Abstract: A tire condition monitoring system includes a monitoring device securely positioned within a tire and in electronic communication with a receiver and a cab mounted visual display. In one embodiment, the monitoring device includes a battery, an inductive pick-up coil, pressure and/or temperature sensors, a microprocessor, and a data transmitter. Each monitoring device has a unique multi-bit identification code. The monitoring device is shipped in an energy conserving dormant state until activated either by pressurization of the tire or by use of a portable hand-held wand transmitter. The hand-held transmitter assigns the monitoring device a relative tire position. After activation, the monitoring device periodically senses tire condition. This information is stored and compared to preset parameters and the last stored tire condition information. The tire information is periodically sent to the receiver and visually displayed.

Abstract: A medication dispenser station is provided for automatic dispensing of medication in accordance with a prescription schedule for a patient. The station receives and supports a plurality of medication-containing cassettes in a vertical stack, with the cassettes having aligned discharge openings defining an open discharge chute. The cassettes, which may contain different medications to be administered at different times, includes scannable data identifying the medication and prescription schedule applicable to each cassette. A station read head scans the data to input information regarding the medication and administration schedule for each cassette to a station control unit. The control unit thereafter operates a station dispense head to engage the cassettes in a manner dispensing the medication via the discharge chute at the prescribed times. The thus-dispensed medication falls through the chute to an externally accessible receiver from which the medication can be removed by the patient.

Abstract: A medication dispenser station is provided for controlled access to and dispensing of a plurality of different medications. The dispenser station comprises a lockable cabinet containing multiple medication-containing cassettes associated respectively with the different medications and mounted in a vertical stack, with the cassettes having aligned discharge openings cooperatively defining an open discharge chute. Each cassette includes a tray supporting a respective one of a plurality of rotatable carousels having vertically open compartments preloaded with individual doses of a respective one of the different medications. A control unit for the dispenser station responds to appropriate data input using an externally accessible keypad to rotate a selected carousel within its associated tray to sweep the medication within one of the carousel compartments into the discharge chute.

Abstract: An improved medication dispensing system is provided for controlled preprogrammed dispensing of medication to a patient and for creating a retrievable patient medication record. The system includes a dispensing unit located, for example, at patient bedside within a hospital room or the like and adapted to receive a pair of medication canisters having magazines with individual cassettes which have been preloaded in a preprogrammed manner in the hospital pharmacy or the like respectively to contain scheduled and unscheduled medications for administration to the patient. The dispensing unit is programmed according to individual patient needs to signal a nurse or other personnel at selected times when scheduled medication is prescribed, whereupon the scheduled medication can be accessed for dispensing only after entry of valid nurse or other personnel identification code into a dispensing unit memory.

Abstract: A medicine dispenser includes a container having a lid and a removable compartmentalized tray which can be positioned upon an interior container ledge and held within the container interior immediately beneath the lid when closed. The tray includes a series of apertures dimensioned and positioned on the periphery of the tray to interact with a corresponding series of pegs positioned on the ledge. This arrangement permits only a properly encoded tray to be positioned within the container interior. The lid is provided a plurality of spring-loaded, hinged tray compartment covers aligned directly over corresponding tray compartments, which can be selectively opened and shut to expose the contents of any desired tray compartment. The medicine dispenser is further provided a microprocessor within the container interior which, together with a control button on the lid, controls the operation of an audible and visual alarm, as well as the automatic opening of selected compartment covers.

Abstract: The identification device takes the form of a plastic holder worn about a patient's wrist in the manner of a wristwatch. The holder itself has a fluorescent coating on the top surface emitting light. A patient identification card is positioned on this fluorescent surface, the identification card being perforated with a patient identifying number. The emitted light from the fluorescent material thus shines up through the perforations in this number. Any particular procedure to be carried out on the patient is directed in an appropriate order blank signed by a physician or other hospital personnel. Such order blank for the patient includes the patient's identification number which number is also perforated on the order blank. By then positioning the order blank portion upon which the number is perforated over the patient's identifying number in the holder, if the numbers are the same, the light will then pass through both the perforations.