Prescription storage and retrieval system

A storage and retrieval system, comprising:

• a storage matrix having a front side and an opposed back side, the storage matrix comprising:
• an outer housing having one or more access openings each selectively accessible from the front side of the storage matrix by a user, and
• a plurality of compartments in the outer housing;
• a plurality of storage containers sized and configured to be removably received by one or more of the compartments and the access openings;
• a transport system configured for detachably attaching to the storage containers and for selectively moving the storage containers to coordinates of any of the compartments or the access openings, wherein all of the compartments and the access openings are selectively accessible by the transport system from the back side of the storage matrix;
• scanners configured for scanning identification indicia on items placed in one of the storage containers located at one of the access openings;
• and
• a control system communicably coupled with the scanners and the transport system and configured for:
• receiving signals from one of the scanners, corresponding to identification indicia scanned by one of the scanners, indicating that a first item was loaded in a first one of the storage containers in one of the access openings,
• commanding the transport system to relocate the first one of the storage containers to a selected one of the compartments in the storage matrix that is empty,
• transmitting data that associates identification indicia for the first item and location information for the selected one of the compartments to a memory storage device accessible by the control system,
• receiving a request from an authorized user to retrieve the first item,
• commanding the transport system to retrieve the first one of the storage containers from the selected one of the compartments, and
• commanding the transport system to move the first one of the storage containers to an empty one of the access openings and to deposit the first one of the storage containers into the empty one of the access openings for retrieval of the first item by the authorized user.

A storage and retrieval system, comprising:

• a first storage matrix comprising:
• an outer housing having one or more access openings formed therethrough, and
• a plurality of compartments located in the outer housing arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of compartments and at least a portion of the outer housing of the storage matrix together form one or more primary doors that are selectively openable;
• one or more access drawers, each electronically lockable, each actuatable or extendable through one of the access openings, and each movable between an open position and a closed position;
• a plurality of storage containers each sized and configured to be removably received within one or more of the compartments and the access openings of the storage matrix, wherein the access drawers are configured to receive one of the storage containers;
• a first transport system configured for detachably attaching to one or more of the storage containers and for selectively moving the storage containers to coordinates of any of the compartments or access drawers, wherein the first transport system is located within the outer housing and behind the plurality of compartments, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of compartments and at least a portion of the outer housing of the storage matrix are together pivotable in a direction away from the first transport system, providing access to the first transport system for servicing or updating;
• one or more drawer scanners each associated with one of the access drawers in the storage matrix, each of the drawer scanners being configured for scanning identification indicia on items placed in one of the storage containers located within one of the access drawers;
• a plurality of sensors each associated with one of the access drawers and first transport system and configured for detecting storage container content status information, wherein detecting storage container content status information comprises at least one of:
• detecting the presence of one of the storage containers therein, detecting whether the one of the storage containers is empty, and detecting if content in the one of the storage containers is protruding out of the storage container;
• a camera located within the outer housing and configured to record content of the storage container;
• and
• a control system communicably coupled with the drawer scanners, the sensors, the camera, and the first transport system and configured for:
• commanding unlocking of one of the access drawers;
• receiving signals from one of the drawer scanners, corresponding to identification indicia scanned by one of the drawer scanners, indicating that a first item was loaded in a first one of the storage containers in one of the access drawers,
• commanding the first transport system to relocate the first one of the storage containers to a selected one of the compartments in the storage matrix that is empty,
• storing data that associates identification indicia for the first item and location information for the selected one of the compartments into a memory storage device accessible by the control system,
• receiving a request from an authorized user to retrieve the first item,
• commanding the first transport system to retrieve the first one of the storage containers from the selected one of the compartments,
• commanding the first transport system to move the first transport system to an empty one of the access drawers,
• commanding the first transport system to deposit the first one of the storage containers into the empty one of the access drawers, and
• commanding unlocking of the access drawer in which the first one of the storage containers is deposited.