Quality of prescription medications and quality of customer services at pharmacies using adaptable automatic distributed vending system

• US 10,325,074 B2
• Filed: 04/21/2016
• Issued: 06/18/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2015
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zachary Leonid Braunstein
• Original Assignee: Zachary Leonid Braunstein
• Inventors: Braunstein, Zachary Leonid
• Primary Examiner(s): Collins, Michael
• Application Number:
  US15/135,549
• Publication Number:
  US 20160314272A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,153 Days
• Field of Search: 700231-244
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Apparatus adapting to ambient environment and internal self-diagnostics operating within acceptance criteria, sustaining prescription medications within specifications, which in addition to conventional quality parameters include apparatus specific parameters, such as: combined weight of medication inside a container, and length of container. A control algorithm executed by apparatus sustaining operation within acceptance criteria. Apparatus including conveyor transport system configurable for vertical distribution of prescription medications between pharmacy and authorized user. Vertical configuration provides support for pharmacy to serve multi-story facility, such as a hospital. Automatic dispensing ensures high productivity and quality as only verified specification medications are dispensed to authorized customers.

Claims

1. A configurable apparatus adaptable for processing an item in compliance with a specification and in compliance to an acceptance criteria;

said adaptability including configurations of said apparatus of a single or a multi-track configurable conveyor for distributing of the item vertically and/or horizontally;

said item including a prescription medication;

said specification for a prescription medication comprising of a specification parameters originated by an authorized physician (prescription specification) and a specification parameters originated by the apparatus (system specification);

said acceptance criteria comprising processing and delivering a prescription medication in compliance to said specifications and to said acceptance criteria;

said processing including storing a prescription medication inside a container and identifying said container with a set of specification parameters;

said delivering including automatic dispensing to an authorized customer; and

the apparatus executing a configurable control algorithm adaptable to said specifications and to said acceptance criteria;

said configurable apparatus comprising of;

a configurable controller;

said controller including a configurable specification (SC) comprising of specification parameters (SCP);

a configurable non-volatile memory;

a configurable control algorithm;

said algorithm including calculations/estimates of a probability of an error in processing a prescription medication by said apparatus including real-time monitoring and controls;

said error including apparatus non-compliance to said acceptance criteria in respect to a prescription medication;

said controls including closed-loop controls executed by said controller directly with or without assistance from an operator;

a configurable communication interface;

said interface including;

communication between said apparatus and a remote controller including a host controller, communication between said apparatus and a device with an embedded controller;

said devices including mobile devices;

said communication interface including wired, wireless and INTERNET;

said interface including a configurable specification (SI) comprising of specification parameters (SIP);

said (SI) and (SIP) including an operator interface and security specification approved by a provider;

a configurable sensor;

said sensor interfaced to said configurable controller;

said sensor including a configurable specification (SS) comprising of specification parameters (SSP);

said (SS) including configurations for monitoring and/or measuring a specification parameter of said apparatus, including;

ambient environment (including temperature, humidity, emissions, vibrations), shape of an item (including item as an individual pill or a container), dimension of an item (diameter or width, length, height), weight of an item, identification/specification of an item (barcode label and/or electronic identification/tracking device attached to an item) with said items including;

a container, a carrier, a device and an assembly of said apparatus;

said (SS) including configurations for monitoring self-diagnostics of said apparatus including self-diagnostics of;

a device, an assembly, a module and/or a mechanism within said apparatus;

a configurable container;

said container including a configurable specification for said container/housing (SH);

said specification comprising of specification parameters (SHP) including;

shape, size (volume/capacity and dimensions) and weight;

a configurable conveyor;

said conveyor including;

a transport mechanism and a carrier attached to said transport mechanism;

said conveyor including a configurable specification (ST);

said (ST) including configurations for;

vertical, horizontal and angular direction;

said (ST) including an attachment of a carrier;

said attachment sustaining said carrier under the weight of said carrier (empty and/or loaded) in essentially vertical alignment, and allowing a weight measuring device (a sensor configured for weight measuring) to engage with said carrier lifting said carrier along a vertical axis and measuring the weight of said carrier (empty and/or loaded);

said (ST) including bi-directional transport;

said (ST) comprising of specification parameters (STP) including definition for;

dimensional parameters, drive mechanism, local controller, communication interface to said controllers and a mechanical interface to a number of carriers;

a configurable dispensing module;

said dispensing module including a configurable specification (SDM) comprising a specification parameters (SDMP);

said (SDM) including;

a mechanical interface with a dispensing conveyor for unloading an item from a carrier of said dispensing conveyor into said dispensing module and configurations for providing un-attended services comprising of a stand-alone vending kiosk in compliance to a quality acceptance criteria;

a configurable reject return module;

said reject. module including a configurable specification (SRM) comprising a specification parameters (SRMP);

said (SRM) including a mechanical interface with a reject return conveyor for unloading an item from a carrier of said conveyor into said reject return module;

a configurable customer interface;

said customer interface including a configurable specification (SCI) comprising a specification parameters (SCIP);

said (SCI) and (SCIP) including customer operational and security specifications;

a configurable provider interface;

said provider interface including a configurable specification (SPI) comprising a specification parameters (SPIP);

said (SPI) and (SPIP) including provider operational and security specifications;

a configurable vending module;

said module including;

said conveyors and said modules;

said vending module including a configurable specification (SVM) comprising of specification parameters (SVMP);

said (SVM) including;

mechanical and electronic interfaces between said modules and configurations for providing un-attended services comprising the stand-alone vending kiosk;

said (SVM) including compliance to;

a vending module quality acceptance criteria and to a vending module safety/security acceptance criteria;

a configurable prescription medication;

said medication including a configurable specification (SM);

said specification comprising of a specification parameters originated by an authorized physician (prescription specification) and a specification parameters originated by the apparatus (system specification);

said (SM) comprising of specification parameters (SMP) including parameters for;

ambient environment and safety/security for said medication;

said safety/security parameters including;

operator/customer access authorization and real-time monitoring/verifications of a location of said medication within said apparatus;

a configurable conveyor carrier;

said carrier including a configurable specification (SCC);

said specification including carrier specification parameters (SCCP);

shape, size (volume/capacity and dimensions), weight and identification (barcode label and/or electronic);

said (SCC) including said carrier configurations of;

a single section/pocket carrier for accepting a single container with prescription medication and a multi-section/pocket carrier with each section /pocket configured for accepting any combination consisting of a container with prescription medication and/or a medication accessory;

wherein (SS) including sensor configurations for monitoring and/or measuring a specification parameter of said apparatus, including;

ambient environment (including temperature, humidity, emissions, vibrations), shape of an item (including item as an individual pill or a container) and dimension of an item (diameter or width, length, height);

wherein (SS) including sensor configurations for weight measurements of;

an item, a carrier, a module and/or a component of said apparatus;

wherein (SS) including sensor configurations for recognition (reading) of an identification/specification parameter of an item (barcode label and/or electronic identification/tracking device attached to an item) with said items including;

a container, a carrier, a device, an assembly;

wherein (SS) including sensor configurations for monitoring self-diagnostics of said apparatus including self-diagnostics of;

a device, a mechanism and a module within said apparatus;

wherein (SS) including sensor configurations for monitoring safety and security of a medication within said apparatus;

wherein (SCC) for configurations of a multi-section/pocket carrier comprising of (SCCP) for each section/pocket of said carrier and including;

shape, size (volume/capacity and dimensions), weight and identification (barcode label and/or electronic);

wherein (ST) including conveyor configurations for;

vertical, horizontal and angular direction;

said (ST) comprising attachment of a carrier;

said attachment sustaining said carrier under the weight of said carrier (empty and/or loaded) in essentially vertical alignment;

said (ST) comprising bi-directional transport;

said (STP) defining;

dimensional parameters, drive mechanism, local controller, communication interface to said controllers, and mechanical coupling to the carriers;

wherein said configurable apparatus is configured according to;

a configurable process specification for loading a prescription medication into a container (SLH);

said (SLH) configurations including;

auto-loading and manual loading by an authorized operator/provider;

said (SLH) including verification of medication specification parameters listed in the (SM) and verification of other parameters as defined by a container loading quality acceptance criteria;

a configurable process specification for loading said container with prescription medication into a carrier (SLC);

said (SLC) configurations including;

auto-loading and manual loading by an authorized operator/provider;

said (SLC) including verification of;

medication specification parameters listed in the (SM), container specification parameters listed in (SH) and verification of other parameters as defined by a carrier loading quality acceptance criteria;

a configurable process specification for storing and for transporting said container with prescription medication within said apparatus (STC);

said (STC) including attaching a carrier to a transport mechanism (conveyor) which sustains said carrier under the carrier own weight (empty and/or loaded with a container) essentially in a vertical orientation at all times;

said (STC) including said conveyor transporting said medication within (SM), including ambient environment and safety/security;

said (STC) including sustaining prescribed/listed by (SM) medication individual dosage (example weight of a pill or volume of a liquid) within respective acceptance criteria listed in the (SM);

a configurable process specification for unloading said container with prescription medication from said carrier to an authorized customer (SUC);

said (SUC) including auto-dispensing/unloading of individual prescription medication to an authorized customer;

a configurable process specification for unloading said container with prescription medication from said carrier to an authorized provider (SUP);

said (SUP) including auto-dispensing/unloading of individual prescription medication to an authorized customer;

a configurable specification for said apparatus (SA) including specification parameters (SAP);

said (SA) including an acceptable criteria/range for said (SAP);

said (SA) including said apparatus executing a control algorithm for sustaining said (SAP) within said acceptance criteria and communicating/informing a host controller and/or an authorized operator/provider of results;

a configurable process specification for said apparatus performing real-time inventory tracking within said apparatus (SIT);

said (SIT) including tracking of components of said apparatus;

said components including;

modules and carriers;

said (SIT) including tracking of containers with medication and comprising of detecting a transition of said medication based on identification (barcode label and/or electronic) attached to said medication and based on a change in weight with the original location losing weight and the new location gaining weight which is equal to the weight of medication being relocated;

a configurable acceptance criteria for said communication interface (AI);

said (AI) including acceptable range for (SIP);

a configurable acceptance criteria for said sensor (AS);

said (AS) including acceptable range for each of the specification parameters (SSP) monitored by said sensor;

a configurable acceptance criteria for said conveyor (AC);

said (AC) including acceptable range for (STP);

a configurable acceptance criteria for loading a medication into a container (AMC);

said (AMC) including a process specification in compliance to (SM);

said process specification comprising of;

said apparatus performing real-time inventory of empty containers and the containers with medications being present within said apparatus, and said apparatus with or without an operator assistance executing a list of process steps including;

(1) selecting an empty container in compliance to the acceptance criteria, (2) loading said medication into selected container, (3) updating specification parameters for said loaded container and (4) creating a new identification for said loaded container as combination of identifications for said medication and of identifications for said container;

said new identification comprising set of specification parameters defined by the provider;

said new identification including barcode label and/or electronic device, and (5) attaching said identification to said container;

a configurable acceptance criteria for loading a container with medication into a carrier (ACC);

said (ACC) including a process specification in compliance to (SM);

said process specification comprising of;

said apparatus performing real-time inventory and collecting identification data of carriers which are present in said apparatus and said apparatus with or without an operator assistance executing a list of process steps including;

(1) selecting an empty carrier, (2) loading said container with medication into selected carrier, and (3) creating a new identification as combination of identifications for said medication and the identification data for said carrier;

said new identification comprising of specification parameters defined by the provider; and

     4) storing said new identification in the non-volatile memory;

a configurable acceptance criteria said vending module (AVM);

said (AVM) including acceptable range for (SVMP);

a configurable acceptance criteria for dispensing module (ADM);

said (ADM) including acceptable range for (SDMP) and a specification for said apparatus verification of (QC) specification parameters and (SIT) specification parameters in support of an error-free processing and delivery of a prescription medication to an authorized customer;

a configurable acceptance criteria for reject return module (ARM);

said (ARM) including acceptable range for (SRMP);

a configurable acceptance criteria for customer interface (ACI);

said (ACI) including acceptable range for (SCIP);

a configurable acceptance for provider interface (API);

said (API) including acceptable range for (SPIP);

a configurable acceptance optimization criteria for a project;

said project including a new installation of said apparatus;

said acceptance optimization criteria comprising of optimization specification parameters defined by a provider for said project;

said optimization specification parameters including project specific target/value/range for;

reliability, security, safety and efficiency;

wherein said apparatus configured for aid project and operating in compliance to said optimization specification parameters;

wherein the configurable non-volatile memory is used by said apparatus and the provider for storing/retrieval of an information;

said information including;

specifications, parameters, acceptance criteria and a real-time data;

said real-time data comprising of results/status information in respect to said apparatus executing in real-time the control algorithm;

wherein (SS) including sensor configurations for monitoring in real-time an actual value of a specification parameter of said apparatus;

wherein a specification parameter comprising of a range including low and high level of said parameter;

wherein a controller interfacing to a sensor monitors a specification parameter compares the actual value of said specification parameter to a range of values;

wherein said apparatus adaptable to a specification for a provider defined acceptance criteria, including;

assisting a provider in preparing a prescription medication;

assigning of a system specification to a prescription medication;

verifying a medication compliance to said specifications prior to accepting and processing said prescription medication;

distributing prescription medication in compliance with said specifications and in compliance with said acceptance criteria, including;

providing/sustaining ambient environment;

providing/sustaining safety and security;

conveyor configurations, including;

vertical distribution upward and/or downward from a provider location to an authorized location and/or horizontal distribution from a provider location to an authorized location;

wherein an authorized location including;

a specific floor number within a building, a specific location within a floor of a building including a specific service/patient room;

wherein at an authorized location a prescription medication is delivered to an authorized person including;

operator approved by a provider, customer and/or patient listed in a specification for said prescription medication;

said delivery including automatic dispensing;

a configurable specification for a control algorithm (SCA);

said specification including statistical calculations and real-time controls;

said calculations including probability of an error in respect to apparatus non-compliance to an acceptance criteria in respect to processing a prescription medication;

said controls sustaining operation of said apparatus according to said specifications and within said acceptance criteria;

said real-time controls including real-time verification of an actual value provided by a sensor with a respective acceptable range;

said verification including controls of sustaining the actual value of a measured parameter within its respective acceptance range;

said algorithm providing real-time controls for sustaining an error-free processing of a prescription medication;

wherein said error-free processing is based on a predefined target set by the provider for a probability of occurrence of an error within said apparatus;

wherein a configuration of said apparatus is performed by an operator and/or a remote host controller over said communication interface including real-time configuration;

wherein a prioritization of said provider defined acceptance criteria for said apparatus is performed by an operator and/or a remote host controller over said communication interface including real-time prioritization;

wherein an authorized customer interfacing via an intelligent device (including mobile phone and/or computer) with said apparatus (in both directions) over said communication interfaces;

said customer interfacing including;

ordering medication, verifying status of an order, being informed of a location/date/time the order will be and/or is ready, instructions on how to use medication and general help instructions in support of customer services within provider defined acceptance criteria;

a configurable closed-loop control system of said apparatus;

said control system monitoring status of said sensors and communicating over said communication interface with a remote host controller and/or an operator via an intelligent device connected to said apparatus;

said communicating including said control system real-time self-diagnostics;

said self-diagnostics including periodic (heart-beat) status updates;

said status including an abbreviated status if said control system is within compliance and a detailed status in the event of an error;

said detailed status including an identification of a component/device/process in error and identification of a prescription medication(s) being affected, if any; and

said apparatus executing said configurable control algorithm sustaining operation of said apparatus within said prioritization of said provider defined acceptance criteria.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 operating within the acceptance criteria which include the apparatus executing the real-time controls of monitoring and sustaining the specification parameters of a prescription medication being processed by said apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 operating within the acceptance criteria which include the apparatus monitoring ambient environment, and the apparatus adapting to varying ambient environment, and sustaining a prescription medication within the specifications.

4. The-apparatus of claim 1 operating within the acceptance criteria which include the apparatus monitoring results of self-diagnostics, and adapting to varying results, and sustaining a prescription medication within the specifications.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 configured with the conveyor system for the vertical distribution of prescription medications within the acceptance criteria;

said distribution within a building including to a number of floors of said building located above and/or below in respect to an origination/provider location (pharmacy, as example) of said medications;

said conveyor system configurable for indoor and/or outdoor operation;

said conveyor system configurable as a single or a multi-track conveyor system with each track or a section of a track configurable for compliance to the acceptance criteria including ambient environment and safety/security;

said conveyor system configurable for providing single or a multiple access for;

loading of said medications into the system, automatic dispensing of said medications from the system and manual unloading of said medications;

said system adaptable to the acceptance criteria including;

the quality and the security/safety acceptance criteria for providing error-free delivery of said prescription medications to an authorized customer.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 configured with the conveyor system for the horizontal distribution of prescription medications within the acceptance criteria;

said distribution within a building including along a floor of said building;

said conveyor system configurable for indoor and/or outdoor operation;

said conveyor system configurable as a single or a multi-track conveyor system with each track or a section of a track configurable for compliance to the acceptance criteria including ambient environment and safety/security;

said conveyor system configurable for providing single or a multiple access for;

loading of said medications into the system, automatic dispensing of said medications from the system and manual unloading of said medications;

said system adaptable to the acceptance criteria including;

the quality and the security/safety acceptance criteria for providing error-free delivery of the prescription medications to an authorized customer.

7. An apparatus of claim 1 configured with the conveyor system for the vertical and the horizontal distribution of prescription medications within the acceptance criteria;

said distribution within a building including;

to a number of floors of said building above and/or below in respect to an origination location (pharmacy, as example) and along a floor of said building;

said conveyor system configurable for indoor and/or outdoor operation;

said conveyor system configurable as a single or a multi-track conveyor system with each track or a section of the track configurable for compliance to the acceptance criteria including ambient environment and safety/security;

said conveyor system configurable for providing single or a multiple access for;

loading of said medications into the system, automatic dispensing of said medications from the system and manual unloading of said medications;

said system adaptable to the quality and the security/safety acceptance criteria for providing error-free delivery of the prescription medications to an authorized customer.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 configured as a closed loop system, with the controller configured to execute patient specific control algorithm, which is defined/configured by the provider within the patient specific specification parameters, and as instructed by the algorithm, with or without operator/provider assistance, the controller in real-time executing the controls, including dispensing of specified amount of medication, and informing the operator and/or the patient via the user interface of availability of the dispensed medications and of necessity/instructions for these medications to be administered to the patient, and request the operator and/or the patient to confirm to the controller that the medications were administered to the patient according to said instructions.

9. A method is described of configuring in real-time the apparatus of claim 1 comprising of a provider setting a target/specification of probability of an error-free processing of a prescription medication and defining specifications for:

components, modules, processes and acceptance criteria, and-said apparatus executing a control algorithm configured by said provider for sustaining operation of said apparatus in compliance to said specifications including the error-free processing of said prescription medications for an authorized customer;

said method providing improvements of;

quality of said prescription medications and quality of customer services from said provider;

said improvements including significantly higher productivity and efficiency of servicing customers with the quality prescription medications via an unattended 24 hour auto-dispensing kiosk with an option for the customer of specifying the kiosk location within the provider service area; and

said method further comprising of;

configuring the (SM) specification of a prescription medication (medication) according to an authorized provider and according to the acceptance criteria;

said specification comprising of specification parameters associated with said medication including parameters defining;

origination, storage, transportation and delivery of said medication;

said origination parameters including;

origination authority (a provider), location, date, name of medication, shape, size, volume and weight (unit and total) of said medication;

said storage parameters including;

ambient environment and expiration date of said medication;

said transportation parameters including;

ambient environment, distribution and routing within said apparatus of said medication;

said delivery parameters including;

method of delivery including auto-dispensing, location of delivery and verification parameters for an authorization of a customer to receive said prescription medication;

said specification including an identification of said prescription medication comprising of a label (including human readable and barcode) and/or an electronic device (including RFID);

said identification comprising of said specification parameters for said prescription medication;

configuring the (SH) specification for a container;

said (SH) in compliance to a (SM) of a prescription medication and for storing said prescription medication;

configuring the (ST) specification of an automatic transport conveyor adaptable to said specification of said medication and comprising of specification parameters associated with said conveyor;

said conveyor specification parameters including;

a configurable carrier for storing said container;

a configurable attachment method of said carriers to said conveyor, and a transporting method of said carriers by said conveyor adaptable to said specifications and said conveyor sustaining said prescription medications inside each carrier within said specifications;

said container parameters including;

shape, size, volume, weight and a serial number of said container which is unique within said apparatus;

said specification including an identification of said container comprising of a label (including human readable and barcode) and/or an electronic device (including RFID);

said identification comprising of said specification parameters for said container;

configuring the (SVM) specification of a vending module adaptable to said specification of said medication and comprising of specification parameters associated with said vending module;

said vending module specification parameters including;

a configurable conveyor for storing and for transporting carriers;

a configurable dispensing module delivering a container from said vending module to an authorized customer;

a configurable reject return module returning back from said vending module to a provider a container with a prescription medication out of specifications; and

said vending module sustaining said prescription medications within said specifications;

configuring the identification of a container with a prescription medication inside wherein said identification is created by containing a list from specification parameters of said prescription medication and from specification parameters of said container housing said prescription medication;

said identification attached to said container;

configuring identifications for the apparatus processing said medication;

said identifications including;

a carrier housing a container with a prescription medication inside, a conveyor transporting said carriers;

a vending module housing said conveyor;

configuring a distribution routing for said medication by said apparatus in compliance to an acceptance routing criteria;

said acceptance routing criteria applicable for a designated physical location of a provider and/or for a module of said apparatus;

said acceptance routing criteria comprising a specification of no duplication of a combination of identifications;

said combination is defined by the provider;

configuring the carrier of the apparatus including configurations of;

a single pocket carrier for accepting/holding a single container and a multi-pocket carrier with each pocket accepting/holding a single container or a medication accessory;

configuring the acceptance criteria fore said apparatus (AA);

said acceptance criteria including a quality criteria (QC) as a function of said specification parameters for a prescription medication;

said (QC) including quality specification parameters of said apparatus for providing error-free distribution of prescription medications at a specified level of probability;

wherein the level of probability is defined by the provider or calculated/estimated by the controller executing a configuration of the control algorithm containing statistical analysis of a probability of an error within said apparatus;

configuring the acceptance optimization criteria comprising of optimization specification parameters defined by a provider for a project;

said optimization specification parameters including target/value/range for;

reliability, security, safety and efficiency;

configuring the controller for executing the configurable control algorithm and sustaining operation of the apparatus in compliance to;

configuring a quality acceptance criteria level 1 (QA-1) for said apparatus which is based on said quality criteria comprising of a specification for a configurable system level identification for a container with a prescription medication inside to remain unique within said apparatus or within a section of said apparatus;

said configurable system level identification including a configuration comprising of said specification parameters listed for identification of a prescription medication and of said specification parameters listed for identification of a container which is housing said medication;

wherein said a configurable system level identification including a configuration defined by the provider and comprising of all or any combination from the following list of specification parameters;

(1) serial number and (2) expiration date from identification of a prescription medication identification parameters of a container which is housing said medication including for said container;

(3) shape, (4) size (volume), (5) diameter, (6) height, (7) weight and (8) serial number;

said configuration said configuration of system level identification is unique among other configurable system level identifications residing in real-time inside said apparatus or inside a section of said apparatus;

wherein said system level identification specification parameters are measured by sensors and monitored by controllers connected to said sensors;

said configuration of said system level identification comprising a specification for selecting specification parameters from said list in order of retaining its uniqueness among said other configurable system level identifications and retaining its compliance to said quality acceptance criteria level 1 (QA-1) in an event of a failure/malfunction of any one sensor among said sensors;

configuring the acceptance criteria for including a specification for said apparatus of using a sensor for real-time monitoring of a parameter from a control set;

said sensor in mal-time reporting to said controller a result of monitoring a respective parameter;

said controller rejecting a container with a prescription medication inside said apparatus when any of said respective parameters failed to match said specification;

configuring the control algorithm to be executed by said controller for providing error-free distribution of prescription medications to an authorized customer;

said control algorithm comprising a closed-loop control processes of sustaining only prescription medications which (as reported by respective sensors to said controller) maintain a predefined by the provider a set of specification parameters from the point of entry into said apparatus to the point of delivering (dispensing) said prescription medication to an authorized customer;

said controller informing an operator in real-time of an event when an actual specification parameter is out of acceptance range (error and/or malfunction) and executing controls for performing an error correction;

said algorithm preventing dispensing of any medication to a customer by a vending module experiencing an error;

said algorithm including real-time diagnostics performed by said controller and/or an operator;

configuring a quality acceptance criteria level 2 (QA-2) for said apparatus for sustaining a container with a prescription medication within a routing specification;

said routing specification including;

a serial number of a carrier housing said container, a serial number of a vending module advancing said carrier, and a serial number of a conveyor housing said vending module;

configuring a quality acceptance criteria level 3 (QA-3) for said apparatus for sustaining a container with a prescription medication within a quality specification level 3;

said quality specification level 3 including specification parameters for a prescription medication not included in QA-1 and QA-2;

configuring a quality acceptance criteria (QS-1) for said apparatus for providing services to an authorized customer;

said QS1 comprising of specifications from provider and specifications obtained from a customer;

said QS-1 specifications comprising of specification parameters including;

medication identification, location and time for a pick up;

configuring a security/safety acceptance criteria (QS-2) for said apparatus;

said QS-2 comprising of specifications;

said QS-2 specifications comprising of specification parameters including identification of authorized operator(s) for accessing/servicing said apparatus, for monitoring access to said, apparatus in real-time, and for detecting an un-authorized activity;

configuring the apparatus for distribution of a prescription medication to an authorized operator/customer as a function defined by a provider;

said function comprising of;

the component specifications, the module specifications, the process specifications, and the acceptance criteria, including;

specifications for said medication, quality acceptance criteria'"'"'s including combination of the QA-1/2/3, security/safety acceptance criteria'"'"'s including combination of the QS-1/2, and acceptance criteria'"'"'s for identification of said authorized operator/customer;

wherein sensor configurations including configurations for;

monitoring location of the container with prescription medication, reading an identification label and/or electronic device attached to the container with prescription medication and monitoring presence of the container with prescription medication inside a carrier;

wherein sensor configurations including configurations for;

optical recognition, optical reading of dimensional and shape specification parameters of an object including a container, electronic interface to identification device including RFID and weight measurements;

configuring the carrier for a mechanical coupling to a conveyor;

said coupling including functions of;

sustaining the carrier (under the carrier own weight or when loaded with an item) in a vertical alignment at all times, supporting elevation of the carrier from the coupling to allow a sensor to engage along the vertical axis with the currier and measure the carrier weight, and tilting the carrier around horizontal axis by an unloading mechanism to force the container to slide out of the carrier;

configuring the unloading module for;

accepting a container with medication from a carrier, routing the container within the module, performing final verification of quality acceptance criteria and dispensing the container with prescription medication to a qualified customer;

configuring said apparatus and/or the vending module of said apparatus for operating as the stand-alone kiosk;

configuring said apparatus for defining/classifying a prescription medication as a reject as result of said medication non-compliance to an acceptance criteria;

said acceptance criteria including;

medication quality, medication tracking, customer service and medication safety/security;

configuring said apparatus for executing unloading process steps of a prescription medication to an authorized customer/operator in compliance to said unloading acceptance criteria;

configuring said apparatus for executing unloading process steps of a reject medication to an authorized provider in compliance to said reject unloading acceptance criteria;

configuring the acceptance criteria for said apparatus to include a specification for real-time location tracking of a container with prescription medication inside;

said tracking comprising of location specification parameters of said medication within said apparatus;

said location specification parameters including;

serial number of a vending module and serial number of a carrier within said vending module;

configuring the communication interface between the controller of the apparatus and a remote controller including a host controller and/or an embedded controller of a device connected to the apparatus, and the communication interface based on one or combination of;

wired, wireless and INTERNET;

configuring rigger points for the specification parameters;

configuring the acceptance criteria for the apparatus including as function of the trigger points;

configuring the control algorithm for operating the apparatus within the acceptance criteria;

configuring the apparatus as a real-time closed, loop control system and the system controller automatically with or without operator assistance executing in real-time the apparatus control algorithm sustaining the operation of the apparatus within the acceptance criteria.

10. The method of claim 9 of a provider defining the acceptance criteria for quality of prescription medication and the acceptance criteria for quality of customer services, and configuring an apparatus for automatic distribution of the prescription medications within said acceptance criteria.

11. The method of claim 9 of a provider defining the acceptance criteria for quality of prescription medication and the acceptance criteria for quality of customer services, and configuring the apparatus for a vertical single or bi-directional automatic distribution of the prescription medications within a building between an origination location (pharmacy) on one floor and other floors above and/or below, including configurations of a single or a multi-track delivery system (conveyor) with each track or a section of a track configurable for compliance to said acceptance criteria including ambient environment and safety/security, and the apparatus executing the control algorithm in compliance to said acceptance criteria.

12. The method of claim 9 of a provider defining the acceptance criteria for quality of prescription medication and the acceptance criteria for quality of customer services, and configuring the apparatus for a horizontal single or bi-directional automatic distribution of prescription medications along a floor of a building, including configurations of a single or a multi-track delivery system (conveyor) with each track or a section of a track configurable for compliance to said acceptance criteria including ambient environment and safety/security, and the apparatus executing the control algorithm in compliance to said acceptance criteria.

13. The method of claim 9 of an apparatus configured with a multi-pocket carrier(s) for automatic distribution of a prescription medication in a designed pocket and other items in the remaining pocket(s).

14. The method of claim 9 of an apparatus configured for a project;

said project comprising of project specifications defined by a provider;

said provider including;

a franchise pharmacy, a stand-alone pharmacy, and a stand-alone kiosk;

said pharmacy including configurations for providing pharmacy services within a building consisting of;

a single floor and a multi-floor;

said project specifications comprising of project acceptance criteria and of project specification parameters which are selected by said provider from;

the specifications for the components and the modules of said apparatus, the process specifications for said apparatus, and the acceptance criteria for said apparatus;

said project acceptance criteria comprising of optimization specification parameters defined by said provider;

said optimization specification parameters include a target/value/range for;

reliability, security, safety and efficiency;

said apparatus operating in compliance to said project specifications, including said pharmacy services, and providing improved;

quality of customer services and quality of prescription medications delivered to authorized customers.

15. The method of claim 9 of an apparatus configured as a closed loop control system, with the controller configured to execute the control algorithm directing the apparatus with or without operator assistance for automatic distribution of patient specific prescription medication directly to an authorized patient including the interface with controller for the patient confirming arrival and acceptance of the prescription medication.

16. The method of claim 9 of an apparatus configured as a closed loop control system executing a control algorithm adaptable to a provider specification(s) and adaptable to an acceptance criteria including configurations of the algorithm which are performed in real-time by an authorized operator and/or a host controller over the system supported interface including:

operator computer interface, wireless network and mobile device(s).

17. The method of claim 9 of a provider defining acceptance criteria for a prescription medication identification parameters (label, electronic device) and acceptance criteria for prescription medication routing/distribution/location parameters, and an apparatus configured for real-time monitoring of the identification parameters and the location parameters for the prescription medication within the apparatus, and the apparatus executing a control algorithm of dispensing to an authorized customer only a prescription medication in full compliance to the acceptance criteria in respect to the identification and the location parameters, and the apparatus dispensing rejected prescription medication back to the provider.

18. The method of claim 9 of an apparatus configured for integrating into a new or an existing building (hospital, elderly care, multi-floor pharmacy) including mounting of the enclosed transport system (conveyor) along the exterior wall(s) of, the building and providing respective cut-out in the walls for access to the apparatus operator interface(s) and dispensing bin(s).

19. The method of claim 9 of a provider defining an acceptance criteria including an error-free probability target(s) for the processes of:

preparing a prescription medication, storing and transporting a prescription medication and delivering/dispensing a prescription medication;

a control algorithm configured for said acceptance criteria including a process of selecting identification parameters for a prescription medication and a process of selecting a number/type of sensors for monitoring said identification parameters; and

an apparatus configured for executing said control algorithm for sustaining said processes within said acceptance criteria;

said apparatus communicating through an interface and informing periodically (heart-beat) status to said provider;

said status in the event of an error including identification of a prescription medication(s) being affected;

said apparatus auto-dispensing to an authorized customer only prescription medication(s) within said acceptance criteria.

20. The method of claim 9 of an apparatus configured for improving the quality of prescription medication, and the method comprising of the apparatus performing a real-time auto-verifications of the specification parameters defining the quality of the prescription medication and the specification parameters defining the quality of the container with the prescription medication;

said auto-verifications including;

(1) said prescription medication serial label/number (barcode, RFID), (2) the information of said prescription medication stored in the non-volatile memory;

(3) said container serial label/number, size, weight and environment (ambient/safety/security), (4) the location of said container within the apparatus, and (5) the information of said container stored in the non-volatile memory; and

the quality of said prescription medication is significantly less dependent from the provider internal factors including;

number of available operators for the provider and number of active prescription medications being processed by the provider, as well as from the provider external factors including;

location of customers within the provider service are, and fluctuating demands including peak demands during a flu season for prescription medications; and

the apparatus performing final auto-verifications prior to auto-dispensing of only the quality prescription medications to an authorized customer.

21. The method of claim 9 of an apparatus configured for improving the quality of customer services available from a provider, and the method comprising of the apparatus configured per the provider specifications and acceptance criteria:

for the most optimum routing/distribution/processing of quality prescription medications from the provider to a customer, and for performing real-time auto-verifications/corrections of the quality of services for each of the customers; and

the quality of services are significantly less dependent from the provider internal factors including;

(1a) number of available operators for the provider and (2a) number of active prescription medications being processed by the provider, as well as from the provider external factors including (1b) number of customers waiting at the provider to receive prescription medication(s), (2b) location of customers in respect to the provider service area and (3b)fluctuating demands including peak demands during a flu season) for prescription medications; and

the apparatus performing final auto-verifications prior to auto-dispensing of only the quality prescription medications to an authorized customer.