Pharmacy printer system and method

• US 8,072,635 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2007
• Issued: 12/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adheris LLC (MedAdvisor Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Catalina Marketing Corporation
• Inventors: Roberts, Michael, Banfield, Simon
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, THIERRY L
• Application Number:
  US11/748,239
• Publication Number:
  US 20080042423A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,667 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.1, 358/1.2, 358/1.4, 358/1.5, 358/1.9, 358/1.11, 358/1.12, 358/1.13, 358/1.14, 358/1.15, 358/1.16, 358/1.17, 358/1.18
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1243 Variable data printing, e.g. document forms, templates, labels, coupons, advertisements, logos, watermarks, transactional printing, fixed content versioning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/02 using printers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/024 for printing on segmented surfaces, e.g. sticker sheets, label rolls
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/028 by thermal printers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/1806 Receiving job control commands
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/1807 relating to the print image preparation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/1819 for a same print job
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/1868 for fitting to an output condition, e.g. paper colour or format
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A computer network system and method for printing in the pharmacy all information specific to a particular prescription recipient, synchronized in time with the fulfillment of the prescription. The computer network system and method determines what accompanying information to associate with a prescription, integrates that accompanying information into one integrated document, and prints the document, along with a prescription label, in the pharmacy prior to when the prescription recipient receives the prescription. In addition, the systems and methods determine layout of the specific accompanying information associated with a prescription to physically distinct sections of the paper.

Claims

1. A computer network system comprising:

a central computer system (CS);

a pharmacy management system (PMS);

a data transmission network through which said PMS and said central CS can communicate;

wherein said PMS includes an Input/Output (I/O) terminal, a scanner, and a first printer;

wherein said PMS includes a PMS Software Object (SO) and a Catalina SO;

said PMS SO is configured to receive and store prescription information for a prescription, and to associate a prescription identification with said prescription;

said Catalina SO is configure to select accompanying information for said prescription, to format and save said accompanying information in an accompanying information print file; and

said PMS is configured to print a prescription label for said prescription and to print said accompanying information print file.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said PMS is designed to read a bar code on said prescription label, and identify said accompanying information print file for said prescription based upon said bar code information, and then print said accompanying information print file.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said central CS is configured to download to said PMS accompanying information selection rules and print format rules which said Catalina SO is configured to use.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said accompanying information print file is formatted to print on two sides of a paper using a two sided printer.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising a two sided printer which is a thermal printer for printing said accompanying information print file.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said thermal printer is designed to print different colors on different sides of paper.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said Catalina SO is configured to add fill content to blank space.

8. A computer network implemented method comprising:

providing a central computer system (CS);

providing a pharmacy management system (PMS);

providing a data transmission network through which said PMS and said central CS can communicate;

wherein said PMS includes an Input/Output (I/O) terminal, a scanner, and a first printer;

wherein said PMS includes a PMS Software Object (SO) and a Catalina SO;

configuring said PMS SO to receive and store prescription information for a prescription, and to associate a prescription identification with said prescription;

configuring said Catalina SO to select accompanying information for said prescription, to format and save said accompanying information in an accompanying information print file; and

configuring said PMS to print a prescription label for said prescription and to print said accompanying information print file.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said PMS is designed to read a bar code on said prescription label, and identify said accompanying information print file for said prescription based upon said bar code information, and then print said accompanying information print file.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising configuring said central CS to download to said PMS accompanying information selection rules and print format rules which said Catalina SO is configured to use.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising printing said accompanying information print file on two sides of a paper using a two sided printer.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising printing said accompanying information print file using a two sided printer which is a thermal printer.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said printing comprises printing different colors on different sides of paper.

14. The method of claim 8 further comprising configuring said Catalina SO to add fill content to blank space.

15. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

receiving in said I/O terminal of said PMS a request for a prescription;

said PMS SO associating a prescription ID with said prescription;

said PMS SO printing a prescription label for said prescription, including printing a bar code encoding said prescription ID;

said Catalina SO selecting accompanying information for said prescription;

said Catalina SO formatting and saving said accompanying information in an accompanying information print file;

said scanner of said PMS scanning said prescription label to thereby read said prescription ID; and

said PMS printing said accompanying information print file to provide printed accompanying information, in response to said PMS identifying said prescription ID read by said scanner.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising affixing said printed accompanying information to said prescription.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising concurrently both said prescription and said printed accompanying information to a customer.