System for controlling access to and segregating dispensed items
First Claim
1. A system for controlling access to and segregating pharmaceuticals, said system comprising:
- a vending machine containing prepackaged pharmaceuticals to be vended;
a data input terminal for selecting one of said prepackaged pharmaceuticals, wherein each of said prepackaged pharmaceuticals has a corresponding vending code that is received by said vending machine in order to vend;
a data key containing a vending code for a specific prepackaged pharmaceutical contained within said vending machine;
an electronic reader that reads said data key and causes said vending machine to activate and vend said specific prepackaged pharmaceutical;
a port on said vending machine adapted to receive one of said prepackaged pharmaceuticals previously vended from said vending machine for return; and
a repository operably connected to said port for quarantining said returned prepackaged pharmaceuticals, whereby said returned prepackaged pharmaceuticals are separated from the prepackaged pharmaceuticals to be vended.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, a system for controlling access to and segregating dispensable items comprises a vending machine that contains the dispensable items to be vended. The vending machine includes an access control mechanism responsive to selection of one of the dispensable items for causing the vending machine to activate and vend the selected item. Transaction information associated with each of the vended items is stored in memory. The vending machine further includes a port on an exterior of the machine and adapted to receive items previously vended from the vending machine for return. A repository is located on the interior of the machine and operably connected to the port for quarantining the returned items, whereby the returned items are separated from the items to be vended. A sensor may be provided for sensing the returned items and causing the system to update transaction information to indicate that the sensed item has been returned to the machine.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for controlling access to and segregating pharmaceuticals, said system comprising:
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a vending machine containing prepackaged pharmaceuticals to be vended; a data input terminal for selecting one of said prepackaged pharmaceuticals, wherein each of said prepackaged pharmaceuticals has a corresponding vending code that is received by said vending machine in order to vend; a data key containing a vending code for a specific prepackaged pharmaceutical contained within said vending machine; an electronic reader that reads said data key and causes said vending machine to activate and vend said specific prepackaged pharmaceutical; a port on said vending machine adapted to receive one of said prepackaged pharmaceuticals previously vended from said vending machine for return; and a repository operably connected to said port for quarantining said returned prepackaged pharmaceuticals, whereby said returned prepackaged pharmaceuticals are separated from the prepackaged pharmaceuticals to be vended. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for controlling access to and segregating dispensable items, said system comprising:
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a vending machine containing said dispensable items to be vended; access control means responsive to selection of one of said dispensable items for causing said vending machine to activate and vend said selected item; a memory containing transaction information associated with each of the vended items; a port on said vending machine adapted to receive items previously vended from said vending machine for return; a repository operably connected to said port for quarantining each of said returned items received by said port, whereby each of said returned items are separated from the items to be vended; and a processor operative to update said memory to indicate said returned item has been returned to said machine. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A vending machine comprising:
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a controller; a housing comprising; bins containing dispensable items; a first opening formed on said housing; a conveying system responsive to said controller for conveying items to said first opening for vending; a processor causing updates to inventory records of said items selected for vending; a second opening on said housing for receiving items previously vended from said machine and inserted into said opening, defining a misvended item; a conduit for conveying said misvended items inserted into said opening to a receptacle, wherein said second opening is only in communication with said receptacle; and a sensor sensing said misvended item and generating a signal to cause said processor to update said inventory records indicating said misvended item.
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Specification