Dispensing of restricted goods

• US 8,078,317 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2006
• Issued: 12/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bluepoint International Pty., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Bluepoint International Pty., Ltd.
• Inventors: Allinson, John Clive, Boyd, Garry David
• Primary Examiner(s): WAGGONER, TIMOTHY R
• Application Number:
  US12/089,461
• Publication Number:
  US 20080262649A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,894 Days
• Field of Search: 700/232, 700/237, 700/240, 700/241, 700/244
• US Class Current: 700/237
• 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 dispenser for dispensing restricted goods such as pharmaceuticals by an pharmacist to a purchaser with a prescription includes a cabinet containing an inventory storage system, a purchaser transaction module, a reject system and a control system. The inventory storage system includes product storage in rows and columns. The purchaser transaction module including an audio communication link from the dispenser to the pharmacist, a payment transaction system in the dispenser to verify payment for the product and an issue tray in the dispenser that is locked until the pharmacist releases the product to the purchaser. The reject system securely removes product to a reject hopper at any time after the product is held by the product selection device but prior to the pharmacist releasing the product from the issue tray. The control system includes means to enable the pharmacist to view the prescription and the purchaser. The control unit includes a product identification system that identifies and stores the location of each product by its row and column and cooperates with a product selection device that verifies that the product selected is correct and holds and carries the product from its storage location to one or more of a printing location, viewing location and issue tray all located within the dispenser. The pharmacist is able to actuate the reject system or unlock the issue tray.

Claims

1. A method of dispensing restricted products from an authorized vendor to an approved purchaser which includes the steps of

a) providing a dispenser containing an inventory of restricted goods

b) providing an audio communication link from the dispenser to the authorized vendor

c) providing means in the dispenser to enable the vendor to verify the purchaser'"'"'s status as an approved purchaser

d) providing an inventory system that includes product storage in rows and columns and a product identification system that identifies the location of each product by its row and column

e) providing a product selection device that verifies that the product selected is correct and holds and carries the product from its storage location to one or more of a printing location, viewing location and issue tray all located within the dispenser

f) providing visual viewing means for the vendor to view the product before it is placed in the collection tray

g) providing a payment transaction system in the dispenser to verify payment for the product

h) providing a collection tray in the dispenser that is locked until the vendor actuates the lock to release the product to the purchaser

i) the dispenser including a reject system that securely removes product to a reject hopper at any time after the product is held by the product selection device but prior to the vendor releasing the product from the collection tray.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 which also includes the provision of printers to label the product and provide receipts and repeat authorizations.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 which also includes a management server which includes a data base of approved vendors, authorized users, user locations, dispensing terminals so that the management server is programmed to assist communication between the user and the dispensing terminal.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reject hopper is in communication with the collection tray.

5. A dispenser for dispensing restricted goods by an authorized vendor to an approved purchaser which includes:

a) a cabinet containing an inventory storage system, a purchaser transaction module, a reject system and a control system

b) said inventory storage system includes product storage in rows and columns

c) said purchaser transaction module including an audio communication link from the dispenser to the authorized vendor, a payment transaction system in the dispenser to verify payment for the product and a collection tray in the dispenser that is locked until the vendor releases the product to the purchaser

d) said reject system securely removes product to a reject hopper at any time after the product is held by the product selection device but prior to the vendor releasing the product from the collection tray

e) said control system including

j) an identification device to enable the vendor to verify the purchaser'"'"'s status as an approved purchaser

ii) a product identification system that stores the location of each product by its row and column

iii) a product selection device that enables verification that the product selected is correct and holds and carries the product from its storage location to one or more of a printing location, viewing location and issue tray all located within the dispenser

iv) a reject key to enable the vendor to actuate the reject system; and

v) a release key to unlock the collection tray.

6. A dispenser as claimed in claim 5 which includes a printer to print a label for the product and a transaction receipt.

7. A dispenser as claimed in claim 5 which includes a visual viewing means for the vendor to view the product before it is placed in the issue tray.

8. A dispenser as claimed in claim 5 wherein the reject hopper is in communication with the collection tray.

9. A method of dispensing pharmaceuticals at a location remote from the pharmacist which includes the steps of

a) providing a dispenser containing an inventory of pharmaceutical products

b) providing an audio communication link from the dispenser to the pharmacist

c) providing a scanner and video camera in the dispenser to enable the pharmacist to verify the purchaser'"'"'s status as an approved purchaser

d) providing an inventory system that includes pharmaceutical product storage in rows and columns and a product identification system that identifies the location of each product by its row and column

e) providing a product selection device that includes a bar code scanner and which holds and carries the product from its storage location to one or more of a printing location, viewing location, reject bin or issue tray all located within the dispenser

f) providing visual viewing means for the pharmacist to view the product before it is placed in the issue tray

g) providing a payment transaction system in the dispenser to verify payment for the product

h) providing an issue tray in the dispenser that is locked until the pharmacist releases the product to the purchaser

i) providing a reject system that securely removes product to a reject hopper at any time after the product is held by the product selection device but prior to the pharmacist releasing the product from the issue tray.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the reject hopper is in communication with the issue tray.