Active control center for use with an automatic dispensing system for prescriptions and the like

A control center for storing vials filled by an automatic dispensing system, the control center comprising:

• a slot matrix having a plurality of slots, wherein each slot is configured for holding at least one medicament vial;
• and
• a computer-controlled mechanical loading mechanism for automatically storing the vial in the slot matrix, the loading mechanism including—a base;
• a plate lying generally parallel to the base and operable to rotate about an axis generally perpendicular to the plate;
• a first motor for driving the rotation of the plate;
• a vertical tower extending upwardly from the plate;
• a horizontal grasping arm secured generally perpendicular to the tower and operable to move vertically along a length of the tower;
• a second motor for driving the horizontal grasping arm along the length of the tower;
• a third motor for driving the horizontal grasping arm in a horizontal direction;
• and
• a grasping member secured to the horizontal grasping arm for grasping and locating the vial in the slot matrix.

A control center for storing vials filled by an automatic dispensing system, the control center comprising:

• a cabinet;
• a slot matrix positioned on the cabinet and having a plurality of slots, wherein each slot is configured for holding at least one medicament vial;
• an infeed conveyor for transporting a vial from the automatic dispensing system to the control center;
• at least one vial dimension sensor for determining at least one dimension of the vial;
• a computer-controlled mechanical loading mechanism for retrieving the vial from the infeed conveyor and moving the vial to the slot matrix;
• a slot sensor contained within each slot for determining how many vials are held within the slot;
• and
• a control system for controlling operation of the infeed conveyor, the vial dimension sensor, the computer-controlled mechanical loading mechanism, and the slot sensor in response to prescriptions received from a host computer.

A method of storing filled medicament vials, the method comprising the steps of:

• measuring a height of the vial;
• measuring a diameter of the vial;
• determining a coordinate location of a slot in which to store the vial;
• retrieving the vial from a retrieving station using a loading mechanism;
• and
• storing the vial in the slot located by the coordinate location, wherein the control system identifies the vial stored in the slot based on identifying information.