Patents by Inventor Mark B. Smith

Mark B. Smith 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).

  • Publication number: 20100161356
    Abstract: An economical prescription order tracking system automatically monitors and tracks hand-carried prescription orders through a pharmacy. The system includes a tracking tag having a unique identifier associated with it secured near the prescription order such that it travels with the order through various locations within the pharmacy. Tag reading devices are positioned at key locations throughout the pharmacy to detect the location of each tag, and its associated attached prescription order. The detected locations are compiled via a computer system and associated with the customer, such that at any given time the location of the prescription order within the pharmacy can be determined, thereby facilitating the efficient operation of the pharmacy. The time each prescription order remains at each location and worker identity information at each location can be recorded and compiled to facilitate workflow and worker efficiency monitoring of the pharmacy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Shelton Louie, Stephen A. Garrett, Mark B. Smith
  • Patent number: 7672859
    Abstract: An economical prescription order tracking system automatically monitors and tracks prescription orders through a conventional pharmacy. The system includes a tracking tag having a unique identifier associated with it secured near the prescription order such that it travels with the order through various locations within the pharmacy. Tag reading devices are positioned at key locations throughout the pharmacy to detect the location of each tag, and its associated attached prescription order. The detected locations are compiled via a computer system and associated with the customer, such that at any given time the location of the prescription order within the pharmacy can be determined, thereby facilitating the efficient operation of the pharmacy. Preferably, filled prescription orders are placed in a large bin having multiple cubbies within it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: GSL Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Shelton Louie, Stephen A. Garrett, Mark B. Smith
  • Patent number: 7496521
    Abstract: A pharmacy prescription order identification system that has a uniquely identified tag that travels with the prescription order throughout the pharmacy and is wirelessly connected to a computer system. The tag includes one or more worker signaling devices, such as lights or an audio speaker, that activate in response to either input from the pharmacy worker or other predetermined criteria to identify the prescription order to the pharmacy worker. In a preferred embodiment, the tag includes a plurality of worker signaling devices, and the activation of each transducer alerts a pharmacy worker to a different status of the prescription order. More preferably, the prescription order identification system includes a computer system that allows a pharmacy worker to individually access a customer's record, then activate the worker singling devices on the tag associated with that customer's prescription order, thereby allowing a particular prescription order within the pharmacy to be easily identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: GSL Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Shelton Louie, Stephen A. Garrett, Mark B. Smith
  • Patent number: 6708887
    Abstract: A portable, hand-held computer handle that may be detachable secured to a conventional hand-held computer such as a personal digital assistant or the like. The handle preferably includes a substantially planar hand-held computer-mounting portion with an ergonomically-shaped joystick-style handle portion extending orthogonally therefrom. The handle portion includes a trigger in electrical communication with the hand-held computer such that one or more functions of the hand-held computer can be controlled by actuation of the trigger. In a preferred embodiment, the hand-held computer includes a conventional scanner or other data reader thereon, and the trigger on the handle portion activates the scanner. Preferably, the handle portion is aligned with the center of gravity of the handle and hand-held computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: GSL Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Garrett, Mark B. Smith, Shelton Louie
  • Patent number: 5495979
    Abstract: Metal bonded carbon fiber-reinforced composites are disclosed in which the metal and the composite are strongly bound by (1) providing a matrix-depleted zone in the composite of sufficient depth to provide a binding site for the metal to be bonded and then (2) infiltrating the metal into the matrix-free zone to fill a substantial portion of the zone and also provide a surface layer of metal, thereby forming a strong bond between the composite and the metal. The invention also includes the metal-bound composite itself, as well as the provision of a coating over the metal for high-temperature performance or for joining to other such composites or to other substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignees: Surmet Corporation, Castle Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Suri A. Sastri, J. Paul Pemsler, Richard A. Cooke, John K. Litchfield, Mark B. Smith