Dispensing of restricted goods
First Claim
1. A method of dispensing restricted products from an authorized vendor to an approved purchaser which includes the steps ofa) providing a dispenser containing an inventory of restricted goodsb) providing an audio and data communication link from the dispenser to the authorized vendorc) providing means in the dispenser to enable the vendor to verify the purchaser'"'"'s status as an approved purchaserd) 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 columne) providing 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 dispenserf) providing visual viewing means for the vendor to view the product before it is placed in the collection trayg) providing a payment transaction system in the dispenser to verify payment for the producth) providing at least two collection trays in the dispenser that are locked until the vendor releases the product to the purchaser and which can be accessed independentlyi) providing at least one reject hopper to collect items not approved for collectionj) 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.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of dispensing restricted products includes providing: a dispenser containing an inventory of restricted goods and a communication link to an authorized vendor; means to enable the vendor to verify the purchaser as an approved purchaser; an inventory system including storage for products in rows and columns; an identification system that identifies the location of each product by row and column; a product section device enabling verification that the selected product is correct and moves the product to a printing location, a viewing location, and/or an issue tray; a visual viewing means for the vendor to view the product; a payment transaction system to verify payment for the product; at least two collection trays remaining locked until the vendor releases product to the purchaser; a product reject hopper to collect product not approved for collection; and reject system to securely remove product to the reject hopper.
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Citations
6 Claims
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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 and data 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 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 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 at least two collection trays in the dispenser that are locked until the vendor releases the product to the purchaser and which can be accessed independently i) providing at least one reject hopper to collect items not approved for collection j) 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.
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3. A dispenser for dispensing restricted goods by an authorized vendor to an approved purchaser which includes:
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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, at least two independently accessible collection trays in the dispenser that are locked until the vendor releases the product to the purchaser and at least one reject hopper to collect items not approved for collection 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 i) 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 v) a release key to unlock the collection tray. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
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6. 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 and data 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, camera viewing location, reject bin or issue tray all located within the dispenser f) providing camera 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 at least two collection trays in the dispenser that are locked until the vendor releases the product to the purchaser and which can be accessed independently i) providing at least one reject hopper to collect items not approved for collection j) 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.
Specification