Method of operating a dispensing cabinet

• US 6,895,304 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2001
• Issued: 05/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Omnicell Incorporated
• Original Assignee: McKesson Automation Incorporated (Omnicell Inc)
• Inventors: Spano, Philip H. Jr., Meek, Robert B. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walsh, Donald P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Butler, Michael E.
• Application Number:
  US10/010,387
• Publication Number:
  US 20030109956A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,257 Days
• Field of Search: 700/236, 700/237
• US Class Current: 700/237
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/001 Trolleys for transport of medicaments, food, linen, nursing supplies carts specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis A61B50/13; hand carts B62B3/00
• 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: G07F 17/12 comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/26 Interlocks, e.g. for locking the doors of compartments other than that to be used

Abstract

A method of operating a dispensing cabinet to identify the locations where items to be dispensed are located is comprised of a login step in which user information is entered into a processor controlling the dispensing cabinet. The processor unlocks certain doors of the dispensing cabinet in response to the user information. Assuming that a locate mode of operation has been chosen, the locations of the items to be located are determined by the processor. An alpha-numeric display positioned on a shelf within the cabinet begins flashing with the number of items to be located that are held by that shelf. After the user identifies the shelves having flashing alpha-numeric displays, the user may enter a dispense mode or may logoff causing the unlocked doors to lock.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

entering user information into a processor controlling a dispensing cabinet having a plurality of shelves;

said processor unlocking certain doors of the dispensing cabinet in response to said user information;

entering patient information into the processor;

choosing a locate mode;

creating a list containing at least one item to be located;

said processor controlling a numeric display on at least one of said plurality of shelves within the cabinet, wherein said display flashes the number of different variety of items on the list held by the corresponding shelf;

opening an unlocked door behind which there is a shelf with a flashing display;

selecting a compartment in said shelf with said flashing display; and

zeroing the flashing display in response to the selection of said compartment.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said choosing a locate mode includes choosing from among a dispense, locate, return or stock mode.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said creating a list containing at least one item to be located includes one of picking an item from a pick list, inputting identifying information with a keypad, or barcode scanning.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying the number of items taken from the selected compartment;

displaying the number of items taken on the display;

closing the opened door;

logging off; and

locking the unlocked doors.

5. A method, comprising:

entering user information into a processor controlling a dispensing cabinet having a plurality of shelves;

choosing a locate mode;

creating a list containing at least one item to be located; and

said processor controlling a numeric display on at least one of said plurality of shelves within the cabinet, wherein said display indicates the number of different variety of items on the list held by the corresponding shelf.

6. The method of claim 5 additionally comprising entering patient information.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said choosing a locate mode includes choosing from among a dispense, locate, return or restock mode.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein said creating a list containing at least one item to be located includes one of picking an item from a pick list, inputting identifying information with a keypad, or barcode scanning.

9. The method of claim 5, further comprising said processor unlocking certain doors of the dispensing cabinet in response to said user information.

10. The method of claim 9 additionally comprising opening one of the unlocked doors, selecting a compartment, entering the number of items taken, and closing the opened door.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

logging off; and

locking the unlocked doors.

12. An item dispenser comprising:

a cabinet comprising;

a plurality of shelves, each of said shelves configured to bold a plurality of items, and

a numeric display on each of said plurality of shelves; and

a processor in electrical communication with said cabinet and controlling an operation thereof, wherein said processor is configured to locate items in said cabinet and to control each said display such that the display indicates the corresponding number of different variety of items to be located that are held by the respective shelf.