Abstract:
A method and apparatus for dispensing items has an array of storage locations (e.g., storage bins) for storing items. A pick head sub-system is operable to pick an item from any storage bin of the array and a transfer sub-system is operable to receive items picked by the pick head sub-system. A delivery mechanism is operable to deliver items from the transfer sub-system to a delivery zone. The picking, transfer and delivery of an item comprises a dispense operation, and the pick head and transfer sub-systems permit parallel dispense operations.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a control system and a user accessible delivery zone to which products are dispensed from respect storage locations at least some of which are in a climate controlled container (CCC) having open and closed positions via a door operable to open and close. The control system is operable to pick one or more of the products from their respective storage locations by driving a pick head to a selected storage location of each product to be picked. When picking products stored in the CCC, the door is opened, and the pick head picks and moves one or more selected products from its storage location in the CCC, and the door to the CCC is then closed. Each of the one or more picked products is moved by the pick head to the delivery zone where it is released to a user.
Abstract:
Compliance based distribution of a regulated product with payment for the distributed regulated product are provided. A request is received from a regulated product consumer to dispense a regulated product from a regulated product dispensing device. A determination is made whether there can be an authorization to dispense the regulated product consumer/purchaser in consultation with compliance and efficiency data. The regulated product is dispensed by the regulated product dispensing device if it is authorized. The regulated product dispensing device may be in a consumer accessible location to receive a request to dispense the regulated product, which request is subjected to a determination as to whether the dispensing is authorized. Payment is received for the dispensing, and a determination is made as to how to direct the payment based on ownership and business arrangements relating to the regulated product and the regulated product dispensing device.
Abstract:
A system, method and apparatus for validation of medication for consumption by a patient. A patient unit, which is one node on a communication network, is operated to present medication elements stored at the patient unit in an order corresponding to the order of a prescribed course of treatment for the patient. Indicia on the medication elements are inspected to derive characterizing data such as nature of drug and scheduled time of consumption. The derived data is compared to stored data corresponding to a next scheduled medication element. If there is a match, the patient is informed that validated medication is ready to be consumed. The patient then arranges for the medication to be delivered from the patient unit and for a notification to be sent to a compliance agent at a remote network node.
Abstract:
Method and Apparatus for Handling Packages in an Automated Dispensary In a method and apparatus for handling a package in an automated dispensary, a package is positioned in an inspection station of the dispensary. Images are captured of the package and are read to identify data on labels or on the package itself. The data is encoded as source data in an identifying label which is applied to the package and is used subsequently in handling the package for dispensing and other inventory management procedures.
Abstract:
Compliance based distribution of a regulated product with payment for the distributed regulated product are provided. A request is received from a regulated product consumer to dispense a regulated product from a regulated product dispensing device. A determination is made whether there can be an authorization to dispense the regulated product consumer/purchaser in consultation with compliance and efficiency data. The regulated product is dispensed by the regulated product dispensing device if it is authorized. The regulated product dispensing device may be in a consumer accessible location to receive a request to dispense the regulated product, which request is subjected to a determination as to whether the dispensing is authorized. Payment is received for the dispensing, and a determination is made as to how to direct the payment based on ownership and business arrangements relating to the regulated product and the regulated product dispensing device.
Abstract:
A vending machine, in communication with a remote station, delivers a labeled container to a user from storage holding containers of different sizes and shapes and containing different products such as medicaments. A control system is operable to select a specific unlabeled container from among the other containers in storage, and to move the selected unlabeled container to a labeling module where a label is applied after the position of the label and/or the selected unlabeled container are/is adjusted so as to result in the label being applied at a desired position and angular orientation with respect to the selected unlabeled container. The control system is further operable to move the labeled container to a delivery zone accessible to the user.
Abstract:
Disclosed are techniques for targeted health care messaging for patients and health care providers. In response to a health care event, such as the generation of a prescription or treatment of a patient, information regarding the health care event is obtained by a messaging server. The messaging server uses this information, or a filtered representation thereof, to select one or more health care messages based on selection criteria associated with the selected messages. The messaging server then provides the selected messages to one or more user devices for presentation to one or more participants in the health care event. In many instances, ethical, legal, and regulatory mandates prohibit disclosure of identifying information for a patient or health care professional participating in the health care event to unauthorized third parties, such as the providers or sources of the message content of the selected messages. As such, the information used to select the targeted messages is obtained or used in a manner that prevents identification of participants in the health care event by unauthorized entities. These targeted health care messaging techniques provide an effective and low-cost mechanism for disseminating health care information to the appropriate audience.
Abstract:
A dispensary kiosk, functionality enabled to dispense items, has a cabinet, a storage vault in the cabinet, and a door to the storage vault in the cabinet. The door, which houses a user interface, enables general access to the storage vault in the cabinet conditional on disabling the item dispensing functionality of the dispensary kiosk. The dispensary kiosk has an entryway to the storage vault in the cabinet independent of the door. The entryway enables loading/unloading of the storage vault by use of a function unit, such loading/unloading by the function unit not conditioned on disabling the item dispensing functionality of the dispensary kiosk.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for dispensing items has an array of storage locations (e.g., storage bins) for storing items. A pick head sub-system is operable to pick an item from any storage bin of the array and a transfer sub-system is operable to receive items picked by the pick head sub-system. A delivery mechanism is operable to deliver items from the transfer sub-system to a delivery zone. The picking, transfer and delivery of an item comprises a dispense operation, and the pick head and transfer sub-systems permit parallel dispense operations.