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AUTOMATED PILL DISPENSING SYSTEMS CONFIGURED FOR DETECTING BOTTLES IN OUTPUT CHUTES AND RELATED METHODS OF OPERATION

  • US 20090177316A1
  • Filed: 01/08/2009
  • Published: 07/09/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An automated pill dispensing system, comprising:

  • an output chute configured to hold pill-containing vials;

    an optical sensor located at a predetermined location in the output chute, the optical sensor comprising an optical emitter and an optical detector configured to be operated cooperatively to output a detection signal indicating a presence or absence of a vial at the predetermined location of the output chute; and

    a controller coupled to the optical sensor and configured to receive the detection signal output therefrom, detect the presence or absence of the vial at the predetermined location of the output chute in response to the detection signal, and control a next depositing event whereby a next vial is deposited in the output chute responsive to the detection.

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