An object matching device includes an acquiring unit, an extracting unit, and a determining unit. The acquiring unit acquires an image of an object to be matched with a character printed thereon. The extracting unit extracts a partial image of predetermined size including the character as a matching partial image from the image. The determining unit compares the matching partial image with a registration partial image acquired from an object to be registered and registered in advance, and thereby determines an identity of the object to be matched and the object to be registered.

A solid pharmaceutical dosage form has micro- or nanostructures impressed on the surface thereof or an interface thereof. The dosage form includes a suitable quantity and distribution of ingredients, such as one or more dyes, so as to enhance the optical contrast effect caused by the micro- or nanostructures so that the micro- or nanostructures are observable by the human eye and thereby able to provide anti-counterfeiting characteristics to the dosage form.

The present invention provides a HIPPA compliant monitoring system for drug distribution and decreasing drug diversion. Incorporating electromagnetic tag technology, such as RF ID and other applicable technology, a system is provided to track movements of a dispensed drug, from the manufacturer to the end use. A central unit processes information received from a number of different tracking units, stores such information and processes the information with pre-determined conditions including but not limited to drug abuse, diversion, and other compliance related events. Once an abnormal event is detected by the central unit, an alert may be sent to the authorities or relevant personnel. The system also includes a one or multilevel authentication code system, to further ensure the protection of a patient's privacy during the tracking process, and to make the system HIPPA compliant.

According to one embodiment, a tablet printing apparatus includes: a first conveyor conveying a tablet while holding a other surface of the tablet; a second conveyor conveying the tablet transferred from the first conveyor while holding a one surface of the tablet; a first print head performing printing on the one surface of the tablet; a second print head performing printing on the other surface of the tablet; a first detection mechanism detecting the one surface of the tablet; a second detection mechanism detecting the other surface of the tablet; and a controller sending a printing instruction to the first and the second print heads based on information related to the state of a split line included in detection information on the one surface of the tablet or detection information on the other surface of the tablet.

Technologies are described for delivering an active agent using an ingestible pill device, securing medication package content, and monitoring the medication package content. Examples of the technology include using an ingestible pill device to deliver an active agent, where release of the active agent can be based on patient authentication, analyzing sensor data to determine a condition for releasing the active agent, analyzing image data to identify a release point, etc. Examples of the technology also include using a monitoring device to secure a medication package using a cover and locking device, monitoring the medication package to detect access to the medication package, and tracking access to the medication package to determine medication adherence.

A tablet mark printing method of printing a mark at a splitting position of a tablet having a splitting line on a first surface and not having a splitting line on a second surface, the method including performing splitting line position recognition on the first surface of the tablet and printing the mark at a position corresponding to the splitting position at least on the second surface.

A solid pharmaceutical preparation printing method in which printing is performed on successively-supplied solid pharmaceutical preparations by discharging ink from a nozzle of a printing device based on printing data, the printing data including standard printing data and rotated printing data created by rotating the standard printing data at a selected rotation angle, and the printing based on the rotated printing data being performed in addition to the printing based on the standard printing data.

An electronic drug compliance monitoring system and associated methods utilize a pill having an electronic transmission capability and external means for receiving that transmission to sense the presence of the pill in the patient's body or digestive tract.

According to one embodiment, a tablet printing apparatus includes: a conveyor belt that includes a suction hole connected to a suction chamber, and conveys a tablet while sucking the tablet to the suction hole; an ink jet print head that has a nozzle surface where a nozzle is formed, and is located above the conveyor belt such that the nozzle surface faces the conveyor belt, and performs printing on the tablet conveyed by the conveyor belt; and a control plate that is located on the upstream side of the print head in the conveying direction of the tablet between the conveyor belt and the height position of the nozzle surface of the print head, and controls an airflow generated between the conveyor belt and the print head.

Apparatuses for use with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The apparatus can include a partial power source, which in turn includes electrodes or materials that are configured to generate an electrical potential upon contacting or being exposed to an ionic solution. The apparatus can further include a circuit electrically or communicatively coupled to the partial power source. The circuit can generate various types of signals, such as RF signals, when powered by the partial power source. The circuit is stably fittable to the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The apparatus can further include a barrier, a protective layer, or a membrane that isolates the electrodes or materials from the ionic solution and is configured to be dissolved by the ionic solution.