Abstract: A will call system for automating the management of storage and retrieval of items, preferably medical prescriptions. The automated system provides informational control of all items in the system. The automated will call monitors the length of time an item remains in the system, and into which location an item is placed. An article sensor provides absolute confirmation that an item has been placed or removed from a designated location in the storage unites. The automated will call system uses a controller to permit users to monitor and optimize the storage and retrieval procedures.

Abstract: A method of verifying the identity of a dispensed pharmaceutical includes the steps of: reading identifying indicia on a pharmaceutical vial containing a dispensed pharmaceutical; determining the identity of a prescribed pharmaceutical called for by the identifying indicia; acquiring an image of the dispensed pharmaceutical through the vial; comparing the image of the dispensed pharmaceutical to data storage comprising image data associated with pharmaceuticals; acquiring spectral data for the dispensed pharmaceutical through the vial; comparing the spectral data of the dispensed pharmaceutical to data storage comprising spectral data associated with pharmaceuticals; and automatically determining whether the image and the spectral data of the dispensed pharmaceutical confirm that the dispensed pharmaceutical matches the prescribed pharmaceutical.

Abstract: A singulating disc, carried by a housing, has a plurality of openings around its periphery. The disc rotates vertically through a pickup chamber of a hopper carried by the housing. A vacuum is pulled through the openings by a pump which is connected to the disc. Items are placed in the hopper and, via gravity, fall to the bottom of the hopper where they contact the periphery of the rotating disc. The vacuum at the openings attaches an item and holds it while the disc rotates. At the top of the discs rotation, a diverter directs the item into a path depending on the results of a fragment detection and/or counting mechanism. Items that are allowed to pass by the diverter are scraped off the disc into another path by a scraper. Negative pressure is used to singulate and count a multitude of sizes and shapes of items with no calibration. Retractable paddles, a vacuum management system, and RFID tags may be incorporated.

Abstract: A method of determining the identity of pharmaceutical tablets contained within a pharmaceutical vial includes the steps of: obtaining a first image of the vial as it is illuminated with colored light; obtaining a second image of the vial as it is illuminated with infrared radiation; processing the first and second images to obtain comprehensive image data; comparing the comprehensive image data to image data of a known pharmaceutical expected to be contained in the vial; and determining whether the pharmaceutical in the vial is the expected pharmaceutical based on the comparing step. The use of images obtained under both colored and IR illumination can assist in producing an accurate comprehensive image data.

Abstract: A passive chute assembly includes: a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; and a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet. The passive dispensing unit has a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing. The staging portion is movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit. The staging portion includes an adaptive opening that, when the staging portion moves to the dispensing position, opens adaptively corresponding to a diameter of the receptacle.

Abstract: A vision system useful in acquiring images includes: a light dome having a window and a perimeter; an annular light curtain positioned within and radially inwardly from the perimeter of the light dome such that an annular gap is formed between the light dome and the light curtain; and a light ring positioned to illuminate the gap between the light dome and the light curtain. The light curtain and window are sized and positioned such that no direct light from the light ring reaches the window. The system further comprises a camera having a lens facing the window to acquire images of an object on a side of the window opposite the camera. The images acquired by the camera can then be compared to stored images to determine whether the identity of the objects (which may be pharmaceutical tablets) is as expected.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method for configuring a network device including an optical sensor includes activating the optical sensor of the network device to generate data representing an image in view thereof, and analyzing the data from the optical sensor to determine image information represented by the image. A network address is automatically assigned to the network device based on the image information represented by the image in view of the optical sensor. Related methods, systems, and apparatus are also discussed.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing open-ended objects such as pharmaceutical vials includes: a housing having an internal cavity configured to house open-ended objects, the housing including a guide and a floor; a pick-up unit mounted to the housing, the pick-up unit including an endless member and at least one pick-up member attached to the endless member; and a drive unit. The endless member engages the drive unit and the guide for movement relative thereto. As the drive unit drives the endless member, the at least one pick-up member travels on a pick-up path, at least a portion of which is within the housing.

Abstract: An assembly for selectively presenting objects includes: a frame; a carousel rotatably mounted to the frame for rotation about a generally vertical axis of rotation, the carousel including a plurality of object compartments arranged about the axis of rotation; a servomotor operably connected with the carousel, the servomotor being configured to rotate the carousel about the axis of rotation; and a controller. The controller is configured to actuate the servomotor to rotate the carousel when torque applied to the servomotor exceeds a predetermined magnitude. Such an assembly can serve as a presentation device that enables an operator to remove objects therefrom at his/her convenience.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a method for detecting solid articles using an apparatus including a sensor system is provided. The sensor system includes a radiation detector and a radiation emitter configured to direct radiation onto the radiation detector. The radiation detector is operative to generate detector signals proportional to the radiation received thereby. The method includes moving the radiation emitter and/or the radiation detector relative to the other. According to some embodiments, the solid articles are solid pharmaceutical articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing pharmaceutical articles includes a housing assembly and an adjustment system. The housing assembly includes a first inlet wall and a second inlet wall that is moveable relative to the first inlet wall. The housing assembly defines a hopper chamber that houses pharmaceutical articles, and a dispensing channel fluidly connected to the hopper chamber. The dispensing channel has an inlet and an outlet and defines a flow path. The inlet is defined at least in part by the first and second inlet walls. The adjustment system is operable to adjust the position of the second inlet wall relative to the first inlet wall to adjust the size of the inlet to singulate the pharmaceutical articles passing through the inlet. The adjustment system includes an input mechanism and an operator feedback mechanism. The input mechanism is selectively operable by an operator to selectively move the second inlet wall relative to the first inlet wall.

Abstract: An automated pill dispensing system includes an output chute configured to hold pill-containing vials and an optical sensor located at a predetermined location in the output chute. The optical sensor includes an optical emitter and an optical detector configured to be operated cooperatively to output a detection signal indicating a presence or absence of a vial at the predetermined location of the output chute. A controller is coupled to the optical sensor and is configured to receive the detection signal therefrom, detect the presence or absence of the vial at the predetermined location of the output chute in response to the detection signal, and control a next depositing event whereby a next vial is deposited in the output chute responsive to the detection. Related methods of operation are also discussed.

Abstract: A system for evaporating excess water from a source includes a housing having: an air inlet, the air inlet directing air in a first direction; an air outlet; a plurality of channels arranged generally perpendicular to the first direction, the channels having undulations; and a water reservoir that feeds water into the channels. In some embodiments, baffles are created with walls that depend from the ceiling of the housing and that are interdigitated with dividers that separate the channels. This configuration can remove water generated by the source (such as an external compressor unit) in a quick and efficient manner.