Computerized method and system for loading and/or unloading a tray having a light grid over a surface thereof

• US 7,177,721 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2004
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cerner Innovation, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cerner Innovation, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Blair, Jerry, Kirsch, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford; Gene O
• Assistant Examiner(s): WAGGONER, TIMOTHY R
• Application Number:
  US10/997,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20060129272A1
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: 700/236, 700/231, 700/242, 700/244, 700/225, 250/221, 250/221.1, 250/221.2, 250/222.1, 364/479.12, 364/215
• US Class Current: 700/236
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Abstract

A method and system for loading a tray, e.g., a multi-compartment tray, with at least one medication, the tray having a light grid over a surface thereof is provided. Further provided is a computerized method and system for delivering medication to at least one individual from a tray, e.g., a multi-compartment tray, having a light grid over a surface thereof. If desired, the tray may further include a scanner over a surface thereof which is capable of scanning an identification code coupled with the medication being loaded and/or removed from the tray.

Claims

1. A method in a computing environment, the method comprising:

providing a tray having a light grid over a surface thereof;

receiving an indicator that at least one medication is loaded into the tray, the tray having at least one compartment;

determining a particular compartment of the tray into which the at least one medication is loaded; and

outputting user instructions including at least one of one or more individuals for whom the at least one medication was prescribed, an identity of the at least one medication, and a particular compartment of the tray into which the at least one medication is to be loaded, wherein if the particular compartment of the tray into which the at least one medication is loaded is determined to be a compartment other than the particular compartment into which the at least one medication is to be loaded output in the user instructions, the method further comprises providing at least one of a visual discrepancy indicator and an audio discrepancy indicator.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the indicator that the at least one medication is loaded into the tray comprises detecting an interruption in the light grid.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the particular compartment of the tray into which the at least one medication is loaded comprises determining a location of the interruption and a corresponding location within the tray.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a medication profile to be associated with the tray, the medication profile comprising information identifying at least one of one or more individuals for whom the at least one medication was prescribed, an identity of the at least one medication, and a dosage of the at least one medication.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a medication profile to be associated with the tray, the medication profile comprising information identifying at least one of one or more types of individuals for whom the at least one medication is likely to be prescribed, an identity of the at least one medication, and a dosage of the at least one medication.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising outputting a quantity of the at least one medication to be loaded into the particular compartment.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising outputting at least one of a visual location indicator and an audio location indicator in association with the particular compartment of the tray into which the at least one medication is to be loaded.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising outputting a quantity of the at least one medication in the particular compartment.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein if the particular compartment of the tray into which the at least one medication is loaded is determined to be the particular compartment into which the at least one medication is to be loaded output in the user instructions, the method further comprises providing at least one of a visual accuracy indicator and an audio accuracy indicator.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein upon providing the at least one of the visual accuracy indicator and the audio accuracy indicator, the quantity of the at least one medication in the particular compartment is incremented.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the indicator that the at least one medication is loaded into the tray comprises receiving a plurality of indicators, each associated with a single one of the at least one medication, wherein each single one of the at least one medication is loaded into the tray individually.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the tray includes a tray identification device coupled therewith.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the tray identification device comprises a bar code.

14. The method of claim 4, wherein the tray includes a tray identification device coupled therewith.

15. A method in a computing environment, the method comprising:

providing a tray having a light grid over a surface thereof and a tray identification device coupled therewith;

receiving an indicator that at least one medication is loaded into the tray, the tray having at least one compartment;

determining a particular compartment of the tray into which the at least one medication is loaded; and

receiving a medication profile to be associated with the tray, the medication profile comprising information identifying at least one of one or more individuals for whom the at least one medication was prescribed, an identity of the at least one medication, and a dosage of the at least one medication, wherein the tray identification device is capable of having information comprising at least one of the medication profile associated with the tray, any medications in the tray, and into which compartments of the tray any medications are loaded, stored therein and retrieved therefrom.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the tray identification device comprises a radio frequency identification device.

17. A method in a computing environment, the method comprising:

providing a tray having a light grid over a surface thereof;

receiving an indicator that at least one medication is loaded into the tray, the tray having at least one compartment;

determining a particular compartment of the tray into which the at least one medication is loaded;

receiving an indicator that the tray is received into a tray-receiving component; and

generating the light grid over the surface of the tray such that when the light grid is interrupted, a location of such interruption and a corresponding location within the tray are capable of being determined.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the tray-receiving component comprises a drawer.

19. A method in a computing environment, the method comprising:

providing a tray having a light grid over a surface thereof;

receiving an indicator that at least one medication is removed from the tray, the tray having at least one compartment;

determining a particular compartment of the tray from which the at least one medication is removed; and

outputting user instructions including at least one of one of one or more individuals for whom the at least one medication was prescribed, an identity of the at least one medication, and a particular compartment of the tray from which the at least one medication is to be removed, wherein if the particular compartment of the tray from which the at least one medication is removed is determined to be a compartment other than the particular compartment from which the at least one medication is to be removed output in the user instructions, the method further comprises providing at least one of a visual discrepancy indicator and an audio discrepancy indicator.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein receiving the indicator that the at least one medication is removed from the tray comprises detecting an interruption in the light grid.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein determining the particular compartment of the tray from which the at least one medication is removed comprises determining a location of the interruption and a corresponding location within the tray.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising receiving a medication profile associated with the tray, the medication profile comprising information identifying at least one of one or more individuals for whom the at least one medication was prescribed, an identity of the at least one medication, and a dosage of the at least one medication.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising receiving a medication profile associated with the tray, the medication profile comprising information identifying at least one of one or more types of individuals for whom the at least one medication is likely to be prescribed, an identity of the at least one medication, and a dosage of the at least one medication.

24. The method of claim 19, further comprising outputting a quantity of the at least one medication to be loaded into the particular compartment.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising outputting at least one of a visual location indicator and an audio location indicator in association with the particular compartment of the tray from which the at least one medication is to be removed.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising outputting a quantity of the at least one medication in the particular compartment.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein if the particular compartment of the tray from which the at least one medication is removed is determined to be the particular compartment from which the at least one medication is to be removed output in the user instructions, the method further comprises providing at least one of a visual accuracy indicator and an audio accuracy indicator.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein upon receiving the at least one of the visual accuracy indicator and the audio accuracy indicator, the quantity of the at least one medication in the particular compartment is decremented.

29. The method of claim 19, wherein receiving the indicator that the at least one medication is removed from the tray comprises receiving a plurality of indicators, each associated with a single one of the at least one medication, wherein each single one of the at least one medication is removed from the tray individually.

30. The method of claim 19, wherein the tray includes a tray identification device coupled therewith.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the tray identification device comprises a bar code.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the tray includes a tray identification device coupled therewith.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the tray identification device is capable of having information comprising at least one of the medication profile associated with the tray, any medications in the tray, and into which compartments of the tray any medications are loaded, stored therein and retrieved therefrom.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the tray identification device comprises a radio frequency identification device.

35. A method in a computing environment, the method comprising:

providing a tray having a light grid over a surface thereof;

receiving an indicator that at least one medication is removed from the tray, the tray having at least one compartment;

determining a particular compartment of the tray from which the at least one medication is removed;

receiving an indicator that the tray is received into a tray-receiving component; and

generating the light grid over the surface of the tray such that when the light grid is interrupted, a location of such interruption and a corresponding location within the tray are capable of being determined.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the tray-receiving component comprises a drawer.