System and method for interactive items dispenser
First Claim
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1. A system using a networked automated items dispensing apparatus, comprising:
- a housing enclosing at least one storage receptacle for storing a plurality of items within the housing;
at least one temporary storage receptacle proximate the at least one storage receptacle for receiving at least one of the plurality of items; and
a dispensing receptacle within the housing for receiving the at least one of the plurality of items from the at least one temporary storage receptacle;
a communications network interface operatively connected to the items dispenser for entering programming instructions; and
at least one programmable internal memory device contained in the items dispenser for storing a schedule for dispensing the plurality of items to the dispensing receptacle, wherein after the at least one of the plurality of items is dispensed to the dispensing receptacle, the schedule automatically adjusts according to a hierarchy of dispensing rules.
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Abstract
A networked items dispenser is disclosed. The device includes a housing having a bulk storage bin for storing items, a temporary storage bin for receiving the items, and a dispensing receptacle for receiving the items from the temporary storage bin. A communications network interface is provided for entering programming instructions. A programmable internal memory device is also included for storing a schedule for dispensing the items, such that the schedule can be automatically adjusted according to a hierarchy of dispensing rules.
41 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A system using a networked automated items dispensing apparatus, comprising:
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a housing enclosing at least one storage receptacle for storing a plurality of items within the housing;
at least one temporary storage receptacle proximate the at least one storage receptacle for receiving at least one of the plurality of items; and
a dispensing receptacle within the housing for receiving the at least one of the plurality of items from the at least one temporary storage receptacle;
a communications network interface operatively connected to the items dispenser for entering programming instructions; and
at least one programmable internal memory device contained in the items dispenser for storing a schedule for dispensing the plurality of items to the dispensing receptacle, wherein after the at least one of the plurality of items is dispensed to the dispensing receptacle, the schedule automatically adjusts according to a hierarchy of dispensing rules. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system using a networked automated items dispensing apparatus, comprising:
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at least one storage receptacle containing an item;
a longitudinally extending hollow first member having a plurality of through holes disposed on a proximate end of the first member, wherein the first member is displaceable between a first position and a second position;
at least one temporary storage receptacle proximate the at least one storage receptacle, wherein the temporary storage receptacle has a first opening for receiving the item from the storage receptacle and a second opening for discharging the item to one of the plurality of through holes, and wherein the second opening and the one of the plurality of through holes are aligned upon the first member being advanced from the first position to the second position which allows the item to discharge from the second opening to the aligned one of the plurality of through holes;
a dispensing receptacle adjacent a distal opening of the first member for receiving the discharged item;
at least one programmable internal memory device contained in the items dispenser for storing a schedule for dispensing the items to the dispensing receptacle, wherein after the at least one of the plurality of items is dispensed to the dispensing receptacle, the schedule automatically adjusts according to a hierarchy of dispensing rules; and
a communications device adapted to sending instructions to and receiving instructions from a remote computing device over a data communications network. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for interactively controlling an items dispenser over a communications network, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a networked programmable items dispenser for storing and dispensing at least one item;
(b) automatically dispensing the at least one item according to a pre-programmed schedule;
(c) receiving a signal indicative of the at least one item being removed from the dispenser;
(d) sending the signal over a communications network to a remote computing device; and
(e) updating the pre-programmed schedule according to a hierarchy of pre-determined dispensing rules. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for interactively controlling an items dispenser over a communications network, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a networked programmable items dispenser adapted to storing a plurality of items, the dispenser comprising a preprogrammed protocol stored in a memory, the protocol comprising a hierarchy of rules for determining a dose of medicine to be dispensed at a predetermined time period;
(b) transferring a sufficient number of the plurality of items from a storage container to a temporary storage container to form the dose;
(c) comparing the time a signal is received from the user to dispense the dose from the temporary storage container to the protocol and either dispensing the dose from the temporary storage container, returning the dose to the storage container, or dispensing an adjusted dose according to the protocol if the dose is not to be dispensed or if the dose is requested too late;
(d) generating a first signal indicative of the status of the dose being dispensed or returned to the storage container;
(e) sending the first signal over a communications network to a remote computing device; and
(f) receiving a second signal from the remote computing device for adjusting the protocol. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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Specification