the quantity of drugs used for each wholesaler.Therefore, for example, it is possible to increase the inventory of drugs from wholesalers that are used frequently by changing the allocation of shelves where drugs are placed depending on the quantity of drugs used, or to place drugs from wholesalers that are used frequently in a location where they are easy to find by changing the arrangement of shelves where drugs are placed.

100 Item management system 1 Item management device 11 Control unit (storage control means, determination means)
12 Storage unit (storage means)
13 Communication Department (article information acquisition means, person information acquisition means, first article information acquisition means, first person information acquisition means, second article information acquisition means, second person information acquisition means, third person information acquisition means)
14 Display unit 15 Operation unit 2 RFID reader for entry processing (third reading device)
3. RFID reader for takeout processing (first reading device, reading device)
4. RFID reader for exit processing (second reading device, reading device)
5a, 5b, 5c RFID tag for staff (second storage medium)
6a, 6b, 6c: RFID tag for pharmaceuticals (first storage medium)
7 Wholesaler Server D1 Staff Identification Information (Personal Identification Information)
D2 Drug identification information (item identification information)
P1, P2, P3 staff (person)
M1, M2, M3 Pharmaceuticals (items)
S Pharmaceutical Shop (area)

Claims (5)

an item information acquisition means for acquiring item identification information, which is identification information of an item stored in a first storage medium provided in the item located within a predetermined area;
a person information acquisition means for acquiring person identification information, which is identification information of a person who takes the item out of the area, stored in a second storage medium carried by the person;
a storage control means for linking the item identification information acquired by the item information acquisition means and the person identification information acquired by the person information acquisition means and storing the linked information in a storage means;
An article management device comprising :
The article information acquisition means includes a first article information acquisition means that acquires the article identification information read from the first storage medium by a first reading device provided within the area, and a second article information acquisition means that acquires the article identification information read from the first storage medium by a second reading device provided at an exit of the area,
the personal information acquisition means includes a first personal information acquisition means that acquires the personal identification information read from the second storage medium by the first reading device provided within the area, and a second personal information acquisition means that acquires the personal identification information read from the second storage medium by the second reading device provided at an exit of the area,
a determination means for determining whether the first product information acquisition means has acquired the same product identification information as the product identification information acquired by the second product information acquisition means,
When the determination means determines that the first product information acquisition means has not acquired the same product identification information as the product identification information acquired by the second product information acquisition means,
The storage control means of the item management device is characterized in that it links the item identification information acquired by the second item information acquisition means, the personal identification information acquired by the second personal information acquisition means, and specified information indicating that the removal process has not been performed by the first reading device, and executes a process to store the information in the storage means . The item management device described in claim 1, characterized in that the first storage medium and the second storage medium are RFID tags. The item management device described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the item is a pharmaceutical product. An item management device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the personal information acquisition means includes a third personal information acquisition means that acquires the personal identification information read from the second storage medium by a third reading device provided at the entrance to the area. The article management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ;
a first storage medium provided on an item located within a predetermined area and storing item identification information that is identification information of the item;
a second storage medium that is carried by a person who takes the item out of the area and that stores personal identification information that is identification information of the person;
a reading device that reads the item identification information from the first storage medium and reads the person identification information from the second storage medium;
An article management system comprising: