System and method for providing a random access and random load dispensing unit
AssigneeAsteres, Inc.
InventorsLinda J. Pinney, John A. Beane, Angus R. Colson, David R. Williams, Keith Kopitzke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of dispensing a prescription drug to a customer includes receiving a prescription for a particular customer from an authorized medical professional, choosing from an inventory of drugs a prescription drug to fill the prescription, creating a finished prescription by filling the prescription with the chosen prescription drug, and placing the finished prescription in a dispenser. The dispenser is connected to a computer, which identifies the finished prescription and controls the dispenser to dispense the finished prescription to the particular customer.
Claims94
A method of dispensing a prescription drug to a customer, the method comprising:
- identifying a particular customer's prescription to fill, said prescription authorized by a medical professional;
- choosing from an inventory of drugs a prescription drug to fill the prescription;
- creating a finished prescription by filling the particular customer's prescription with the chosen prescription drug;
- associating the drug with the particular customer;
- placing the finished prescription in a random location within a computer controlled dispenser;
- automatically associating the finished prescription with a random location in the dispenser after the finished prescription is placed in the dispenser;
- and
- identifying the finished prescription and controlling the dispenser to dispense the finished prescription to the particular customer upon demand.
A method of delivering a customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription to a customer comprising:
- providing an automated prescription dispenser, said dispenser comprising a computer, a controller, and a three-dimensional array of unique storage locations, each storage location capable of storing a different, customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription;
- randomly placing a customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription into an available storage location, said customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription coupled with identifying information associating the prescription with a specific customer;
- using said identifying information to associate the randomly-placed, customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription with an unique storage location within the dispenser;
- controlling the dispenser to locate and deliver the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription from its random storage location after said customer has interfaced with the dispenser and requested delivery.
A method of delivering a pharmacy-filled prescription to a customer, wherein the pharmacy-filled prescription is associated with identifying information associating the prescription with a specific customer;
- the method comprising:
- providing an automated prescription dispenser, said dispenser comprising a controller, and a plurality of unique storage locations, a first axis, a second axis, and a third axis, wherein said storage locations are each capable of storing unique, pharmacy-filled prescriptions associated with different specific customers, wherein a plurality of unique storage locations are located in the plane formed by the first axis and the second axis, a second plurality of unique storage locations are located in the plane formed by the first axis and the third axis, and a third plurality of unique storage locations are located in the plane formed by the second axis and the third axis;
- placing a customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription at a random storage location within the dispenser;
- allowing a customer access to the dispenser;
- using the specifically associated identifying information to locate the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription stored for the particular customer accessing the dispenser;
- controlling the dispenser to deliver the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription from its unique storage location to the accessing customer.
A method of delivering a pharmacy-filled prescription to a customer, wherein the pharmacy-filled prescription is associated with identifying information associating the prescription with a specific customer;
- the method comprising:
- providing an automated prescription dispenser, said dispenser comprising a computer, controller, and a plurality of unique storage locations, wherein said plurality of unique storage locations are arranged in a three-dimensional array, and said storage locations are each capable of storing unique, pharmacy-filled prescriptions substantially associated with different specific customers;
- placing a customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription at a random, unassigned storage location within the dispenser;
- using said identifying information to associate the randomly-placed, customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription with an unique storage location within the dispenser;
- allowing a customer access to the dispenser;
- using the specifically associated identifying information to locate the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription stored for the particular customer accessing the dispenser;
- controlling the dispenser to deliver the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription from its unique storage location to the accessing customer.
A method of delivering a customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription to a customer comprising:
- providing an automated prescription dispenser, said dispenser comprising a controller and a plurality of bins, each bin capable of storing a different, customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription;
- randomly placing a customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription substantially into an available bin, said customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription containing identifying information associating the prescription with a specific customer;
- associating the randomly-placed, customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription with the specific bin location within the dispenser where the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription was placed;
- identifying the randomly stored, customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription, after said customer has interfaced with the dispenser and requested delivery;
- controlling the dispenser to deliver the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription from its random storage location to the particular customer.
A method of delivering a customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription to a customer comprising:
- providing an automated prescription dispenser, said dispenser comprising a controller and a plurality of trays, each tray capable of storing a plurality of different, customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription;
- randomly placing a customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription into an available tray, said customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription containing identifying information associating the prescription with a specific customer;
- after placement, using said identifying information to associate the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription with a specific tray location within the dispenser;
- identifying the randomly stored, customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription, after said customer has interfaced with the dispenser and requested delivery;
- controlling the dispenser to deliver the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription from its random storage location to the particular customer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.