Automated pill dispensing systems configured for detecting bottles in output chutes and related methods of operation
First Claim
1. An automated pill dispensing system, comprising:
- an output chute configured to hold pill-containing vials;
an optical sensor located at a predetermined location in the output chute, the optical sensor comprising an optical emitter and an optical detector configured to be operated cooperatively to output a detection signal indicating a presence or absence of a vial at the predetermined location of the output chute; and
a controller coupled to the optical sensor and configured to receive the detection signal output therefrom, detect the presence or absence of the vial at the predetermined location of the output chute in response to the detection signal, and control a next depositing event whereby a next vial is deposited responsive to the detection,wherein the predetermined location comprises a top portion of the output chute, and wherein the controller is configured to control the next depositing event to deposit the next vial in an alternate output chute responsive to detecting the presence of the vial at the top portion of the output chute.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automated pill dispensing system includes an output chute configured to hold pill-containing vials and an optical sensor located at a predetermined location in the output chute. The optical sensor includes an optical emitter and an optical detector configured to be operated cooperatively to output a detection signal indicating a presence or absence of a vial at the predetermined location of the output chute. A controller is coupled to the optical sensor and is configured to receive the detection signal therefrom, detect the presence or absence of the vial at the predetermined location of the output chute in response to the detection signal, and control a next depositing event whereby a next vial is deposited in the output chute responsive to the detection. Related methods of operation are also discussed.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An automated pill dispensing system, comprising:
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an output chute configured to hold pill-containing vials; an optical sensor located at a predetermined location in the output chute, the optical sensor comprising an optical emitter and an optical detector configured to be operated cooperatively to output a detection signal indicating a presence or absence of a vial at the predetermined location of the output chute; and a controller coupled to the optical sensor and configured to receive the detection signal output therefrom, detect the presence or absence of the vial at the predetermined location of the output chute in response to the detection signal, and control a next depositing event whereby a next vial is deposited responsive to the detection, wherein the predetermined location comprises a top portion of the output chute, and wherein the controller is configured to control the next depositing event to deposit the next vial in an alternate output chute responsive to detecting the presence of the vial at the top portion of the output chute. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An automated pill dispensing system, comprising:
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an output chute configured to hold pill-containing vials; an optical sensor located at a predetermined location in the output chute, the optical sensor comprising an optical emitter and an optical detector configured to be operated cooperatively to output a detection signal indicating a presence or absence of a vial at the predetermined location of the output chute; and a controller coupled to the optical sensor and configured to receive the detection signal output therefrom, detect the presence or absence of the vial at the predetermined location of the output chute in response to the detection signal, and control a next depositing event whereby a next vial is deposited in the output chute responsive to the detection, wherein the controller is configured to increment a counter value in response to each depositing event to count a number of vials deposited in the chute, and alter the counter value responsive to the detection signal from the optical sensor indicating the presence or absence of the vial at the predetermined location of the output chute. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of operating an automated pill dispensing system including an output chute configured to hold pill-containing vials and an optical sensor at a predetermined location therein, the method comprising:
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receiving a detection signal from the optical sensor; detecting a presence or absence of a vial at the predetermined location of the output chute responsive to the detection signal; controlling a next depositing event whereby a next vial is deposited in the output chute responsive to the detecting of the presence or absence of the vial at the predetermined location of the output chute; incrementing a counter value in response to each depositing event to count a number of vials deposited in the chute; and altering the counter value responsive to the detecting of the presence or absence of the vial at the predetermined location of the output chute. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification