SECURED DISPENSING CABINET AND METHODS

• US 20100070074A1
• Filed: 07/02/2009
• Published: 03/18/2010
• 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 7,835,819 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/242
• 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

1-48. -48. (canceled)

49. 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 dispenser coupled to the cabinet such that items dispensed from the dispensing mechanisms fall into the dispenser;

a computer that is operably coupled to the dispensing mechanisms;

a plurality of sensor mechanisms each being associated with one of the plurality of 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; and

a divider configuration sensor coupled with the computer configured to;

sense that the plurality of dividers have been repositioned and resized,

determine the plurality of diver'"'"'s newly configured sizes, and

transmit the plurality of divider'"'"'s newly configured sizes to the computer.

50. A device as in claim 49, further comprising at least one lockable compartment, such that access to the lockable compartment controlled by a lockable door.

51. A device as in claim 49, further comprising a secure return compartment such that items returned to the device are inserted into the secure return compartment.

52. A device as in claim 49, 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.

53. A device as in claim 49, wherein the sensor mechanisms are each actuatable to indicate to the computer that the associated dispensing mechanism is to be restocked.

54. A device as in claim 49, wherein the dispenser extends across essentially the entire length of the front of the cabinet.

55. 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; and

a dispenser 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 at least a portion of the cabinet;

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;

sensing that the plurality of dividers have been repositioned and/or resized;

determining the plurality of diver'"'"'s newly configured positions and/or resized; and

transmitting the plurality of diver'"'"'s newly configured positions and/or sizes to the computer.

56. A method as in claim 55, wherein the visual indicators comprise lights, and further comprising flashing the lights on the dispensing mechanisms that need restocking.

57. A method as in claim 56, further comprising pressing a button on one of the dispensing mechanism to indicate that one or more items are to be restocked.

58. A method as in claim 57, further comprising continuously lighting the light on the dispensing mechanism after pressing the button, and displaying the name of the item using the computer.

59. A method as in claim 58, further comprising verifying the count of items in the dispensing mechanism and entering the verification into the computer.

60. A method as in claim 58, further comprising pressing the button on the dispensing mechanism to signal that restocking is completed.

61. A method as in claim 60, further comprising turning off the light upon pressing of the button.

62. A method as in claim 55, wherein the dispensing device further comprises a separately lockable drawer.

63. A method as in claim 62, further comprising:

unlocking the separately lockable drawer; and

restocking at least one item into the separately lockable drawer.

64. A method as in claim 55, wherein the dispensing device further comprises a secure return compartment such that items returned to the device are inserted into the secure return compartment;

and the method further comprises removing a returned item from the secure return compartment.

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

66. A dispensing mechanism as in claim 65, wherein the visual indicator comprises a light.

67. A dispensing mechanism as in claim 65, wherein the sensing mechanism comprises a button.

68. A dispensing mechanism as in claim 65, wherein the dispensing device is selected from a group of devices consisting of motors and solenoids.