Active control center for use with an automatic dispensing system for prescriptions and the like
First Claim
1. A control center for storing vials filled by an automatic dispensing system, the control center comprising:
- a slot matrix having a plurality of slots, wherein each slot is configured for holding at least one medicament vial;
a computer-controlled mechanical loading mechanism for automatically storing a vial in the slot matrix;
a slot sensor contained within each slot for determining how many vials are held within the slot; and
a control system for controlling operation of the computer-controlled mechanical loading mechanism and the slot sensor in response to prescriptions received from a host computer.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An active control center (10) for automatic retrieval and storage of filled medicament vials dispensed from an automatic dispensing system (12). The control center (10) broadly comprises a cabinet (14); a slot matrix (16) positioned on the cabinet (14) and having a plurality of slots (18), wherein each slot (18) is configured for holding at least one medicament vial; an infeed conveyor (20) for transporting a vial from the automatic dispensing system (12) to the active control center (10); at least one vial dimension sensor (22) for determining at least one dimension of the vial; a computer-controlled mechanical loading mechanism (24) for retrieving the vial from the infeed conveyor (20) and moving the vial to the slot matrix (16); a slot sensor (26) contained within each slot (18) for determining how many vials are held within the slot (18); and a control system (28) for controlling operation of the infeed conveyor (20), the vial dimension sensor (22), the computer-controlled mechanical loading mechanism (24); and the slot sensor (26) in response to prescriptions received from a host computer (30).
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A control center for storing vials filled by an automatic dispensing system, the control center comprising:
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a slot matrix having a plurality of slots, wherein each slot is configured for holding at least one medicament vial;
a computer-controlled mechanical loading mechanism for automatically storing a vial in the slot matrix;
a slot sensor contained within each slot for determining how many vials are held within the slot; and
a control system for controlling operation of the computer-controlled mechanical loading mechanism and the slot sensor in response to prescriptions received from a host computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A control center for storing vials filled by an automatic dispensing system, the control center comprising:
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a slot matrix having a plurality of slots, wherein each slot is configured for holding at least one medicament vial; and
a computer-controlled mechanical loading mechanism for automatically storing the vial in the slot matrix, the loading mechanism including—
a base;
a plate lying generally parallel to the base and operable to rotate about an axis generally perpendicular to the plate;
a first motor for driving the rotation of the plate;
a vertical tower extending upwardly from the plate;
a horizontal grasping arm secured generally perpendicular to the tower and operable to move vertically along a length of the tower;
a second motor for driving the horizontal grasping arm along the length of the tower;
a third motor for driving the horizontal grasping arm in a horizontal direction; and
a grasping member secured to the horizontal grasping arm for grasping and locating the vial in the slot matrix. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A control center for storing vials filled by an automatic dispensing system, the control center comprising:
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a cabinet;
a slot matrix positioned on the cabinet and having a plurality of slots, wherein each slot is configured for holding at least one medicament vial;
an infeed conveyor for transporting a vial from the automatic dispensing system to the control center;
at least one vial dimension sensor for determining at least one dimension of the vial;
a computer-controlled mechanical loading mechanism for retrieving the vial from the infeed conveyor and moving the vial to the slot matrix;
a slot sensor contained within each slot for determining how many vials are held within the slot; and
a control system for controlling operation of the infeed conveyor, the vial dimension sensor, the computer-controlled mechanical loading mechanism, and the slot sensor in response to prescriptions received from a host computer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of storing filled medicament vials, the method comprising the steps of:
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measuring a height of the vial;
measuring a diameter of the vial;
determining a coordinate location of a slot in which to store the vial;
retrieving the vial from a retrieving station using a loading mechanism; and
storing the vial in the slot located by the coordinate location, wherein the control system identifies the vial stored in the slot based on identifying information. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification