Method and apparatus for automatic capture of label information contained in a printer command file and for automatic supply of this information to a tablet dispensing/counting system

In a system including a first subsystem that generates a label and a printer command file including data that represents said label, and a second subsystem that automatically counts and/or dispenses tablets, an apparatus that provides automatic capture of information contained in said label and automatic supply of said information to said second subsystem, the apparatus comprising:

• a) a first port operably coupled to said first subsystem;
• b) a second port operably coupled to said second subsystem;
• c) at least one programmed microprocessor that performs the following operations
• i) upon receipt of said printer command file, processing said printer command file to render a bit map image of said label and storing said bit map image in an image buffer,
• ii) for at least one given portion of said bit map image stored in said image buffer, performing symbol recognition operations on said given portion to generate a first sequence of symbol identifier values that correspond to symbols identified in said given portion, and
• iii) building a message that is based upon said first sequence of symbol identifier values for communication to said second subsystem for use in tablet counting operations and/or dispensing operations performed therein.

A method for automatic verification of drugs to be dispensed in accordance with a prescription, the method comprising:

• a) during a setup routine associated with a particular drug name and strength,
• performing a first scanning operation wherein a user scans a first bar code symbol on a sample prescription label for said particular drug name and strength, said first bar code symbol representing a first character string having a first portion that identifies said particular drug name and strength,
• performing a second scanning operation wherein said user scans a second bar code symbol on a container holding tablets of said particular drug name and strength, said second bar code symbol representing a second character string that identifies said particular drug name and strength, and
• processing data resulting from said first and second scanning operations to identify a position of said second character string in said first character string, and storing position data that represents said position in persistent storage;
• and
• b) during at least one prescription verification routine associated with said particular drug name and strength,
• performing a third scanning operation wherein a user scans a third bar code symbol on a prescription label for said particular drug name and strength,
• processing results of said third scanning operation to extract data representing a portion of said third bar code symbol, wherein location of said portion is based upon said position data persistently stored during said setup routine, and
• performing a fourth scanning operation wherein said user scans a fourth bar code symbol on a container holding tablets of said particular drug name and strength, said fourth bar code symbol representing a fourth character string that identifies said particular drug name and strength, and
• processing said data representing a portion of said third bar code symbol and data resulting from said fourth scanning operation to make a determination whether character strings represented by said data match, and reporting a verification outcome to a user based upon said determination.