Method, apparatus, and computer program product for replenishment of articles in a dispensing system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- automatically causing an image to be captured at each of two or more stages of a replenishment process, wherein respective images are of a loading receptacle of a replenishment station, the loading receptacle configured to hold medication, wherein automatically causing an image to be captured at two or more stages of the replenishment process comprises;
receiving an identifier of a medication container containing a plurality of unit doses of a medication that is to be loaded into the loading receptacle;
causing an image to be captured of the loading receptacle, in response to receiving the identifier prior to dispensing of the medication from the medication container;
receiving an indication that a quantity of dispensed medication from the medication container in the loading receptacle has reached a target quantity for dispensing; and
causing an image to be captured of the loading receptacle comprising the target quantity of medication;
providing for display of respective images on a device located remote from the replenishment station;
providing for display of a reference image on the device, said reference image comprising an image of a reference medication unit, wherein the reference image comprises one or more of a distinctive color, shape, or indicia sufficient to distinguish a proper medication from an improper medication; and
receiving an approval or rejection of at least one stage of the replenishment process, in response to providing for the display of respective images.
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Abstract
Example embodiments of the present invention may provide an efficient method of replenishing canisters of an automated dispensing device off-line. In particular, methods may include automatically causing an image to be captured at each of two or more stages of a replenishment process, where respective images are of a loading receptacle of a replenishment station, the loading receptacle configured to hold medication. The method may also include providing for display of respective images on a device located remote from the replenishment station, and receiving an approval or rejection of at least one stage of the replenishment process in response to providing for the display of respective images.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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automatically causing an image to be captured at each of two or more stages of a replenishment process, wherein respective images are of a loading receptacle of a replenishment station, the loading receptacle configured to hold medication, wherein automatically causing an image to be captured at two or more stages of the replenishment process comprises; receiving an identifier of a medication container containing a plurality of unit doses of a medication that is to be loaded into the loading receptacle; causing an image to be captured of the loading receptacle, in response to receiving the identifier prior to dispensing of the medication from the medication container; receiving an indication that a quantity of dispensed medication from the medication container in the loading receptacle has reached a target quantity for dispensing; and causing an image to be captured of the loading receptacle comprising the target quantity of medication; providing for display of respective images on a device located remote from the replenishment station; providing for display of a reference image on the device, said reference image comprising an image of a reference medication unit, wherein the reference image comprises one or more of a distinctive color, shape, or indicia sufficient to distinguish a proper medication from an improper medication; and receiving an approval or rejection of at least one stage of the replenishment process, in response to providing for the display of respective images. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising:
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program code instructions for causing an image to be captured at each of two or more stages of a replenishment process, wherein respective images are of a loading receptacle of a replenishment station, the loading receptacle configured to hold medication, wherein the program code instructions for causing an image to be captured at each of two or more stages of the replenishment process comprises; program code instructions for receiving an identifier of a medication container containing a plurality of unit doses of a medication that is to be loaded into the loading receptacle; program code instructions for causing an image to be captured of the loading receptacle in response to receiving the identifier prior to dispensing of the medication from the medication container; program code instructions for receiving an indication that a quantity of dispensed medication from the medication container in the loading receptacle has reached a target quantity for dispensing; and program code instructions for causing an image to be captured of the loading receptacle comprising the target quantity of medication; program code instructions for providing for display of respective images on a device located remote from the replenishment station; program code instructions for providing for display of a reference image on the device, said reference image comprising an image of a reference medication unit, wherein the reference image comprises one or more of a distinctive color, shape, or indicia sufficient to distinguish a proper medication from an improper medication; and program code instructions for receiving an approval or rejection of at least one stage of the replenishment process in response to providing for the display of respective images. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification