JP2025024731A - Connection control device, pharmaceutical sales system, connection control method and connection control program - Google Patents

Abstract

To efficiently sell medicine.SOLUTION: A connection control device 10, upon receiving a connection request from a sales device 1, on the basis of information on a plurality of medicine sellers corresponding respectively to terminals 2a, 2b, ... that can notify the sales device 1 of approval of sales of medicine, extracts a predetermined number of medicine sellers from the plurality of medicine sellers. The connection control device 10 transmits a response request to, of the terminals 2a, 2b, ..., request terminals corresponding respectively to the predetermined number of medicine sellers. Upon receiving a response from a response terminal, of the request terminals, the connection control device 10 connects the response terminal and the sales device 1 to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a connection control device, a pharmaceutical sales system, a connection control method, and a connection control program.

Some medicines can only be purchased if approved by a pharmacist or other professional. When selling medicines through vending machines, the vending machine can be connected to a terminal at the pharmacy, and approvals and other procedures can be handled by the pharmacist at the store.

As a technology related to pharmaceutical vending machines, for example, a vending system that provides dosage instructions for purchased over-the-counter drugs has been proposed. As a technology related to the connection between devices, for example, an operator selection device has been proposed that assigns an operator to an incoming customer in a way that increases customer satisfaction and shortens the time required to handle the phone.

JP 2012-113482 A JP 2019-62460 A

When a vending machine that sells medicines is connected to a terminal operated by a store's pharmacist, if the pharmacist is busy serving customers at the store, it takes time for the vending machine to respond. This means that customers who purchase medicines have to wait.

In one aspect, this case aims to make the sale of pharmaceuticals more efficient.

In one proposal, a connection control device having a memory unit and a processing unit is provided. The memory unit stores information on a plurality of pharmaceutical sellers corresponding to a plurality of terminals capable of notifying a sales device that sells pharmaceuticals of approval of the sale of pharmaceuticals by the pharmaceutical seller. Upon receiving a connection request from the sales device, the processing unit extracts a predetermined number of pharmaceutical sellers from the plurality of pharmaceutical sellers based on the information on the plurality of pharmaceutical sellers, transmits a response request to a request terminal corresponding to each of the predetermined number of pharmaceutical sellers among the plurality of terminals, and upon receiving a response from a response terminal among the request terminals, connects the sales device to the response terminal.

According to one aspect, pharmaceutical sales can be carried out efficiently.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pharmaceutical sales system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pharmaceutical sales system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a server. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of functions of a server. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of management information. FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a connection control process. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating examples of display screens of a pharmaceutical vending machine and a pharmacist terminal. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a connection control process. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process according to the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that each embodiment can be implemented in combination with a plurality of other embodiments as long as no contradiction occurs.
First Embodiment
First, the first embodiment will be described.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of a pharmaceutical sales system according to a first embodiment. In the first embodiment, a connection control device 10 connects a sales device 1 that sells pharmaceuticals to a terminal operated by a pharmaceutical seller. The pharmaceutical sales system of the first embodiment has a sales device 1, terminals 2a, 2b, ..., and a connection control device 10. Note that a pharmaceutical seller here refers to a pharmacist, a registered seller, a pharmaceutical seller with a pharmacist's license, or a pharmaceutical seller with a registered seller's license.

The sales device 1 is a device that sells pharmaceuticals. The pharmaceuticals sold by the sales device 1 can be sold with the approval of a pharmaceutical seller, such as a pharmacist or a registered seller. The sales device 1 is, for example, a pharmaceutical vending machine. The sales device 1 may also be a self-checkout register in a store that sells pharmaceuticals. The terminals 2a, 2b, ... are computers that can notify the sales device 1 of approval of the pharmaceutical seller to sell the pharmaceuticals. For example, the terminals 2a, 2b, ... are PCs (Personal Computers) used by the pharmaceutical seller for teleworking from home, or PCs in the store where the pharmaceutical seller works.

The connection control device 10 is a computer that controls the connection between the vending device 1 and the terminals 2a, 2b, .... The connection control device 10 has a memory unit 11 and a processing unit 12. The memory unit 11 stores pharmaceutical seller information 11a. The pharmaceutical seller information 11a is information on multiple pharmaceutical sellers corresponding to each of the terminals 2a, 2b, .... The pharmaceutical seller information 11a registers the work status of each of the multiple pharmaceutical sellers. The work status is the current work status of the pharmaceutical seller, such as teleworking from home or working in a store. In addition, the pharmaceutical seller information 11a registers the number of connections between the corresponding terminal and the vending device 1 for each of the multiple pharmaceutical sellers.

The processing unit 12 controls the connection control device 10 and is capable of executing the required processing. The processing unit 12 is, for example, a processor or an arithmetic circuit included in the connection control device 10. The pharmaceutical sales system of the first embodiment sells pharmaceuticals as follows.

First, when the vending device 1 receives a request to purchase medicines from a purchaser, it transmits a connection request to the connection control device 10. When the processing unit 12 receives the connection request from the vending device 1, it extracts a predetermined number of pharmaceutical sellers from the multiple pharmaceutical sellers based on the pharmaceutical seller information 11a. Here, the processing unit 12 preferentially extracts pharmaceutical sellers with a predetermined work status from the multiple pharmaceutical sellers as the predetermined number of pharmaceutical sellers. For example, the processing unit 12 preferentially extracts pharmaceutical sellers whose work status is teleworking from home over pharmaceutical sellers whose work status is working in a store. The processing unit 12 also preferentially extracts pharmaceutical sellers with a small number of connections from the multiple pharmaceutical sellers as the predetermined number of pharmaceutical sellers.

The processing unit 12 transmits a response request to a request terminal corresponding to each of the predetermined number of pharmaceutical sellers among the terminals 2a, 2b, .... For example, the processing unit 12 causes the terminals 2a, 2b, ... to display a screen inquiring of the pharmaceutical sellers whether approval for the sale of pharmaceuticals by the vending device 1 is possible. As an example, the processing unit 12 extracts the pharmaceutical sellers corresponding to the terminals 2a and 2b as the predetermined number of pharmaceutical sellers. The processing unit 12 then transmits a response request to the terminals 2a and 2b.

The request terminal responds to the connection control device 10 in response to an operation by the pharmaceutical seller. For example, the request terminal responds to the connection control device 10 when it receives a button press operation on a screen that inquires of the pharmaceutical seller whether approval for the sale of pharmaceuticals by the vending device 1 is possible. When the processing unit 12 receives a response from a responding terminal among the request terminals, it connects the vending device 1 to the responding terminal. Here, the processing unit 12 connects the vending device 1 to the responding terminal among the request terminals that received a response first. As an example, it is assumed that the processing unit 12 receives a response first from terminal 2a. Then, the processing unit 12 connects the vending device 1 to terminal 2a.

For example, the processing unit 12 connects the vending device 1 and the terminal 2a so that information about the medicine to be purchased can be sent from the vending device 1 to the terminal 2a. The processing unit 12 also connects the vending device 1 and the terminal 2a so that approval of the sale of the medicine by the medicine seller operating the terminal 2a can be notified to the vending device 1 from the terminal 2a. The processing unit 12 may also connect the vending device 1 and the terminal 2a so that images and audio can be sent and received between the vending device 1 and the terminal 2a. When the vending device 1 is notified of approval of the sale of the medicine from the terminal 2a, it sells the medicine to the purchaser.

According to the first embodiment, the memory unit 11 of the connection control device 10 stores information on multiple pharmaceutical sellers corresponding to the terminals 2a, 2b, ... that can notify the sales device 1 that sells pharmaceuticals of the approval of the pharmaceutical seller's sale of the pharmaceutical. When the processing unit 12 of the connection control device 10 receives a connection request from the sales device 1, it extracts a predetermined number of pharmaceutical sellers from the multiple pharmaceutical sellers based on the information on the multiple pharmaceutical sellers. The processing unit 12 transmits a response request to the request terminals corresponding to each of the predetermined number of pharmaceutical sellers among the terminals 2a, 2b, .... When the processing unit 12 receives a response from a response terminal among the request terminals, it connects the sales device 1 to the response terminal.

As a result, the connection control device 10 can shorten the time it takes for approval by the pharmaceutical seller when selling pharmaceuticals using the vending device 1. Therefore, the connection control device 10 can sell pharmaceuticals efficiently.

The processing unit 12 also connects the vending device 1 to the response terminal that first receives a response from among the request terminals. This allows the connection control device 10 to give approval to the pharmaceutical seller who can respond quickly.

The memory unit 11 also stores the working status of each of the multiple pharmaceutical sellers, and the processing unit 12 prioritizes and extracts pharmaceutical sellers with a specified working status from the multiple pharmaceutical sellers as a specified number of pharmaceutical sellers. This allows the connection control device 10 to send a response request to a terminal operated by a pharmaceutical seller with a working status that allows for a quick response.

The memory unit 11 also stores the number of connections between the corresponding terminal and the vending device 1 for each of the multiple pharmaceutical sellers, and the processing unit 12 prioritizes pharmaceutical sellers with fewer connections from the multiple pharmaceutical sellers to extract them as a predetermined number of pharmaceutical sellers. This allows the connection control device 10 to equalize the number of times pharmaceutical sellers are involved.

The processing unit 12 may also display on the request terminal the priority of the response according to the number of connections made by the corresponding pharmaceutical seller. This allows the connection control device 10 to prompt the pharmaceutical seller to respond so that the number of connections is equalized.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, medicines are sold by a vending machine.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a pharmaceutical sales system according to the second embodiment. The pharmaceutical sales system according to the second embodiment has a server 100, pharmaceutical vending machines 200-1, 200-2, ..., and pharmacist terminals 300-1, 300-2, 300-3, .... The server 100, the pharmaceutical vending machines 200-1, 200-2, ..., and the pharmacist terminals 300-1, 300-2, 300-3, ... are connected to a network 30. The network 30 is, for example, a wide area network such as the Internet.

The server 100 is a server computer that connects the pharmaceutical vending machines 200-1, 200-2, ... to the pharmacist terminals 300-1, 300-2, 300-3, ... when a pharmaceutical is sold at the pharmaceutical vending machines 200-1, 200-2, .... The server 100 receives a connection request from the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 when one of the pharmaceutical vending machines 200-1, 200-2, ... (for example, the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1) sells a pharmaceutical. The server 100 then determines the pharmacist terminal to which the response request is to be sent based on the working status of the pharmacist operating the pharmacist terminal 300-1, 300-2, 300-3, ... and the number of responses to the pharmaceutical vending machines 200-1, 200-2, .... The server 100 sends the response request to the determined pharmacist terminal and connects the first pharmacist terminal that responded to the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1.

The pharmaceutical vending machines 200-1, 200-2, ... are automatic vending machines that sell pharmaceuticals. The pharmaceutical vending machines 200-1, 200-2, ... are installed in front of pharmacies or in remote locations (service areas, convenience stores, etc.) far from pharmacies. The pharmaceutical vending machines 200-1, 200-2, ... have pharmaceutical samples and selection buttons for selecting the pharmaceuticals to purchase. The pharmaceutical vending machines 200-1, 200-2, ... may have a monitor that displays pharmaceuticals and selection buttons instead of pharmaceutical samples and selection buttons. The pharmaceutical vending machines 200-1, 200-2, ... also have a device that accepts payments by cash or electronic money, and an outlet for purchasing pharmaceuticals. The pharmaceutical vending machines 200-1, 200-2, ... also have a monitor with a touch panel, a speaker, a microphone, and a camera.

When a purchaser selects a medicine that can be purchased if the pharmacist approves it, the pharmaceutical vending machines 200-1, 200-2, ... send a connection request to the server 100. Then, the pharmaceutical vending machines 200-1, 200-2, ... are connected to one of the pharmacist terminals 300-1, 300-2, 300-3, .... The pharmaceutical vending machines 200-1, 200-2, ... output the pharmaceutical explanation screen and the pharmacist's voice received from the connected pharmacist terminal from the monitor and speaker. In addition, the pharmaceutical vending machines 200-1, 200-2, ... send information on the selected pharmaceutical, images captured from the camera, voice captured from the microphone, etc. to the connected pharmacist terminal. When the pharmaceutical vending machines 200-1, 200-2, ... are notified of the pharmacist's approval from the connected pharmacist terminal, they accept the payment and dispense the pharmaceutical.

The pharmacist terminals 300-1, 300-2, 300-3, ... are PCs used at home by pharmacists who telework from home, or PCs used at pharmacies by pharmacists who work in-store. The pharmacist terminals 300-1, 300-2, 300-3, ... receive a response request from the server 100 when the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 sells a pharmaceutical. When the pharmacist terminals 300-1, 300-2, 300-3, ... respond to the response request to the server 100, they are connected to the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1.

The pharmacist terminals 300-1, 300-2, 300-3, ... output information on the purchased medicine received from the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1, as well as video and audio of the purchaser, from a monitor and speaker. The pharmacist terminals 300-1, 300-2, 300-3, ... also transmit pharmaceutical explanation screens and the pharmacist's audio to the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1. After completing the audio response, the pharmacist terminals 300-1, 300-2, 300-3, ... notify the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 of the pharmacist's approval.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a server. The server 100 is entirely controlled by a processor 101. A memory 102 and multiple peripheral devices are connected to the processor 101 via a bus 109. The processor 101 may be a multiprocessor. The processor 101 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). At least some of the functions realized by the processor 101 executing a program may be realized by an electronic circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or a PLD (Programmable Logic Device).

The memory 102 is used as the main storage device of the server 100. The memory 102 temporarily stores at least a portion of the OS (Operating System) programs and application programs to be executed by the processor 101. The memory 102 also stores various data used in processing by the processor 101. For example, a volatile semiconductor storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) is used as the memory 102.

The peripheral devices connected to the bus 109 include a storage device 103, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 104, an input interface 105, an optical drive device 106, a device connection interface 107, and a network interface 108.

The storage device 103 writes and reads data electrically or magnetically to the built-in recording medium. The storage device 103 is used as an auxiliary storage device for the computer. The storage device 103 stores the OS program, application programs, and various data. Note that, for example, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) can be used as the storage device 103.

The monitor 31 is connected to the GPU 104. The GPU 104 displays an image on the screen of the monitor 31 according to instructions from the processor 101. The monitor 31 may be a display device using an organic electroluminescence (EL) display device, a liquid crystal display device, or the like.

The input interface 105 is connected to a keyboard 32 and a mouse 33. The input interface 105 transmits signals sent from the keyboard 32 and the mouse 33 to the processor 101. Note that the mouse 33 is an example of a pointing device, and other pointing devices can also be used. Examples of other pointing devices include a touch panel, a tablet, a touch pad, a trackball, etc.

The optical drive device 106 uses laser light or the like to read data recorded on the optical disc 34. The optical disc 34 is a portable recording medium on which data is recorded so that it can be read by the reflection of light. Optical discs 34 include DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), DVD-RAMs, CD-ROMs (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), and CD-Rs (Recordable)/RWs (ReWritable).

The device connection interface 107 is a communication interface for connecting peripheral devices to the server 100. For example, a memory device 35 or a memory reader/writer 36 can be connected to the device connection interface 107. The memory device 35 is a recording medium equipped with a communication function with the device connection interface 107. The memory reader/writer 36 is a device that writes data to the memory card 37 or reads data from the memory card 37. The memory card 37 is a card-type recording medium.

The network interface 108 is connected to the network 30. The network interface 108 transmits and receives data to and from other computers or communication devices via the network 30.

The server 100 can realize the processing functions of the second embodiment with the above hardware configuration. The connection control device 10 shown in the first embodiment can also be realized with the same hardware as the server 100 shown in FIG. 3. The processor 101 is an example of the processing unit 12 shown in the first embodiment. The memory 102 or the storage device 103 is an example of the storage unit 11 shown in the first embodiment.

The server 100 realizes the processing function of the second embodiment by executing a program recorded on, for example, a computer-readable recording medium. The program describing the processing content to be executed by the server 100 can be recorded on various recording media. For example, the program to be executed by the server 100 can be stored in the storage device 103. The processor 101 loads at least a part of the program in the storage device 103 into the memory 102 and executes the program. The program to be executed by the server 100 can also be recorded on a portable recording medium such as the optical disk 34, the memory device 35, or the memory card 37. The program stored on the portable recording medium becomes executable after being installed on the storage device 103 under the control of, for example, the processor 101. The processor 101 can also read and execute the program directly from the portable recording medium. Next, the functions of the server 100 will be described in detail.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of the server. The server 100 has a memory unit 120, a communication control unit 130, and a request destination determination unit 140. The memory unit 120 is realized using the memory area of the memory 102 or the storage device 103. The communication control unit 130 and the request destination determination unit 140 are realized by the processor 101 executing a program stored in the memory 102. The memory unit 120 stores management information 121. Information on the pharmacists who operate the pharmacist terminals 300-1, 300-2, 300-3, ... is registered in the management information 121.

The communication control unit 130 connects the pharmaceutical vending machine that has accepted the connection request (e.g., pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1) to the pharmacist terminal that responded. The communication control unit 130 transmits a response request to the pharmacist terminal operated by the pharmacist selected by the request destination determination unit 140 in response to the connection request. For example, the communication control unit 130 refers to the management information 121 and identifies the pharmacist terminal operated by the pharmacist selected by the request destination determination unit 140. The communication control unit 130 transmits a response request to the identified pharmacist terminal and displays a screen including a response priority set so that pharmacists who have responded less frequently and pharmacists who are teleworking from home are given higher priority. When the communication control unit 130 receives a response to the response request, it connects the pharmacist terminal that responded first to the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1.

The request destination determination unit 140 selects a pharmacist to whom the response request sent by the communication control unit 130 is to be sent. When the request destination determination unit 140 receives a connection request from the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1, it references the management information 121 and extracts pharmacists who are teleworking from home. The request destination determination unit 140 selects a predetermined number (e.g., three people) of pharmacists from the extracted pharmacists in order of least frequent responses. Here, if the request destination determination unit 140 is unable to select the predetermined number of pharmacists, it selects pharmacists who are working in the store to make up for the shortage in order of least frequent responses.

Note that the lines connecting the elements shown in FIG. 4 indicate part of the communication paths, and communication paths other than those shown in the figure can also be set. Next, the management information 121 stored in the storage unit 120 will be described in detail.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of management information. Information on the pharmacists who operate the pharmacist terminals 300-1, 300-2, 300-3, ... is registered in the management information 121. The management information 121 has fields for name, connection status, request status, response status, work status, number of responses, and terminal information. The name of the pharmacist is set in the name field. Information indicating whether the pharmacist terminal operated by the pharmacist is online or not is set in the connection status field. For example, if the pharmacist terminal operated by the pharmacist is online, "online" is set in the connection status field, and if it is not online, "offline" is set.

In the request status field, information is set that indicates whether or not a response request is being sent to the pharmacist terminal operated by the pharmacist. For example, the request status field is set to "requesting" if a response request is being sent to the pharmacist terminal operated by the pharmacist, and is set to blank if a response request is not being sent. In the response status field, information is set that indicates whether or not a pharmacist is responding by connecting a pharmacist terminal to pharmaceutical vending machines 200-1, 200-2, .... For example, the response status field is set to "responding" if a pharmacist is responding, and is set to blank if a pharmacist is not responding.

The work status field is set to the work status of the pharmacist. For example, the work status field can be set to "telework from home," "work at store," or "off." The number of times of response is set to the number of times the pharmacist connected a pharmacist terminal to pharmaceutical vending machines 200-1, 200-2, ... and responded. The terminal information field is set to information for identifying the pharmacist terminal operated by the pharmacist. For example, the name and IP (Internet Protocol) address of the pharmacist terminal operated by the pharmacist are set to the terminal information field. Next, the connection control process by server 100 will be described.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of connection control processing. The server 100 determines the pharmacist terminal that will send a response request based on the working status and the number of responses, and connects the pharmacist terminal that responds first to the pharmaceutical vending machine that sent the connection request. In the example of Figure 6, pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 is used by purchaser 61 to purchase pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, pharmacist terminal 300-1 is operated by pharmacist 41 who is teleworking from home 40. Furthermore, pharmacist terminal 300-2 is operated by pharmacist 51 who is working at pharmacy 50.

When the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 accepts a selection by the purchaser 61 to purchase a pharmaceutical that can be purchased if approved by the pharmacist, it sends a connection request to the server 100. When the request destination determination unit 140 of the server 100 receives the connection request, it determines the pharmacist terminal to send a response request to based on the working status and the number of responses.

The request destination determination unit 140 refers to the management information 121 and selects a predetermined number (e.g., three) of pharmacists whose working status is teleworking from home in order of the least number of cases. If there are fewer than three pharmacists whose working status is teleworking from home, the request destination determination unit 140 selects the shortage of pharmacists who work in stores in order of the least number of cases. Here, it is assumed that the pharmacists selected by the request destination determination unit 140 include pharmacists 41 and 51.

The communication control unit 130 of the server 100 sends a response request to the pharmacist terminal operated by the selected pharmacist. The communication control unit 130 causes the pharmacist terminal that sent the response request to display the priority of the response. The communication control unit 130 sets the priority of the response to be higher for the pharmacist terminal operated by a pharmacist who has responded less frequently. The communication control unit 130 also sets the priority of the response to be higher for the pharmacist terminal operated by a pharmacist teleworking from home than for a pharmacist working at the store. Here, the communication control unit 130 sends a response request to the pharmacist terminal 300-1 operated by the pharmacist 41 teleworking from home, and displays that the priority of the response is high. The communication control unit 130 also sends a response request to the pharmacist terminal 300-2 operated by the pharmacist 51 working at the store, and displays that the priority of the response is low.

The pharmacist terminal 300-1 responds to the server 100 in response to the operation of the pharmacist 41. When the communication control unit 130 receives a response from the pharmacist terminal 300-1, it connects the pharmacist terminal 300-1 to the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1.

In this way, when the server 100 receives a connection request from the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1, it selects a pharmacist based on the working status and the number of times of response, and transmits a response request to the pharmacist terminal operated by the selected pharmacist. Then, the server 100 connects the pharmacist terminal that responds first to the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1. Here, the pharmacist operating the pharmacist terminal may not be able to respond immediately if he/she is away from his/her desk, etc. The server 100 transmits a response request to multiple pharmacist terminals and connects the responding pharmacist terminal to the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1, so that the pharmacist who can respond immediately can approve the purchase of the pharmaceutical. In this way, the server 100 can shorten the time until the pharmacist starts responding when selling a pharmaceutical by the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1, and can shorten the waiting time of the purchaser 61. Therefore, the server 100 can sell pharmaceuticals efficiently.

The pharmacist 51 working at the store is more likely to be away from his desk dealing with customers at the store than the pharmacist 41 working from home. Therefore, the server 100 sends a response request preferentially to the pharmacist terminal 300-1 operated by the pharmacist 41 working from home, rather than to the pharmacist terminal 300-2 operated by the pharmacist 51 working at the store. This allows the server 100 to send a response request to the pharmacist terminal operated by the pharmacist who is more likely to be able to respond immediately. Next, the display screens of the connected pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 and pharmacist terminal 300-1 will be described.

Figure 7 shows an example of the display screen of the pharmaceutical vending machine and the pharmacist terminal. When the purchaser 61 selects the pharmaceutical to purchase, the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 displays screen 71. Screen 71 is a screen for confirming the purchase of the selected pharmaceutical. Screen 71 includes a display showing the name of the selected pharmaceutical, such as "<Product name> XXXXX". Screen 71 also includes a message encouraging the user to press a button to confirm the purchase of the selected pharmaceutical, such as "If you wish to purchase, please press the purchase button."

Screen 71 also includes a "Purchase" button and a "Cancel" button. The "Purchase" button is used to confirm the purchase of the selected medicine. The "Cancel" button is used to cancel the purchase of the selected medicine. When the medicine vending machine 200-1 accepts pressing of the "Purchase" button, it displays screen 72 and sends a connection request to the server 100.

Screen 72 is a screen indicating that the system is waiting to connect to a pharmacist terminal. Screen 72 includes a message indicating that the selected medicine can be purchased with the pharmacist's approval, such as "We need an explanation about the product. We will connect you to a pharmacist. Please wait a moment," and that the system is waiting to connect to a pharmacist terminal. Here, the server 100 that has accepted the connection request sends a response request to the pharmacist terminal 300-1 and causes screen 81 to be displayed.

Screen 81 is a screen for notifying pharmacist 41 that a response request has been received at pharmacist terminal 300-1. Screen 81 includes a message indicating that a response request has been received at pharmacist terminal 300-1, such as "A response request has been received from the vending machine." Screen 81 also includes a message prompting a response, such as "Please respond." Screen 81 also includes a message indicating the priority of the response, such as "(Priority: 1st)." Screen 81 also includes a "Respond" button. The "Respond" button is a button for responding to server 100.

When the pharmacist terminal 300-1 receives a press of the "Respond" button, it responds to the server 100. When the server 100 receives a response from the pharmacist terminal 300-1, it connects the pharmacist terminal 300-1 to the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1. When the pharmacist terminal 300-1 connects to the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1, it displays screen 82. When the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 connects to the pharmacist terminal 300-1, it displays screen 73.

The screens 73 and 82 are used by the pharmacist 41 to explain the medicine to the purchaser 61. The screens 73 and 82 include the product name and product information of the medicine. When the medicine vending machine 200-1 displays the screen 73, it transmits the voice acquired from the microphone to the pharmacist terminal 300-1 and outputs the voice received from the pharmacist terminal 300-1. When the pharmacist terminal 300-1 displays the screen 82, it transmits the voice acquired from the microphone to the medicine vending machine 200-1 and outputs the voice received from the medicine vending machine 200-1. The medicine vending machine 200-1 transmits an image of the purchaser 61 captured by a camera to the pharmacist terminal 300-1, and the screen 73 may include the image of the purchaser 61 acquired from the medicine vending machine 200-1.

The screen 82 includes an "End of explanation" button. The "End of explanation" button is pressed when the pharmacist 41 has finished the explanation of the medicine. When the pharmacist terminal 300-1 notifies the medicine vending machine 200-1 that the "End of explanation" button has been pressed, the medicine vending machine 200-1 displays an "Understood" button and a "Request further explanation" button on the screen 73. The "Understood" button is pressed when the purchaser 61 determines that they have received a sufficient explanation of the medicine. The "Request further explanation" button is used by the purchaser 61 to request another explanation of the medicine.

When the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 notifies the pharmacist terminal 300-1 that the "I understand" button has been pressed, the pharmacist terminal 300-1 displays screen 83. Screen 83 is a screen for the pharmacist 41 to approve the purchase of the pharmaceutical. Screen 83 includes the product name of the pharmaceutical. Screen 83 also includes an "Approve" button. The "Approve" button is a button for the pharmacist 41 to approve the purchase of the pharmaceutical. When the "Approve" button is pressed, the pharmacist terminal 300-1 notifies the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 that the pharmacist 41 has approved the purchase of the pharmaceutical. The pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 then accepts the payment and dispenses the pharmaceutical.

In this way, the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 is able to sell pharmaceuticals after receiving approval from the pharmacist 41. When the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 accepts the selection of the pharmaceutical to be purchased, it sends a connection request to the server 100. When the server 100 accepts the connection request, it sends a response request to the pharmacist terminal operated by the selected pharmacist based on their work situation and number of responses. Here, the server 100 causes the pharmacist terminal that sent the response request to display a screen 81 including a response priority set so that pharmacists who have responded less frequently and pharmacists teleworking from home are given higher priority. This allows the server 100 to encourage responses from pharmacists who have responded less frequently and those who can respond immediately.

Then, the server 100 connects the pharmacist terminal that responded first (for example, the pharmacist terminal 300-1) to the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1. The pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 and the pharmacist terminal 300-1 display screens 73 and 82 to send and receive audio. This allows the pharmacist terminal 300-1 and the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 to have the purchaser 61 receive an explanation of the pharmaceutical from the pharmacist 41. The pharmacist terminal 300-1 then notifies the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 of the approval by the pharmacist 41, and the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 sells the pharmaceutical. In this way, the pharmacist terminal 300-1 and the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 can have the purchaser 61 purchase the pharmaceutical after receiving an explanation of the pharmaceutical from the pharmacist 41. Next, the procedure of the connection control process by the server 100 will be explained.

8 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for a connection control process. The process shown in FIG. 8 will be described below in order of step numbers.
[Step S11] The communication control unit 130 receives a connection request from the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1.

[Step S12] The request destination determination unit 140 extracts pharmacists who are online and teleworking from home and are not currently requesting or responding to a request. For example, the request destination determination unit 140 references the management information 121 and extracts pharmacists whose connection status field is "online," whose request status field is blank, whose response status field is blank, and whose work status field is "teleworking from home."

[Step S13] The request destination determination unit 140 selects three pharmacists in descending order of frequency of response. For example, the request destination determination unit 140 refers to the management information 121 and selects three pharmacists in descending order of frequency of response from among the pharmacists extracted in step S12.

[Step S14] The request destination determination unit 140 determines whether or not three pharmacists have been selected. If the request destination determination unit 140 determines that three pharmacists have been selected, it proceeds to step S17. If the request destination determination unit 140 determines that three pharmacists have not been selected, it proceeds to step S15.

[Step S15] The request destination determination unit 140 extracts pharmacists who are online and working at the store, and who are not currently on a request or responding to a request. For example, the request destination determination unit 140 references the management information 121 and extracts pharmacists whose connection status field is "online," whose request status field is blank, whose response status field is blank, and whose work status field is "working at the store."

[Step S16] The request destination determination unit 140 selects pharmacists to fill the gap in order of least frequent responses, so that the total number of pharmacists, including the pharmacist selected in step S13, is three. For example, the request destination determination unit 140 refers to the management information 121 and selects pharmacists to fill the gap in order of least frequent responses from among the pharmacists extracted in step S15.

[Step S17] The communication control unit 130 transmits a response request including the priority of the response to the pharmacist terminal of the pharmacist selected in steps S13 and S16. For example, the communication control unit 130 refers to the management information 121 and transmits a response request to the pharmacist terminal set in the terminal information item of the selected pharmacist. Here, the communication control unit 130 causes the pharmacist terminal that transmitted the response request to display a screen 81 including the priority of the response, which is set to be higher in the order of selection in steps S13 and S16. The communication control unit 130 sets the request status item of the selected pharmacist in the management information 121 to "Requesting".

[Step S18] The communication control unit 130 determines whether or not a response has been received from the pharmacist terminal that sent the response request. If the communication control unit 130 determines that a response has been received, the process proceeds to step S21. If the communication control unit 130 determines that no response has been received, the process proceeds to step S19.

[Step S19] The communication control unit 130 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the response request was sent in step S17. If the communication control unit 130 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed since the response request was sent, the process proceeds to step S20. If the communication control unit 130 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the response request was sent, the process proceeds to step S18.

[Step S20] The communication control unit 130 and the request destination determination unit 140 cancel the response request and select a pharmacist other than the requesting pharmacist to process the request again. For example, the communication control unit 130 sets the request status field of the management information 121 corresponding to the pharmacist terminal that sent the response request in step S17 to blank. The communication control unit 130 and the request destination determination unit 140 execute the processes of steps S12 to S17, excluding the pharmacist corresponding to the pharmacist terminal that sent the response request in step S17. Then, the process proceeds to step S18.

[Step S21] The communication control unit 130 connects the pharmacist terminal that responded first (e.g., pharmacist terminal 300-1) to the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1. The communication control unit 130 sets the response status item of the pharmacist 41 in the management information 121 to "Currently responding."

[Step S22] The communication control unit 130 cancels the response request for the pharmacist terminal that sent the response request in step S17. For example, the communication control unit 130 sets the item of the request status of the pharmacist corresponding to the pharmacist terminal that sent the response request in step S17 in the management information 121 to a blank field.

[Step S23] The communication control unit 130 determines whether the pharmacist 41's response has been completed. For example, the communication control unit 130 determines that the response has been completed when it receives a notification from the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 or the pharmacist terminal 300-1 indicating that the response has been completed. If the communication control unit 130 determines that the response has been completed, it proceeds to step S24. If the communication control unit 130 determines that the response has not been completed, it proceeds to step S23.

[Step S24] The communication control unit 130 cancels the pharmacist 41's active response state. For example, the communication control unit 130 sets the pharmacist 41's response status item in the management information 121 to blank.

In this way, when the request destination determination unit 140 receives a connection request from the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1, it extracts a predetermined number of pharmacists based on the management information 121 in which their working status and number of responses are registered. The communication control unit 130 sends a response request to the pharmacist terminals operated by each of the predetermined number of pharmaceutical venders, and connects the pharmacist terminal that receives the first response to the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1. This allows the server 100 to have the pharmacist who is immediately available approve the purchase of the pharmaceutical, shortening the time until the pharmacist approves the sale of the pharmaceutical by the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1. Thus, the server 100 can sell pharmaceuticals efficiently.

When extracting a pharmacist, the request destination determination unit 140 preferentially extracts a pharmacist teleworking from home over a pharmacist who is working at a store. This allows the server 100 to send a response request to a pharmacist terminal operated by a pharmacist who can respond quickly. Furthermore, when extracting a pharmacist, the request destination determination unit 140 preferentially extracts a pharmacist who has responded less frequently. This allows the server 100 to equalize the number of responses between pharmacists. The communication control unit 130 then transmits a response request to the extracted pharmacist terminal, and causes the pharmacist terminal that transmitted the response request to display the priority of responses according to the number of responses. This allows the communication control unit 130 to prompt the pharmacists to respond so that the number of responses is equalized. Next, the flow of communication between the devices in the second embodiment will be described using a sequence diagram.

Figure 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing of the second embodiment. The pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 accepts a request to purchase a pharmaceutical from a purchaser 61 (step S101). For example, when the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 accepts pressing of a selection button, it displays a screen 71 to confirm the purchase of the pharmaceutical corresponding to the pressed selection button. When the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 accepts pressing of the "Purchase" button on the screen 71, it accepts the request to purchase a pharmaceutical.

The pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 sends a connection request to the server 100 (step S102). Then, the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 displays screen 72. When the server 100 receives the connection request from the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1, it determines the destination of the response request (step S103). Here, it is assumed that the server 100 determines the pharmacist terminals 300-1, 300-2, and 300-3 as the destinations of the response request, and sets the priority of the responses in the order of pharmacist terminal 300-1, pharmacist terminal 300-2, and pharmacist terminal 300-3. The server 100 sends the response requests to the pharmacist terminals 300-1, 300-2, and 300-3, and causes them to display screen 81.

The pharmacist terminal 300-1 receives the response request and displays a screen 81 indicating that the priority is first (step S105). The pharmacist terminal 300-2 receives the response request and displays a screen 81 indicating that the priority is second (step S106). The pharmacist terminal 300-3 receives the response request and displays a screen 81 indicating that the priority is third (step S107). Here, it is assumed that the pharmacist 41 operating the pharmacist terminal 300-1 presses the "Response" button. Then, the pharmacist terminal 300-1 responds to the server 100 (step S108). When the server 100 receives the response from the pharmacist terminal 300-1, it connects the pharmacist terminal 300-1 and the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 (step S109). The server 100 cancels the response requests to the pharmacist terminals 300-1, 300-2, and 300-3 (step S110).

When the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 is connected to the pharmacist terminal 300-1, it transmits and receives images, audio, and the like between the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 and the pharmacist terminal 300-1 (step S111). For example, the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 displays a screen 73 including the pharmaceutical product name and pharmaceutical product information received from the pharmacist terminal 300-1. The pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 also transmits audio acquired from a microphone to the pharmacist terminal 300-1 and outputs the audio received from the pharmacist terminal 300-1. The pharmacist terminal 300-1 displays a screen 82 including the pharmaceutical product name and pharmaceutical product information. The pharmacist terminal 300-1 also transmits audio acquired from a microphone to the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 and outputs the audio received from the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1.

When the pharmacist terminal 300-1 notifies the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 that the "Explanation Ended" button has been pressed, the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 displays the "I Understand" button on the screen 73. When the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 notifies the pharmacist terminal 300-1 that the "I Understand" button has been pressed, the pharmacist terminal 300-1 displays the screen 83 including the "Approve" button. When the "Approve" button is pressed, the pharmacist terminal 300-1 notifies the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 that the pharmacist 41 has approved the purchase of the pharmaceutical (step S112). This causes the connection between the pharmacist terminal 300-1 and the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 to be cut off. The pharmacist terminal 300-1 notifies the server 100 that the response has been completed (step S113).

When the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 is notified by the pharmacist terminal 300-1 of the approval by the pharmacist 41, it accepts payment and dispenses the pharmaceutical (step S114). For example, the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 accepts payment for the pharmaceutical with cash or electronic money. The pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 then dispenses the pharmaceutical from a dispenser.

In this way, the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 receives notification of approval by the pharmacist 41 from the pharmacist terminal 300-1 and can sell the pharmaceutical. When approval is given, the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 and the pharmacist terminal 300-1 connected by the server 100 transmit and receive the voices of the pharmacist 41 and the purchaser 61 obtained from the microphone. This allows the pharmacist terminal 300-1 and the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 to have the purchaser 61 receive an explanation of the pharmaceutical from the pharmacist 41. After the explanation of the pharmaceutical, the pharmacist terminal 300-1 notifies the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 of the approval by the pharmacist 41, and the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 sells the pharmaceutical. In this way, the pharmacist terminal 300-1 and the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1 can have the purchaser 61 receive an explanation of the pharmaceutical from the pharmacist 41 before purchasing the pharmaceutical.

Other embodiments
In the second embodiment, the server 100 connects the pharmaceutical vending machine 200-1, which is a vending machine, to the pharmacist terminal 300-1, but may also connect other devices that sell pharmaceuticals to the pharmacist terminal 300-1. For example, the server 100 may connect a self-checkout installed in a store such as a convenience store or pharmacy to the pharmacist terminal 300-1. If the product to be purchased includes a pharmaceutical product that can be purchased if the pharmacist approves it, the self-checkout transmits a connection request to the server 100. The server 100 transmits a response request to the pharmacist terminal determined in the same manner as in the second embodiment, and connects the pharmacist terminal 300-1 that responds first to the self-checkout. When the self-checkout receives a notification of approval from the pharmacist terminal 300-1, it performs accounting for the product including the pharmaceutical product.

For example, the server 100 may connect a communication terminal installed in a store such as a convenience store or pharmacy to the pharmacist terminal 300-1. When the communication terminal reads the medicine to be purchased by the customer, it sends a connection request to the server 100. The server 100 sends a response request to the determined pharmacist terminal as in the second embodiment, and connects the communication terminal to the pharmacist terminal that responds first. When the communication terminal receives a notification of approval from the pharmacist terminal 300-1, it issues a ticket indicating that the pharmacist has approved. The customer can purchase the medicine at the store's cash register by presenting the ticket. In this way, by using self-checkouts and communication terminals, the medicine sales system can sell medicines that can be purchased if the pharmacist has approved, in stores where there is no pharmacist.

Although the above is an example of an embodiment, the configuration of each part shown in the embodiment can be replaced with other parts having similar functions. In addition, any other components or processes may be added. Furthermore, any two or more configurations (features) of the above-mentioned embodiments may be combined.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Vending device 2a, 2b, ... Terminal 10 Connection control device 11 Storage unit 11a Drug seller information 12 Processing unit

Claims (8)

A storage unit that stores information on a plurality of drug sellers corresponding to a plurality of terminals that can notify a sales device that sells a drug of approval of the sale of the drug by the drug seller;
a processing unit that, upon receiving a connection request from the vending device, extracts a predetermined number of pharmaceutical sellers from the plurality of pharmaceutical sellers based on information on the plurality of pharmaceutical sellers, transmits a response request to a request terminal among the plurality of terminals corresponding to each of the predetermined number of pharmaceutical sellers, and, upon receiving a response from a response terminal among the request terminals, connects the vending device to the response terminal;
A connection control device having: the processing unit connects the vending device to the response terminal that has received a response first from among the request terminals;
The connection control device according to claim 1. The storage unit stores the working status of each of the plurality of pharmaceutical sellers,
The processing unit preferentially extracts pharmaceutical sellers having a predetermined working status from the plurality of pharmaceutical sellers as the predetermined number of pharmaceutical sellers.
The connection control device according to claim 1. The storage unit stores, for each of the plurality of pharmaceutical sellers, a number of connections between a corresponding terminal and the sales device;
The processing unit preferentially extracts, from the plurality of pharmaceutical distributors, pharmaceutical distributors having a smaller number of connections as the predetermined number of pharmaceutical distributors.
The connection control device according to claim 1. The processing unit causes the request terminal to display a priority level of a response according to the number of connections of the corresponding pharmaceutical distributor.
5. The connection control device according to claim 4. A vending device for selling pharmaceutical products;
A plurality of terminals capable of notifying the sales device of approval of the sale of the drug by the drug seller;
a connection control device which, upon receiving a connection request from the vending device, extracts a predetermined number of drug sellers from the plurality of drug sellers based on information on the plurality of drug sellers corresponding to each of the plurality of terminals, transmits a response request to a request terminal among the plurality of terminals corresponding to each of the predetermined number of drug sellers, and, upon receiving a response from a response terminal among the request terminals, connects the vending device to the response terminal;
A pharmaceutical sales system with the above features. The computer
When a connection request is received from a sales device that sells medicines, a predetermined number of medicine sellers are extracted from the plurality of medicine sellers based on information of the plurality of medicine sellers corresponding to each of a plurality of terminals that can notify the sales device of approval of the sale of the medicine by the medicine seller;
transmitting a response request to a request terminal among the plurality of terminals corresponding to each of the predetermined number of pharmaceutical sellers;
when a response is received from a response terminal among the request terminals, connecting the vending device to the response terminal;
Connection control method. On the computer,
When a connection request is received from a sales device that sells medicines, a predetermined number of medicine sellers are extracted from the plurality of medicine sellers based on information of the plurality of medicine sellers corresponding to each of a plurality of terminals that can notify the sales device of approval of the sale of the medicine;
transmitting a response request to a request terminal among the plurality of terminals corresponding to each of the predetermined number of pharmaceutical sellers;
when a response is received from a response terminal among the request terminals, connecting the vending device to the response terminal;
A connection control program that executes the process.

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