Information input device for tablet automatic packing machine

• US 7,277,776 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2004
• Issued: 10/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: JVM Company Limited
• Original Assignee: JVM Company Limited
• Inventors: Kim, Jun-ho
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Khoi H.
• Application Number:
  US11/003,406
• Publication Number:
  US 20050162403A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,030 Days
• Field of Search: 700/242, 700/231, 700/243, 700/244, 221/2, 221/9
• US Class Current: 700/242
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/103 for packaging pills or tablets
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 57/00 Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices registering wrapping or container-forming material fed from rolls B65B41/18
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Abstract

Disclosed is an information input device for a tablet automatic packing machine capable of easily and directly storing tablet information in a memory chip and updating/reading the tablet information in/from the memory chip at a user side. The information input device includes a plurality of cassette supporters each of which has a first connector on the upper surface thereof and a memory chip mounted and electrically connected on and to the first connector. Especially, the information input device of the present invention comprises a second connector separatably connected to the first connector electrically connected to the memory chip, an input unit for inputting tablet information to be stored in the memory chip, a storage unit for storing a tablet information input program and associated data, a main controlling unit for inputting the tablet information from the input unit according to execution of the tablet information input program stored in the storage unit and for outputting the tablet information and a recording control command for enabling the tablet information to be stored in the memory chip and a recording unit for recording the tablet information in the memory chip electrically connected to the first and second connectors according to the recording control command inputted from the main controlling unit.

Claims

1. An information input device for a tablet automatic packing machine including a plurality of tablet cassettes, in which each tablet cassette has a first connector on the lower surface thereof and a memory chip which is mounted and electrically connected on and to the first connector, comprising:

a second connector separatably connected to the first connector electrically connected to the memory chip;

an input unit for inputting tablet information to be stored in the memory chips;

a storage unit for storing a tablet information input program and associated data;

a main controlling unit for inputting the tablet information from the input unit according to execution of the tablet information input program stored in the storage unit and for outputting the tablet information and a recording control command for enabling the tablet information to be stored in the memory chip; and

a recording unit for storing the tablet information in the memory chip electrically connected to the first and second connectors according to the recording control command inputted from the main controlling unit; and

a display unit for displaying the tablet information inputted from the input unit.

2. The information input device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a cassette mounting unit formed on one side of the upper surface of a body forming the external shape of the information input device, in which the tablet cassette is separatably connected to the cassette mounting unit, wherein the cassette mounting unit includes:

a matching unit in which a second connector is formed on the upper surface of the body, such that the second connector is separatably connected to the first connector; and

a guide unit for guiding the tablet cassette along sides of the matching unit to a predetermined matching position of the matching unit.

3. The information input device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a reading unit for reading the tablet information stored in the memory chip electrically connected to the first and second connectors according to a reading control command inputted from the main controlling unit.

4. The information input device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the storage unit further stores cassette identification number, tablet name, sensitivity/minimum sensing time/sensing period of a sensor for sensing discharged tablets.