Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
700244000 | Monitoring or inspection | 63 |
20080201013 | Device for Contactless Detection of Filling Levels - An apparatus for contactless detection of filling levels of automatic machine shafts, each including removal units of an order-picking system, wherein the removal units dispense piece goods on one or more conveyor units. A distance measuring device is provided which can travel along a guidance track to measurement positions associated with different automatic machine shafts. The guidance track is provided on the automatic machine shafts, and the distance measuring device has a reading unit which can be pivoted into a plane of each automatic machine shaft. | 08-21-2008 |
20080300719 | DRUG DISPENSING CONTROL SYSTEM - A drug dispensing control system and a drug dispensing unit are disclosed. The drug dispensing control system includes a prescription filling system and a drug dispensing unit. The drug dispensing unit is configured to interface with the prescription filling system. The drug dispensing unit includes a canister configured to receive a prescribed amount of medication from the prescription filling system. The canister includes a single dose dispensing mechanism. The drug dispensing unit also includes circuitry configured to allow access to a dose of the medication at a predetermined interval. In certain aspects, the drug dispensing unit is approximately handheld-sized. | 12-04-2008 |
20090204256 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR INDICATING FUTURE NEED FOR PRODUCT REPLACEMENT OF RANDOM-USE DISPENSING - A method and device for indicating whether a dispensable product will require refilling prior to the next scheduled service interval includes tracking the amount of use over a first interval, and calculating a frequency based from the use over the first interval. The quantity remaining is compared with the required amount, which is the product of the number of weeks in the service interval and the calculated frequency. Thus, when the quantity remaining is less that the required amount, a warning will be provided to indicate that the dispensing product should be replaced, as it will be empty before the next service interval. | 08-13-2009 |
20090210089 | LOCK STATUS NOTIFICATION & NEXT CASE MEDICATION METHOD, APPARATUS AND CORRESPONDING MEDICATION STORAGE DEVICE - A lock status notification method, apparatus and corresponding medication storage device (e.g., mobile medication dispensing cart, medication cabinet, nurse server, etc.) are provided. In order to generate the notification, a computing device operating on the medication storage device may monitor the status of a manual lock associated with one or more drawers of the medication storage device (e.g., through the use of a sensor associated with the lock). A notification may be generated if it is determined that the medication storage device is unlocked at a certain point in time (e.g., when a user is attempting to log off of an application executing on the computing device). At least one of the drawers of the medication storage device may include a next case medication pocket having an automatic lock and in which medications prepared for the next case or procedure in which the user is participating can be securely stored. | 08-20-2009 |
20090271030 | POSTAL STAMP TRACKING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A trackable postage stamp includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The second surface is adapted to adhere to a piece of mail. The stamp also includes a passive tracking device including stamp identification (ID) information. | 10-29-2009 |
20090306820 | Virtual Vendor Shelf Inventory Mangement - A cooler system for providing goods. The cooler system may include a cooler with a refrigeration system and a shelf monitor, a data processing device remote from the cooler, and a vending bridge. The data processing device is in communication with the refrigeration system and the shelf monitor of the cooler. | 12-10-2009 |
20100094458 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CASHLESS PAYMENT AND DIAGNOSTICS FOR VENDING MACHINES - Devices and methods for generating an alert for a vending machine are disclosed. A method of generating an alert includes monitoring a bus for at least one communication from the vending machine controller via the bus. The bus is then monitored for a response to the communication from a peripheral device to the vending machine controller via the bus. The response from the peripheral device is then processed. An alert is then generated based on the processed response. A peripheral device for generating the alert includes a bus interface configured to receive data from the bus and to transmit data onto the bus, and a processing unit coupled to the bus interface, the processing unit configured to process data received from the at least one other peripheral device and generate an alert based on the processed data. | 04-15-2010 |
20100131097 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VERIFYING THE CONTENTS OF A FILLED, CAPPED PHARMACEUTICAL PRESCRIPTION - A system for verification of dispensed pharmaceuticals includes: a housing; a bar code scanning station mounted on the housing; a vision station mounted on the housing; a spectroscopy station mounted on the housing; an offloading station mounted on the housing; one or more conveyors mounted on the housing to convey pharmaceutical vials between the bar code scanning, vision, spectroscopy and offloading stations, and a controller associated with the bar code scanning, vision, spectroscopy and offloading stations and the conveyors to control their operations. A system of this configuration can use both vision and spectroscopy to verify the identity of the pharmaceutical in the container. | 05-27-2010 |
20100191370 | REMOTELY MONITORING FIELD ASSETS - Disclosed methods, systems, and apparatuses remotely monitor a plurality of field assets. Device discovery may be conducted to find a communication path through a personal area network (PAN) coordinator to an operations center. A plurality of states are monitored for individual field assets of the plurality of field assets. In response to trigger events, monitored states are selectively included in data sets that may be parsed, tokenized, encoded, encrypted, and forwarded through networks to an operations center. | 07-29-2010 |
20100268381 | APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING AND IDENTIFYING PRODUCT IN WASHROOMS - An apparatus for the dispensing of product is provided. The apparatus includes a dispenser that is configured for dispensing product and a sensor in communication with an electrical circuit carried by the dispenser. The sensor is configured for detecting identification information about the product when the electrical circuit is completed by the product. Additional exemplary embodiments are also provided in which the sensor operates through optical detection, smell, physical contact with the product, or vibration instead of or in addition to the completion of an electrical circuit. | 10-21-2010 |
20100286820 | Programmed dispensing of consumable compositions - Methods and systems for administering consumable compositions according to a programmed dosing schedule are provided. | 11-11-2010 |
20100312384 | Programmed dispensing of consumable compositions - Methods and systems for administering consumable compositions according to a programmed dosing schedule are provided. | 12-09-2010 |
20110060458 | VENDING MACHINE SERVICE SCHEDULING - Techniques are provided for calculating vending machines' service priorities and scheduling the vending machines for service taking into account a number of factors and thresholds ( | 03-10-2011 |
20110093118 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FRAUD DETECTION BY LOW FLOW RATE MONITORING AT A FUEL DISPENSER - A system and method of detecting fuel theft at a fuel dispenser. The system has a fluid flow meter, a pulser operatively coupled to said fluid flow meter, and a control system in electrical communication with the pulser. The control system is configured to calculate a flow rate of fuel being dispensed from a gasoline dispenser during a single dispensing transaction. The flow rate is sampled at predetermined time intervals during the single dispensing transaction. The system then compares the sampled flow rates to a predetermined flow rate pattern indicative of potential fraud. A shutoff signal is then provided to the dispenser to stop fuel flow through the dispenser if the sampled flow rates are substantially similar to the predetermined pattern. | 04-21-2011 |
20110112686 | DEVICES AND METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING AND/OR INDICATING A MEDICAMENT DOSAGE REGIME - In one aspect, the disclosure is directed to a device for determining and/or indicating a medicament dosage regime. The device may include a housing, a processor, a memory, an input device, and/or an indication device. The dosage determining and/or indicating device is configured for receiving user, e.g., patient, information, medicament information, and/or dosage information, and using that information to determine one or more of the following: the type of medicament recommended to be administered, how often and when the medicament should be administered, how much of the medicament should be administered, potential problematic cross reactivity information, and/or patient compliance information, such as when the when the medicament was last administered, when the medicament is next due to be administered, when a recommended administration was not administered, and the like. The device may further be coupled to an alarm to indicate when a dosage of the medicament is to be delivered. | 05-12-2011 |
20120016519 | Apparatus for Dispensing and Detecting Solid Pharmaceutical Articles and Related Methods of Operation - A method for dispensing and detecting solid pharmaceutical articles includes: forcing an article through a dispensing channel and past a sensor configured and positioned to detect the article passing through the dispensing channel, wherein the article includes one of the solid pharmaceutical articles; generating a detection signal using the sensor responsive to the article passing through the dispensing channel, wherein the detection signal indicates a time that the article takes to traverse the sensor; and determining whether the article is a complete article or an article fragment responsive to a comparison of the time indicated by the detection signal and an article fragment travel time representing an expected travel time for a complete article to traverse the sensor that is determined independent of physical attributes of the solid pharmaceutical articles. | 01-19-2012 |
20120029693 | MEDICATION DISPENSER WITH INTEGRATED MONITORING SYSTEM - Devices, systems, and methods are provided for remote visualization of the storage compartments in a medication dispenser device, to monitor a patient's compliance with a medication dosage schedule and for verifying the proper loading of medication into the patient's medication dispenser device. The device may include a plurality of storage compartments, each having an interior space for storing at least one medication or medication reminder marker; an image capturing device (e.g., a camera) positionable to capture an image of the interior space of each storage compartment; and a communications module for electronically transmitting the captured image to a central monitoring station. | 02-02-2012 |
20120059513 | BEVERAGE DISPENSING AND MONITORING SYSTEM - A system for dispensing beverages includes a container coupler having a sensor box with a fluid flow sensor, and a tag reader for reading identification tags mounted on a container. The container coupler has a handle for selectively actuating the container coupler to attach and remove the container coupler from a container. The container coupler has a gas inlet for pressurizing a container, and a fluid outlet for delivering fluid to a dispenser. The sensor box is affixed to the fluid outlet, or integrated with the container coupler, to enable the fluid flow sensor to measure fluid flow volumes, rates, or both. The tag reader is affixed on the sensor box of the container coupler for reading identification tags from a keg. An advantage of having a sensor box on the container coupler is that the sensor box is held during use in close proximity to any tags affixed to the container. | 03-08-2012 |
20120078414 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HARVESTING ENERGY SAVINGS ON A REMOTE BEVERAGE SYSTEM - A method and system that detects if a carbonator has cycled in a beverage system and deactivates a circulator pump that circulates carbonated water in the beverage system based on if the carbonator has cycled. | 03-29-2012 |
20120130537 | PIPE KICKER/INDEXER FOR PIPE HANDLING SYSTEMS - A kicker/indexer is provided for a pipe handler for moving pipe to and from the drill floor of a drilling rig. The kicker/indexer includes a frame that is configured to attach to a catwalk, a push block drive assembly for receiving and pushing pipe towards a trough located on the catwalk, and a kicker drive assembly for pushing pipe out of the trough. A pipe handler is provided that includes a catwalk attached to a lower frame with a pair of scissor-legs and a trough nested therein, the trough having an end that can be raised and moved towards the drill floor. The trough can further have a skate slidably disposed thereon to pushing pipe on the trough towards to the drill floor. | 05-24-2012 |
20120150344 | FUEL DISPENSER FLOW METER SENSOR FRAUD PREVENTION - Methods and systems for detecting fraud caused by tampering with a fuel flow meter. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a fuel flow meter for measuring the flow of liquid fuel. The flow meter has at least one shaft supporting a rotor. The method further comprises providing the flow meter with a rotary displacement sensor. Also, the method comprises measuring a first angular position of the shaft upon termination of a first fueling transaction and measuring a second angular position of the shaft upon initiation of a second fueling transaction. Finally, the method comprises comparing data indicative of the first and second shaft angular positions to determine whether fraud has occurred. | 06-14-2012 |
20120245732 | BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINE SUPPORTING A REMOTE SERVICE FUNCTIONALITY - The present invention relates to a method for remotely providing service functionalities for a beverage preparation machine ( | 09-27-2012 |
20120271454 | MEDICINE COLLECTING SYSTEM AND CART - A medicine collecting system ( | 10-25-2012 |
20120271455 | METHODS AND A SYSTEM FOR DISPENSING - In one example, the invention includes steps of: activating feeding and exiting motors of a dispensing device that cause corresponding rollers to rotate in forward direction, wherein the feeding motor is operatively connected to a displacement optical sensor, wherein the feeding and exiting rollers move a dispensing object; wherein an exit sensor generates a first signal, indicating that a leading edge of the dispensing object has activated the exit sensor, generating, by the stationary displacement optical sensor, a second signal, when, by passing at least one light beam over a surface of the portion of the dispensing object, the stationary displacement optical sensor determines that the portion of the dispensing object has traveled a pre-determined distance along the dispensing passage. | 10-25-2012 |
20120277906 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FLAVORED ICE MAKING - A method and system may make iced beverages containing flavored ice cubes made from a flavored beverage. The method and system may include dynamically altering a freeze-cycle of an ice maker to account for various parameters, such as freezer temperature. When freezer temperature rises above a set-point temperature, the freeze-cycle may be stopped, and only resumed once the freezer temperature returns to back below the set-point temperature. The freeze-cycle may be dynamically lengthened by the amount of time that the freezer temperature remains above the set-point temperature. The set-point temperature may be substantially below the freezing point of the beverage, which in turn may be below the freezing point of water, to ensure that the beverage is frozen into ice cubes at the completion of the freeze-cycle. In one embodiment, the flavored beverage may have a non-clear color, such as coffee, and the flavored ice cubes are coffee ice cubes. | 11-01-2012 |
20120290129 | INSPECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH A CONTROL PROCESS THAT INSPECTS DIFFERENT MEDICATIONS - An inspection system and method that inspects at least two different medications is described. The automated filling station houses at least two different medications. The automated inspection station receives the medications associated with one of the packages. The measurement device associated with the automated inspection station is configured to examine the different medications and generate a measured medication value for the different medications. The measured medication value is received by the inspection control process module. Additionally, the expected medication value is received by the inspection control process module. The inspection result state is then selected by the inspection control process module. The inspection control module compares the expected medication value to the measured medication value. The inspection result state includes a positive inspection result state, a negative inspection result state, and an inconclusive inspection result state. | 11-15-2012 |
20130013107 | Method and Apparatus for Controlling and Monitoring a Vending Machine - A solution comprising cost-effective methods and techniques for upgrading a traditional vending machine to a state-of-the-art vending machine with one or more of: mobile phone payment, telemetry, remote adjustment, graphical user interface, advertisement, intelligent energy management, hardware abstraction layer with common Application Programming Interface. A key aspect of this invention is that the original Vending Machine Controller board is not replaced in the vending machine and will still perform the normal vending operations as before. Another aspect of this invention is that the additional features are added to the vending machine at the processor level of the VMC board, by removing the original microcontroller on the VMC board and replacing it with an FPGA board or an electronic board, that can be plugged in the existing microcontroller socket on the VMC board, giving the application miming on the FPGA board or the electronic board access to all elements connected to the vending machine controller. The present invention uses In-Circuit Emulation techniques, modified emulated microcontroller peripherals, an emulated switch matrix circuit or a generic processor to add additional features to the vending machine at the processor level of the VMC board. The methods and techniques of the invention can be used to provide an abstraction layer above the underlying vending hardware with a common Application Programming Interface for controlling and monitoring the upgraded vending machine, to nm common interactive applications on different vending machine brands and types. | 01-10-2013 |
20130024023 | RETAIL SHELF SUPPLY MONITORING SYSTEM - An inventory shelf monitoring system includes a plurality of track systems located on at least one shelf of a retail or warehouse establishment. Each track system includes a sensor and actuator that determines the position of a product pusher. The identity and location of the product pusher, for each track system on the shelf, is sent to a data acquisition and transmitter circuit that assembles, formats, and transmits pusher position data to a central receiver. The data is then transmitted to a central processing unit in a user device that maintains data corresponding to product count, availability, and activity associated with each track unit of each shelf employing the system. Inventory control, the prevention of out-of-stock situations, and the assessment of activity indicative of theft or accident is thus monitored in real time for prompt remedial action. | 01-24-2013 |
20130030566 | INTERACTIVE MEDICATION DISPENSING SYSTEM WITH LOCKING COMPARTMENTS - This invention provides a system and method for dispensing medication and a dispensing apparatus that comprises a plurality of compartments in an array within a housing, the compartments having respective lids, each of the lids being movable from a closed position to an open position, the respective lids each having a latch that secures the lid in a locked configuration in the closed position. The apparatus has an actuator mechanism that selectively unlocks the latch of each of the lids at a predetermined time so as to place the unlocked lid in an unlocked configuration that enables the lid to be moved to the open position. The compartments of the medication dispenser each receive a removable cup therein that is accessible when a respective of the lids associated therewith is in the open position. Other features, such as communication and messaging and/or audible/visual displays can also be provided. | 01-31-2013 |
20130035788 | ASSET MONITORING AND FUELING SYSTEM - The present application discloses systems and methods for managing assets. In one exemplary embodiment, a system for monitoring an asset is disclosed. The system comprises at least one asset monitoring device, at least one fuel control device, and a central server. The asset monitoring device is configured for use with the asset to collect asset data about the asset. The fuel control device is configured for use with a fuel source to collect fueling data about fueling of the asset. The fuel control device is configured to communicate with the asset monitoring device to receive the asset data from the asset monitoring device. The central server is configured to communicate with the fuel control device to receive the asset data and the fueling data from the fuel control device. | 02-07-2013 |
20130054018 | Substance control system and method for dispensing systems - A computationally implemented system and method that is designed to, but is not limited to: electronically receiving status information regarding a particular ingestible material portion as related to a first engagement of an automated dispensing system with at least one manufacture, the first engagement occurring during a first condition including the at least one manufacture being united with the particular ingestible material portion, the first engagement to facilitate access by the automated dispensing system to the particular ingestible material portion for dispensing of the particular ingestible material portion, the electronically receiving status information to receive status information influenced by whether any disengagements of the automated dispensing system from the at least one manufacture occur during the first condition prior to the first engagement, the at least one manufacture arranged to inhibit access to the particular ingestible material portion prior to any engagements of the automated dispensing system with the at least one manufacture during the first condition and arranged to inhibit access to the particular ingestible material portion by other than the automated dispensing system during engagement of the automated dispensing system with the at least one manufacture during the first condition; and electronically outputting selection information associated with the particular ingestible material portion including information related to the received status information regarding the particular ingestible material portion and associated with ingestible material other than that associated with the particular ingestible material portion subsequent to electronically receiving the status information regarding the particular ingestible material portion. 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 |
20130054019 | Treatment system and method for ingestible product dispensing system and method - A computationally implemented system and method that is designed to, but is not limited to: electronically directing at least one second automated treatment occurrence of the at least one automated device to treat at least a portion of the automated ingestible product dispensing equipment other than removing material from the automated ingestible product preparation equipment including other than removing the at least one first substance, other than removing the first ingestible product, and other than removing other materials associated with preparation of the at least one first ingestible product prior to at least one second operation occurrence of the automated ingestible product dispensing equipment, the at least one second operation occurrence electronically initiated via electronically receiving first input associated with a particular individual living being. 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 |
20130054020 | Treatment system and method for ingestible product dispensing system and method - A computationally implemented system and method that is designed to, but is not limited to: electronically directing at least one second automated treatment occurrence of the at least one automated device to treat at least a portion of the automated ingestible product dispensing equipment other than removing material from the automated ingestible product preparation equipment including other than removing the at least one first substance, other than removing the first ingestible product, and other than removing other materials associated with preparation of the at least one first ingestible product prior to at least one second operation occurrence of the automated ingestible product dispensing equipment, the at least one second operation occurrence electronically initiated via electronically receiving first input associated with a particular individual living being. 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 |
20130103191 | SYSTEM, DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EXCHANGING ENERGY WITH AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE - The invention relates to a system for exchanging energy with an electric vehicle, in particular with a battery thereof, comprising, at least one energy exchange station, comprising, at least one port for exchanging energy with an energy source, at least one port for exchanging energy with a vehicle, at least one port for data communication with the vehicle, at least one port for data communication with a data processing device, a data processing device, comprising, at least one port for data communication with the energy exchange station, at least one port for data communication with at least one configuration device, at least one configuration device, comprising, at least one port for exchanging data with the data processing device; and means, such as a user interface, for editing configuration details. The invention further relates to a method and devices for exchanging energy with an electric vehicle. | 04-25-2013 |
20130110286 | Fuel Dispenser Flow Meter Fraud Detection and Prevention | 05-02-2013 |
20130151006 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN A VENDING MACHINE - During operation of a vending machine, visual images of the next product to be dispensed from product dispensing locations are obtained. Features of the visual images are compared to a data base of features to determine the identity of the next product to be dispensed from each of the dispensing locations. After a product has been dispensed from a dispensing location, a visual image is obtained of the next product at the dispensing location. Features of the visual image of the next product at the dispensing location are compared to a data base of features to determine the identity of the next product to be dispensed. A displayed price of a product is compared with product prices in the data base. If necessary, the displayed price is adjusted to agree with the data base. | 06-13-2013 |
20130197693 | System, Method, and Apparatus for Dispensing Oral Medications - A pill dispenser includes a housing, a pill-dispensing mechanism, a receptacle, a pill-viewing camera, an identifying camera, one or more processors, and a storage medium (e.g., a memory). The pill-dispensing mechanism is coupled to an opening of the housing. The first pill-viewing camera is positioned to capture an image of the receptacle, and the identifying camera is positioned to capture an image of an area adjacent to the housing. The one or more processors are in operative communication with the pill-dispensing mechanism, the pill-viewing camera, and the identifying camera. The storage medium stores processor-executable instructions for: instructing the pill-dispensing mechanism to dispense a pill; instructing the pill-viewing camera to capture a first image of the pill to determine a presence of the pill; instructing the pill-viewing camera to capture a second image to determine an absence of the pill; and instructing the identifying camera to capture a third image. | 08-01-2013 |
20130218330 | System and Apparatus for Item Management - Item-management systems, apparatus, and methods are described, preferably for management of items such as medicaments. In embodiments, an item-management system comprises a container defining plural cells, a docking station configured to receive the container, sources of visible information to indicate the cell(s) into which an item is to be loaded, and at least one controller operable to control the visible information sources to indicate the cell into which the item is to be received. | 08-22-2013 |
20130238120 | VERIFICATION OF DISPENSED ITEMS - An automated medication dispensing system is disclosed. The system includes a memory configured to store identifying information for at least one item. The identifying information includes an indicator associated with at least one specific feature of the at least one item. The system also includes a processor configured to dispense the at least one item to a user, an output module configured to display the identifying information for the at least one item, and an input device configured to receive, from the user, input indicating that the user has verified that the dispensed item has the same identifying information as the identifying information displayed by the output module. Handheld devices, bedside administration systems, methods, and machine-readable mediums are also disclosed. | 09-12-2013 |
20130297068 | MEDICATION DISPENSER WITH REMINDER DEVICE - A personal medication dispenser is provided that has a storage compartment ( | 11-07-2013 |
20130331985 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AND MONITORING A VENDING MACHINE - A solution comprising cost-effective methods and techniques for adding a standard vending API to a traditional vending machine, to control and monitor the vending machine during normal operation, without changing the original Vending Machine Controller (VMC) board. A key aspect of this invention is the implementation of a standard vending API by means of a proprietary data communication protocol over a network connection between a consume media playback device and an extra microcontroller in the vending machine. The present invention provides interfacing methods and a communication protocol between a consumer media playback device, a microcontroller and a Vending Machine Controller. The microcontroller implements a hardware abstraction layer to hide the underlying vending hardware towards the consumer media playback device. The consumer media playback device can run an application that uses the standard vending API to control and monitor the vending machine during normal operation, and can convert a traditional vending machine into a vending machine with a graphical user interface, multimedia advertising and info kiosk capabilities. The methods and techniques of the invention can be integrated in an MDB Slave peripheral device of a vending machine. | 12-12-2013 |
20140005826 | METHOD FOR MONITORING THE FILLING OF A MEDICATION DISPENSER, AND MEDICATION DISPENSER | 01-02-2014 |
20140039673 | BANKNOTE HANDLING APPARATUS - A banknote handling apparatus includes: a first winding storage unit; a second storage unit; a transport unit; a recognition unit; and a control unit. The first storage unit stores the banknotes, while providing a mark associated with inventory amount information of the first storage unit. To perform a reconciliation process for the first storage unit, the control unit allows some of the banknotes stored in the first storage unit to be fed from the first storage unit, based on the mark, for recognition by the recognition unit, and determines an inventory amount of the first storage unit based on a result of the recognition and the inventory amount information associated with the mark. | 02-06-2014 |
20140058561 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING AND DISPENSING DOSES OF MEDICATION - Devices, systems and methods for monitoring medication are provided. A medication monitoring device according to one implementation includes a container configured to store a plurality of medication pills and a gating device connected at an opening of the container. The gating device is configured to electronically monitor the release of at least one of the medication pills. A system and method for monitoring the administration of medication to a patient are also provided. The system, according to one embodiment, comprises the medication monitoring device and a medication management server in communication with the medication monitoring device via a communication network. | 02-27-2014 |
20140067114 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A MEDICATION DISPENSER, AND MEDICATION DISPENSER - The present invention relates to a method for obtaining information from a medication package. In the method, an image of the medication package is provided, the image is analysed to determine positions and formats of patterns in the image, a layout, which has similar pattern formats in the same positions as the image, is selected from a set of layouts stored in the medication dispenser, the selected layout defining the type of information for each pattern in the image, and the information contained in at least one of the patterns of the image is interpreted by linking the content of the pattern to the type of information defined in the selected layout. The invention also relates to a medication dispenser. | 03-06-2014 |
20140074285 | DISPENSER APPARATUS WITH NETWORK CAPABILITIES AND METHODS FOR INSTALLING THE SAME - A network for a plurality of dispensers includes at least one dispenser device and a device controller carried by each dispenser device which monitors the operational activity of the dispenser device. A network transceiver is connected to each device controller and links to a gateway controller adapted to wirelessly communicate with each network transceiver. An installation button is associated with each network transceiver, wherein actuation of the installation button increases an operational duty cycle to enable linking of all of the dispenser devices to the gateway controller. Other embodiments are provided which facilitate learning of dispensers and related network devices to a network of dispensers. | 03-13-2014 |
20140088760 | COMPUTER CONNECTED CASH DRAWER STATUS AND CONTROL - A computer monitors a connected state of a cash drawer and the open/closed status of one or more trays by way of circuitry and a BIOS program code. The computer opens the respective trays of the cash drawer by way of the circuitry and the BIOS program code. Alert messaging or alarm functions can also be performed in accordance with the monitoring. Cash drawer security, management and user convenience are improved accordingly. | 03-27-2014 |
20140114474 | DYNAMIC REFILL LEVEL FOR MEDICATION DISPENSING APPARATUS - A dynamic refill level is used for determining medication refill requirements for a medication at a medication dispensing apparatus. A quantity of medication likely needed from the medication dispensing apparatus until a next scheduled refill is determined. A dynamic refill level is set for the medication based on the quantity of medication likely needed. A current count for the medication in the medication dispensing apparatus is compared against the dynamic refill level. If the current count satisfies the dynamic refill level, there is no need to refill the medication. However, if the current count does not satisfy the dynamic refill level, there is a need to refill the medication. | 04-24-2014 |
20140163728 | CAMERA AUDIT ACCEPTER MECHANISM AND CAMERA AUDIT DISPENSING MECHANISM - A system for receiving and auditing objects according to an embodiment of the invention includes a housing having a front panel, a receiving area, an auditing area, and a drop chute, wherein the receiving area includes a shelf, the front panel includes an opening, a door assembly having a pushing wall and a second pushing wall and assembly moveable between an open position in which an object can be inserted through the opening and into the receiving area, and a closed position in which the door assembly prevents access to the receiving area, wherein the pushing wall moves the object from the shelf into the auditing area as the door assembly closed; and a control system coupled to a camera and switch, wherein the door assembly activates the switch when it is in the closed position, the control system images the object with the camera in response to switch activation. | 06-12-2014 |
20140180476 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR THE DISPENSING AND IDENTIFICATION OF MEDICATION - Example embodiments of the present invention may provide an efficient method of identifying unit doses of medication, and more specifically, to dispensing, identifying, packaging, and marking unit doses of medication for distribution. In particular, methods may include receiving a plurality of unit dose medications, dispensing one of the plurality of unit dose medications, and capturing an image of the one of a plurality of unit dose medications. The method may also compare the captured image to a database of known medications, where each known medication includes a medication type and a medication dose. In response to the captured image satisfying a confidence threshold match to one of the known medications, the one of the plurality of unit dose medications may be identified. Dispensing one of the plurality of unit dose medications may include dispensing one of the plurality of unit dose medications to a unit dose package. | 06-26-2014 |
20140188272 | MEDICATION DISPENSER WITH INTEGRATED MONITORING SYSTEM - Devices, systems, and methods are provided for remote visualization of the storage compartments in a medication dispenser device, to monitor a patient's compliance with a medication dosage schedule and for verifying the proper loading of medication into the patient's medication dispenser device. The device may include a plurality of storage compartments, each having an interior space for storing at least one medication or medication reminder marker; an image capturing device (e.g., a camera) positionable to capture an image of the interior space of each storage compartment; and a communications module for electronically transmitting the captured image to a central monitoring station. | 07-03-2014 |
20140236351 | Programmed Dispensing of Consumable Compositions - Methods and systems for administering consumable compositions according to a programmed dosing schedule are provided. A method for administering a consumable composition may comprise one or more of the following steps: (a) dispensing a dose of a consumable composition according to a programmed dosing schedule; and (b) detecting an aspect of the consumable composition. A system for administering a consumable composition may comprise: (a) means for dispensing a dose of a consumable composition according to a programmed dosing schedule; and (b) means for detecting an aspect of the consumable composition. | 08-21-2014 |
20140236352 | MEDICATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A medication management system ( | 08-21-2014 |
20140324217 | Fuel Island Redundant Monitoring System - A fuel island redundant monitoring system having sensors of varying purpose to transmit data signals to dual remote monitoring stations. One monitoring site is a live monitoring station manned by personnel. The other monitoring station is a data receiving station utilizing unmanned machines, e.g., computers. The unmanned data station is capable of transmitting information to the manned monitoring station, to local fuel island managers and/or to local emergency responders, and/or to control equipment at the fuel island. The manned monitoring station is capable of transmitting commands or inquiries to the unmanned data station and/or to control equipment at the fuel island, and/or to local fuel island managers and/or to local emergency responders. Sensors may be dedicated to either the unmanned data station or the manned live monitoring station, or may send data to both stations. | 10-30-2014 |
20150051731 | MEDIA COUNT MANAGEMENT - A method of managing media counts at a media terminal is described. The method comprises: receiving an expected media count from a remote management application; detecting a media replenisher at the media terminal; providing the expected media count to the media replenisher; and receiving confirmation from the media replenisher that the expected media count corresponds to the actual media present. | 02-19-2015 |
20150100155 | PROTOCOL GENERATION FOR LIQUID HANDLER - A method of creating a protocol is provided. An interface window is presented on a display. A first indicator that identifies a sample and a second indicator that indicates selection of an analysis are received from the interface window. The analysis defines processing to be performed on the identified sample by a liquid handler. A bed layout that defines locations of a plurality of labware components and a type of labware component at each location on a work bed of the liquid handler is determined based on the first indicator and the second indicator. The sample is associated with a location of the locations. The determined bed layout is presented on the display. A protocol for execution by a controller of the liquid handler is created. The protocol comprises a second plurality of instructions configured to cause the liquid handler to perform the analysis on the identified sample. | 04-09-2015 |
20150112479 | AUTOMATIC TRANSACTION DEVICE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSACTION METHOD - The objective of the present invention is to provide an automatic transaction device capable of suppressing wasteful operation of the automatic transaction device when a shutter failure has occurred. The present invention is an automatic transaction device that performs transactions related to cash, and is characterized by including: a deposit/withdrawal slot for depositing/withdrawing cash; an opening/closing member that is capable of opening and closing the deposit/withdrawal slot by way of movement; an opened/closed detection unit that detects the opened/closed state of the opening/closing member; and a control unit that opens and closes the opening/closing member at the time of a reset operation of the automatic transaction device to perform operation verification processing, causes detection of the opened/closed state of the opening/closing member after the operation verification processing, and if it is determined that the opened/closed state is abnormal, aborts the transaction. | 04-23-2015 |
20150148947 | Wireless Medication Monitor - Methods and apparatus are provided for determining when a medication is removed from a dispenser. The dispenser may include a plurality of compartments for receiving one or more medications. One or more circuits are associated with each compartment. In addition, each circuit may be unique. Each circuit is altered by the removal of one or more medications from a compartment and the resulting signal is used to indicate removal of the medication. | 05-28-2015 |
20160008228 | Methods and Systems for Monitoring a Plurality of Medication-Containing Cells of a Medication Container | 01-14-2016 |
20160132662 | CABINET WITH REMOTE INTEGRATION - A medication dispensing cart with remote integration includes a plurality of drawers operably attached to a mast, a drawer controller operably connected to the drawers and configured to locking and unlocking of the drawers, a battery operably connected to the drawer controller and configured to provide power to the drawer controller, and a computer operably connected to the drawer controller and configured to wirelessly connect to a network for a central server computer system to interact with the medication dispensing cart with remote integration for the central server computer system to lock or unlock the drawers. | 05-12-2016 |
20160133082 | TRANSACTION MANAGEMENT METHOD AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEM - A management method for transactions done by at least one automatic distribution machine ( | 05-12-2016 |
20160196409 | MEDICATION DISPENSING CABINET SYSTEMS AND METHODS | 07-07-2016 |
20170236358 | Systems and Methods for Providing Dynamic Ingredient Matrix Reconfiguration in a Product Dispenser | 08-17-2017 |