Method and apparatus for handling packages in an automated dispensary
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- loading a plurality of packages into respective storage stations inside an automated dispensary, wherein each said package has a plurality of substantially planar outside surfaces bearing printed characters thereon;
andfor each package loaded inside the automated dispensary;
retrieving the package from the corresponding said storage station;
moving the package to an inspection station inside the automated dispensary;
rotating the package about one or more axes of the one or more said substantially planar outside surfaces such that each is generally perpendicular to;
an illumination of light emitted by one of a plurality of respective light sources in the inspection station; and
a viewing axis of one of a plurality of respective image capture cameras in the inspection station;
capturing an image of each substantially planar outside surface of the package that is generally perpendicular to;
the illumination of light emitted by one of a plurality of respective light sources in the inspection station; and
the viewing axis of one of a plurality of respective image capture cameras in the inspection station;
reading each said captured image to identify source data;
encoding the source data to obtain first encoded data;
applying the first encoded data as an identifying label to the package;
retrieving the labeled package from the inspection station inside the automated dispensary; and
moving the labeled package to one of the storage stations inside the automated dispensary.
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Abstract
In a method and apparatus for handling a package in an automated dispensary, a package is positioned in an inspection station of the dispensary. Images are captured of the package and are read to identify data on labels or on the package itself. The data is encoded as source data in an identifying label which is applied to the package and is used subsequently in handling the package for dispensing and other inventory management procedures.
19 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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loading a plurality of packages into respective storage stations inside an automated dispensary, wherein each said package has a plurality of substantially planar outside surfaces bearing printed characters thereon; and for each package loaded inside the automated dispensary; retrieving the package from the corresponding said storage station; moving the package to an inspection station inside the automated dispensary; rotating the package about one or more axes of the one or more said substantially planar outside surfaces such that each is generally perpendicular to; an illumination of light emitted by one of a plurality of respective light sources in the inspection station; and a viewing axis of one of a plurality of respective image capture cameras in the inspection station; capturing an image of each substantially planar outside surface of the package that is generally perpendicular to; the illumination of light emitted by one of a plurality of respective light sources in the inspection station; and the viewing axis of one of a plurality of respective image capture cameras in the inspection station; reading each said captured image to identify source data; encoding the source data to obtain first encoded data; applying the first encoded data as an identifying label to the package; retrieving the labeled package from the inspection station inside the automated dispensary; and moving the labeled package to one of the storage stations inside the automated dispensary. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus comprising:
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a loader module operable to load a plurality of packages into respective storage stations inside an automated dispensary, wherein each said package has a plurality of substantially planar outside surfaces bearing printed characters thereon; and for each package loaded inside the automated dispensary; a mover module operable to; retrieve the package from the corresponding said storage station; and move the package to an inspection station inside the automated dispensary; an inspection module in the inspection station inside the automated dispensary operable to rotate the package about one or more axes of the one or more said substantially planar outside surfaces such that each is generally perpendicular to; an illumination of light emitted by one of a plurality of respective light sources in the inspection station; and a viewing axis of one of a plurality of respective image capture cameras in the inspection station; an image capture module operable to capture an image of each substantially planar outside surface of the package that is generally perpendicular to; the illumination of light emitted by one of a plurality of respective light sources in the inspection station; and the viewing axis of one of a plurality of respective image capture cameras in the inspection station; a reading module operable to read each said captured image to identify source data; an encoding module operable to encode the source data to obtain first encoded data; a labeling module operable to apply the first encoded data as an identifying label to the package; a first retrieving module operable to retrieve the labeled package from the inspection station inside the automated dispensary; and a second mover module operable to move the labeled package to one of the storage stations inside the automated dispensary. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method comprising:
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loading a plurality of packages into respective storage stations inside an automated dispensary that is a node on a communications network, wherein each said package has a plurality of substantially planar outside surfaces bearing printed characters thereon; for each package loaded inside the automated dispensary; retrieving the package from the corresponding said storage station; moving the package to an inspection station inside the automated dispensary; rotating the package about one or more axes of the one or more said substantially planar outside surfaces such that each is generally perpendicular to; an illumination of light emitted by one of a plurality of respective light sources in the inspection station, wherein each said illumination of light emitted by one of a plurality of respective light sources in the inspection station is an illuminating subsystem; and a viewing axis of one of a plurality of respective image capture cameras in the inspection station; recording a provisional image of the package with each said recording sub-system; analyzing the provisional image quality; adjusting at least one of the illuminating sub-system and the recording sub-system to increase the provisional image quality; capturing, after said recording, analyzing and adjusting, an image of each substantially planar outside surface of the package that is generally perpendicular to; the illumination of light emitted by one of a plurality of respective light sources in the inspection station; and the viewing axis of one of a plurality of respective image capture cameras in the inspection station; reading each said captured image to identify source data; transmitting the captured image from the dispensary in a transmission addressed for delivery to a remote node on the network, whereby the captured image can be manually read at the remote node to derive a manually viewed part of the source data; encoding the source data to obtain first encoded data measuring a physical property of the package to derive physical data; encoding the physical data to obtain second encoded data; applying the first and second encoded data as an identifying label to the package; retrieving the labeled package from the inspection station inside the automated dispensary; moving the labeled package to one of the storage stations inside the automated dispensary; receiving a written request from a user of the automated dispensary; optically scanning the written request to receive an optical image of the written request; retrieving one said labeled package from one said storage station inside the automated dispensary, wherein information in the optical image of the written request corresponds to the first encoded data on the identifying label on the retrieved one said labeled package; and dispensing the retrieved one said labeled package to the user of the automated dispensary.
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Specification