Method of conducting a sales transaction using a random access and random load dispensing unit
First Claim
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1. A method of conducting a sales transaction for pharmacy filled prescription medications comprising:
- providing an automated dispensing device comprising a housing, a payment receiving terminal, and a plurality of storage locations, each storage location capable of storing a prescription medication that has been correlated to a specific consumer before being placed within the dispensing device;
creating an information record comprising a consumer name, a prescription information element, and a medication information element;
placing in the dispensing device a correlated prescription medication, which corresponds to the information record;
accessing a pharmacy information system storing a plurality of information records;
transferring the information record from the pharmacy information system to the automated dispensing device for the correlated prescription medication;
after a consumer engages the dispensing device, accessing information received from a transferred record having a relation to that consumer;
determining if a payment is required and receiving payment if required from the consumer at the payment receiving terminal for at least one correlated prescription medication; and
delivering to the consumer a correlated prescription medication corresponding to the record.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a random access and random load dispensing unit including a housing, at least one support located in the housing and defining a first axis, a plurality of platforms movable along the support along the first axis, a plurality of bins supported on the platforms, the bins being movable with the platforms, and a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis and further movable along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis between the plurality of platforms to access and retrieve products stored in the bins.
187 Citations
50 Claims
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1. A method of conducting a sales transaction for pharmacy filled prescription medications comprising:
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providing an automated dispensing device comprising a housing, a payment receiving terminal, and a plurality of storage locations, each storage location capable of storing a prescription medication that has been correlated to a specific consumer before being placed within the dispensing device; creating an information record comprising a consumer name, a prescription information element, and a medication information element; placing in the dispensing device a correlated prescription medication, which corresponds to the information record; accessing a pharmacy information system storing a plurality of information records; transferring the information record from the pharmacy information system to the automated dispensing device for the correlated prescription medication; after a consumer engages the dispensing device, accessing information received from a transferred record having a relation to that consumer; determining if a payment is required and receiving payment if required from the consumer at the payment receiving terminal for at least one correlated prescription medication; and delivering to the consumer a correlated prescription medication corresponding to the record. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of conducting a sales transaction for a pharmacy filled prescription stored within an automated delivery device having a plurality of storage locations, each storage location designed to store a pharmacy-filled prescription that has been associated with a specific consumer before being placed within the delivery device, comprising;
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creating an information record comprising a consumer name, a prescription information element, and a medication information element, which is stored in a pharmacy computer system; storing a pharmacy-filled prescription associated with the information record in the delivery device; and providing access to the automated delivery device, so that a consumer may purchase a pharmacy-filled prescription associated with himself or herself; wherein the automated delivery device accesses the information record, after the consumer provides identification to the delivery device, and delivers to the consumer the pharmacy-filled prescription corresponding to the record. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of conducting a sales transaction for a pharmacy-filled prescription that is first associated with a specific person, and then stored within an automated random storage, random delivery device having a plurality of storage locations, each storage location capable of storing a unique prescription, comprising;
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creating an information record comprising a consumer name, a prescription number, a drug name, a physician, and cost information selected from the group of a retail cost and a copay amount, which is stored in a pharmacy computer system; associating an electronic identification tag with the pharmacy-filled prescription and the information record, allowing the prescription to be electronically linked to the information record; storing the prescription medication and associated identification tag in the automated device amongst other previously-stored prescriptions, each having an associated electronic identification tag and information record; interfacing the automated device to the pharmacy computer system to allow the device to access information records; providing consumer access to the automated device, so that a consumer may purchase a stored prescription; wherein the automated device detects the electronic identification tag to locate a stored prescription associated with the consumer, and rapidly delivers the prescription.
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41. A method of conducting a sales transaction in a retail pharmacy using a random storage, random delivery dispenser that stores pharmacy-filled prescriptions, each associated with a particular consumer before being stored, comprising providing an automated random storage, random delivery dispenser comprising a dispenser computer, a delivery apparatus, and several hundred storage locations, each storage location capable of storing a unique pharmacy-filled prescription, and being rapidly and easily accessed by the delivery apparatus upon demand;
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creating an information record comprising a consumer name, a prescription number, and a drug name; storing the information record in a pharmacy computer system; associating an electronic identification tag with the prescription and the information record to electronically link the prescription and the information record; storing the electronically-linked prescription in the dispenser; interfacing the dispenser computer to the pharmacy computer system to enable the dispenser computer to access information records; interfacing the dispenser computer to the pharmacy'"'"'s point of sale system; providing access to the automated dispenser, so that a consumer may obtain a pharmacy-filled prescription; accepting payment; directing the dispenser to locate a prescription associated with the consumer by sensing the electronic identification tags; directing the delivery apparatus to rapidly deliver a sensed prescription; and transmitting purchase information from the dispenser computer to the store point of sale system to account for the delivered prescription. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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Specification