System and method for providing a random access and random load dispensing unit

• US 20050021173A1
• Filed: 03/16/2004
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Asteres, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Asteres, Inc.
• Inventors: Pinney, Linda J., Williams, David R., Beane, John A., Colson, Angus R., Kopitzke, Keith
• Granted Patent: US 7,123,989 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/231
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/165 using xyz-picker or multi-dimensional article picking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/1657 the picking arrangements using suction
• 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 11/70 in which the articles are formed in the apparatus from components, blanks, or material constituents
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

A method of dispensing a prescription drug to a customer includes receiving a prescription for a particular customer from an authorized medical professional, choosing from an inventory of drugs a prescription drug to fill the prescription, creating a finished prescription by filling the prescription with the chosen prescription drug, and placing the finished prescription in a dispenser. The dispenser is connected to a computer, which identifies the finished prescription and controls the dispenser to dispense the finished prescription to the particular customer.

Claims

1. A method of dispensing a prescription drug to a customer, the method comprising:

receiving a prescription for a particular customer from an authorized medical professional;

choosing from an inventory of drugs a prescription drug to fill the prescription;

creating a finished prescription by filling the prescription with the chosen prescription drug; and

placing the finished prescription in a dispenser, the dispenser connected to a computer, the computer identifying the finished prescription and controlling the dispenser to dispense the finished prescription to the particular customer.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising associating the finished prescription with a random location in the dispenser utilizing the computer.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein controlling the dispenser comprises retrieving the finished prescription from the random location in the dispenser.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying the customer utilizing an identification reader.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein utilizing an identification reader comprises utilizing a magnetic stripe card reader.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein utilizing an identification reader comprises utilizing a barcode reader.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising verifying an identity of the customer utilizing a password.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying the customer utilizing a user name; and

verifying an identity of the customer utilizing a password.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying the customer utilizing a prescription number; and

verifying an identity of the customer utilizing a password.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising electronically recording a signature of the customer to purchase the finished prescription.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising photographing the customer during interaction with the dispenser.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising utilizing the computer to maneuver a picker assembly throughout the dispenser, and wherein the picker assembly dispenses the finished prescription to the customer.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising verifying the dispensing of the finished prescription.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising labeling the finished prescription with at least one of a barcode and an electronic identification tag correlating the customer to the finished prescription.

15. A method of dispensing a prescription drug to a customer, the method comprising:

receiving a prescription for the customer from an authorized medical professional;

selecting an appropriate prescription drug to fill the prescription;

filling a container with the appropriate prescription drug;

depositing the container in an automated storage facility;

associating the container with a random location in the automated storage facility utilizing a computer;

storing the container in the random location in the automated storage facility;

retrieving the container from the random location in the automated storage facility upon an interaction between the customer and the computer; and

dispensing the container directly to the customer.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising identifying the customer utilizing an identification reader.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein utilizing an identification reader comprises utilizing a magnetic stripe card reader.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein utilizing an identification reader comprises utilizing a barcode reader.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising verifying an identity of the customer utilizing a password.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

identifying the customer utilizing a user name; and

verifying an identity of the customer utilizing a password.

21. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

identifying the customer utilizing a prescription number; and

verifying an identity of the customer utilizing a password.

22. The method of claim 15, further comprising electronically recording a signature of the customer to purchase the container.

23. The method of claim 15, further comprising photographing the customer during interaction with the automated storage facility.

24. The method of claim 15, further comprising utilizing the computer to maneuver a picker assembly throughout the automated storage facility, and wherein the picker assembly dispenses the container to the customer.

25. The method of claim 15, further comprising verifying the dispensing of the container.

26. The method of claim 15, further comprising labeling the container with at least one of a barcode and an electronic identification tag correlating the customer to the container.