Abstract: A pharmaceutical dispensing system includes a frame having first and second opposed sides, a plurality of cells configured to house pharmaceutical pills, and a display on the frame first side. A plurality of dispensing shelves configured to receive filled pill containers are accessible from the second side of the frame for removal of pill containers therein. The pharmaceutical dispensing system includes a processor and memory coupled thereto. A computer program resides in the memory and is executable by the processor for displaying a cell inventory graphical user interface (GUI) within the display. The cell inventory GUI includes a GUI control that is responsive to user activation for displaying replenishment information about one or more of the cells. The computer program is configured to determine a replenish point and replenish quantity for each cell and is configured to adjust the replenish quantity for each cell according to a stock-out risk.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispensing cabinet and a method for the controlled dispensing of objects. The dispensing cabinet comprises a housing, a storage unit which is arranged in the housing and has a plurality of storage spaces for the objects and an input member for selecting an object to be dispensed and for inputting object- and/or user-related data. On the housing a dispensing opening is provided, on which several lockable access doors are arranged. A drive member moves a storage unit inside the housing, wherein a storage space containing the selected object can be positioned at the dispensing opening. Furthermore, a control unit is provided, with which the drive member can be controlled in order to position the selected object in front of the dispensing opening and the access door in front of the storage space containing the desired object can be unlocked to give access to a user.

Abstract: It may be advantageous to equip a medication dispensing cart with an adjustable user interface. An exemplary 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.

Abstract: A cabinet for securely storing items includes a drawer enclosure, a drawer, a cover, an electric actuator, and a switch. The drawer is slidable at least partially into and out of the enclosure, and includes a compartment. A cover which is configured as a metal belt is designed to selectively block access to the compartments of the drawer when the cover is in a first configuration, and to allow access to the compartment when the cover is in a second configuration. The electric actuator is designed to move the cover from the first configuration to the second configuration in one of two directions. The actuator selects the direction to reduce the time required to make such movement.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A variable dose dispensing system may include a processor and memory. The processor may receive a request for a variable dose order of a medication, such as from a user. The processor may request an amount of the medication to be administered, and receive, in response to the request, an indication of the amount to be administered. The processor may verify that the amount to be administered is within a range of the variable dose order. The processor may determine an item in a local inventory that contains at least the amount of the medication to be administered, and may dispense the item. If an amount of the dispensed item exceeds the amount to be administered, such as by a waste amount, the processor may display an indication of the waste amount to the user, and may transmit a notification of the waste amount, such as to a management server.

Abstract: A vending machine for use in a vehicle includes: a vending housing operable to dispense at least one of a plurality of items stored within the vending housing; a display screen; and a processor coupled to the display screen and the vending housing. A vending computer program is configured to execute on the processor. The vending computer program, when executing, displays a selection of items on the display screen that can be purchased and dispensed from the vending housing and receives an identification of at least one item to be purchased. The program then receives a payment indicator indicating that payment has been received for the at least one item and controlling the vending machine to dispense that at least one item for which payment has been received. The vending machine is compact enough to be placed into a vehicle such as a taxi cab.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a stocking system and collection device consisting of a linear conveyor system and a second linear conveyor system parallel to the first and placed in alignment with it so that an object placed on the first conveyor system may be transferred to the second conveyor system. In accordance with the invention, the means are anticipated to move the second conveyor system perpendicularly to the direction of the conveyance so that the second conveyor system can be move from a position situated in alignment with the first conveyor system to a position for distribution. It is preferable that the first conveyor system (100) consist of three parallel belts (110, 120, 130) placed side by side; the first (110) and the third (130) belts extend farther in advance in the direction of the second conveyor system (200) at a distance (d) than the second belt (120).

Abstract: A vending system comprising numerous remote vending machines, retail displays, and automated retail stores connected to a communication network access a central database so that each remote machine provides and responds to personalized customer information. Each machine comprises a display containing products to be vended and a plurality of touchable product viewing areas for initiating a vend. A computer recognizes customer data derived from peripheral inputs. Software communicates with the database for establishing customer profiles and either recognizing customers or registering customers by generating a global unique identifier. Subroutines initiate the dispensing of items in response to preselected conditions associated with each GUID.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of dispensing bolts includes a step of forming a column of bolts on top of one another. The column includes an upper end and a lower end. A shank portion of each of the bolts is oriented toward the lower end. The method further includes steps of moving the column of bolts and dispensing a bolt at a time from the lower end. A bolt dispensing system is provided and includes a dispensing tube and a dispensing section. The dispensing section is located near an end of the dispensing tube and is configured to dispense bolts one at a time from the end.

Abstract: Automatic planogram programming for a glass front snack or cold drink vending machine is accomplished using tray, product and price barcodes, each preferably a different type of barcode. Trays within the vending machine are labeled with unique barcodes, and a set of price barcodes for predetermined prices is provided together with a USB-connected scanner. The barcode label affixed to any tray is scanned by the route driver. The UPC/EAN barcodes on products are then scanned for each selection progressing across the tray, together with a price barcode for the first selection and each subsequent selection having a different price from the prior selection on the tray. Planogram data for the tray may be reviewed and corrected on a customer interface display for the vending machine before moving on to another tray, with the trays programmed in any order. The planogram for the entire vending machine is quickly and accurately programmed.

Abstract: The cotton pad dispenser (1) comprises a side wall (2) extending between a top and a bottom end of the dispenser (1), and an end wall (7) near the bottom end, a plurality of disc-shaped cotton pads (9) being stacked within the dispenser. A first cut-out (3) provided in said side wall (2) extends upwards from the bottom end of the dispenser (1) so as to form an entrance into said volume through the side wall (2), and a second cut-out (4) provided in said end wall (7) extends from the first cut-out (3) such that the cut-outs (3, 4) comprise a mutual transition to form one combined withdrawal aperture (1a). The withdrawal aperture (1a) is arranged such as to enable withdrawal of a bottommost cotton pad by gripping a peripheral portion (9b) of the cotton pad (9) with an indexing finger and a thumb, and pulling the cotton pad out of the withdrawal aperture (1a) by means of deformation of the cotton pad (9).

Abstract: A method of substituting digital alternative media for a physical media article at an article dispensing machine to a customer is provided. The method includes receiving a request related to the media article through a user interface from the customer, identifying an associated content provider, and determining the alternative media selection at the associated content provider that corresponds to the media article. The method also includes receiving a unique customer identifier and identifying the associated content provider based on the unique customer identifier. The method further includes mapping the media article to the alternative media selection based on metadata. The media article may be available at the article dispensing machine or may be unavailable due to being out-of-stock or reserved to another customer. The associated content provider may be linked to the customer based on a subscription. The digital alternative media selection may be accessed by an audio/visual display interface.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a plurality of customized doses of pharmaceuticals includes: a housing; a customer interaction station; a customized packaging station configured to selectively package individual doses of medication into customized packaging, the medications being selected responsive to input from the customer input station; and a controller connected to the customer interaction station and the customized packaging station, the controller configured to control the customized packaging based on customer input from the customer interaction station.

Abstract: A control unit for an automatic device for preparing a beverage, which control unit is provided with a display panel and an input wherein the control unit is provided furthermore with an operating unit for displaying by the display panel a visually observable reaction to designations provided by the user, and for controlling a preparation unit of the automatic device, wherein the display panel has selection fields for mutually exclusive settings for formulations of the beverage to be prepared, wherein the control unit enables the user to select one of the settings by designation of one of the selection fields, wherein a collecting field with at least one setting field shows the chosen setting of the formulation, and wherein the non-designated selection fields remain visible and selectable.

Abstract: An RFID key dispenser. The tag dispenser has a simple mechanical construction that enables the tag dispenser to be located in unattended locations. The tag dispenser can, even with very simple construction, dispense a large number of tags between being restocked. Simple motions may be used to retrieve an individual tag for programming, move the tag to a programming station, and then route the tag to a dispensing portion of the tag dispenser or to a storage area for defective tags.

Abstract: A dispenser can be utilized for selectively providing a denture cleaning tablet. The apparatus includes a rotatable storage container holding a plurality of columns of the tablets and a dispensing mechanism. The dispensing mechanism includes an input hole. A user of the dispenser can acquire a tablet through rotating the rotatable storage container to align one of the columns of tablets to the input hole and cycling the dispensing mechanism.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A cabinet system for securely storing items includes a cabinet housing, a controller, and at least one drawer unit. The cabinet housing has a locking mechanism, and the controller is in communication with the cabinet housing and configured to operate the locking mechanism. The drawer unit is designed to be releasably locked at least partially within the cabinet housing by the locking mechanism, and slidable within a portion of the cabinet housing when released by the locking mechanism. The drawer unit includes at least one storage compartment, a cover, memory, and a power source. The storage compartment is configured to store at least one item therein. The cover is movable to an open configuration and a closed configuration. When the cover is in the closed configuration, the cover limits access to the item of the storage compartment. The memory is powered by the power source and is configured to store data associated with a movement of the cover.