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;
a filter circuit coupled to the optical sensor and configured to adjust the detection signal to account for ambient light conditions after the detection signal is output from the optical detector to provide a filtered detection signal; and
a controller coupled to the filter circuit and configured to receive the filtered detection signal therefrom, detect the presence or absence of the vial at the predetermined location of the output chute in response to the filtered detection signal, and control a next depositing event whereby a next vial is deposited in the output chute responsive to the detection.
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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.
22 Citations
20 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; a filter circuit coupled to the optical sensor and configured to adjust the detection signal to account for ambient light conditions after the detection signal is output from the optical detector to provide a filtered detection signal; and a controller coupled to the filter circuit and configured to receive the filtered detection signal therefrom, detect the presence or absence of the vial at the predetermined location of the output chute in response to the filtered detection signal, and control a next depositing event whereby a next vial is deposited in the output chute responsive to the detection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of operating an automated pill dispensing system including an output chute configured to hold pill-containing vials and an optical sensor comprising an optical emitter and an optical detector at a predetermined location in the output chute therein, the method comprising:
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receiving a detection signal from the optical detector responsive to operation of the optical emitter; adjusting the detection signal to account for ambient light conditions responsive to receiving the detection signal from the optical detector; detecting a presence or absence of a vial at the predetermined location of the output chute responsive to the adjusting of the detection signal; and controlling a next depositing event whereby a next vial is deposited in the output chute responsive to the detecting. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer program product for operating an automated pill dispensing system including an output chute configured to hold pill-containing vials and an optical sensor comprising an optical emitter and an optical detector at a predetermined location in the output chute, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code comprising:
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computer readable program code that is configured to adjust a detection signal to account for ambient light conditions after the detection signal is output from the optical detector; computer readable program code that is configured to detect a presence or absence of a vial at the predetermined location of the output chute responsive to the detection signal that was adjusted; and computer readable program code that is configured to control a next depositing event whereby a next vial is deposited in the output chute responsive to the detection. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification