Apparatus for counting and dispensing pills using multi-staged pill singulation

A method for counting and dispensing pills using multi-staged pill singulation, the steps comprising:

• a) providing a housing, a hopper for containing a plurality of pills, said hopper having a hopper door release and a hopper door switch, said hopper being supported by said housing, a feed chute operatively connected to said hopper for receiving pills therefrom, said feed chute having a feed chute vibrator and a feed chute outlet, a transport tube proximate said feed chute outlet for receiving pills therefrom, said transport tube having an inlet aperture, a vibrating plate proximate said transport tube, said vibrating plate having a flap door connected thereto, and a drive mechanism connected to said vibrating plate for imparting vibration thereto, a detector chute proximate said vibrating plate, said detector chute comprising means for detecting pills moving relative thereto, and a microcontroller operatively connected to said hopper, said feed chute vibrator, said inlet aperture, said drive mechanism, and said means for detecting pills;
• b) performing a rapid phase operation on said pills;
• and
• c) performing a singulation phase operation on said pills.