Abstract: An inventory management system for managing multiple inventory items by multiple users is described and generally includes one or more button modules each having at least a first button and a second button and an NFC chip incorporated into the button module. Each NFC chip has a predetermined and unique module identification signal associated with the button module. The button module may further include a circuitry unit configured to receive a predetermined and unique mobile device identification signal from a mobile device for combination with the module identification signal from the NFC chip. The circuitry unit may receive a count signal indicative of an increase or decrease in inventory count corresponding to the first button or the second button being depressed upon the button module and combine the count signal with the mobile device identification signal and module identification signal for transmission to a remote server.

Abstract: An inventory management system for managing multiple inventory items by multiple users is described and generally includes one or more button modules each having at least a first button and a second button and an NFC chip incorporated into the button module. Each NFC chip has a predetermined and unique module identification signal associated with the button module. The button module may further include a circuitry unit configured to receive a predetermined and unique mobile device identification signal from a mobile device for combination with the module identification signal from the NFC chip. The circuitry unit may receive a count signal indicative of an increase or decrease in inventory count corresponding to the first button or the second button being depressed upon the button module and combine the count signal with the mobile device identification signal and module identification signal for transmission to a remote server.

Abstract: Inventory management systems using individual modules are described where the system utilizes one or more wireless-connected button modules in which one button module may be located at each item shelf location. The button module is able to transmit and receive wireless signals to and from a central console. Each button module may have at least two buttons, one for removing stock, one for adding. For selected, authorized users, the mode of operation of the button module may be changed in order to perform other functions. The button module may also include either a small alphanumeric display or a bitmap display allowing alphanumeric text of any size and the ability to also display status icons where appropriate. Each button module may also have an LED alert light, a piezo beeper, and the ability to interact with a user via an NFC or RFID chip.

Abstract: An inventory management system for managing multiple inventory items by multiple users is described and generally includes one or more button modules each having at least a first button and a second button and an NFC chip incorporated into the button module. Each NFC chip has a predetermined and unique module identification signal associated with the button module. The button module may further include a circuitry unit configured to receive a predetermined and unique mobile device identification signal from a mobile device for combination with the module identification signal from the NFC chip. The circuitry unit may receive a count signal indicative of an increase or decrease in inventory count corresponding to the first button or the second button being depressed upon the button module and combine the count signal with the mobile device identification signal and module identification signal for transmission to a remote server.

Abstract: An inventory management system for managing multiple inventory items by multiple users is described and generally includes one or more button modules each having at least a first button and a second button and an NFC chip incorporated into the button module. Each NFC chip has a predetermined and unique module identification signal associated with the button module. The button module may further include a circuitry unit configured to receive a predetermined and unique mobile device identification signal from a mobile device for combination with the module identification signal from the NFC chip. The circuitry unit may receive a count signal indicative of an increase or decrease in inventory count corresponding to the first button or the second button being depressed upon the button module and combine the count signal with the mobile device identification signal and module identification signal for transmission to a remote server.

Abstract: The invention provides an exemplary method for restocking pharmaceutical or medical supply items into a dispensing unit having a processor, with at least some of the pharmaceutical or medical supply items being held in removable liners having a plurality of receptacles. According to the method, a request is entered into the processor to restock pharmaceutical or medical supply items. One of the liners is then removed from the dispensing unit and is replaced with a replacement liner having a new inventory of pharmaceutical or medical supply items. Information identifying the replacement liner is also entered into the processor.

Abstract: The invention provides an exemplary method for restocking pharmaceutical or medical supply items into a dispensing unit having a processor, with at least some of the pharmaceutical or medical supply items being held in removable liners having a plurality of receptacles. According to the method, a request is entered into the processor to restock pharmaceutical or medical supply items. One of the liners is then removed from the dispensing unit and is replaced with a replacement liner having a new inventory of pharmaceutical or medical supply items. Information identifying the replacement liner is also entered into the processor.

Abstract: The invention provides exemplary dispensing systems and methods for dispensing medical supply items. According to one exemplary method, a dispensing cabinet is provided having a processor. An auxiliary storage location is also provided and is separate from the dispensing cabinet. The auxiliary storage location has at least one door and at least one lock to lock the door, with the lock being operable upon receipt of a signal from the processor. Further, the auxiliary storage location holds at least one medical supply item. User identification information and charge account information are entered into the processor to cause the processor to send a signal to unlock the lock. An item sensor on the dispensing cabinet is actuated to record removal of the medical supply item from the auxiliary storage location. The medical supply item is then removed from the auxiliary storage location.

Abstract: The invention provides an exemplary method for dispensing medical supply or pharmaceutical items from a dispensing unit which comprises a processor and a cabinet having a plurality of drawers which are lockable within the cabinet by a locking mechanism. The drawers include a plurality of bins for holding the pharmaceutical or medical supply items, with at least some of the bins having lids equipped with a sensor that communicates with the processor to indicate when the lid is lifted. Further, the processor includes a record of the items held within each drawer and which items may be accessed by specific users or user types. According to the method, user identification information is entered into the processor to identify a user that is requesting access to one of the pharmaceutical or medical supply items held in the dispensing unit.

Abstract: The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for providing access to items to be dispensed and for maintaining an inventory of the items. According to one aspect of the invention, a dispensing unit is provided having an enclosure with an interior. A plurality of storage locations are distributed over a surface of the enclosure. Sensors associated with at least some of the individual storage locations are provided. The unit further includes a multiplicity of receptacles disposed within at least some of the storage locations. Sensors associated with at least some of the individual receptacles are provided. A processor is disposed on the enclosure and connected to receive signals from the storage location-associated sensors and the receptacle-associated sensors.

Abstract: The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for providing access to items to be dispensed and for maintaining an inventory of the items. According to one aspect of the invention, a dispensing unit is provided having an enclosure with an interior. A plurality of storage locations are distributed over a surface of the enclosure. Sensors associated with at least some of the individual storage locations are provided. The unit further includes a multiplicity of receptacles disposed within at least some of the storage locations. Sensors associated with at least some of the individual receptacles are provided. A processor is disposed on the enclosure and connected to receive signals from the storage location-associated sensors and the receptacle-associated sensors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the machine direction variations of a property or properties of a sheet material being processed. A scanning gauge moved back and forth across the sheet material as it is moved in the machine direction, takes measurements of the property being controlled at fixed intervals across the sheet and a true profile is computed from the measurements made. At the end of each scan of the gauge the average of all the true profile points is computed. A control variable affecting the sheet property is manipulated so as to maintain the machine direction property of the sheet at some target value as a function of the array of values comprising the true profile, the gauge readings of the sheet property and the true profile average.