Secured dispensing cabinet and methods

• US 6,975,922 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2003
• Issued: 12/13/2005
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Walsh, Donald D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shapiro, Jeffrey A.
• Application Number:
  US10/434,724
• Publication Number:
  US 20040225409A1
• Time in Patent Office: 950 Days
• Field of Search: 700/242, 705/22, 705/23, 705/28, 705/29, 221/4, 221/241, 221/242
• 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 fall into the dispense drawer, where they may be accessed by pulling open the dispense drawer.

Claims

1. 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 operably coupled to the cabinet, wherein the dispenser frame includes a plurality of dividers;

a plurality of dispensing mechanisms that are configured to hold a plurality of items within the storage area, wherein the dispensing mechanisms are operably coupled to the dispenser frame, and wherein the dividers are reconfigurable to permit the arrangement of the dispensing mechanisms to be adjusted;

a divider sensing system associated with the dispenser frame to sense the configuration of the dividers;

a visual indicator associated with each of the dispensing mechanisms;

a lockable door coupled to the front of the cabinet so as to be positioned in front of the dispenser frame, wherein the door is operable to provide access to the interior of the cabinet and to the dispenser frame;

a dispense drawer coupled to the cabinet below the storage area such that items dispensed from the dispensing mechanisms fall into the dispense drawer; and

a computer that is operably coupled to the dispensing mechanisms and the visual indicators, wherein the computer is configured to actuate the visual indicators of the dispensing mechanisms that are to be restocked or modified, and wherein the computer is configured to store information on the configuration of the dividers.

2. A device as in claim 1, wherein the dispense drawer has a width that is essentially equal to the width of the dispenser frame, and wherein the dispenser frame is configured to be pulled out from the interior.

3. A device as in claim 2, wherein the dispense drawer extends across essentially the entire length of the front, and wherein the computer is configured to send a signal to automatically open the dispense drawer after an item is dispensed from one of the dispensing mechanisms.

4. A device as in claim 1, wherein the computer further includes a record of items stored in the cabinet, their quantity and their location.

5. A device as in claim 4, wherein the computer is configured to permit the selection of an item and to send a signal that is usable by one of the dispensing mechanisms to dispense the selected item.

6. A device as in claim 5, wherein the dispense drawer includes a light, and wherein the computer is configured to light the dispense drawer light upon selection of the item.

7. A device as in claim 4, wherein computer is configured to receive input on the items held within the dispensing mechanisms.

8. A device as in claim 7, wherein the dispensing mechanisms each include a sensor mechanism that is actuatable to send a signal to the computer when actuated.

9. A device as in claim 8, 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.

10. A device as in claim 8, wherein the sensor mechanisms are each actuatable to indicate to the computer that the associated dispensing mechanism is to be restocked.

11. A device as in claim 1, wherein the computer includes a record of individuals that may use the dispensing cabinet.

12. A device as in claim 11, wherein the computer is configured to unlock the door upon entry of appropriate identification information into the computer from an authorized individual.

13. A device as in claim 12, wherein the door includes a light, and wherein the computer is configured to light the door light upon receipt of a restocking request.

14. A device as in claim 13, wherein the visual indicators comprise lights, and wherein the computer is configured to light the light corresponding to each dispensing mechanism that is to be restocked.

15. A device as in claim 14, wherein the computer is configured to display the type of item to be restocked upon pressing of one of the lighted lights.

16. A device as in claim 15, wherein the computer is configured to produce a record of restocking and to turn off the light of the associated dispensing mechanism following restocking.

17. A device as in claim 1, wherein the dividers include connectors that are configured to interface with connectors on the dispensers.

18. A device as in claim 1, wherein the cabinet further includes a return unit that is adapted to receive returned items.

19. A device as in claim 1, further comprising a sensor system that is configured to detect when items fall from the dispensing mechanisms and into the dispense drawer.

20. A device as in claim 1, wherein the dispenser frame further includes a control circuit board that is electrically coupled to the computer and that is configured to be electrically coupled to the dispensing mechanisms.

21. A device as in claim 1, further comprising at least one holding drawer having multiple storage locations that are configured to hold additional items.

22. A device as in claim 1, further comprising at least one shelf having storage locations that are configured to hold additional items.

23. A method for configuring a dispensing device, 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 for holding a plurality of dispensing mechanisms that each hold a plurality of items within the interior;

a divider sensing system associated with the dispenser frame to sense the configuration of the dividers;

a lockable door coupled to the front of the cabinet so as to be positioned in front of the dispenser frame;

a dispense drawer coupled to the cabinet below the storage area such that items dispensed from the dispensing mechanisms fall into the dispense drawer; and

a computer;

opening the door to access the dispenser frame;

arranging the dividers in a desired configuration;

providing a signal from the divider sensing system for supplying information on the arrangement of the dividers to the computer;

actuating a sensing mechanism that is associated with one of the dispensing mechanisms that is to be configured to generate a signal;

transmitting the signal to the computer to indicate that the dispensing mechanism that is associated with the actuated sensing mechanism is to be configured.

24. A method as in claim 23, further comprising entering into the computer an item to associate with the dispensing mechanism that is associated with the actuated sensing mechanism.

25. A method as in claim 23, further comprising restocking an item into the dispensing mechanism that is associated with the actuated sensing mechanism.

26. A method as in claim 23, wherein the sensing mechanism is actuated to enter an address of one of the dispensing mechanisms into the computer.

27. A method as in claim 26, wherein the address is determined by sensing the location of the new dispensing mechanism on the divider when the sensing mechanism is actuated.

28. A method as in claim 27, wherein the sensing mechanism comprises a button on the dispensing mechanism, and further comprising pressing the button on the dispensing mechanism to enter the address of the dispensing mechanism into the computer.

29. A method as in claim 24, wherein the item that is to be associated with the dispensing mechanism is entered by selecting an item from a list of items displayed by the computer.

30. A method as in claim 23, further comprising entering a request into the computer to dispense an item, and operating the dispensing mechanism to dispense the item into the dispense drawer.