Method for controlling access to and segregating dispensed items
First Claim
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1. A method for controlling access to and segregating items dispensed from a vending machine having a stock of said items, said method comprising:
- vending an item only when a control procedure is satisfied;
storing a record indicating said vended item has been dispensed;
quarantining those vended items which are inserted into a port of said vending machine that conveys said inserted vended item to a secure repository;
updating said record to indicate said vended item has been returned to said secure repository; and
providing a sheet containing identifying information associated with said returned item and inserting said sheet through a slot on said machine for storage within said machine.
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Abstract
A method for controlling access to and segregating items dispensed from a vending machine having a stock of said items, said method comprising:
- vending an item only when a control procedure is satisfied; storing a record indicating said vended item has been dispensed;
- if said vended item is not distributable to an authorized recipient; quarantining said vended item including inserting said vended item into a port on an exterior of said vending machine that conveys said inserted vended item to a secure repository in the interior of said machine; and updating said record to indicate said vended item has been returned to said machine.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for controlling access to and segregating items dispensed from a vending machine having a stock of said items, said method comprising:
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vending an item only when a control procedure is satisfied; storing a record indicating said vended item has been dispensed; quarantining those vended items which are inserted into a port of said vending machine that conveys said inserted vended item to a secure repository; updating said record to indicate said vended item has been returned to said secure repository; and providing a sheet containing identifying information associated with said returned item and inserting said sheet through a slot on said machine for storage within said machine.
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2. A method for controlling access to and segregating items dispensed from a vending machine having a stock of said items, said method comprising:
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vending an item only when a control procedure is satisfied; storing a record indicating said vended item has been dispensed; quarantining those vended items which are inserted into a port of said vending machine that conveys said inserted vended item to a secure repository; and updating said record to indicate said vended item has been returned to said secure repository, wherein said items comprise prepackaged pharmaceuticals.
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3. A method for controlling access to and segregating items dispensed from a vending machine having a stock of said items, said method comprising:
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vending an item only when a control procedure is satisfied; storing a record indicating said vended item has been dispensed; quarantining those vended items which are inserted into a port of said vending machine that conveys said inserted vended item to a secure repository; and updating said record to indicate said vended item has been returned to said secure repository. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification