Abstract: An under-counter portable automatic pill-dispensing apparatus includes a double array of storage units for storing pills in bulk, a retriever between the two arrays for retrieving selected storage units, and a pill-dispensing module for unloading pills into a vial. The storage units each include an outer container, a track positioned in a bottom of the outer container, and a hopper movably positioned within the outer container for movement toward and away from the track. The pill-dispensing module includes an oscillator for the track, a pill counter, and a lift for raising and lowering the hopper to control flow of pills. A prescription information station is provided including a computer for receiving patient prescription information, a printer for printing a label for the vial and for applying the label to the vial, bar code scanners for verification, and distributed controllers for operating the various components.

Abstract: An under-counter portable automatic pill-dispensing apparatus includes a double array of storage units for storing pills in bulk, a retriever between the two arrays for retrieving selected storage units, and a pill-dispensing module for unloading pills into a vial. The storage units each include an outer container, a track positioned in a bottom of the outer container, and a hopper movably positioned within the outer container for movement toward and away from the track. The pill-dispensing module includes an oscillator for the track, a pill counter, and a lift for raising and lowering the hopper to control flow of pills. A prescription information station is provided including a computer for receiving patient prescription information, a printer for printing a label for the vial and for applying the label to the vial, bar code scanners for verification, and distributed controllers for operating the various components.