Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for dispensing medicament units. In one embodiment, a medication dispensing container includes: a housing; a processor contained within the housing; a memory contained within the housing and coupled to and readable by the processor, the memory storing executable instructions which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to control dispensing of medicaments from the medication dispensing container or perform a communication function; and one or more wireless transceivers contained within the housing and coupled to the processor, and configured to communicate wirelessly with one or more external devices, wherein the housing is configured to hold a plurality of medicaments for dispensing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system that utilizes one or more cassettes or trays that hold medicaments for dispensing. In one embodiment a medicaments container includes control logic configured to enable the medicaments container to operate with an apparatus; control logic configured to determine whether the medicaments container is authorized for operation with the apparatus; and control logic configured to generate an alert if the medicaments container is not authorized for operation with the apparatus.

Abstract: A system for dispensing medicament units is provided. The system for dispensing medicament units comprises a dispensing apparatus, a medicament container and control logic. The dispensing apparatus has a set of slots, and a slot of the set of slots is configured to receive a medicament container. The medicament container is configured to be inserted into the slot and comprises a housing, a chamber, an outlet, a memory, a motorless rotatable disk structure, and a drive mechanism. The control logic is coupled to the memory of the medicament container and the dispensing apparatus, and is configured to transmit the data to the dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus receives the data transmitted from the control logic and determines the slot of the set of slots and selects the medicament container to actuate the drive mechanism to dispense the set of medicament units.

Abstract: A system for dispensing medicament units is provided. The system for dispensing medicament units comprises a dispensing apparatus, a medicament container and control logic. The dispensing apparatus has a set of slots, and a slot of the set of slots is configured to receive a medicament container. The medicament container is configured to be inserted into the slot and comprises a housing, a chamber, an outlet, a memory, a motorless rotatable disk structure, and a drive mechanism. The control logic is coupled to the memory of the medicament container and the dispensing apparatus, and is configured to transmit the data to the dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus receives the data transmitted from the control logic and determines the slot of the set of slots and selects the medicament container to actuate the drive mechanism to dispense the set of medicament units.

Abstract: A medicament dispensing system includes a dispensing apparatus configured to receive a plurality of medicament containers, each container containing a plurality of medicament units for dispensing, and wherein each container includes: a housing; a rotatable disk within the housing and defining a radial groove configured to hold at least one unit, the rotatable disk positioned between a storage chamber and an outlet whereby when the rotatable disk rotates, the radial groove carries the at least one unit from the chamber to the outlet; and a drive mechanism located within the housing for rotating the rotatable disk, wherein when each container is inserted into the dispensing apparatus, a respective engagement mechanism of the dispensing apparatus engages the drive mechanism to actuate the mechanism to dispense units from each respective container, and wherein the dispensing mechanism includes a biometric sensor for authenticating authorized personnel before dispensing medicaments from one or more containers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for medicament tracking are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, medicaments are initially stored within secure medicament containers. One or more containers comprise a radio frequency identification module or another electromagnetic transmitter adapted to generate tracking signals. Optionally, the tracking signals may be transmitted according to one or more anti-collision protocols in order to reduce and/or prevent interference with other transmitted signals. Electromagnetic readers situated at one or more locations verify when the medicament containers are proximate to those readers. In some embodiments, once the medicament containers have successfully been tracked to a target location, inventory and tracking data may be updated within one or more external devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system that utilizes one or more cassettes or trays that hold medicaments for dispensing. In one embodiment a medicaments container includes control logic configured to enable the medicaments container to operate with an apparatus; control logic configured to determine whether the medicaments container is authorized for operation with the apparatus; and control logic configured to generate an alert if the medicaments container is not authorized for operation with the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system that utilizes one or more cassettes or trays that hold medicaments for dispensing. In one embodiment, a method for dispensing includes receiving a signal at a medicament container authorizing the medicament container to dispense a medicament unit contained therein; unlocking an outlet port of the medicament container in response to the signal; dispensing the medicament unit through the outlet port in response to the signal; and locking the outlet port after the medicament unit is dispensed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system that utilizes one or more cassettes or trays that hold medicaments for dispensing. In one embodiment a medicaments container includes a housing configured to be inserted in an apparatus; a chamber coupled to the housing and configured to store a plurality of medicament units; and control logic disposed within the housing and configured to determine whether the medicaments container is authorized for operation with the apparatus, and to generate an alert if the medicaments container is not authorized for the apparatus.

Abstract: A medicaments container having encrypted information is disclosed. The container includes a housing and a dispenser disposed in the housing and configured to dispense a medicament unit in response to a signal from an apparatus. The container further includes a memory disposed in the housing and configured to store encrypted information and control logic disposed within the housing and configured to decrypt at least a portion of the encrypted information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed herein for a medicament container with a multi-colored, multi-functional display. In some embodiments, the display is adapted to output multiple colors and/or characters. In one embodiment, the display may change colors and/or blinking status in order to indicate the working status of the tray. For example, the display may show a green light to indicate that the medicament container is working properly, a yellow light to indicate that the tray needs to be replenished soon, or a blinking red light to indicate that the tray is empty.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an electronically lockable dispensing apparatus with a patient authentication mechanism are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a medicament dispensing apparatus includes an electronic lock adapted to protect medicaments from theft or unauthorized dispensing. The medicament dispensing apparatus is adapted to unlock the electronic lock upon authenticating a patient. In one embodiment, a set of biometric data may be analyzed for the purpose of authenticating the patient. The biometric data may include, for example, fingerprint patterns, voice samples, retinal scans, and/or facial characteristics of a person requesting medicaments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining a status condition of a medicament container having a memory contained therein for storing medicament effect data, such as, for example, drug interaction, side effect, and other information for determining the status condition of the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medicament container having a memory contained therein for storing medicament effect data, such as, for example, drug interaction, side effect, and expected vital signs of a patient who takes the medicament, that may be accessed by medical practitioner or pharmacist.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system that utilizes one or more containers that hold medicaments for dispensing. In one embodiment, a medicament container includes a housing having an outlet port through which a medicament unit can be dispensed; a door configured to seal the outlet port in a closed position and to move to an open position to permit the medicament unit to be dispensed from the outlet port; and a lock configured to maintain the door in the closed position to prevent unauthorized dispensing of the medicament unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for authenticating medicaments stored within a medicament container. In one embodiment, a medicament container comprises a scanner adapted to scan a medicament unit and provide data indicative of at least one physical characteristic of the medicament unit. This data may comprise the color, size, shape, and/or chemical composition of the medicament unit for the purposes of determining whether the medicament unit bears one or more features of a medicament unit prescribed to a requester. In some embodiments, the data is used to create a determination as to whether the medicament is counterfeit based upon one or more data comparisons.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medicament dispensing container for dispensing medicaments contained therein and further including electronic circuitry for performing various functions such as, for example, determining an operating mode of the container, determining if the data stored in the memory device is up to date, determining if a new container needs to be ordered, determining if the medicament units have been recalled, determining if the container is to be returned for credit, determining if the medicament units may cause adverse side effects to a specified patient, and determining if the container is to be discarded.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medicament dispensing tray or container for dispensing medicaments contained therein and further including electronic circuitry for performing various functions such as, for example, determining an operating mode of the container, determining if the data stored in the memory device is up to date, determining if a new container needs to be ordered, determining if the medicament units have been recalled, determining if the container is to be returned for credit, determining if the medicament units may cause adverse side effects to a specified patient, and determining if the container is to be discarded.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system that utilizes one or more containers (e.g., cassettes or trays), which hold one or more types of medicaments, the containers being configured for automatic and accurate dispensing of the medicaments. In one embodiment, a container for dispensing medicaments includes: a housing; a chamber within the housing to store the medicament units; an outlet defined in the housing to dispense the medicament units; and a movable medium within the housing and defining at least one compartment (e.g., radial groove) configured to hold and carry at least one medicament unit from the chamber to the outlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medicaments dispensing container (e.g., a cassette or tray), which hold one or more types of medicaments, and configured for secure and intelligent dispensing of the medicaments. In one embodiment, a container for dispensing medicaments includes: a housing for storing an aggregate of medicament units stored loosely with respect to one another; an outlet defined in the housing to dispense the medicament units; and a compressible medium located within the housing and configured to expand so as to move the medicament units toward the outlet for dispensing.