Abstract: A medication and dispensing system tracks the medication of multiple users over time and preferably combines this information with periodic test results provided to the system. The system is designed to allow remote access electronically to authorized users whereby doctors or other medical professionals can review the data of actual medication dispensed and preliminary test results accumulated over time. Preliminary analysis of the data is conducted by the system to identify a predetermined medical alert condition. Upon determination of the predetermined medical alert condition, the dispensing system dispenses or makes available for dispensing an alert response medication.

Abstract: A medication cassette according to the present invention includes a rotatable medication drum located between front and rear covers. The medication drum has a series of outwardly opening medication receiving cells and the front cover and the rear cover cooperate with the medication drum to close the cells. Each cell in cooperation with the covers defines a normally closed medication receiving pocket. The medication drum further includes an accessible drive arrangement for rotating the medication drum relative to the front and rear covers past a dispensing port. Medication in a cell aligned with the dispensing port passes therethrough in a dispensing step. The cassette further includes an alignment arrangement that releasably holds the medication drum against rotation until rotated by drive arrangement. Preferably this drive arrangement is a drive ring generally coaxial with a rotary axis of the medication drum.

Abstract: A medication and dispensing system tracks the medication of multiple users over time and preferably combines this information with periodic test results provided to the system. The system is designed to allow remote access electronically to authorized users whereby doctors or other medical professionals can review the data of actual medication dispensed and preliminary test results accumulated over time. Preliminary analysis of the data is conducted by the system to identify a predetermined medical alert condition. Upon determination of the predetermined medical alert condition, the dispensing system dispenses or makes available for dispensing an alert response medication.

Abstract: A medication and dispensing system tracks the medication of multiple users over time and preferably combines this information with periodic test results provided to the system. The system is designed to allow remote access electronically to authorized users whereby doctors or other medical professionals can review the data of actual medication dispensed and preliminary test results accumulated over time. Preliminary analysis of the data is conducted by the system to determine alert conditions. Such alert conditions include incorrect medication dispensing (i.e. failure to take a prescribed medication) and test results that warrant investigation. Many different types of alerts may be programmed into the software of the device.

Abstract: A cassette having a scissor type linkage for displacing a received substrate payment from an initial receiving guide to a storage arrangement is powered by a two bar drive linkage. The two bar drive linkage has one bar connected to said housing and the free end of the other bar member connected adjacent a central pivot of the scissor type linkage. A link member is connected to the pivot connection of the bars to each other with an opposite end connected to a worm driven crank arm. The drive linkage provides a mechanical advantage as a payment substrate is added to the storage arrangement.

Abstract: A medication cassette uses a slidable core having a series of open top medication receiving cells extending in a length thereof. The core slides in an outer sleeve and includes a releasable locking arrangement for maintaining the core in a lock position with the sleeve closing the cells and movable to a release position allowing the core to slide relative to the sleeve. The release position allows the cells to be progressively exposed beyond the sleeve to allow medication to be removed. Both the slidable core and the sleeve are preferably made of a plastic material. The core is preferably a single component made by injection molding and the sleeve is preferably made as an extruded component.

Abstract: A medication and dispensing system tracks the medication of multiple users over time and preferably combines this information with periodic test results provided to the system. The system is designed to allow remote access electronically to authorized users whereby doctors or other medical professionals can review the data of actual medication dispensed and preliminary test results accumulated over time. Preliminary analysis of the data is conducted by the system to determine alert conditions. Such alert conditions include incorrect medication dispensing (i.e. failure to take a prescribed medication) and test results that warrant investigation. Many different types of alerts may be programmed into the software of the device.

Abstract: A banknote stack receiving structure is provided in front of a banknote validator for sequentially passing banknotes to the validator in a serial manner. A first drive arrangement engages one side of an exposed banknote and urges the banknote towards the validator. A restrictive drive cooperates with the first drive and a banknote must pass between opposed rollers of the drives to move to the validator. The restrictive drive roller contacts the opposite side of the exposed banknote but may also contact an overlapping banknote. The restrictive drive rotates to feed a banknote to the validator if a single banknote is present and automatically rotates in an opposite direction if overlapping banknotes are present. This automatic direction of rotation is due to slippage between banknotes and overcoming a low torque motor of the restrictive drive when a single banknote is present.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detection of overlapped substrates, that are at least opaque, analyses a high frequency component caused by speckle for a sudden drop therein. This high frequency component drops dramatically when overlapped substrates are present and therefore allows fast accurate recognition of an overlapped substrate condition. This is useful in many applications including banknote validators.

Abstract: A banknote acceptor illuminates a banknote as it passes through an evaluation channel in a manner to locate the banknote in the width of the channel. A photo sensor array receives reflected light from the surface of the banknote and has a series of responsive divisions across an illuminated banknote. These divisions are sampled and analysed according to the banknote position to determine the authenticity of the banknote. Both apparatus and method steps are disclosed.

Abstract: A banknote cassette advantageously uses injection molded endcaps to capture and secure a connecting sleeve to collectively form a generally rectangular housing of the banknote cassette. A movable access lid cooperates with the endcaps and connecting sleeve for locking of the cassette. Preferably, a banknote slot is formed as part of one of the endcaps to provide precision in the size of position of the banknote slot. The endcaps can be used with different sized connecting sleeves to simplify the manufacture of different capacity banknote cassettes. Preferably, the connecting sleeve is of a metal material.

Abstract: A medication dispensing system uses a series of medication rings grouped as a rotary drum and controlled for dispensing medication on a daily basis into a divided pill box. Each medication ring includes an associated medication collar that cooperates with the medication ring to reduce the possibility of abrasion of the medication dosages held in the medication rings. The pill box is moved and rotated within the dispensing system by a carriage to dispense medication into appropriate cells of the pill box. A computer control module controls the movement of the various components and is programmable for loading and dispensing different medication regimes.

Abstract: A medication cassette uses a slidable core having a series of open top medication receiving cells extending in a length thereof. The core slides in an outer sleeve and includes a releasable locking arrangement for maintaining the core in a lock position with the sleeve closing the cells and movable to a release position allowing the core to slide relative to the sleeve. The re-lease position allows the cells to be progressively exposed beyond the sleeve to allow medication to be removed. Both the slidable core and the sleeve are preferably made of a plastic material. The core is preferably a single component made by injection molding and the sleeve is preferably made as an extruded component.

Abstract: A cost effective latch and alignment mechanism for a banknote cassette and a cassette receiving frame uses a magnetic latch providing a magnetic force cooperating with the cassette to move it to and be releasably maintained in a final aligned position. Preferably a permanent magnet attached to the cassette receiving frame cooperates with the metal of the cassette to provide the magnetic bias and locking force.

Abstract: An improved drive arrangement for side engaging members of a banknote centering mechanism uses a rack and pinion combination. A low torque motor drives a spur gear that engages opposed rack gears of the side engaging members. This power transfer from the motor to the side engaging member is cost effective and provides good precision.

Abstract: A cassette having a scissor type linkage for displacing a received substrate payment from an initial receiving guide to a storage arrangement is powered by a two bar drive linkage. The two bar drive linkage has one bar connected to said housing and the free end of the other bar member connected adjacent a central pivot of the scissor type linkage. A link member is connected to the pivot connection of the bars to each other with an opposite end connected to a worm driven crank arm. The drive linkage provides a mechanical advantage as a payment substrate is added to the storage arrangement.

Abstract: A banknote cassette advantageously uses injection molded endcaps to capture and secure a connecting sleeve to collectively form a generally rectangular housing of the banknote cassette. A movable access lid cooperates with the endcaps and connecting sleeve for locking of the cassette. Preferably, a banknote slot is formed as part of one of the endcaps to provide precision in the size of position of the banknote slot. The endcaps can be used with different sized connecting sleeves to simplify the manufacture of different capacity banknote cassettes. Preferably, the connecting sleeve is of a metal material.

Abstract: A banknote acceptor and dispenser uses a stacked configuration of the validator the banknote accumulator and dispenser and the banknote cassette. The banknote path is relatively short to avoid bill misalignment by providing the banknote accumulator and dispenser in the intermediary position.

Abstract: A medication dispensing system uses a series of medication rings grouped as a rotary drum and controlled for dispensing medication on a daily basis into a divided pill box. Each medication ring includes an associated medication collar that cooperates with the medication ring to reduce the possibility of abrasion of the medication dosages held in the medication rings. The pill box is moved and rotated within the dispensing system by a carriage to dispense medication into appropriate cells of the pill box. A computer control module controls the movement of the various components and is programmable for loading and dispensing different medication regimes.

Abstract: A banknote stack receiving structure is provided in front of a banknote validator for sequentially passing banknotes to the validator in a serial manner. A first drive arrangement engages one side of an exposed banknote and urges the banknote towards the validator. A restrictive drive cooperates with the first drive and a banknote must pass between opposed rollers of the drives to move to the validator. The restrictive drive roller contacts the opposite side of the exposed banknote but may also contact an overlapping banknote. The restrictive drive rotates to feed a banknote to the validator if a single banknote is present and automatically rotates in an opposite direction if overlapping banknotes are present. This automatic direction of rotation is due to slippage between banknotes and overcoming a low torque motor of the restrictive drive when a single banknote is present.