# US 10,369,081 B2 · Loading an automated medication dispenser > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,081 B2 - Document ID: US10369081B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/707,996 - Filed: 2017-09-18 - Published: 2018-03-08 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-05-03 - Assignees: Dose Health, LLC - Applicants: Dose Health, LLC - Inventors: Paul Hines - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369081B2 ## CPC - A61J 7/049: {automatically changing in response to a schedule deviation by the patient} - A61J 7/0084: {for multiple medicaments} - A61J 7/0092: {for holding medicines in, or fixing medicines on, a tooth, e.g. holder containing medicines fixed on a tooth (medicament applicators for teeth or gums A61C19/063)} - A61J 7/0418: {with electronic history memory} - A61J 7/0481: {working on a schedule basis} - G07F 17/0092: {for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles (medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00)} - A61J 7/0069: {Trays for holding or distributing medicines (display trays A47F3/14; serving trays A47G23/06)} - A61J 7/0076: {Medicament distribution means (with pill counting devices A61J7/02; with time indication A61J7/04; containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00)} - A61J 7/0427: {with direct interaction with a dispensing or delivery system} - A61J 2200/70: Device provided with specific sensor or indicating means - A61J 2200/74: for weight - A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) ## Abstract Concepts presented herein relate to approaches for loading a medication dispenser. In one aspect, a medication schedule is obtained and compartments for medication to be positioned in the medication dispenser are identified. A particular medication is selected to be loaded and an indication is provided of the compartment that will hold the particular medication. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of loading a medication dispenser, comprising: providing a housing including a base and a cover; positioning a cassette within the base, the cassette including a plurality of compartments, each compartment configured to hold medication and dispense the medication through a first aperture in the cover when aligned therewith; obtaining a medication schedule from memory in a control assembly that corresponds to medication to be loaded in each of the plurality of compartments and a time that each compartment should be aligned with the first aperture; selecting a medication to be positioned within a selected number of the plurality of compartments; displaying on a display screen using the control assembly an indication of whether the selected medication should be positioned within each of the plurality of compartments based on the selected medication and the medication schedule, the display screen being positioned within the housing and intersecting an axis of rotation of the cassette about the housing; and assembling the cover to the base, the cover including a second aperture aligned with the display screen. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the indication comprises a representation of each of the plurality of compartments adjacent to each of the plurality of compartments and a designation identifying if the selected medication should be positioned in each of the compartments. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein assembling the cover to the base includes rotatably coupling the cover with the base. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the display screen includes a touch screen interface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the cassette includes an inner ring and an outer ring, and wherein each compartment is defined by opposed sidewalls extending between the inner ring and the outer ring. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein each of the sidewalls defines a slot adjacent to the inner ring, the slot configured to maintain a ribbon providing an identifier for each compartment. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the cassette includes a notch configured to interface with the drive member. ### Claim 8 A medication dispenser, comprising: a housing including a base and a cover; a cassette rotatably disposed in the housing and including a plurality of compartments, each compartment configured to hold medication and dispense the medication through a first aperture in the cover when aligned therewith; a control assembly positioned within the housing, the control assembly including memory containing a medication schedule corresponding to medication to be stored in each compartment and a time of day that each compartment should be aligned with the first aperture; a drive member coupled with the control assembly and configured to rotate the cassette about a central axis to align each compartment with the first aperture based on the medication schedule; and a display screen positioned within the housing, aligned with a second aperture in the cover and intersecting the central axis, wherein the display screen is configured to provide an indicator for each of the plurality of compartments indicative of medications to be positioned within each of the plurality of compartments. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The medication dispenser of claim 8, wherein the indicator comprises a representation of each of the plurality of compartments and a designation identifying if a selected medication should be positioned in each of the compartments. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The medication dispenser of claim 8, wherein the cover is rotatably coupled with the base. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The medication dispenser of claim 8, wherein the display screen includes a touch screen interface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The medication dispenser of claim 8, wherein the cassette includes an inner ring and an outer ring, and wherein each compartment is defined by opposed sidewalls extending between the inner ring and the outer ring. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The medication dispenser of claim 12, wherein each of the sidewalls defines a slot adjacent to the inner ring, the slot configured to maintain a label providing an identifier for each compartment. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The medication dispenser of claim 12, wherein the cassette includes a notch configured to interface with the drive member.