Patents by Inventor Charles E. Eller
Charles E. Eller has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240135320Abstract: Method and systems for product inventory are described. In one embodiment, an inventory surface unit retains a plurality of products in an unordered state. An inventory identification unit acquires information for an orientation, and location of the plurality of products on the inventory surface unit. The inventory identification unit is disposed above the inventory surface unit. An inventory pick unit is adapted to pick a product among the plurality of products from the inventory surface unit based on the orientation and location acquired by the inventory identification unit. The inventory pick unit is disposed proximal the inventory surface unit, and the inventory pick unit is communicatively connected to the inventory identification unit. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventor: Charles E. Eller
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Patent number: 11861554Abstract: Method and systems for product inventory are described. In one embodiment, an inventory surface unit retains a plurality of products in an unordered state. An inventory identification unit acquires information for an orientation, and location of the plurality of products on the inventory surface unit. The inventory identification unit is disposed above the inventory surface unit. An inventory pick unit is adapted to pick a product among the plurality of products from the inventory surface unit based on the orientation and location acquired by the inventory identification unit. The inventory pick unit is disposed proximal the inventory surface unit, and the inventory pick unit is communicatively connected to the inventory identification unit. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2018Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.Inventor: Charles E. Eller
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Patent number: 11379794Abstract: A drug dispensing system includes fulfillment stations that are each characterized by a set of dispensary attributes. The fulfillment stations each, in response to receiving a first order message including a first unique drug identifier, fill a container with pills matching the first unique drug identifier. A routing determination module, for each order message corresponding to a prescription order, selects one of the fulfillment stations based on compatibility between dispensary attributes for the selected fulfillment station and dispensation preferences related to the order message and transmits the order message to the selected fulfillment station. An order status subsystem conditionally sends a cancellation instruction relating to one of the order messages to the respective fulfillment station to cancel dispensing of pills.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2019Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Eller, Jonathan W. Joplin
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Patent number: 10661993Abstract: Method and systems for accumulation are described. In one embodiment, a dispensing station includes a receiving opening, a dispensing opening and a storage area. The dispensing station receives and dispenses a container. A transportable storage system includes multiple partitions disposed on a carrier portion to define multiple carriage sections. The carriage sections are electronically identifiable and selectively hold or eject the container. A bin apparatus for receiving the container includes a movable portion to selectively hold and release the container. A control unit for commanding the bin apparatus to dispense the container to a desired carriage section of the transportable storage system is provided. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2019Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan W. Joplin, Jerry W. Christopher, Charles E. Eller
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Patent number: 10470977Abstract: Methods and systems for a drug supply with an associated dosage regimen are described. A plurality of dosage containers are sequentially stored in drug boxes. The dosage containers are associated with a first time of treatment. The drug boxes are associated with a certain recurring time, e.g., morning, afternoon and evening or four boxes associated with four times a day. The entire day is covered by a plurality of drug boxes for treatment. This organizes the drugs such that compliance with complex treatment regimens may be increased. The drugs in each of the dosage containers need not be the same dosage or even the same drugs each time.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2019Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Accredo Health Group, Inc.Inventors: Christina J. Thach, Charles E. Eller, Mark G. Bini, Terry Griffith, Jacob J. Reinhardt, Kristin Trower, Stefanie Pitts
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Publication number: 20190272609Abstract: Methods and systems for fulfillment gateway are described. In one embodiment, a prescription order for a prescription drug is received from an order processing station. An order message associated with the prescription order is generated. The order message has a prescription parameter and a dispensation preference for fulfilling the prescription order. The order message is assigned to an order fulfillment station based on the prescription parameter, the dispensation preference and a dispensary attribute of the order fulfillment station. In other embodiments, the order message is selected for delivery based on based on the prescription parameter, the dispensation preference and a dispensary attribute of the order fulfillment station. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2019Publication date: September 5, 2019Inventors: Charles E. ELLER, Jonathan W. JOPLIN
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Publication number: 20190254931Abstract: Methods and systems for a drug supply with an associated dosage regimen are described. A plurality of dosage containers are sequentially stored in drug boxes. The dosage containers are associated with a first time of treatment. The drug boxes are associated with a certain recurring time, e.g., morning, afternoon and evening or four boxes associated with four times a day. The entire day is covered by a plurality of drug boxes for treatment. This organizes the drugs such that compliance with complex treatment regimens may be increased. The drugs in each of the dosage containers need not be the same dosage or even the same drugs each time.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: Christina J. Thach, Charles E. Eller, Mark G. Bini, Terry Griffith, Jacob J. Reinhardt, Kristin Trower, Stefanie Pitts
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Patent number: 10370190Abstract: Method and systems for capping are described. In one embodiment, an order processing device, a cap device, a plurality of feeders and a capping implement are provided. The order processing device processes orders with containers. The cap device is adapted to cap the container and is communicatively connected to the order processing device. The cap device is adapted to receive dispensation preferences from the order processing device. The cap device includes a plurality of feeders and a capping implement. Each feeder has a unique type of crown portion of a cap for capping. The capping implement is adapted to grasp the crown portion from the feeder. The cap device is adapted to select a feeder from which to grasp the crown portion based on the dispensation preferences. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2015Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Eller, Jacob J. Reinhardt, Thomas C. Pegg
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Patent number: 10366784Abstract: Methods and systems for transferring a prescription to a mail order prescription service are described. In one embodiment, an electronic image of a retail pharmacy prescription label is received, in which the image of the retail pharmacy prescription label includes a representation of a retail pharmacy prescription number associated with a prescription drug prescribed to a member. A retail pharmacy associated with the retail pharmacy prescription number is identified. A prescription associated with the retail pharmacy prescription number is identified based on identification of the retail pharmacy. A mail order delivery request to refill the prescription drug for the member at mail order is generated. Other methods and systems are described.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2011Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.Inventor: Charles E. Eller
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Patent number: 10322066Abstract: Methods and systems for a drug supply with an associated dosage regimen are described. A plurality of dosage containers are sequentially stored in drug boxes. The dosage containers are associated with a first time of treatment. The drug boxes are associated with a certain recurring time, e.g., morning, afternoon and evening or four boxes associated with four times a day. The entire day is covered by a plurality of drug boxes for treatment. This organizes the drugs such that compliance with complex treatment regimens may be increased. The drugs in each of the dosage containers need not be the same dosage or even the same drugs each time.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Accredo Health Group, Inc.Inventors: Christina J. Thach, Charles E. Eller, Mark G. Bini, Terry Griffith, Jacob J. Reinhardt, Kristin Trower, Stefanie Pitts
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Patent number: 10325333Abstract: Methods and systems for fulfillment gateway are described. In one embodiment, a prescription order for a prescription drug is received from an order processing station. An order message associated with the prescription order is generated. The order message has a prescription parameter and a dispensation preference for fulfilling the prescription order. The order message is assigned to an order fulfillment station based on the prescription parameter, the dispensation preference and a dispensary attribute of the order fulfillment station. In other embodiments, the order message is selected for delivery based on based on the prescription parameter, the dispensation preference and a dispensary attribute of the order fulfillment station. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2011Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Eller, Jonathan W. Joplin
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Publication number: 20190161276Abstract: Method and systems for accumulation are described. In one embodiment, a dispensing station includes a receiving opening, a dispensing opening and a storage area. The dispensing station receives and dispenses a container. A transportable storage system includes multiple partitions disposed on a carrier portion to define multiple carriage sections. The carriage sections are electronically identifiable and selectively hold or eject the container. A bin apparatus for receiving the container includes a movable portion to selectively hold and release the container. A control unit for commanding the bin apparatus to dispense the container to a desired carriage section of the transportable storage system is provided. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2019Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: Jonathan W. Joplin, Jerry W. Christopher, Charles E. Eller
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Patent number: 10294029Abstract: Method and systems for accumulation are described. In one embodiment, a dispensing station includes a receiving opening, a dispensing opening and a storage area. The dispensing station receives and dispenses a container. A transportable storage system includes multiple partitions disposed on a carrier portion to define multiple carriage sections. The carriage sections are electronically identifiable and selectively hold or eject the container. A bin apparatus for receiving the container includes a movable portion to selectively hold and release the container. A control unit for commanding the bin apparatus to dispense the container to a desired carriage section of the transportable storage system is provided. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2016Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan W. Joplin, Jerry W. Christopher, Charles E. Eller
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Patent number: 10170204Abstract: The inventions disclosed herein include methods, systems, and tools for use in processing prescriptions. Among the benefits of these methods, systems, and tools are promotion of efficiency in filling prescriptions and reduction of errors. A heightened analysis element may be established that alerts a pharmaceutical professional to a particular component of a prescription (a prescription element) for special attention. An insignificant differences notice may de-emphasize certain prescription elements to inform a pharmaceutical professional that the information of such prescription elements is less critical. Methods of the present invention may be used to designate a prescription as a renewal, partial renewal, or partially equivalent renewal. The disclosed inventions include methods of creating and/or using such heightened analysis elements, insignificant differences notices, and/or designation of a prescription as a renewal, partial renewal, or partially equivalent renewal.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: EXPRESS SCRIPTS STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT, INC.Inventors: Charles E. Eller, Andrew Cox, Brian David Fruchter
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Patent number: 10035653Abstract: Method and systems for manual handling are described. In one embodiment, a holding section, a distribution section and a manual section are provided. The holding section is adapted to hold the container during manual handling. The distribution section is adjacent the holding section and includes a robot adapted to select and pick containers from the holding section. The robot is disposed to distribute the container. The manual section is disposed adjacent the conveyor. The manual section is adapted for inspection or filling of the container. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2016Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Eller, Jonathan W. Joplin
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Publication number: 20180204176Abstract: Method and systems for product inventory are described. In one embodiment, an inventory surface unit retains a plurality of products in an unordered state. An inventory identification unit acquires information for an orientation, and location of the plurality of products on the inventory surface unit. The inventory identification unit is disposed above the inventory surface unit. An inventory pick unit is adapted to pick a product among the plurality of products from the inventory surface unit based on the orientation and location acquired by the inventory identification unit. The inventory pick unit is disposed proximal the inventory surface unit, and the inventory pick unit is communicatively connected to the inventory identification unit. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2018Publication date: July 19, 2018Inventor: Charles E. Eller
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Patent number: 9978036Abstract: Method and systems for product inventory are described. In one embodiment, an inventory surface unit retains a plurality of products in an unordered state. An inventory identification unit acquires information for an orientation, and location of the plurality of products on the inventory surface unit. The inventory identification unit is disposed above the inventory surface unit. An inventory pick unit is adapted to pick a product among the plurality of products from the inventory surface unit based on the orientation and location acquired by the inventory identification unit. The inventory pick unit is disposed proximal the inventory surface unit, and the inventory pick unit is communicatively connected to the inventory identification unit. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.Inventor: Charles E. Eller
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Patent number: 9636927Abstract: Systems and methods for pharmacy messaging are described. A system includes a laser module and a control module. The laser module includes a marking chamber with a plurality of laser heads therein. A first and second entry gate are adjacent the marking chamber. The first entry gate is configured to open when the second entry gate is closed. A first and second exit gate are adjacent the marking chamber at a side different from the first entry and second entry gate. The first exit gate is configured to open when the second exit gate is closed. A transporter moves the objects being marked into and out of the marking chamber through the various gates. The control module is communicatively coupled to the laser module and adapted to control the laser module. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Eller, Jacob J. Reinhardt, Katherine H. Sundararaman
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Publication number: 20170065488Abstract: Methods and systems for a drug supply with an associated dosage regimen are described. A plurality of dosage containers are sequentially stored in drug boxes. The dosage containers are associated with a first time of treatment. The drug boxes are associated with a certain recurring time, e.g., morning, afternoon and evening or four boxes associated with four times a day. The entire day is covered by a plurality of drug boxes for treatment. This organizes the drugs such that compliance with complex treatment regimens may be increased. The drugs in each of the dosage containers need not be the same dosage or even the same drugs each time.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: Christina J. Thach, Charles E. Eller, Mark G. Bini, Terry Griffith, Jacob J. Reinhardt, Kristin Trower, Stefanie Pitts
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Publication number: 20160311618Abstract: Method and systems for manual handling are described. In one embodiment, a holding section, a distribution section and a manual section are provided. The holding section is adapted to hold the container during manual handling. The distribution section is adjacent the holding section and includes a robot adapted to select and pick containers from the holding section. The robot is disposed to distribute the container. The manual section is disposed adjacent the conveyor. The manual section is adapted for inspection or filling of the container. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2016Publication date: October 27, 2016Inventors: Charles E. Eller, Jonathan W. Joplin