Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080269947 | Automated Vending of Products Containing Controlled Substances - The present invention provides for devices and methods for vending regulated products, particularly controlled substances, including those containing pseudoephedrine. The present invention allows for the identification of consumers through reliable log-in-procedures, allows the consumer to select items, validates whether the purchase request complies with regulations, to facilitate the delivery of the requested product to a consumer. Other embodiments include a vending machine that is placed into a retail environment in which software enforces validation of the purchasers' identities, limits the amount of pseudoephedrine for each purchaser within the regulations of local, state and federal agencies. | 10-30-2008 |
20090048711 | FUEL DISPENSER - A method of operating a fuel dispenser comprising receiving an input signal to activate the fuel dispenser, detecting vehicle specific information regarding at least one of a required fuel grade, a capacity of the vehicle fuel tank, volume of fuel necessary to fill the vehicle fuel tank and data necessary to identify a user and authorize a transaction and pumping a volume of fuel equal to or less than the volume of fuel necessary to fill the vehicle tank. | 02-19-2009 |
20090055018 | HIGH CAPACITY DRAWER WITH MECHANICAL INDICATOR FOR A DISPENSING DEVICE - One aspect of the invention relates to an assembly comprising a plurality of bins with a plurality of lids associated therewith. Each of the bins has a lock assembly that includes a catch operable to lock the lid in its closed position and a mechanical indicator responsive to the catch. Another aspect of the invention relates to an automated dispensing cabinet that includes a control computer and a plurality of drawers having a plurality of row assemblies therein. Each row assembly has bins that include a tabbed lid, a lock assembly with a catch operable to engage and disengage the tab, and an indicator responsive to the lock assembly. Methods for dispensing from and restocking the remote dispensing systems are also given, as well as a method for indicating which item is to be dispensed from one of a plurality of bins. | 02-26-2009 |
20090187274 | PHARMACEUTICAL DISPENSING SYSTEM WITH COORDINATE GUIDANCE - The invention describes improved methods and mechanisms for providing secure access to pharmaceutical and supply items in a clinical setting. In one version of the invention, a dispensing unit has an interior housing one or more drawers. Each drawer has one or more storage locations. The fronts of the drawers are covered with one or more locking doors, preventing access to a particular drawer, unless the covering door is unlocked. Indicators are mounted on the side of the enclosure, to guide the user to a drawer covered by an associated unlocked door. The unit further includes indicators on the sides of the drawers, to guide the user to the right storage receptacles or pockets within the drawer. Some pockets may have lids. Some of the lids may have locks. Sensors associated with at least some of the individual pocket lids may be provided to detect the lifting of a lid. Means to automatically detect the entry of a hand or fingers into a pocket may be provided. One or more loudspeakers may be mounted on the unit, to provide auditory guidance and confirmation of correct access, by sounds and voice prompts. One or more video cameras may be mounted on the unit. A processor is mounted in the unit, or, in the case of an auxiliary unit, the auxiliary unit is connected to the processor on the main unit. The processor is connected to receive signals from sensors in the dispensing unit, from the video camera, and to send signals to the indicators, and to send auditory information to loudspeakers which are designed to focus the sound specifically to the user. Modular locking drawers may be mounted in this unit also, dispensing individual doses using a method where the drawer has to be fully closed for each unit dose of medication taken. | 07-23-2009 |
20090276090 | DOSE DISPENSING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS - A dispensing system for medication comprising a dispenser ( | 11-05-2009 |
20100036524 | Method and Apparatus for Converting a Gift Card into a Generic Prepaid Credit Card - An apparatus for converting a gift card into a generic prepaid credit card is comprised of a gift card reader, a data input device, a data output device, a telecommunications device and a prepaid credit card production device, all operatively connected to a computer. The telecommunications device permits communication between the apparatus, the gift card vendor and the generic prepaid credit card vendor. The computer is programmed such that when a gift card is inserted into the reader its value is determined and, after the deduction of transaction fees, the monetary value is transferred to a generic prepaid credit card which is dispensed to the customer. The method for converting a gift card into a generic prepaid credit card which is implemented by the apparatus is also a part of this invention. | 02-11-2010 |
20100063624 | Monitoring Method And System - This invention relates to a monitoring method and system for monitoring the dispensing of medicaments in a hospital from a portable medicament dispensing station. The medicament dispensing station | 03-11-2010 |
20100106293 | POSTAL KIOSK SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING ELECTRONIC POST OFFICE BOX SERVICES - A system and method for providing electronic post office box services including a storage system, a retrieval system a postal kiosk and a system processor. The storage system images and stores a plurality of mailpieces and includes a plurality of escort devices disposed in combination with a transport assembly for moving each escort device into and out of a loading station. The retrieval system releases at least one selected mailpiece from the plurality of mailpieces within the storage system and delivers the selected mailpiece to the operator. The postal kiosk includes a display unit and an input device. The display unit displays the imaged mailpiece information associated with selected mailpiece in the storage system and the input device receives an instruction from an operator regarding the selected mailpiece. The system processor communicates the instructions associated with the selected mailpiece from the postal kiosk to the escort devices within the storage system. | 04-29-2010 |
20100114369 | PHARMACEUTICAL DISPENSING SYSTEM FOR SECURELY DISPENSING SINGLE DOSES - The invention describes improved methods and mechanisms for providing secure access to pharmaceutical and supply items in a clinical setting. In one version of the invention, a dispensing unit has an interior housing one or more drawers. Each drawer has one or more storage locations. The fronts of the drawers are covered with one or more locking doors, preventing access to a particular drawer, unless the covering door is unlocked. Indicators are mounted on the side of the enclosure, to guide the user to a drawer covered by an associated unlocked door. The unit further includes indicators on the sides of the drawers, to guide the user to the right storage receptacles or pockets within the drawer. Some pockets may have lids. Some of the lids may have locks. Sensors associated with at least some of the individual pocket lids may be provided to detect the lifting of a lid. Means to automatically detect the entry of a hand or fingers into a pocket may be provided. One or more loudspeakers may be mounted on the unit, to provide auditory guidance and confirmation of correct access, by sounds and voice prompts. One or more video cameras may be mounted on the unit. A processor is mounted in the unit, or, in the case of an auxiliary unit, the auxiliary unit is connected to the processor on the main unit. The processor is connected to receive signals from sensors in the dispensing unit, from the video camera, and to send signals to the indicators, and to send auditory information to loudspeakers which are designed to focus the sound specifically to the user. Modular locking drawers may be mounted in this unit also, dispensing individual doses using a method where the drawer has to be fully closed for each unit dose of medication taken. | 05-06-2010 |
20100152893 | Method and apparatus for on-demand kiosk fulfillment with origination, billing, and management via telecommunications network - An automated method of purchasing kiosk items, where a toll call from a variety of typically mobile appliances (i.e. cell phone, PDA, tablet PC, personal desktop or laptop computer, etc.) activates an apparatus that causes the automated kiosk to fulfill demanded items upon successful validation and billing via an interface to a telecommunications network. A mobile phone can therefore be billed by dialing a “1-900” type toll number and specify the desired product via touch tone commands, or by similarly “texting” the order to a designated telecommunications recipient. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a means to provide maintenance and diagnostics and services so as to minimize operating costs of the kiosk system, along with necessary management services such as inventory control. The kiosk can be interfaced with the telecommunications network in a variety of ways, such as, but not limited to POTS modem for twisted pair copper, DSL modem for twisted pair copper, Ethernet controller for CAT-5, etc., and includes a plurality of sensors and actuators to execute the variety of functionalities specified (i.e., motors to deploy product, temperature sensor to qualify product, image capture device to validate delivery of product, etc.). The apparatus may include a central server to interact with the end user and to deliver network commands (e.g., present end-user with options, accept order from end-user, identify inventory, deploy particular product, query current kiosk status, etc.), as well as report product description and billing data back to the mobile appliance's telecommunication network. | 06-17-2010 |
20100198401 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING DRUGS - A method, system and apparatus is provided for dispensing drugs quickly, conveniently, securely, and accurately and at relatively less cost than traditional pharmacy-based dispensing systems. A script for a drug prescribed to a user is generated comprising a human readable description of the drug and the user or a machine readable description of the drug and the user. The script is provided to a robotic prescription dispensary operable to recognize either the human readable description or the machine readable description, and validate and dispense the drug accordingly. The robotic prescription dispensary includes a user interface, a tele conferencing or video conferencing means enabling communication between the user and a human validation agent, and a scanning means for capturing an image of the script. A method for managing inventory and distribution of drugs is also provided. | 08-05-2010 |
20100211218 | PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES FOR STABLISHING MULTI-TRANSACTION RELATIONSHIPS WITH CUSTOMERS OF VENDING MACHINES - Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for improving the establishment and management of vending machine subscriptions, including systems and methods for constructing, communicating, and registering subscriptions, as well as various methods for processing the redemption of vending machine subscription items. Several additional embodiments are disclosed, including various alternate methods of promoting longitudinal machine-customer relationships. | 08-19-2010 |
20100234987 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF AGE VERIFICATION FOR SELLING AGE-RESTRICTED GOODS FROM A VENDING MACHINE - The invention relates to a method of vending and authorizing age-restricted goods from a vending system. The vending system comprises a vending machine and a video camera, or equivalent means, for capturing an image of a person desiring purchasing of an age-restricted good. An image of the person is captured and transmitted to a (remote) age verification centre. If, from the person image, it can be determined at the age verification centre that the person is of the required age for purchasing the age-restricted good, a purchase authorization signal from the age verification is received centre at the vending system. Subsequently, the age-restricted good may be provided from the vending machine. On the other hand, if, from the person image, it can be determined at the age verification centre that the person is not of the required age for purchasing the age-restricted good, a purchase denial signal is received from the age verification centre at the vending system. The age-restricted good will then not be provided to the person. In some cases, it will not be possible to determine whether or not a person should be authorized to purchase the age-restricted good. Only in those cases, an identification request signal will be received at the vending system from the age verification centre to present an identification document. | 09-16-2010 |
20100268379 | INTEGRATED REAL ESTATE SHOWING SCHEDULING AND KEY DISPENSING SYSTEM - A system and method for dispensing a key from a key kiosk disposed at a realtor's office near a real property based on a showing appointment scheduled with a showing scheduling system. The appointment, including a date and time, as well as an authorized user is communicated from the showing scheduling system to the key kiosk. The user then authenticates herself or himself to the kiosk at the appropriate time, and the key is dispensed. | 10-21-2010 |
20100298975 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATING AND VERIFYING MEDICATION COMPLIANCE - A computer-based system for monitoring medication compliance. The system can include one or more processors configured to process and manage data. Additionally, the system can also include one or more one or more medication packagings comprising a machine-readable medium. Notably, the machine-readable medium can comprise medication information among other types of information. The one or more processors can be configured to receiving the medication information of the machine-readable medium. The machine-readable medium and corresponding medication information can be adjustable based on a dispensing of a medication from the one or more medication packagings. | 11-25-2010 |
20100305750 | Patient Controlled Timed Medication Dispenser - A medication dispenser for permitting administration of a medication dose to an authorized user only after a predetermined minimum-dosing interval has elapsed. The medication dispenser comprises: a medication tray having a substantially circular shape and comprising a plurality of compartments containing a medication dose, the compartments disposed about a circumference thereof; regions between two consecutive dose-carrying compartments comprising an empty compartment or a blank region; an enclosure for supporting the dispenser, the enclosure including an opening; and a controller for controlling the medication tray to align one of the plurality of compartments containing a medication dose with the opening after the minimum dosing interval has elapsed and after a person has been authenticated as an authorized user, thereby permitting the authorized user to access the medication dose through the opening, wherein the medication dispenser remains in a dose-accessible configuration for a predetermined hold period, after which the medication tray is controlled to align a next successive empty compartment or blank region with the opening. | 12-02-2010 |
20100324727 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISPENSING BANKNOTES FROM AN AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE - This method for dispensing banknotes from an automated teller machine includes, after authentication of a user, a step ( | 12-23-2010 |
20100332028 | RADIOFREQUENCY DISPENSING OF ELECTRONIC TICKETS - The invention relates to an electronic ticket dispenser system, the system comprising: a dispenser terminal ( | 12-30-2010 |
20110015782 | PHARMACY DISPENSING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system for filling a prescription order for a patient includes a plurality of trays each having an RFID tag for storing a unique identifier corresponding to the prescription order, and a plurality of workstations operatively linked to one another, each workstation having an antenna for detecting the unique identifier in one of the plurality of trays, where the detecting is operative to trigger displaying of a profile of at least one prescription item for the corresponding prescription order. | 01-20-2011 |
20110015783 | SECURE MEDICAMENT DISPENSING CABINET, METHOD AND SYSTEM - A medicament dispensing cabinet is comprised of a frame, at least one controller, and a plurality of drawers each movably carried by the frame and each defining a plurality of dispensing cells. A plurality of removable dispensing devices is provided with each one carried by one of the dispensing cells. Each of the dispensing cells further comprises a motor for providing rotary motion to one of the removable dispensing devices in response to the controller, a sensor operating in conjunction with the controller for counting medicament dispensed from one of the removable dispensing devices, a chute for receiving medicament dispensed from one of the removable dispensing devices and a chute gate for controlling access to the chute. The cabinet may additionally comprise a chute gate release responsive to the controller for controlling the chute gate and a chute gate sensor connected to the controller and responsive to the position of the chute gate. The cabinet may be used in conjunction with a number of processes including dispensing, secure-pickup (insuring the person picking up the dispensed medicament is authorized to do so), back-end verification (verifying the identity of the person picking up the dispensed medicament), a process for removing a dispensing device from a drawer, and a process for inserting a dispensing device into a drawer. | 01-20-2011 |
20110022226 | OPEN AIR VEHICLE COOLING DEVICE AND METHOD - A vehicle misting device and method that is operable is dry and humid environments are provided. The device may also include a payment system and fan. | 01-27-2011 |
20110054678 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING PRE-PAID ITEMS USING A UNIQUELY IDENTIFIED CONTAINER - A system and method for providing a pre-paid product using a unique container. The system comprises a computer system comprising a storage medium readable by a processing circuit and stored instructions for execution by the processing circuit. The computer system includes a sales module that acquires an identifier for the unique container and generates a credential ID for a customer. The sales module also activates the unique container, and stores the identifier for the unique container and the corresponding credential ID in the storage medium. Also included is a dispensing module that receives a request from a remote dispensing device for validation of the unique container to receive the prepaid product, compares a received identifier and a received credential ID with the identifier and the credential ID stored in the storage medium, and authorizes the dispensing of the prepaid product if they match. | 03-03-2011 |
20110060456 | ARTICLE VENDING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR EXCHANGING AN INOPERABLE ARTICLE FOR AN OPERABLE ARTICLE - An article vending machine in a network of article vending machines capable of exchanging an inoperable rental article received from a user for an operable replacement article. The article dispensing machine checks customer identification information against one or more customer rental criteria to determine if the customer is eligible to exchange an inoperable article for an operable one. The article vending machine searches for an identical replacement article within an inventory of the machine itself and within inventories of the networked article vending machines. Alternatively, the article vending machine may provide a refund for the inoperable article. | 03-10-2011 |
20110098850 | Multi-function code activated advertising and vending services - A system for providing a wide range of telecommunications initiated data fulfillment services in which a multi-function code, such as “*#” (star, pound), input into an originating telecommunications device, such as a conventional land-line or wireless telephone, triggers the treatment of the input sequence as a multi-function code service request rather than a dialed directory number. The multi-function code is followed by an input data string to complete the multi-function code service request, which the user typically enters into the telecommunications device just like a conventional telephone call, except that the input string begins with the multi-function code. The telecommunications system recognizes the multi-function code as a trigger, and in response takes one or more actions, such as automatically terminating the call to an announcement and routing a data message to a data fulfillment center, which responds to the message by implementing a response action indicated by the multi-function code service request. For example, the data fulfillment center may respond by transmitting a message over a wireless data network or the Internet to implement a service, such as activation of a vending machine, remote control of device, delivery of a message over the Internet or wireless data network, initiation of an interactive Internet session with the originating device, or a wide range of other services. In addition, a charge for this service may be automatically charged to an account associated with the originating telecommunications device, which may be billed separately or incorporated on the user's conventional monthly telecommunications invoice. | 04-28-2011 |
20110125318 | SYSTEMS FOR POINT-OF-USE MEDICATION CONTROL - Systems for controlling the dispensing of medication are provided. The system can include a dispenser device capable of holding and delivering at least one medication. A controller can be operatively connected to the dispenser. The controller can automatically operate the dispenser for movement to a dispensing position at a predetermined time. An electronic communication device for connecting the system to a remote facility can be provided. An identification verification device for restricting access to the system can be in communication with the controller of the system. A location determination device for determining the location of the system can also be provided. | 05-26-2011 |
20110130873 | SELF-SERVICE KIOSK WITH MULTIPLE SECURE SERVICE AREAS - A self-service kiosk apparatus is presented that has a plurality of secure service areas. Access to the plurality of secure service areas and the components of the kiosk system contained within each area is controlled. Authorization to access each secure service area is based on a person's level of training and security level. | 06-02-2011 |
20110166700 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR POINT-OF-USE MEDICATION CONTROL - Devices, systems and methods for controlling dispensing of medication are provided. A dispenser device used, for example, in the systems and methods can include a housing for storing units of medication. A dispensing well can reside within the housing with the dispensing well having an opening therein to permit removal of units of medication therefrom. The dispenser device can include a first slide having an opening therein that is configured to funnel a unit of medication toward the opening in the dispensing well. The dispenser device can also include a second slide disposed between the opening in the dispensing well and the first slide. The second slide can have an opening therein that is alignable with the opening in the dispensing well and the opening in the first slide. The opening in the first slide can be configured to funnel a unit of medication to the opening of the second slide while the second slide can be configured to funnel the unit of medication to the opening in the dispensing well upon movement of the second slide into a position that is aligned with the opening in the dispensing well. | 07-07-2011 |
20110172816 | FUEL DELIVERY PATHWAY CONTROL - A fuel delivery pathway control is provided for remotely monitoring and controlling the delivery of fuel from a producer to consumers Fueling vehicles transport the fuel from storage tanks at a fuel depot to fueling station storage tanks, and the fuel is then dispensed from the fueling station storage tanks to consumer vehicles Fuel delivery is controlled and authorized wirelessly | 07-14-2011 |
20110184553 | DEVICE AND METHOD RELATED TO RETURN OF EMPTY BEVERAGE CONTAINERS - An apparatus, method, system and use of a least one sensor in a reverse vending machine for empty beverage containers for, on the sensor's detection at least one biometric feature of a person, allowing such a feature to serve as an identifying token for return value due for empty beverage containers delivered by the person to the reverse vending machine. The biometric feature is, at a return value payout point and by using at least one other sensor, redetected and re-recognised as a previously registered feature for payment of the return value in the form of a payout of the return value, credit for the return value or issuance of a lottery ticket with a stake equivalent to the return value. Said biometric feature is selected from at least one of the group consisting of: fingerprints, facial features, eye characteristics, iris features, handprints, palm line patterns, blood vessel patterns, body shape, height, weight, DNA-characteristics and voice spectrum. | 07-28-2011 |
20110190929 | CASH DISPENSING APPARATUS - Disclosed is a cash dispensing apparatus ( | 08-04-2011 |
20110231012 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACCURATE DISPENSING OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS - An apparatus for the recording and dispensing of medication has an electronic device having a screen and a keyboard. A first input device is coupled to the electronic device to send data to the electronic device to verify a particular user of the electronic device. A dispensing device is coupled to the electronic device for dispensing medication to the particular user once the electronic device has verified the particular user. | 09-22-2011 |
20110238209 | Vending Systems and Methods - A vending system for dispensing a number of products. The vending system may include an enclosure with an access point, a weighing system, a user interface, and an access system. The user interface may include a proximity card coupling device to read and write to a proximity card. The access system allows the access point of the enclosure to be opened in response to the user interface. | 09-29-2011 |
20110245968 | PAPER-SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS AND PAPER-SHEET PROCESSING METHOD - A paper-sheet processing apparatus including a reading unit, a handling determining unit, a cashing processing unit, and an abnormality-handling processing unit is provided. The reading unit reads, from a check, check information containing an amount of the check. The handling determining unit determines approval and disapproval of handling of the check based on a matching result between the check information read by the reading unit and a predetermined condition. The cashing processing unit dispenses money in a cashed amount corresponding to the amount read by the reading unit when the handling determining unit determines that the handling of the check is approved. The abnormality-handling processing unit performs a predetermined abnormality handling process when the handling determining unit determines that the handling of the check is approved. | 10-06-2011 |
20110251718 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A DRUG DISPENSING SYSTEM - An automated drug dispensing system includes a cabinet adapted to store a variety of prepackaged pharmaceuticals in a plurality of bins for filling patient prescriptions. Each bin stores a particular variety of packaged multiple-dose pharmaceutical. Each variety of pharmaceutical is associated with a particular code. A controller receives request signals and in response generates dispense signals. Each bin includes a dispenser coupled to the controller for dispensing the packaged pharmaceuticals therefrom in response to a dispense signal sent from the controller. After a package is dispensed, a code reader determines the code of the dispensed package and verifies whether the code on the dispensed package matches the code of the requested package. | 10-13-2011 |
20110270442 | AMBULATORY MEDICATION ON DEMAND DISPENSER - An ambulatory medication on demand dispenser. The dispenser comprises a sensor for receiving biometric information from a user, a controller responsive to the biometric information for determining whether the user is an authorized user, a memory component for storing prescribed medication dispensing information and actual medication dispensing information, a communications device for communicating the actual medication dispensing information to a monitoring site, a continuous belt and a plurality of medication-carrying slots defined on an exterior-facing surface of the belt, a dose opening defined in an exterior surface of the medication on demand dispenser, and the controller for controlling the belt according to a prescribed dose administration schedule and after determining the user is an authorized user, the belt controllable to present a medication dose at the dose opening for removal by the user. | 11-03-2011 |
20110301750 | AUTOMATIC CARD RECEIVER/DISPENSER - An apparatus for receiving and dispensing cards automatically includes a card receiving and dispensing main body ( | 12-08-2011 |
20110320037 | BIOMETRIC PAYMENT AND IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A biometric payment and identification system includes a vending machine, a biometric reader device communicating with the vending machine, a biometric information database communicating with the biometric reader device and checking software supporting the biometric information database and communicating with the vending machine. The biometric information database is adapted to electronically store biometric information of potential buyers of products contained in the vending machine. The checking software is adapted to authorize dispensing of products from the vending machine by matching biometric information obtained from the customer using the biometric reader device with the biometric information stored in the biometric information database. | 12-29-2011 |
20120004772 | MULTI-LIDDED DISPENSING CARTRIDGE SYSTEM - A cartridge for use in a dispensing system is disclosed. The cartridge includes a body having an exterior and a plurality of bins. A plurality of lids are movably attached to the body and are configured to cover a bin. A release mechanism is movable along an axis. A plurality of latches are movably attached to the body. Each latch is configured to secure the respective lid when in a first position and to release the respective lid when in a second position. The release mechanism will not cause a latch to move to the second position when the release mechanism is moving along the axis in a first direction. The release mechanism will cause a single latch to move to the second position while leaving the remaining latches in the first position when the release mechanism is moving along the axis in a second direction. | 01-05-2012 |
20120046787 | PAYMENT PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR USE IN A RETAIL ENVIRONMENT HAVING SEGMENTED ARCHITECTURE - A payment processing system and method comprising a POS module providing an interface to effect sales of FGS in a retail environment, a device module operatively connected to at least one retail device configured to supply FGS and comprising a card reader adapted to receive a first payment card data for payment for the FGS, wherein the device module is adapted to control operation of the at least one retail device, and a payment system module operatively connected to the POS module and the device module, the payment system module adapted to validate payment for the FGS. The payment system module and the device module are separated from the POS module in order to segment a portion of the payment processing system configured to handle payment card data from a portion of the system that does not handle payment card data. | 02-23-2012 |
20120065776 | Method and Apparatus for Remote Monitoring of Daily Dispensing of Medication - A remote monitoring of the daily dispensing of prescription drugs by at-home care, an elderly or clinical trial patient is proposed. The system consists of a dispensing unit equipped with weight sensing mechanism such as scale or balance which communicates with the monitoring application residing in the wireless terminal, such as cellular phone over the Personal Area Network (PAN) wireless interfaces such as Bluetooth. The monitoring application provides supervision over the medication dispensing process as well as communication with unauthorized medical supervisor using wireless Wide Area Network (WAN) connection to the Internet. | 03-15-2012 |
20120095594 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USE IN CHARGING AN ELECTRICALLY POWERED VEHICLE - Methods and systems for use in charging an electrically powered vehicle are disclosed. One example method includes transmitting, by a charging station, an authorization request message to a charging system host, receiving a return message from the charging system host in response to the authorization request message, and transmitting, by the charging station, a charge terminate message to the charging system host in response to a charge terminate event. The authorization request message includes a charging station identification and a vehicle identification of a vehicle coupled to the charging station. The charge terminate message includes the charging station identification and at least one of a vehicle connection time and a charge time. | 04-19-2012 |
20120130536 | IMPLEMENTING SECURE, ANONYMOUS CUSTOMER INFORMATION EXCHANGE IN ONE OR MORE VENDING MACHINES THROUGH TOKENIZED CUSTOMER IDENTIFIERS GENERATED USING A ONE-WAY HASH FUNCTION - A unique, anonymous, tokenized customer identifier is derived by a one-way hash function from a credit/debit account number each time a customer provides the same credit/debit card information at a vending machine. The customer identifier thus repeatedly generated at each of the vending machines is then used to track the customer's purchase history and preferences for customer-focused programs, such as a loyalty rewards program. The customer need not carry a separate token bearing the customer identifier, but instead can automatically participate in the customer-focused programs as part of paying for a purchase. The customer may optionally remain anonymous in each program. | 05-24-2012 |
20120136478 | System and Method for Human Interface To A Vending Machine - A system and a method for human interface to a vending machine are provided. The system includes sensing devices located in a vending machine that are capable of detecting user actions such as knocking, thumping or slapping on the vending machine. The system also includes similar sensing devices in interface devices possessed by the user. The signals generated in the sensing devices located in the vending machine and the sensing devices in interface devices are compared and matched according to several criteria in a server computer. Based upon a successful match, vending services are enabled and the user is charged to an account for the products dispensed. | 05-31-2012 |
20120136479 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING NETWORK ACCESS - Some embodiments are associated with receiving, by a vending machine, a request from a customer to initiate a communication session, establishing a first communication link between the vending machine and a device associated with the customer, and establishing a second communication link between the vending machine and a remote network device, such that a communication session is established between the device associated with the customer and the remote network device. Some embodiments are associated with receiving, by a vending machine, an indication of a selection of a product sold by the vending machine, receiving, from a customer, payment for the selected product, dispensing the product to the customer, the product comprising an indication of a communication session activation code, receiving, by the vending machine, an indication of the communication session activation code, and establishing a communication session between a device associated with the customer and a remote network device. | 05-31-2012 |
20120165975 | Medication Compliance Monitor - Method and Apparatus - A remote monitoring of the daily dispensing of prescription drugs by at-home care, an elderly or clinical trial patient is proposed. The system consists of a dispensing unit equipped with weight sensing mechanism such as scale or balance which communicates with the monitoring application residing in the wireless terminal, such as cellular phone over the Personal Area Network (PAN) wireless interfaces such as Bluetooth. The monitoring application provides supervision over the medication dispensing process as well as communication with unauthorized medical supervisor using wireless Wide Area Network (WAN) connection to the Internet. | 06-28-2012 |
20120165976 | AUTOMATED RETRIEVAL AND DELIVERY OF MEDICATIONS - This invention relates to a process and a device for automatically delivering and retrieving singular medication from a plurality of containers or product blister packages, storing and recording medication transactions for each patient, and the crushing of designated medications. This invention also relates to medication control, delivery, consumption verification and monitoring within institutional entities. | 06-28-2012 |
20120215346 | BIKE LOCKING SYSTEM AND METHOD - An automatic parking station for bicycles is disclosed comprising at least one interactive workstation and a plurality of parking slots, in which parking stations are installed in a plurality of sites within a city or a limited geographical area and are electronically tied together through an interactive networked computing system. The station features countermeasures to prevent vandalism of the locked bicycle. The computing system provides the ability for users to reserve spaces and directs users to their reserved space. | 08-23-2012 |
20120226380 | DEVICE FOR STORING AND OUTPUTTING OBJECTS - A device for storing and outputting objects includes a storage container, holders, an output shaft, and a controllable holding and releasing device. The holders comprise stationary insertion shafts, in which insertion tags connected to the objects are inserted. The insertion tags can be locked or released in the insertion shafts by the controllable holding and releasing device. Upon release, the insertion tags can be transferred independently from the insertion shafts into the output shaft under gravitational force and/or spring force. | 09-06-2012 |
20120232693 | DISPENSING OF RESTRICTED GOODS - A dispenser for dispensing restricted goods such as pharmaceuticals by an pharmacist to a purchaser with a prescription includes a cabinet containing an inventory storage system, a purchaser transaction module, a reject system and a control system. The inventory storage system includes product storage in rows and columns. The purchaser transaction module including an audio communication link from the dispenser to the pharmacist, a payment transaction system in the dispenser to verify payment for the product and an issue tray in the dispenser that is locked until the pharmacist releases the product to the purchaser. The reject system securely removes product to a reject hopper at any time after the product is held by the product selection device but prior to the pharmacist releasing the product from the issue tray. The control system includes means to enable the pharmacist to view the prescription and the purchaser. The control unit includes a product identification system that identifies and stores the location of each product by its row and column and cooperates with a product selection device that verifies that the product selected is correct and holds and carries the product from its storage location to one or more of a printing location, viewing location and issue tray all located within the dispenser. The pharmacist is able to actuate the reject system or unlock the issue tray. | 09-13-2012 |
20120259457 | MEDICAMENT INVENTORY SYSTEM AND METHOD - A medicament dispensing system includes a dispensing apparatus configured to receive a plurality of medicament containers, each container containing a plurality of medicament units for dispensing, and wherein each container includes: a housing; a rotatable disk within the housing and defining a radial groove configured to hold at least one unit, the rotatable disk positioned between a storage chamber and an outlet whereby when the rotatable disk rotates, the radial groove carries the at least one unit from the chamber to the outlet; and a drive mechanism located within the housing for rotating the rotatable disk, wherein when each container is inserted into the dispensing apparatus, a respective engagement mechanism of the dispensing apparatus engages the drive mechanism to actuate the mechanism to dispense units from each respective container, and wherein the dispensing mechanism includes a biometric sensor for authenticating authorized personnel before dispensing medicaments from one or more containers. | 10-11-2012 |
20120259458 | Administering of Medication - Apparatuses to facilitate administering of medication. Cassettes of the apparatuses include several novel aspects. | 10-11-2012 |
20120283871 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USER ACCESS OF DISPENSING UNIT - Dispensing units for dispensing items, such as in a healthcare facility, are linked in a network. The dispensing units use a fingerprint to authenticate users. The fingerprints on a short list reflect recent authorization, and permit access without other identifying information. Dispensing units in the network may use different fingerprint scanning technologies, but are made compatible by enrolling fingerprints using the different technologies. Two or more reference fingerprints may be stored at a dispensing unit, permitting either a primary fingerprint or alternate fingerprint to gain access to that dispensing unit. During enrollment of a user, fingerprints for a user may be “fast tracked” for registration based upon a quality determination. | 11-08-2012 |
20120310408 | VENDING MACHINE ORDERING - A method is described in which a user places an order for a vending machine product, typically when the user is not located at the vending machine. The order is associated with a mobile communication device of the user, for example by providing the telephone number of the device, or by simply placing the order using the mobile communication device. The user presents the mobile communication device at the vending machine to identify the order at the vending machine. The vending machine then dispenses the product. | 12-06-2012 |
20120310409 | PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES FOR ESTABLISHING MULTI-TRANSACTION RELATIONSHIPS WITH CUSTOMERS OF VENDING MACHINES - Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for improving the establishment and management of vending machine subscriptions, including systems and methods for constructing, communicating, and registering subscriptions, as well as various methods for processing the redemption of vending machine subscription items. Several additional embodiments are disclosed, including various alternate methods of promoting longitudinal machine-customer relationships. | 12-06-2012 |
20120310410 | Secure Cabinet for Dispensing Items - The present invention is a kiosk that can regulate, control and distributing authorized products. The kiosk has a user interface that receives information about a user and authenticates the user's identity. The kiosk can accept a user's request to purchase a regulated product. The kiosk can then a regulator the user's request for approval and deliver the product to the user. | 12-06-2012 |
20120323362 | DISPENSING CABINET WITH ARTICULATING ARM - Embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and apparatus related to a dispensing device having an adjustable user interface. According to one embodiment, a dispensing device may include a cabinet having one or more compartments for dispensing health care supplies to one or more patients. The dispensing device may also include a control system that provides various operational functions related to dispensing the health care supplies. A user interface may be communicatively coupled with the control system and may be configured to receive input from a user and provide output to the user. An articulating arm assembly may couple the user interface with the cabinet to provide the user interface with one or more translational degrees of freedom and one or more rotational degrees of freedom relative to the cabinet. | 12-20-2012 |
20120330462 | Computer-Controlled Common Access Cabinet - A control system for a common access cabinet having a plurality of drawers and electrically controlled latches. Each latch corresponds to one drawer and is configured to receive an electrical signal. The electrical signal contains an address assigned to a particular drawer. When a latch receives a signal that defines the address of the drawer to which that latch corresponds, the latch unlocks that corresponding drawer. The latches receive the signals over an asynchronous serial interface bus. A user input device receives user identification data that is processed by a processor device to determine if the user is authorized to access any of the drawers. If the user is authorized, the processor device generates a signal that contains an address that corresponds to a drawer identified in the user identification data. The signal is converted to an asynchronous serial signal which is routed to the asynchronous serial interface bus. | 12-27-2012 |
20130013106 | Internet-accessible pet treat dispensing system and method - A system and method for remotely dispensing a pet treat using an Internet-accessible treat dispensing apparatus includes: (1) providing a dispensing apparatus including: a treat dispensing unit with a mechanism for sliding a delivery plate over a stationary base plate; a control circuit electronics portion in communication with the sliding mechanism and with a router or a local computer, which is in communication with at least one remote Internet-accessible electronic device; and video camera portion(s); (2) providing a webpage or website that can be viewed using the local computer or the Internet-accessible electronic device; (3) displaying a prompt on the webpage for inputting user information; (4) displaying a control block with a treat button for dispensing the treat; (5) initiating a video camera view; (6) displaying a delay button for delaying the treat; and (7) sending a signal to initiate the sliding mechanism, followed by automatically dispensing the treat. This simplified abstract is not intended to limit, and should not be interpreted as limiting, the scope of the claims. | 01-10-2013 |
20130054015 | Ingestion intelligence acquisition system and method for ingestible material preparation system and method - Prior to dispensing of the one or more selected ingestible products for ingestion by the particular individual living being of the selected ingestible products, the at least partial preparation of the one or more selected ingestible products occurring within a first vicinity of the electronically outputting of the electronically generated one or more selection menus; and electronically directing control at least in part of acquisition of ingestion intelligence including information related to ingestion by the particular individual living being of at least one of the one or more selected ingestible products, the ingestion by the particular individual living being within a second vicinity of the electronically outputting of the electronically generated one or more selection menus. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. | 02-28-2013 |
20130054016 | USING CONSUMER PROFILE INFORMATION IN VENDING AND OTHER UNATTENDED RETAIL - Consumer profile information is received wirelessly (NFC, Bluetooth, etc.) from a user device at the communications interface for a vending machine, and stored at least temporarily within the vending machine. The current vend transaction with the consumer carrying the user device is then altered based upon the received consumer profile information, to block product sales containing relevant food allergens, offer discounts tailored to the particular consumer, or enforce parental controls, among other possible personalizations of the consumer experience during the vend transaction. | 02-28-2013 |
20130066466 | APPLIANCE HAVING A USER INTERFACE PANEL AND A BEVERAGE DISPENSER - An appliance including a housing, a dispenser, and a water supply mechanism. The appliance includes a drink supply mechanism configured to removably hold a plurality of drink supply containers, a user interface panel, and a computer. The computer is configured to: cause the user interface panel to display a plurality of different images, each image associated with a different one of a plurality of different beverages which correspond to a drink supply in at least one of the plurality of drink supply containers held by the drink supply mechanism, enable the user interface panel to receive an input from a user of a selected one of the plurality of different displayed images, and after receiving the input from the user of the selected one of the plurality of different displayed images, cause the dispenser to dispense the beverage corresponding to the selected image. | 03-14-2013 |
20130103190 | FUEL DISPENSER USER INTERFACE SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE - A vending machine user interface can include a first controller operatively connected to an input device capable of receiving payment or account information. The first controller can, with another device, via a second controller, or otherwise, allow secure communication of data from the input device. The first controller, in this regard, can control the communication between the input device and the other device to protect the input device from unwarranted communication from the other device. The first controller can establish a secure channel with the other device using encrypted communications. The first controller, second controller, etc. can be connected to independent printed circuit boards (PCB). Activation of sensors connected to the PCBs can cause the first and/or second controllers to erase data necessary to ascertain/decode communications from the input device, such as encryption/decryption information, or may otherwise decommission the input device or a portion thereof. | 04-25-2013 |
20130123976 | Method and Apparatus for Fulfilling an Offer - A method and apparatus for fulfilling a product offer are described herein. An offer of a product sample is made in exchange for a shopper checking in at a vending machine on asocial networking site. Information associated with a check-in is passed to a vending machine which dispenses a product sample. | 05-16-2013 |
20130166067 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROL OF ELECTRONIC PARCEL LOCKERS - A system, apparatus, and method for use in delivery of items to a storage unit. The storage unit can include one or several storage receptacles and a control unit that controls and monitors the status of the one or several storage receptacles. The storage unit may be included in a storage unit system that can include one or several storage units and a central control unit. The central control unit can communicate with the one or several storage units, and can receive status and availability updates from the one or several storage units. | 06-27-2013 |
20130178977 | MEDICATION DISPENSING APPARATUS - A medication dispenser provides automation to the steps of locating and acquiring medications or supplies to be administered to a patient. The medication dispenser includes one or more modules housing one or more compartmentalized drawers. Access to each drawer is controlled by a lockable door, and each the drawer may only be slid from the module housing the drawer in response to a signal. A series of lights direct the user to the appropriate drawer and the appropriate compartment of the relevant drawer to remove the appropriate medication or supply. | 07-11-2013 |
20130197692 | VENDING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING TRAINING FOR A MEDICINAL PRODUCT OR MEDICAL DEVICE OR COMBINATION PRODUCT - The present invention relates to a vending apparatus for at least one medicinal product, comprising of a housing, storage means adapted to store the at least one medicinal product, an input means adapted to process a costumer request for a medicinal product, processing means adapted to process the costumer request and being adapted to execute an interactive product-related training procedure to the customer, and delivery means for handing out the medicinal product to the costumer after passing the training procedure, wherein access to the medicinal product is only approved by the processing means if the customer successfully passes the training procedure. | 08-01-2013 |
20130211585 | ITEM DISPENSING APPARATUS - Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a dispenser configured for storing one or more items and dispensing the stored items to authorized users. According to various embodiments, the dispenser generally includes a housing defining an interior portion dimensioned to receive one or more items and a laterally sliding access door comprised of a flexible barrier configured to provide restricted access to items stored within the dispenser. In various embodiments, the dispenser also includes a biasing system configured bias the access door to a closed position. | 08-15-2013 |
20130218329 | DYNAMIC CRITICAL ACCESS OVERRIDE FOR MEDICATION DISPENSING APPARATUSES - A critical access override list may be generated dynamically based on patient profile information for a single patient or a group of patients. A single patient or group of patients is initially identified. Patient profile information for the patient or group of patients is accessed. The patient profile information is analyzed, and medications are selected for critical access override. The selected medications are added to a critical access override list available to a medication dispensing apparatus to provide quicker access to the medications for emergency situation purposes via critical access override dispensing in which fewer steps are performed than normal medication dispensing events. | 08-22-2013 |
20130231775 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPENSING BENEFICIAL PRODUCTS - A dispensing station comprises beneficial products for patients of a health care provider. An inventory database tracks inventory available in the dispensing station. A patient is associated with a prescription record, which specifies a prescribed beneficial product. The patient may provide patient identifying information to the dispensing station, such as credentialed payment information, which may be used to identify a prescription record, authenticate the patient, transfer a payment, and/or dispense the prescribed beneficial product to the patient. The prescription record may be valid for a limited time period, may be restricted to fulfillment within a particular location, and/or may be restricted to one or more specified dispensing stations. The dispensing station may validate the beneficial products before dispensing the products to the patient. | 09-05-2013 |
20130238119 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR ACCURATE DISPENSING OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS - An apparatus for the recording and dispensing of medication has an electronic device having a screen and a base electronic unit with a space designed to allow insertion of a cassette housing medication to be dispensed. A first input device is coupled to the electronic device to send data to the electronic device to verify a particular user of the electronic device. A dispensing device is coupled to the electronic device for dispensing medication to the particular user once the electronic device has verified the particular user. | 09-12-2013 |
20130261794 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO SECURE CONTROL AND ENHANCE MEDICATION ADHERENCE - Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods to provide safe, secure and accurate point-to-point delivery of prescription and non-prescription drugs in the long-term home care or ambulatory care environment. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide for a low-cost, easy-to-use system comprised of a secure drug dispensing unit and medication enclosure combined with wireless connectivity and software based on smart mobile phone technology. Such systems and methods, referred to herein as a Secure, Control, and Enhance Medication Adherence (SCEMA) system, can mitigate the aforementioned risks associated with the use of prescription and non-prescription drugs. These risks can be significantly reduced for the elderly in the homecare environment, as well as the general public, without disrupting, or a significantly increasing the cost, to the existing prescription and non-prescription drug distribution infrastructure. In addition, the SCEMA system can provide a powerful platform for drug research. | 10-03-2013 |
20130282172 | AUTOMATIC LIQUID SUPPLY SYSTEM - An automatic liquid supply system includes an assembly of a storage component and a pump device operable to allow liquid flow out of the storage component, an installation component for installing the assembly, an RFID tag that records an authentication code and that is disposed on the assembly, a storage unit storing qualified authentication codes, a transmission unit controlling the pump device, and a control unit. The control unit controls the transmission unit to activate the pump device to allow the liquid flow when the control unit determines that the authentication code matches one of the qualified authentication codes. | 10-24-2013 |
20130289765 | PAPER PRODUCT DISPENSING SYSTEM AND RELATED METHODS - A system for dispensing paper product at a food-selling establishment. The system includes a point-of-sale device for entering details of a particular sale transaction, with the point-of-sale device being configured to output a slip containing specific indicia associated with the particular sale transaction. A dispenser of paper product is configured to obtain information from the specific indicia on the slip and to dispense a predetermined quantity of paper product in response to the obtained information. | 10-31-2013 |
20130325175 | MULTI-COMPARTMENT STEP-DRAWER - A multi-pocket step-drawer is disclosed that includes a dispensing drawer and a control module. The dispensing drawer has a body comprising at least one fixed wall forming at least two open-top compartments that are arranged along an axis parallel to the front-to-back axis and a ladder fixedly coupled to the body. The ladder has a plurality of cross arms arranged along an axis parallel to the front-to-back axis. The control module includes a housing and a latching element coupled to the housing and disposed proximate to the ladder. The latching element has a first position wherein the latching element engages one of the plurality of cross-arms so as to prevent the dispensing drawer from moving toward the front and a second position wherein the latching element allows the dispensing element to move toward the front. | 12-05-2013 |
20130325176 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS ARTICLE RETRIEVAL AND TRANSACTION VALIDATION - A system and method for dispensing an article from an article dispensing machine by reducing the amount of time for completing a transaction involving the article is provided. A request related to a selected article and payment information for a balance related to the selected article may be received at the article dispensing machine through a user interface. The payment information may be validated, and simultaneously and in parallel, the selected article may be retrieved from a storage unit in the article dispensing machine. The selected article may be dispensed from the article dispensing machine if the payment information is valid. If the payment information is not valid, the selected article may be returned to the storage unit. Quicker dispensing of articles during consumer transactions with the article dispensing machine may result. The articles may include media articles, such as DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, and video game discs. | 12-05-2013 |
20130331984 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING VENDING MACHINE OFFERS - Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for providing promotions at vending machines, such as by providing vending machine subscriptions to a category of products, are disclosed. | 12-12-2013 |
20130338822 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING USER SERVICES AT REMOTE LOCATIONS - A delivery service system includes a cabinet having a plurality of controlled-access storage cells, located in a plurality of zones, a user interface, a user evaluation device, and a processor. The system receives a user request to accept an item for delivery, detects user physical characteristics, and provides user access to a storage cell in a selected zone, the zone being selected based on the detected user physical characteristics. | 12-19-2013 |
20130338823 | VENDING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SELLING COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS - A vending system including a machine housing having an operative side configured to interface with an individual. The vending system also includes a product dispenser supported by the machine housing. The product dispenser is configured to dispense a controlled product. The vending system also includes an imaging system that is configured to capture visual data when the individual is positioned proximate to the operative side. The visual data includes a present image of the individual and a card image of the identification card. The identification card includes a personal image of a person. The vending system also includes a computing system that is configured to analyze the visual data to determine whether the person in the personal image is the individual positioned proximate to the operative side. The computing system is also configured to determine whether the individual is permitted to purchase the controlled product. | 12-19-2013 |
20130338824 | Charging Station and Method for Securing a Charging Process of an Electric Vehicle - Method for securing a charging process of a vehicle ( | 12-19-2013 |
20140012412 | CODING PLATFORM FOR USE WITH TRANSACTIONS ACROSS VARIOUS MEDIUMS AND DEVICES - A system with distributed transaction control and processing which utilizes coding and mobile technology electronic devices to communicate transaction control with various mediums is provided. The system has the ability to facilitate access to goods or services within and/or at an independent medium such as vending machines, kiosks and point of sale systems. The system facilitates selection and payment for goods and/or services at specific independent mediums and encodes commands relating thereto for secure transfer within the system via encryption and compression of transaction information. The system may execute transaction control with and/or without internet connectivity to facilitate delivery of user desired items and/or services without requiring cash or a credit card on hand. | 01-09-2014 |
20140012413 | MEDIUM HANDLING APPARATUS AND METHOD, FINANCIAL DEVICE - Provided are medium handling apparatus and method. The medium handling apparatus comprises an identification number recognition module recognizing an identification number of a medium, a memory in which a condition with respect to a management target medium is stored, and a controller determining whether the identification number of the medium recognized by the identification number recognition module satisfies the condition with respect to the management target medium stored in the memory to determine whether the medium is the management target medium. | 01-09-2014 |
20140018956 | ARTICLE VENDING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR AUTHENTICATING RECEIVED ARTICLES - An article dispensing machine, system and method for authenticating an article returned to the article dispensing machine and an article for use in such a machine and system are disclosed herein. The returned article comprises an authentication code disposed on the surface of the returned article and a layer that is substantially opaque in visible light and at least partially overlays the authentication code. The article dispensing machine comprises a light source for illuminating the surface of the returned article so that the authentication code is visible through the layer, an image capture device for capturing an image of the authentication code when the surface is illuminated, and a processor for comparing the captured image to a master authentication code. | 01-16-2014 |
20140031975 | STORAGE AND DISPENSING DEVICES FOR ADMINISTRATION OF ORAL TRANSMUCOSAL DOSAGE FORMS - Dispensing devices and systems for oral transmucosal administration of small volume drug dosage forms to the oral mucosa are provided. The dispensing device may be a single dose applicator (SDA), or an electromechanical device comprising a means for patient identification such as a wrist worn RFID tag and annular bidirectional antenna together with a lock-out feature. | 01-30-2014 |
20140074283 | DRUG DELIVERY REGULATOR - An apparatus for receiving, dispensing, and regulating controlled substances is provided. Furthermore the apparatus may comprise a portable, handheld container which is tamper-resistant and can withstand severe physical manipulation. The apparatus may only permit the dispensing of medication according to a prescribed schedule and dosage. | 03-13-2014 |
20140094965 | Method of dispensing a product item - A method of dispensing a product item is disclosed. The product item has packaging. On the packaging are a number of coded data portions. Each coded data portion encodes an identity of the product item and a part of a signature. A sensing device senses one or more coded data portions and generate indicating data indicative of: the identity of the product item; a signature part; and a signature part identifier. A processor receiving the indicating data from the sensing device then determines a determined signature part and authenticates the product item by comparing the received signature part and the determined signature part. Further, a criterion for dispensing the product item is determined and the product item is caused to be dispensed based on the criterion being satisfied. | 04-03-2014 |
20140094966 | Direct Access Dispensing Method - A method for operating an access and storage system including providing a storage component storing items therein or thereon, each item being stored in an associated storage position. The storage component provides a user direct manual access to at least some of the items in their storage positions. The storage component includes a sensor system configured to operate independently of any sensor component secured to the items. The method further includes tracking, via the sensor system, at least one of a user's removal of items from the associated storage position or replacement of items to the associated storage position. | 04-03-2014 |
20140135980 | Protected Communications Vending Machine System - Vending Machines (VMs) employ a series of physical locks to prevent unauthorized access and/or control of the machine. In addition to the lock on the front door, in one embodiment of the invention an electrical door switch is employed that is used to enable a set of protected commands to the Vending Machine Controller Card (VMCC) only when the door has been opened. An electronic override of this switch, via remote control of a telemetry device (VIU) coupled to the VM, allows the VMCC to accept protected-mode commands from a central command server via a wireless network regardless of whether the door was actually opened. Other embodiments are described herein. | 05-15-2014 |
20140142748 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ACCESSING, CONTROLLING AND PURCHASING A PRODUCT THROUGH A DISPENSER - Various technologies described herein pertain to an automated dispenser including a dispensing portion, a motion sensor, a receiver module, and a control module. The control module initiates motion sensing by the motion sensor in response to receipt of an activation signal from a network server by the receiver module. The dispensing portion dispenses a product in response to the motion sensor sensing an absence, presence or motion of an object. | 05-22-2014 |
20140148947 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ARTICLE MANAGEMENT - A system and method for article management, the method comprising providing a processor and a terminal connected to the processor, providing a closet comprising at least one module comprising at least one location for an article, each location comprising a presence sensor and a signaling unit, at least one door, a user interface connected to the terminal; wherein the processor controls the door into preventing access to articles stored within the closet in a closed position and allowing access to an article requested through the user interface in an open position if the article is authorised for retrieval by the processor. | 05-29-2014 |
20140156065 | MEDICAL SAFETY SYSTEM - The current application is directed to methods for assessing patient risk and managing chronic pain patients in order to improve functional outcomes, decrease mortality and morbidity, and to emphasize the cost effectiveness of chronic pain treatment. Nurse case managers working with physician consultants who have experience in dealing with complex non-cancerous chronic pain diagnoses, substance abuse, mental health conditions, and drug diversion are employed. Chronic pain case management services may be employed, often along with specialized drug-dispensing devices. | 06-05-2014 |
20140163725 | LIQUID DISPENSATION - A liquid dispensation framework is described for dispensing liquid. A serving station may include one or more liquid containing devices, one or more taps, a data processor, a payment module, a monitoring module, and a cabinet with a lock. The serving station may be configured to determine an identity of a user and whether the user is authorized to withdraw liquid. If the serving station determines that the user is authorized to withdraw liquid, the amount or volume of liquid dispensed may be controlled, and an account associated with the user (or another) may be charged based on the amount or volume of liquid dispensed. | 06-12-2014 |
20140172161 | CONTROLLING DISPENSING OF ITEMS - A device for controlling dispensing of items, includes a frame | 06-19-2014 |
20140195043 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING PATIENT ACCESS TO MEDICAMENTS - A method, system and apparatus for controlling and tracking patient access to medicaments. A patient is provided with medication in locked pill containers that must be unlocked with an access code before the patient can access a limited quantity of medication in each container. Thus the patient is forced to go through an interactive session periodically with a master system, via a communicative intermediary, in order to obtain a valid passcode for each batch of medications and follow a treatment regimen. The patient may be assessed during each interaction with the master system. That assessment can include various questions, including questions about status codes that may optionally be displayed on each medication container. These status codes may optionally encode detail about the patient's pattern of accessing medication. The general rate of medication usage can also be deduced by the rate at which the patient contacts the master system. After patient assessment, the master system may elect to not provide the patient with an access code, typically if the patient meets certain criteria that indicate overuse of the medication. Conversely, the master system can elect to proactively contact the patient if the patient fails to make contact with the master system at an expected time, as this lack of contact suggests that the patient is underusing the medication and requires a reminder. | 07-10-2014 |
20140195044 | APPARATUS FOR USE IN AN AUTOMATED FUEL AUTHORIZATION PROGRAM REQUIRING DATA TO BE DYNAMICALLY RETRIEVED FROM A VEHICLE DATA BUS DURING FUEL AUTHORIZATION - Described herein is a fuel authorization program that requires data to be dynamically retrieved from a vehicle data bus during the fuel authorization process. This can be implemented using a smart cable that is installed in enrolled vehicles. The smart cable includes a housing suitable for commercial environments, a cable to logically couple the smart cable to the vehicle data bus, a second data link to be used to logically couple the smart cable to a fuel authorization “puck” in a vehicle, and a controller. The puck handles communication with the fuel vendor. The controller automatically implements the functions responding to a query from the puck received over the second data link by dynamically acquiring data from the vehicle data bus using the first data link, and conveying the data to the puck using the second data link. | 07-10-2014 |
20140195045 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY MONITORING FUEL TANK ULLAGE IN AN AUTOMATED FUEL AUTHORIZATION PROGRAM - Described herein is a fuel authorization program that vehicles enrolled in the fuel authorization program to provide fuel tank sensor data in each fuel authorization request, so that an amount of fuel authorized will be limited to the amount needed to fill the vehicle's fuel tank, reducing a likelihood that fuel will be diverted. In at least some embodiments, the fuel authorization controller at the vehicle automatically uses the fuel tank sensor data and known tank size to include in a fuel authorization request sent to a fuel vendor data defining how much fuel is required to fill the vehicle fuel tanks. In at least some embodiments, the fuel vendor consults data from a source other than the vehicle (such as records maintained by the fuel authorization program) to determine how large the vehicles fuel tanks are, and to calculate how much fuel is required. | 07-10-2014 |
20140195046 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY MONITORING FUEL TANK ULLAGE IN AN AUTOMATED FUEL AUTHORIZATION PROGRAM - Described herein is a fuel authorization program that vehicles enrolled in the fuel authorization program to provide fuel tank sensor data in each fuel authorization request, so that an amount of fuel authorized will be limited to the amount needed to fill the vehicle's fuel tank, reducing a likelihood that fuel will be diverted. In at least some embodiments, the fuel authorization controller at the vehicle automatically uses the fuel tank sensor data and known tank size to include in a fuel authorization request sent to a fuel vendor data defining how much fuel is required to fill the vehicle fuel tanks. In at least some embodiments, the fuel vendor consults data from a source other than the vehicle (such as records maintained by the fuel authorization program) to determine how large the vehicles fuel tanks are, and to calculate how much fuel is required. | 07-10-2014 |
20140195047 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY MONITORING FUEL TANK ULLAGE IN AN AUTOMATED FUEL AUTHORIZATION PROGRAM - Described herein is a fuel authorization program that vehicles enrolled in the fuel authorization program to provide fuel tank sensor data in each fuel authorization request, so that an amount of fuel authorized will be limited to the amount needed to fill the vehicle's fuel tank, reducing a likelihood that fuel will be diverted. In at least some embodiments, the fuel authorization controller at the vehicle automatically uses the fuel tank sensor data and known tank size to include in a fuel authorization request sent to a fuel vendor data defining how much fuel is required to fill the vehicle fuel tanks. In at least some embodiments, the fuel vendor consults data from a source other than the vehicle (such as records maintained by the fuel authorization program) to determine how large the vehicles fuel tanks are, and to calculate how much fuel is required. | 07-10-2014 |
20140207277 | APPARATUS FOR THE DELIVERY OF A PRODUCT - An apparatus for the delivery of a product having a delivery outlet, a delivery control device, a remote command device, and a mobile communications device is disclosed. The delivery control device is connected to the remote command device via a communications network and is adapted to activate the delivery outlet when in receipt of an activation signal from the remote command device. The mobile communications device is connectable to the remote command device via a communications network. The remote command device is adapted to send the activation signal to the delivery control device when in receipt of an activation request signal from the mobile communications device. | 07-24-2014 |
20140214200 | Portable and Modular Prescription Drug Dispensing Device - A dispensing device for dispensing doses of non-individually packaged pills at a plurality of pre-specified dosing times includes a housing that holds a removable magazine, a dispensing unit and an electronic circuit. The removable magazine is configured to hold a stack of the non-individually packaged pills. The dispensing unit is configured to operate on the removable magazine to dispense a pre-specified dose of the pills upon receipt of a signal. The electronic circuit includes a timer that provides the signal at the pre-specified dosing times to activate the dispensing unit to dispense the pre-specified dose. | 07-31-2014 |
20140222194 | MEDICATION DISPENSING CABINET SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A medication dispensing cabinet provides controlled access to medications and supplies stored in it. The cabinet may include at least one lockable storage compartment, and a controller that controls access to the at least one lockable storage compartment. The cabinet may include multiple printers integrated into the cabinet. The cabinet may include a camera operably coupled to the controller. The cabinet may include a set of cabinet electronics, and a power distribution and communications circuit board. The cabinet may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, wherein the controller conditions access to the at least one lockable storage compartment on receipt of information from the RFID reader. Data may be stored in the controller according to an implementation of RAID technology. The controller may include multiple electronic communications network interfaces, and may include an out of band network communication channel. A dispensing cabinet may facilitate printing of labels for medications. | 08-07-2014 |
20140236350 | INTEGRATED REAL ESTATE SHOWING SCHEDULING AND KEY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A system and method for dispensing a key from a key kiosk disposed at a realtor's office near a real property based on a showing appointment scheduled with a showing scheduling system. The appointment, including a date and time, as well as an authorized user is communicated from the showing scheduling system to the key kiosk. The user then authenticates herself or himself to the kiosk at the appropriate time, and the key is dispensed. The kiosk authenticates the user by scanning a QR code or using the physical location of the user. The kiosk will not dispense the key if the user has a different key that is checked out, but not returned yet. The key can be returned to the kiosk where it is dispensed, or a different key kiosk. The kiosk also dispenses a single common key when the user shows multiple properties. | 08-21-2014 |
20140244033 | Automated Multi-Medication Dispenser - An automated medication dispenser which includes a storage container having a plurality of storage columns configured to store a plurality of pills, an input slot, an output slot, automated means for delivering pills from the input slot to the storage columns, and automated means for delivering pills from the storage columns to the output slot on a time-based or meal-based dosing schedule. | 08-28-2014 |
20140277705 | Medication Compliance Monitor - Method and Apparatus - A method and apparatus for remote monitoring of the daily dispensing of medication is disclosed. In one embodiment a dispensing unit equipped with weight sensing mechanism such as scale or balance communicates with a monitoring application residing in a wireless terminal. The monitoring application provides supervision over a medication dispensing process. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277706 | SHARED-USE BICYCLE SYSTEMS - This disclosure is directed to bicycle storage systems and, in particular, to shared-use bicycle systems. Several embodiments herein are directed to a shared-use bicycle system, comprising a bicycle having a locking device and an accessory-receiving area. The locking device can extend horizontally from the bicycle, and the accessory-receiving area being positioned below the locking device. The shared-use bicycle system also comprises a bicycle rack having a horizontally-extending rigid member with at least one opening thereon to receive the locking device of the bicycle in a secured manner. When the bicycle is received in the at least one opening of the bicycle rack in the secured manner, access to the accessory-receiving area of the bicycle is restricted by the horizontally-extending rigid member. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277707 | DISPENSING SYSTEMS WITH SUPPLEMENTAL FUNCTIONS - A dispensing device provides improved security and risk management through the inclusion of a security lock. The security lock may require authentication of a user as a condition for dispensing a dispensable included in a container of the dispensing device. The dispensable may include a consumable unit. | 09-18-2014 |
20140297027 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, APPARATUSES, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR PROVIDING CONTROLLED ACCESS TO INTRAVENOUS BAGS - A system, method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for controlling access to intravenous bags. A system may include a cabinet including a vertically oriented drawer configured to be movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the cabinet, where the contents of the vertically oriented drawer are configured to be accessible from two opposing sides of the vertically oriented drawer when the drawer is in the open position. Systems of example embodiments may include a plurality of overpacks configured to be received within the vertically oriented drawer of the cabinet, where each of the plurality of overpacks is configured to receive therein a single intravenous bag, where each of the plurality of overpacks may include a retention feature, and where the retention feature of each overpack may be configured to be received by a complementary retention feature in the vertically oriented drawer. | 10-02-2014 |
20140297028 | DEVICE FOR DISPENSING MEDICATION USED FOR OFFICE-BASED OPIATE DEPENDENCE TREATMENT - A battery-powered, rechargeable, handheld device dispenses medication film strips in a controlled way. The device is password protected, restricts doses, communicates wireless with a server host so that a doctor and pharmacist can monitor the device and can destroy the medication remotely if the device is lost, stolen or tampered with. The device may be trackable by GPS location. Software can track the device as well as a doctor's caseload to assure compliance with regulations. The device is an automated device that uses sophisticated electronics to remove the human element and force the patient to adhere to a programmed regimen. The device also simplifies the process of monitoring and tracking for the doctor. The problem of accidental child exposure is eliminated. The problem of abuse and diversion of the drug is effectively controlled and limited. Nothing is left to human interpretation or variability in practice. | 10-02-2014 |
20140309772 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING PILL - A system for dispensing pills includes an automatic pill dispenser and a data center. The automatic pill dispenser can store different kinds of pills. The data center is connected to the automatic pill dispenser. The data center includes a cloud server, which stores patient's information. The patient's information includes patient's identification information and pill schedule. The automatic pill dispenser gets the pill schedule based on validated identification information, and can select different kinds of pills according to the pill schedule. | 10-16-2014 |
20140316562 | IDENTIFICATION CARD DISPENSER AND OPERATION METHOD THEREOF - Identification card (ID) dispenser comprising an ID card storage module ( | 10-23-2014 |
20140350721 | Vending Devices Having As-Watching As Consideration - Systems and methods for vending devices having ad-watching as consideration are described. In some implementations, a vending apparatus includes a dispensing portion operable to dispense a product (e.g. electricity) to a user; a communication portion operable to provide a communicable content (e.g. an advertisement) to the user; and a control system operatively coupled to the dispensing portion and the communication portion. The control system receives a signal indicative of a consent by the user to receive or review the communicable content at least partially in exchange for the product, and after receipt of the signal, causes the communication portion to provide the communicable content to the user and causes the dispensing portion to dispense the product to the user. In further implementations, the apparatus may include a monitoring system operable to determine whether the user is receiving or reviewing the communicable content. | 11-27-2014 |
20140365000 | POINT-OF-CARE MEDICATION DISPENSING - A medication dispenser is provided, comprising a securable container configured to store one or more doses of one or more medications and an access device configured to selectably permit access to the one or more doses of the one or more medications. The medication dispenser further comprises an electronic interface configured to acquire user input from a user and a processor. The processor is configured to perform the steps of comparing the user input to a database, selecting, responsive to the comparing, an appropriate dose from the one or more doses, and permitting access through the access device to the appropriate dose. A method for dispensing medication is also provided. The method comprises the steps of locating a medication dispenser at a point-of-care, acquiring user input from a user at the point-of-care, comparing the user input to a database, selecting, responsive to the comparing, an appropriate dose from the one or more doses, and permitting access through the access device to the appropriate dose. | 12-11-2014 |
20140379124 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING HELMETS - A method for providing a helmet to a user includes receiving a request from a user for performing one of renting and buying a helmet. The request includes an indication of a size for the helmet; determining if the request can be met by a helmet dispensing apparatus and authenticating the user. If the authentication is successful, the helmet dispensing apparatus provides the user with a helmet in accordance with the request. The helmet includes an identification element and the providing includes associating the identification element of the helmet provided with the user. | 12-25-2014 |
20150019009 | Automated method of recording contents of medication packages vended from a plurality of vending machines in an electronic record that stores records for a plurality of patients associated with respective vending machines - An automated method is provided for recording contents of medication packages vended from a plurality of vending machines in electronic records, such as an electronic medication administration record (eMAR), that store records for a plurality of patients who are associated with respective vending machines. A vending event causes the electronic record to be populated. The contents of the medication packages vended from the vending machines are recorded in electronic records without communicating patient names or vended medications in the electronic message sent from the vending machines. | 01-15-2015 |
20150019010 | SHARED VIDEO VENDOR - Embodiments of the invention provide a vending machine for enabling a transaction between a user and one of a plurality of remote sources. Vending machine may include a communication interface communicatively coupled with each source. Vending machine may include an input interface for receiving an input regarding the selection of a source. Vending machine may include a speaker and a microphone for audio communication with selected source, as well as a display for providing information related to the transaction from selected source. Vending machine may include a processor that transmits an indication that a source has been selected and establishes, via the communication interface, audio communication. Processor may receive, via the communication interface, a control command from selected source directing a hardware peripheral of vending machine to perform a function. Processor may receive an issuance authorization from selected source. The issuance authorization may cause a transaction item to be issued. | 01-15-2015 |
20150039124 | Automatic Medication Compliance Dispenser System And Method - An automatic medication dispensing device for dispensing medication to a patient including a medication dispensing unit having at least one tablet dispensing cartridge for receiving and retaining a plurality of tablets. The cartridge is electronically controlled by a computer system configured to receive a signal and activate the cartridge to dispense a tablet. The cartridge has a tablet receiving space for receiving and retaining a plurality of tablets in a vertical stack and a tablet dispensing opening to allow for at least one tablet to be dispensed from the cartridge. A moveable ram is associated with the cartridge to engage a single tablet in the vertical stack and expel the single tablet from the cartridge. | 02-05-2015 |
20150045947 | TWO-WAY EXCHANGE VENDING - Two-way exchange vending can be performed by a two-way exchange based vending machine. The two-way exchange based vending machine can vend rechargeable batteries. The two-way exchange based vending machine can include different modules to perform different functionalities. The two-way exchange based vending machine can include a communications module, a dispensing module, a rejection module, and a receiving module. The communications module can communicate information to and receive inputs from a user. The dispensing module can dispense one or more rechargeable batteries or other requested products to a user. The receiving module can receive one or more rechargeable batteries from a user. | 02-12-2015 |
20150073591 | CHARGING DEVICE FOR CHARGING A VEHICLE ACCUMULATOR - A vehicle accumulator connected to a charging device is charged by controlling a configurable charge program executed by a control unit of the charge device. The configurable charge program is obtained from a charge program memory, so that the vehicle accumulator can be charged in an optimal manner with an individual charging characteristic. | 03-12-2015 |
20150105903 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEDICAMENT STORAGE, DISPENSING, AND ADMINISTRATION - Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method, device, and non-transitory machine-readable storage medium encoded with instructions for execution by a user device, the medium comprising: instructions for displaying an indication of an incoming request to establish a communication session with a patient operating a medication dispenser; instructions for establishing a two-way communication session with the patient via the medication dispenser based on a physician user of the user device approving the incoming request; instructions for displaying a dispense user interface (UI) element during the two-way communication session; instructions for receiving a selection of the dispense UI element from the physician user; and instructions for transmitting, based on the selection, a command for the medication dispenser to dispense a medication to the patient. | 04-16-2015 |
20150134107 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED MEDICAL PRODUCT OR SERVICE DELIVERY - Various embodiments disclosed herein include systems, methods, and devices for automated delivery of medical services and products. In certain embodiments, the systems and/or methods are at least partially controlled by a computer. | 05-14-2015 |
20150310186 | Ambulatory Medication on Demand Dipsenser - A medication dispenser. The dispenser comprises a sensor for receiving biometric information from a user, a memory for storing a minimum dosing interval, a controller for determining whether the user is an authorized user, a belt having medication-carrying slots, a dose opening defined in an exterior surface of the dispenser, and a signaling device. The controller activates the signaling device and the sensor only when the minimum dosing interval has elapsed as measured from a last successful user authentication. The sensor is responsive to user biometric information provided any time after activation of the signaling device and the sensor, but not before activation of the signaling device and the sensor. After determining the use is an authorized user, a medication-carrying slot is aligned with the dose opening. | 10-29-2015 |
20150317454 | TAMPER-RESISTANT EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESERVE REPOSITORY - A method, computer program product and system are disclosed for securing, refrigerating and warehousing controlled substances, such as prescription medications. Beneficially, various embodiments of the present invention include carousels, track shelving, manual and electric combination locks, and other varied internal mechanisms for storing and dispensing medication only to predetermined individuals at predetermined intervals. | 11-05-2015 |
20150317860 | IDENTITY-BASED TRIGGERS FOR CONTROLLED DISPENSING - A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium to store inventory information pertaining to items stored in a dispensary system; receive a request from a user via a user device to retrieve one of the items from the dispensary system; determine whether the dispensary system stores the one of the items based on the inventory information; validate an identity of the user, a location of the user, date and time, and a location of the dispensary system; determine which of the lockers of the dispensary system stores the one of the items, in response to a successful validation; transmit to the user via the user device, a message indicating one of the lockers in which the one of the items is stored; and transmit to the dispensary system, a command to open the one of the lockers. | 11-05-2015 |
20150330109 | Advanced Bike Locking System and Method - An advanced automatic system for securing movable goods is disclosed. In particular a parking station for bicycles is disclosed comprising at least one interactive workstation and a plurality of parking kiosks, in which parking stations are installed in a plurality of sites within a city or a limited geographical area and are electronically tied together through an interactive networked computing system. The station features countermeasures to prevent vandalism of the bicycle locked therewithin. The computing system provides the ability for users to reserve spaces and directs users to their reserved space. | 11-19-2015 |
20150379234 | MEDICINE DISPENSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A portable medicine dispensing apparatus and method includes one or more medicine dispensing units that store at least one type of medicine, and include a medicine variable display unit that identifies and labels medicines stored in each medicine dispensing unit, a database that stores data that includes medicine identifiers and a dosage information for consumption of the medicines, a user identification module that processes a user identification information and identifies a user. Each medicine dispensing unit dispenses at least one medicine to be consumed based on an input provided by the user identification information. A single receiving unit that collects one or more medicines that are dispensed by the one or more medicine dispensing units based on the input. One or more uniformly configured tubes operatively connect each of the medicine dispensing units to the single receiving unit. | 12-31-2015 |
20150379236 | DYNAMIC CRITICAL ACCESS OVERRIDE FOR MEDICATION DISPENSING APPARATUSES - A critical access override list may be generated dynamically based on patient profile information for a single patient or a group of patients. A single patient or group of patients is initially identified. Patient profile information for the patient or group of patients is accessed. The patient profile information is analyzed, and medications are selected for critical access override. The selected medications are added to a critical access override list available to a medication dispensing apparatus to provide quicker access to the medications for emergency situation purposes via critical access override dispensing in which fewer steps are performed than normal medication dispensing events. | 12-31-2015 |
20160016782 | FILLING AUTOMATION SYSTEM - An automated system for filling oil tankers and other equipment with different materials. The system comprises product/additive pumps, a section for delivering product/additive, and optionally an emergency control. | 01-21-2016 |
20160042150 | Intelligent Pill Dispenser With Remote Scheduling And Monitoring - A system for and method of locally and remotely controlling and monitoring medication dispensing process comprises a medication dispensing device which has a plurality of medication storage containers each of which configured to store one medication therein; a dispensing cup; and a plurality of physical control mechanism to warrant the dose is correctly dispensed and sending alerts to the remote app; and a remote app or web page that allows an end user or a remote caregiver to create and change a dose per medication as well as a schedule for each medication dose, provides alerts and notifications, stores history of doses delivered and doses removed from the dispensing cup, and submits automatic refill requests when storage containers approach refill levels; | 02-11-2016 |
20160086417 | VENDING MACHINE WITH WIRELESS-ENABLED CURRENCY ACCEPTOR - A vending machine with a security barrier and a wireless-enabled currency acceptor is disclosed. The security barrier comprises a mechanical enclosure that surrounds, and restricts access to, items within the vending machine. The items enclosed in the vending machine inside the security barrier include a product, a currency acceptor, and a currency within the currency acceptor. Mechanical access through the security barrier is provided through a locked access port. The vending machine includes a wireless connectivity device that is coupled to the currency acceptor within the security barrier. The wireless connectivity device provides for password-protected wireless access to the currency acceptor from outside the security barrier. Also disclosed is a method of limiting access to items stored within a vending machine that includes programming the currency acceptor to provide currency acceptor data to the wireless connectivity device. The wireless connectivity device transmits the data wirelessly across the security barrier. | 03-24-2016 |
20160086418 | DIGITAL CURRENCY ENABLED VENDING MACHINE - A vending machine is described that uses digital currency transactions to enable a user to purchase items from their portable computing device. Using a control system in communication with various components of the vending machine and an internet connection for communicating with a remote digital currency system, such as a bitcoin network, a digital currency processing system executes digital currency transactions and stores the resulting digital currency in a transaction storage repository. The control system initiates dispensing of purchased items based on communication from the digital currency processing system. | 03-24-2016 |
20160086419 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ACCESSING, CONTROLLING AND PURCHASING A PRODUCT THROUGH A DISPENSER - Various technologies described herein pertain to an automated dispenser including a dispensing portion, a motion sensor, a receiver module, and a control module. The control module initiates motion sensing by the motion sensor in response to receipt of an activation signal from a network server by the receiver module. The dispensing portion dispenses a product in response to the motion sensor sensing an absence, presence or motion of an object. | 03-24-2016 |
20160098881 | POOLED CURRENCY DELIVERY SYSTEM - A centralized currency delivery system is provided. The system may include two or more transaction stations. Each transaction station may be deployed in a banking center. A banking transaction may be initiated using the transaction stations. Each transaction station may not able to process paper items. The system may include a shared resource. The shared resource may include a shared cash recycler. The shared cash recycler may receive banking transaction information from the transaction stations. Based on authentication information presented at the shared cash recycler, the shared cash recycler may complete the banking transaction initiated at the transaction stations. The shared cash recycler may include two or components that are dedicated to a received banking transaction. The components may remain dedicated to the banking transaction until the banking transaction is completed. Entitlements associated with a transaction station may control use of the components. | 04-07-2016 |
20160098882 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO ENABLE RULES-RESTRICTED VENDING MACHINE PURCHASES - A method and system that allows a self-standing vending machine to distribute controlled goods only to authorized purchasers wherein the authorization and purchase occurs via the purchaser's mobile computing device. The invention allows the purchaser to locate products, get information about products, and purchase products using their mobile phone and receive those products at a specified vending machine. The system uses information provided by the purchaser and possibly information from 3 | 04-07-2016 |
20160098884 | ELECTRONIC CONTAINER VENDING SECURITY SYSTEM - A security system for vending containers is provided including a modular vending unit, that includes a rotatable container storage and dispensing unit, an access means capable of switching between a locked state and an unlocked state, and disposed to cooperate with the rotatable storage and dispensing unit, a control unit for communicating with a user and the at least two modular vending units. an electronic selection means disposed to allow the acquisition or return of a container, an electronic control means for rotating and locking the rotatable container storage and dispensing unit, and an electronic control means for locking and unlocking the access means. The security system for vending containers also includes an alarm system mounted within the modular vending unit for detecting attempted theft and vandalism that may include a door sensor, a vibration sensor, an audio transducer means, a visual transducer | 04-07-2016 |
20160098885 | ELECTRONIC CONTAINER VENDING SECURITY METHOD - A security method for vending containers is provided including a modular vending unit, that includes a rotatable container storage and dispensing unit, an access means capable of switching between a locked state and an unlocked state, and disposed to cooperate with the rotatable storage and dispensing unit, a control unit for communicating with a user and the at least two modular vending units. an electronic selection means disposed to allow the acquisition or return of a container, an electronic control means for rotating and locking the rotatable container storage and dispensing unit, and an electronic control means for locking and unlocking the access means. The security system for vending containers also includes an alarm system mounted within the modular vending unit for detecting attempted theft and vandalism that may include a door sensor, a vibration sensor, an audio transducer means, a visual transducer | 04-07-2016 |
20160188840 | PROPER DISPENSING OF ITEMS THROUGH PROXIMITY DETECTED DEVICES WITH USERS - There are provided systems and methods for proper dispensing of items through proximity detected devices with users. A service provider may set up a wireless beacon next to a dispenser that provides one or more items to a user. The beacons may connect to a user's device and provide the dispenser with identification information for the user. Based on the connection and the identification information, the dispenser may access dispensing information for the user that informs the dispenser of a type, quantity, and amount of one or more items to provide the user. The dispensing instructions may further include time frames for providing the item(s) to the user and other security information required before providing the item(s) to the user. Once the dispensing information is accessed, the dispenser may then provide the user the item(s) in accordance with the dispensing information. | 06-30-2016 |
20160196711 | DESPENSING APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING A FOOD PRODUCT | 07-07-2016 |
20160203292 | Pill Dispenser | 07-14-2016 |
20160253479 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO SECURE CONTROL AND ENHANCE MEDICATION ADHERENCE | 09-01-2016 |
20160253736 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUBSTITUTING A MEDIA ARTICLE WITH ALTERNATIVE MEDIA | 09-01-2016 |
20180025129 | PRECISION DISPENSER FOR LIQUIDS, COMPRISING A DEVICE FOR REMOTE CONTROL AND MONITORING | 01-25-2018 |