Secured dispensing cabinet and methods

• US 20040225409A1
• Filed: 05/08/2003
• Published: 11/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnicell Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Omnicell Incorporated
• Inventors: Kidney, Scott L., Arnold, Brian R., Duncan, Mark Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 6,975,922 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/236
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/60 the storage containers or supports being rectilinearly movable
• 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: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

A device for dispensing items comprises a cabinet having an interior for storing items. A dispenser frame is coupled to the cabinet and is configured to be accessed, such as by pulling the dispenser frame from the cabinet. The dispenser frame includes a plurality of dividers that are configured to hold the plurality of dispensing mechanisms that each hold multiple items within the storage area. Further, the dividers are reconfigurable to permit the arrangement of the dispensing mechanisms to be adjusted. A lockable door is coupled to the front of the cabinet in front of the dispenser frame. The door may be opened to provide access to the interior of the cabinet and to the dispenser frame. A dispense drawer is positioned below the storage area so that items dispensed from the dispensing mechanisms

Claims

1. A device for dispensing items, the device comprising:

a cabinet having a front, a back, a pair of sides and an interior having a storage area;

a dispenser frame operably coupled to the cabinet, wherein the dispenser frame includes a plurality of dividers;

a plurality of dispensing mechanisms that are configured to hold a plurality of items within the storage area, wherein the dispensing mechanisms are operably coupled to the dispenser frame;

a visual indicator associated with each of the dispensing mechanisms;

a lockable door coupled to the front of the cabinet so as to be positioned in front of the dispenser frame, wherein the door is operable to provide access to the interior of the cabinet and to the dispenser frame;

a dispense drawer coupled to the cabinet below the storage area such that items dispensed from the dispensing mechanisms fall into the dispense drawer; and

a computer that is operably coupled to the dispensing mechanisms and the visual indicators, wherein the computer is configured to actuate the visual indicators of the dispensing mechanisms that are to be restocked or modified.

2. A device as in claim 1, wherein the dispense drawer has a width that is essentially equal to the width of the dispenser frame, and wherein the dispenser frame is configured to be pulled out from the interior.

3. A device as in claim 2, wherein the dispense drawer extends across essentially the entire length of the front, and wherein the computer is configured to send a signal to automatically open the dispense drawer after an item is dispensed from one of the dispensing mechanisms.

4. A device as in claim 1, wherein the computer further includes a record of items stored in the cabinet, their quantity and their location.

5. A device as in claim 4, wherein the computer is configured to permit the selection of an item and to send a signal that is usable by one of the dispensing mechanisms to dispense the selected item.

6. A device as in claim 5, wherein the dispense drawer includes a light, and wherein the computer is configured to light the dispense drawer light upon selection of the item.

7. A device as in claim 1, wherein the dividers are reconfigurable to permit the arrangement of the dispensing mechanisms to be adjusted, and further comprising a divider sensing system associated with the dispenser frame to sense the configuration of the dividers, and wherein the computer is configured to store information on the configuration of the dividers.

8. A device as in claim 4, wherein computer is configured to receive input on the items held within the dispensing mechanisms.

9. A device as in claim 8, wherein the dispensing mechanisms each include a sensor mechanism that is actuatable to send a signal to the computer when actuated.

10. A device as in claim 9, wherein the sensor mechanisms are each actuatable to indicate to the computer that the associated dispensing mechanism has been flagged to be assigned an item, and wherein the computer is configured to receive an input assigning an item to the flagged dispensing mechanism.

11. A device as in claim 9, wherein the sensor mechanisms are each actuatable to indicate to the computer that the associated dispensing mechanism is to be restocked.

12. A device as in claim 1, wherein the computer includes a record of individuals that may use the dispensing cabinet.

13. A device as in claim 12, wherein the computer is configured to unlock the door upon entry of appropriate identification information into the computer from an authorized individual.

14. A device as in claim 13, wherein the door includes a light, and wherein the computer is configured to light the door light upon receipt of a restocking request.

15. A device as in claim 14, wherein the visual indicators comprise lights, and wherein the computer is configured to light the light corresponding to each dispensing mechanism that is to be restocked.

16. A device as in claim 15, wherein the computer is configured to display the type of item to be restocked upon pressing of one of the lighted lights.

17. A device as in claim 16, wherein the computer is configured to produce a record of restocking and to turn off the light of the associated dispensing mechanism following restocking.

18. A device as in claim 1, wherein the dividers include connectors that are configured to interface with connectors on the dispensers.

19. A device as in claim 1, wherein the cabinet further includes a return unit that is adapted to receive returned items.

20. A device as in claim 1, further comprising a sensor system that is configured to detect when items fall from the dispensing mechanisms and into the dispense drawer.

21. A device as in claim 1, wherein the dispenser frame further includes a control circuit board that is electrically coupled to the computer and that is configured to be electrically coupled to the dispensing mechanisms.

22. A device as in claim 1, further comprising at least one holding drawer having multiple storage locations that are configured to hold additional items.

23. A device as in claim 1, further comprising at least one shelf having storage locations that are configured to hold additional items.

24. A device for dispensing items, the device comprising:

a cabinet having a front, a back, a pair of sides and an interior having a storage area;

a dispenser frame coupled to the cabinet, wherein the dispenser frame includes a plurality of dividers;

a plurality of dispensing mechanisms coupled to the dividers, wherein the dispensing mechanisms are configured to hold a plurality of items within the storage area;

a lockable door coupled to the front of the cabinet so as to be positioned in front of the dispenser frame, wherein the door is openable to provide access to the interior of the cabinet and to the dispenser frame;

a dispense drawer coupled to the cabinet below the storage area such that items dispensed from the dispensing mechanisms fall into the dispense drawer;

a computer that is operably coupled to the dispensing mechanisms; and

a sensor mechanism that is associated with each of the dispensing mechanisms, wherein each sensor mechanism is configured to generate a signal when actuated that is usable by the computer to identify the dispensing mechanism that is associated with the sensor mechanism being actuated.

25. A device as in claim 24, wherein the sensor mechanisms are each actuatable to indicate to the computer that the associated dispensing mechanism has been flagged to be assigned an item, and wherein the computer is configured to receive an input assigning an item to the flagged dispensing mechanism.

26. A device as in claim 24, wherein the sensor mechanisms are each actuatable to indicate to the computer that the associated dispensing mechanism is to be restocked.

27. A device as in claim 24, wherein the dispense drawer extends across essentially the entire length of the front.

28. A method for configuring a dispensing device, the method comprising:

providing a dispensing device comprising a cabinet having and an interior;

a dispenser frame coupled to the cabinet, wherein the dispenser frame includes a plurality of dividers for holding a plurality of dispensing mechanisms that each hold a plurality of items within the interior;

a lockable door coupled to the front of the cabinet so as to be positioned in front of the dispenser frame, a dispense drawer coupled to the cabinet below the storage area such that items dispensed from the dispensing mechanisms fall into the dispense drawer and a computer;

opening the door to access the dispenser frame;

actuating a sensing mechanism that is associated with one of the dispensing mechanisms that is to be configured to generate a signal;

transmitting the signal to the computer to indicate that the dispensing mechanism that is associated with the actuated sensing mechanism is to be configured.

29. A method as in claim 28, further comprising entering into the computer an item to associate with the dispensing mechanism that is associated with the actuated sensing mechanism.

30. A method as in claim 28, further comprising restocking an item into the dispensing mechanism that is associated with the actuated sensing mechanism

31. A method as in claim 28, further comprising arranging the dividers in a desired configuration, and supplying information on the arrangement of the dividers into the computer.

32. A method as in claim 31, wherein the dispensing device further includes a divider sensing system associated with the dispenser frame to sense the configuration of the dividers, and wherein the information on the arrangement of the dividers comprises a signal from the divider sensing system.

33. A method as in claim 28, wherein the sensing mechanism is actuated to enter an address of one of the dispensing mechanisms into the computer.

34. A method as in claim 33, wherein the address is determined by sensing the location of the new dispensing mechanism on the divider when the sensing mechanism is actuated.

35. A method as in claim 34, wherein the sensing mechanism comprises a button on the dispensing mechanism, and further comprising pressing the button on the dispensing mechanism to enter the address of the dispensing mechanism into the computer.

36. A method as in claim 29, wherein the item that is to be associated with the dispensing mechanism is entered by selecting an item from a list of items displayed by the computer.

37. A method as in claim 28, further comprising entering a request into the computer to dispense an item, and operating the dispensing mechanism to dispense the item into the dispense drawer.

38. A method for restocking items, the method comprising:

providing a dispensing device comprising a cabinet having an interior;

a dispenser frame coupled to the cabinet, wherein the dispenser frame includes a plurality of dividers that are configured to hold a plurality of dispensing mechanisms that each hold a plurality of items within the interior;

a lockable door coupled to the front of the cabinet so as to be positioned in front of the dispenser frame, a dispense drawer coupled to the cabinet for receiving dispensed items and a computer;

entering restock information into the computer.

entering restock user identification information into the computer;

entering a request to restock items into the computer;

unlocking and opening the door;

actuating visual indicators associated with the dispensing mechanisms that are to be restocked;

restocking at least one item into at least one of the dispensing mechanisms having an actuated visual indicator.

39. A method as in claim 38, wherein the visual indicators comprise lights, and further comprising flashing the lights on the dispensing mechanisms that need restocking.

40. A method as in claim 39, further comprising pressing a button on one of the dispensing mechanism to indicate that one or more items are to be restocked.

41. A method as in claim 40, further comprising continuously lighting the light on the dispensing mechanism after pressing the button, and displaying the name of the item using the computer.

42. A method as in claim 41, further comprising verifying the count of items in the dispensing mechanism and entering the verification into the computer.

43. A method as in claim 41, further comprising pressing the button on the dispensing mechanism to signal that restocking is completed.

44. A method as in claim 43, further comprising turning off the light upon pressing of the button.

45. A dispensing mechanism, comprising:

a housing that is configured to hold a plurality of items that are to be dispensed;

an electrical interface that is adapted to electrically couple the housing to a dispensing cabinet;

a dispensing device that is configured to receive an electrical signal from the interface to cause at least one of the items to be dispensed from the housing;

a visual indicator operably coupled to the housing, wherein the visual indicator is configured to be actuated to indicate that the dispensing mechanism is to be restocked or modified; and

a sensing mechanism operably coupled to the housing, wherein the sensing mechanism is electrically coupled to the interface to permit an electrical signal to be transmitted through the interface when the sensing mechanism is actuated.

48. A dispensing mechanism as in claim 45, wherein the visual indicator comprises a light.

46. A dispensing mechanism as in claim 45, wherein the sensing mechanism comprises a button.

47. A dispensing mechanism as in claim 45, wherein the dispensing device is selected from a group of devices consisting of motors and solenoids.