US6068156A — Method for controlling a drug dispensing system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 132 words

A system for automated dispensing of pharmaceuticals comprising: a first dispenser housing having a plurality of vertically extending bins, each bin storing a plurality of gravity-fed packages containing pharmaceuticals; a second dispenser housing having a plurality of drawers that dispense packages; a computer that controls dispensing of packages from the first dispenser housing and the second dispenser housing, the computer being connected to a display that displays patient data stored in a memory of the computer; an electronic controller within the first housing that generates a dispense signal in response to a request signal from the computer; a rotating dispenser associated with each bin within the first housing that controls dispensing of packaged pharmaceuticals each bin; and a pushing dispenser associated with each drawer that controls movement of packages in each drawer.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 132 words

A system for automated dispensing of pharmaceuticals comprising: a first dispenser housing having a plurality of vertically extending bins, each bin storing a plurality of gravity-fed packages containing pharmaceuticals; a second dispenser housing having a plurality of drawers that dispense packages; a computer that controls dispensing of packages from the first dispenser housing and the second dispenser housing, the computer being connected to a display that displays patient data stored in a memory of the computer; an electronic controller within the first housing that generates a dispense signal in response to a request signal from the computer; a rotating dispenser associated with each bin within the first housing that controls dispensing of packaged pharmaceuticals each bin; and a pushing dispenser associated with each drawer that controls movement of packages in each drawer.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 30 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the dispenser comprises a plurality of motors actuated by the controllers, such that a single package is dispensed from a vertical bin per request.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 1 wherein each pushing dispenser comprises a plurality of helix dispensers, each helix dispenser being mounted in a drawer.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system of claim 1 further comprising sensors coupled to said controller for monitoring inventory of said packages.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 10 words

The system of claim 1 wherein said packages comprise bottles.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system of claim 1 further comprising a label printer for printing a prescription label for attaching to said dispensed package.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 6 wherein the printed prescription label includes a printed picture of a pharmaceutical contained in the dispensed package.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a mounting device that attaches the housing to a wall.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 16 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the rotating dispenser comprises a roller actuated by a motor.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a door that rotates relative to the housing and includes a second plurality of bins.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system of claim 1 further comprising a ramp that delivers a dispensed pharmaceutical in the package to a drop point.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 103 words

A method for dispensing packages comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of packages in a dispenser housing; displaying patient data on a display connected to a computer, the computer being connected to a remote computer with a network; receiving request signals at an electronic controller in the housing from the remote computer to dispense a package; generating dispense signals and received by a dispenser associated with the requested package from the electronic controller in the housing in response to the received request signals; displaying package information on the display; and dispensing the package from the housing in response to the dispense signal.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 103 words

A method for dispensing packages comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of packages in a dispenser housing; displaying patient data on a display connected to a computer, the computer being connected to a remote computer with a network; receiving request signals at an electronic controller in the housing from the remote computer to dispense a package; generating dispense signals and received by a dispenser associated with the requested package from the electronic controller in the housing in response to the received request signals; displaying package information on the display; and dispensing the package from the housing in response to the dispense signal.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of printing a prescription label at a label printer for attaching to the dispensed package.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of printing a picture of a pharmaceutical pill on the label.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 12 further comprising providing a plurality of multi-dose pills in each package.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 12 further comprising providing each packaged item in a plastic bottle.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 12 further comprising operating a plurality of separate dispenser housings.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 131 words

A method for dispensing packages comprising the following steps: storing a plurality of packages in a dispenser housing; displaying patient data on a display connected to a computer; receiving request signals at an electronic controller in the housing from the computer to dispense a package; generating dispense signals and received by a dispenser associated with the requested package from the electronic controller in the housing in response to the received request signals; displaying package information on the display; displaying an instruction not to deliver the package; providing an override command such that a user can enable the controller to dispense a package and recording an override command entry in a computer memory; displaying package information on the display; and dispensing the package from the housing in response to the dispense signal.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 131 words

A method for dispensing packages comprising the following steps: storing a plurality of packages in a dispenser housing; displaying patient data on a display connected to a computer; receiving request signals at an electronic controller in the housing from the computer to dispense a package; generating dispense signals and received by a dispenser associated with the requested package from the electronic controller in the housing in response to the received request signals; displaying package information on the display; displaying an instruction not to deliver the package; providing an override command such that a user can enable the controller to dispense a package and recording an override command entry in a computer memory; displaying package information on the display; and dispensing the package from the housing in response to the dispense signal.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 130 words

A method for dispensing packages comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of packages in a dispenser housing; displaying patient data on a display connected to a computer; performing a plurality of required patient data entry operations; automatically enabling or disabling the step of dispensing after completion of the patient data entry operations such that dispensing occurs only upon receipt by the controller of an enabling command; receiving request signals at an electronic controller in the housing from the computer to dispense a package; generating dispense signals and received by a dispenser associated with the requested package from the electronic controller in the housing in response to the received request signals; displaying package information on the display; and dispensing the package from the housing in response to the dispense signal.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 130 words

A method for dispensing packages comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of packages in a dispenser housing; displaying patient data on a display connected to a computer; performing a plurality of required patient data entry operations; automatically enabling or disabling the step of dispensing after completion of the patient data entry operations such that dispensing occurs only upon receipt by the controller of an enabling command; receiving request signals at an electronic controller in the housing from the computer to dispense a package; generating dispense signals and received by a dispenser associated with the requested package from the electronic controller in the housing in response to the received request signals; displaying package information on the display; and dispensing the package from the housing in response to the dispense signal.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-05-30	2003-11-29	2004-05-30	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-05-30	2007-11-29	2008-05-30	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-05-30	2011-11-29	2012-05-30	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method for controlling a drug dispensing system

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