Multiple inspection system and method that inspects different medications
First Claim
1. A multiple inspection method that inspects packages filled with at least two different medications that are to be consumed by a patient, the method comprising:
- filling each package with the at least two different medications with a filling station that associates at least one package with the patient, wherein each package includes a plurality of different tablets that are to be consumed at least once a day;
selecting each package that is to be inspected with a process control module that is communicatively coupled to the filling station;
initiating a first automated inspection by examining the different medications in each package with a first measurement device that is associated with a first inspection property;
generating a first measurement result;
determining a first automated inspection result by comparing a first expected inspection value with the first measurement result;
initiating a second automated inspection by examining the different medications in each package with a second measurement device that is associated with a second inspection property;
generating a second measurement result;
determining a second automated inspection result by comparing a second expected inspection value with the second measurement result; and
analyzing the first automated inspection result and the second automated inspection result for at least one package with an analytical module, wherein the analytical module selects one of a plurality of post-inspection states that is communicated to the process control module.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multiple inspection system and method that inspects packages filled with at least two different medications that are to be consumed by a patient is described. The method includes filling each package with the at least two different medications. A package that is to be inspected is selected by a process control module. A first automated inspection examines the different medications with a first measurement device. A first measurement result is generated. A first automated inspection result is generated by comparing a first expected inspection value with the first measurement result. A second automated inspection having a second measurement device generates a second measurement result. A second automated inspection result is generated by comparing a second expected inspection value with the second measurement result. An analytical module then proceeds to compare the first automated inspection result and the second automated inspection result.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A multiple inspection method that inspects packages filled with at least two different medications that are to be consumed by a patient, the method comprising:
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filling each package with the at least two different medications with a filling station that associates at least one package with the patient, wherein each package includes a plurality of different tablets that are to be consumed at least once a day; selecting each package that is to be inspected with a process control module that is communicatively coupled to the filling station; initiating a first automated inspection by examining the different medications in each package with a first measurement device that is associated with a first inspection property; generating a first measurement result; determining a first automated inspection result by comparing a first expected inspection value with the first measurement result; initiating a second automated inspection by examining the different medications in each package with a second measurement device that is associated with a second inspection property; generating a second measurement result; determining a second automated inspection result by comparing a second expected inspection value with the second measurement result; and analyzing the first automated inspection result and the second automated inspection result for at least one package with an analytical module, wherein the analytical module selects one of a plurality of post-inspection states that is communicated to the process control module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A multiple inspection system that inspects packages filled with at least two different medications that are to be consumed by a patient, the system comprising:
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an automated filling station that fills each package with the at least two different medications, the filling station associates at least one package with the patient, wherein each package includes a plurality of different tablets that are to be consumed at least once a day; a process control module communicatively coupled to the filling station, wherein the control process module selects each package that is to be inspected; a first automated inspection station that examines the different medications in each package with a first measurement device that is associated with a first inspection property; a first measurement result generated by the first automated inspection station; a first automated inspection result generated by comparing a first expected inspection value with the first measurement result; a second automated inspection station that examines the different medications in each package with a second measurement device that is associated with a second inspection property; a second measurement result generated by the second automated inspection station; a second automated inspection result generated by comparing a second expected inspection value with the second measurement result; and an analytical module that analyzes the first automated inspection result and the second automated for at least one package and then selects one of a plurality of post-inspection states that is communicated to the process control module. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A multiple inspection system that inspects packages filled with at least two different medications that are to be consumed by a particular patient, the inspection system comprising:
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an automated filling station that fills each package with the at least two different medications, the filling station associates at least one package with the patient, wherein each package includes a plurality of different tablets that are to be consumed at least once a day; a medication database that includes at least one inspection property and an expected value for each medication; a process control module communicatively coupled to the filling station, wherein the control process module selects each package that is to be inspected; a first automated inspection station that includes, a first measurement device that examines the different medications in each package based on a first inspection property, and a first sensor measurement generated by the first measurement device; a first inspection control module receives the first sensor measurement and a first expected value from the medication database; a first inspection result determined by the first inspection control module, when the first inspection control module compares the first expected value with the first sensor measurement; a second inspection station including, a second measurement device that examines each package based on a second inspection property, and a second sensor measurement generated by the second measurement device; a second inspection control module that receives the second sensor measurement and a second expected value from the medication database; a second inspection result determined by the second inspection control module, when the second inspection control module compares the second expected value with the second sensor measurement; and an analytical module that analyzes the first inspection result and the second inspection result for each package, the analytical module selects one of a plurality of post-inspection states that is communicated to the process control module. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification