Method of operating a dispensing cabinet

• US 20040098163A1
• Filed: 11/12/2003
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnicell Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Philip H. Spano Jr, Robert B. Meek, Jr.
• Inventors: Spano, Philip H. Jr., Meek, Robert B. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,085,621 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/215
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/001 Trolleys for transport of medicaments, food, linen, nursing supplies carts specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis A61B50/13; hand carts B62B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/12 comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/26 Interlocks, e.g. for locking the doors of compartments other than that to be used

Abstract

A method of operating a dispensing cabinet to identify the locations where items to be dispensed are located is comprised of a login step in which user information is entered into a processor controlling the dispensing cabinet. The processor unlocks certain doors of the dispensing cabinet in response to the user information. Assuming that a locate mode of operation has been chosen, the locations of the items to be located are determined by the processor. An alpha-numeric display positioned on a shelf within the cabinet begins flashing with the number of items to be located that are held by that shelf. After the user identifies the shelves having flashing alpha-numeric displays, the user may enter a dispense mode or may logoff causing the unlocked doors to lock.

Claims

1. A method of identifying a shelf within a cabinet, said shelf carrying at least one item to be located by a user, said method comprising the step of causing a numeric display to flash a number that is the number of items to be located which are carried by the shelf.

2. A method, comprising:

entering user information into a processor controlling a dispensing cabinet;

said processor unlocking certain doors of the dispensing cabinet in response to said user information;

choosing a query mode;

identifying an item for which information is sought;

displaying information for the identified item;

logging off; and

locking the unlocked doors.

3. The method of claim 2 additionally comprising the step of entering patient information.

4. The method of claim 3 additionally comprising the steps of opening one of the unlocked doors, selecting a compartment, entering the number of items taken, and closing the opened door.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein said step of choosing a query mode includes choosing from among a dispense, locate, return, query and restock mode.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein said step of identifying an item for which information is sought includes one of picking an item from a pick list, inputting identifying information with a keypad, and barcode scanning.

7. A method, comprising:

entering user information into a processor controlling a dispensing cabinet;

said processor unlocking certain doors of the dispensing cabinet in response to said user information;

entering patient information into the processor;

choosing a query mode;

identifying an item for which information is sought;

displaying information for the identified item;

opening an unlocked door;

selecting a compartment;

identifying the number of items taken from the selected compartment;

displaying the number of items taken on a display;

closing the opened door;

logging off; and

locking the unlocked doors.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said step of choosing a query mode includes choosing from among a dispense, locate, return, query and restock mode.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein said step of identifying an item includes one of picking an item from a pick list, inputting identifying information with a keypad, and barcode scanning.