Abstract:
A system for tracking the quantity of an item is disclosed. The system includes a portable terminal, a client, and a cabinet. The portable terminal is configured to receive information indicating a change in the quantity of the item in a container. The portable terminal includes a unique identifier, an input device configured to be actuated to indicate the change in the quantity of the item in the container, and a transceiver configured to transmit the information indicating. The client is configured to associate the portable terminal with the item based on the unique identifier, and includes a transceiver configured to receive and transmit the information. The cabinet includes the container and a controller configured to change a value indicating a quantity of the item based on the information transmitted from the client. A method for tracking the quantity of an item is also provided.
Abstract:
A dispensing device and method including a housing defining an opening. A door is movable relative to the housing from a closed position to a maximum open position. The door and the housing defining an access portion of the opening. A tray is disposed within the housing and is supported for movement relative to the housing. The tray is configured to support dispensable items within a plurality of segments of the tray. An access control mechanism is configured to locate the tray relative to the housing to generally align a selected one of the plurality of segments with the opening and also to limit opening movement of the door to limit a size of the access portion to a size of the selected segment if a corresponding position of the door is less than the maximum open position of the door.
Abstract:
A portable container is disclosed that includes a body and a lid that cooperatively form a securable storage compartment and a latch that is coupled to the body and configured to releasably secure the lid. The portable container also includes a location-sensing element configured to determine the location of the portable container in a facility and provide location information to a processor coupled to the latch and the location sensing element. The processor is configured to receive the location information from the location-sensing element and allow the latch to release the lid upon a determination that the portable container is located in an area of the facility where access to the contents of the portable container is permitted.
Abstract:
According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for providing medication dispense alert notifications is described. The system includes a communications module configured to receive, from a client, a request for information regarding a medication dispense for a patient, and to obtain clinical information associated with the patient based on the request. The system also includes a processor configured to determine, based on the clinical information, whether a response to be provided to the client will include an alert regarding the medication dispense. The communications module is further configured to provide, to the client, the response to the request. Methods and machine-readable media are also described.
Abstract:
A method for supplying items to dispensing units that hold at least one type of item and a record of inventory levels comprises periodically sending restocking information from the dispensing units over a network to a server computer. Ordering information is generated for the items to be restocked based on the restocking information. The ordering information is electronically sent to one or more supplier computers to order items to be restocked into the dispensing units.
Abstract:
A dispensing device and method including a housing defining an opening. A door is movable relative to the housing from a closed position to a maximum open position. The door and the housing defining an access portion of the opening. A tray is disposed within the housing and is supported for movement relative to the housing. The tray is configured to support dispensable items within a plurality of segments of the tray. An access control mechanism is configured to locate the tray relative to the housing to generally align a selected one of the plurality of segments with the opening and also to limit opening movement of the door to limit a size of the access portion to a size of the selected segment if a corresponding position of the door is less than the maximum open position of the door.
Abstract:
Embodiments of this invention are directed towards various sensing mechanisms for bins of an automated inventory system. Further, various communication infrastructures and schemes between the various system components are disclosed. The automated inventory system comprises a plurality of dispensing bins containing stocked items. Various sensors may be used to detect the level or quantity of items within the various bins of the system. If a particular threshold level or quantity in the bin is triggered, a reorder signal is transmitted. The reorder signal may be communicated to other system components via hardwired and/or wireless connections. An RFID reader device may be used to collect reorder data regarding the various bins.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for controlled dispensing of consumable supply items, such as office supplies, wherein the quantity of items added or removed from the apparatus is determined by sensing a change in weight of items within the apparatus. The apparatus may be in the form of a cabinet having a plurality of doors, each door having a secured position preventing access to the items within the cabinet. The cabinet may be configured to unlock less than all of the doors to allow limited access to the items based on various factors, such as user identification and item cost.
Abstract:
A method for supplying items to dispensing units that hold at least one type of item and a record of inventory levels comprises periodically sending restocking information from the dispensing units over a network to a server computer. Ordering information is generated for the items to be restocked based on the restocking information. The ordering information is electronically sent to one or more supplier computers to order items to be restocked into the dispensing units.
Abstract:
An inventory management system preferably including a supply crib configured to store a plurality of supply items. The supply crib has a controlled entryway to selectively permit access to the supply crib. A database contains inventory information relating to a quantity of each of the plurality of supply items allocated to the supply crib. A user terminal is capable of communicating with the database and is accessible from external the supply crib. The user terminal is configured to permit a user of the system to select a quantity of a desired item from the plurality of supply items within the crib. The system is configured to update the inventory information to reflect the addition or removal of the quantity of the desired item in response to the user initiating a door transaction, which preferably is either or both of an access request to the supply crib or entry into the supply crib by the user.