Abstract: A virtual quality control system and a method for virtual quality control of an automated medication fulfillment process are disclosed herein. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a virtual quality control system. In one embodiment, the virtual quality control system includes: (1) a verification controller configured to receive visual verification data and identification data of a verification event and generate comparison data from the identification data, and (2) a verification station configured to send a verification status to the verification controller based on the comparison data, the visual verification data, and input from a verifier.

Abstract: One aspect of this disclosure provides a medication fulfillment system, comprising a medication fulfillment canister, a medication filling station, and a fulfillment station. In one embodiment, the medication filling station comprises a disassembly rack configured to hold the canister in an inverted position and hold an upper dispensing compartment in an inverted position to receive a given medication therein; and an air injection system including an air manifold having a gas supply end and outlet end, and a biased push plate, the outlet end connectable to a lock of the canister. The fulfillment station, comprises a vibrator station configured to receive the canister therein; one or more optical scanners coupled to a controller for reading identification data located on the canister to identify a medication located therewithin; and an air push device for unlocking the lock and allow the tray lid to be placed in an open position.

Abstract: One aspect of this disclosure provides a medication fulfillment canister. In one embodiment, the canister comprises a bottom section having a tray portion for receiving a medication therein. An upper dispensing compartment is located over a rearward end of the bottom section that is removably attached to the bottom section. A lower edge of the upper dispensing compartment is located above the bottom section to form an opening therebetween to allow a medication to pass therethrough and into the tray portion. A tray lid is removably attached to the canister and configured to cover the tray portion and rotate between an open position and a closed position. A lock is located within a wall of the bottom section that locks the tray lid in the closed position.

Abstract: One aspect of this disclosure provides a tote that has first and second sidewalls that define the tote's length and height and are laterally offset by the tote's width. Third and fourth substantially planar sidewalls are coupled to the first and second sidewalls to form a frame. A plurality of parallel belt guides are located within an interior space of the tote and is coupled to the frame. A belt that has at least half the tote's width is supported by the plurality of the belt guides and defines at least a portion of a ceiling of the tote. The belt is movable about the interior space of the tote, such that the aperture can be positioned within the tote in one of a plurality of positions.

Abstract: This disclosure describes various aspect of a unique standalone document handler that is coupable to and controllable by a fulfillment. The standalone documents handler is attachable to a standard printer or copier and has a drop chute that is designed to hold groups of fulfillment documents and drop them into a fulfillment receptacle positioned under the document handler. Upper and lower scanners scan document identification codes placed on one or more pages of the fulfillment document, which allows a system controller to control the timing of dispensing the correct documents in the designated fulfillment receptacle at the correct time.

Abstract: One aspect of this disclosure provides a tote that has first and second sidewalls that define the tote's length and height and are laterally offset by the tote's width. Third and fourth substantially planar sidewalls are coupled to the first and second sidewalls to form a frame. A plurality of parallel belt guides are located within an interior space of the tote and is coupled to the frame. A belt that has at least half the tote's width is supported by the plurality of the belt guides and defines at least a portion of a ceiling of the tote. The belt is movable about the interior space of the tote, such that the aperture can be positioned within the tote in one of a plurality of positions.

Abstract: A tote and method for automated packing of items and documents. In one embodiment, the tote includes: (1) a sidewall defining an interior having a tote height, (2) a divider coupled to the sidewall to define an item bin and a document transport slot in the interior, the divider having a divider height less than the tote height further to define and provide support for a document cradle over the item bin and the document transport slot and (3) a door coupled to the sidewall and moveable between a closed position in which the door forms a floor for only the item bin and an open position in which the floor is displaced to open the item bin.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a conveyor, a programmable motion device, and a controller. The conveyor preferably includes actuatable rollers, and the programmable motion device is preferably a robotic arm. The controller operates the conveyor, a stopping rail, and a positioning rail to move and position a box in a cutting position relative to the robotic arm. The controller determines three dimension of the box and translates a programmed cut pattern to those determined dimensions. Based on the determined dimensions, the controller then operates the robotic arm to perform the programmed cut pattern in the box with the cutting element. The cutting element preferably has square blade so that each of the four blades can be used to cut a side of the box without having to rotate the cutting element during operation.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a conveyor, a programmable motion device, and a controller. The conveyor preferably includes actuatable rollers, and the programmable motion device is preferably a robotic arm. The controller operates the conveyor, a stopping rail, and a positioning rail to move and position a box in a cutting position relative to the robotic arm. The controller determines three dimension of the box and translates a programmed cut pattern to those determined dimensions. Based on the determined dimensions, the controller then operates the robotic arm to perform the programmed cut pattern in the box with the cutting element. The cutting element preferably has square blade so that each of the four blades can be used to cut a side of the box without having to rotate the cutting element during operation.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a conveyor, a programmable motion device, and a controller. The conveyor preferably includes actuatable rollers, and the programmable motion device is preferably a robotic arm. The controller operates the conveyor, a stopping rail, and a positioning rail to move and position a box in a cutting position relative to the robotic arm. The controller determines three dimension of the box and translates a programmed cut pattern to those determined dimensions. Based on the determined dimensions, the controller then operates the robotic arm to perform the programmed cut pattern in the box with the cutting element. The cutting element preferably has square blade so that each of the four blades can be used to cut a side of the box without having to rotate the cutting element during operation.

Abstract: Fault tolerant thermoelectric device circuit (18) is provided including a plurality of thermoelectric elements (19, 20, 21, and 22) and a plurality of secondary by-pass circuits (24, 25, 26, and 27) coupled in parallel with a number of the thermoelectric elements. The secondary by-pass circuits provide by-pass paths to failed thermoelectric elements, thereby allowing the remaining elements to continue operating. Primary by-pass circuit (30) is also provided to provide a by-pass path to all of the thermoelectric elements as required.

Abstract: A thermoelectric apparatus (10) is provided that is compatible with multiple power sources (12) each providing a different voltage. The present apparatus (10) includes a thermoelectric assembly (14) having a plurality of thermoelectric devices (18 & 20) and control circuitry (16) coupled between the thermoelectric assembly (14) and a power source (12). The control circuitry (16) can sense the voltage provided by the power source (12) and electrically configure the thermoelectric devices (18 & 20) in the thermoelectric assembly (14) between parallel and serial electrical configuration in response to the sensed voltage. The control circuitry (16) also couples the thermoelectric devices (18 & 20) to the power source (12).

Abstract: A module for controlling the temperature within an enclosed structure is provided. The module comprises a thermoelectric assembly, a platform, and a panel. The thermoelectric assembly comprises a thermoelectric device with a first heat sink disposed on one side of the device and a second heat sink disposed on the other side of the device. The thermoelectric assembly further comprises an electric motor attached to one of the heat sinks with a rotating shaft extending longitudinally through the electrical motor and both heat sinks. A propeller may be attached to each end of the rotating shaft adjacent to the first heat sink and the second heat sink respectively. The platform may be removably engaged with the enclosed structure. A first fastener may be used to attach the thermoelectric assembly to the platform. A first opening may be provided in the platform adjacent to one of the propellers.

Abstract: A thermoelectric system which operates on AC input power without requiring external rectification or conditioning is provided. The thermoelectric system includes a thermoelectric device with an integrated rectifier circuit. The thermoelectric device includes a thermoelectric array which may function satisfactorily with 120 volt AC, 240 volt AC or any other desired input power. A control circuit is also provided to allow switching the associated rectifier circuit of the thermoelectric system from full-wave rectification to half-wave rectification. The thermoelectric system may use the control circuit to maintain the temperature of either the hot plate or the cold plate associated with the thermoelectric device at a desired value.

Abstract: A modular thermoelectric assembly is provided to maintain the temperature within a container or enclosed structure holding water or other liquids at a desired value. The thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric device with a hot sink and a cold sink. A layer of insulating material is disposed between the hot sink and the cold sink. The hot sink and the insulating material are used to install the thermoelectric assembly into an appropriately sized opening extending through the exterior of the container or enclosed structure. A thermoelectric device, contained within the layer of insulating material, functions as a heat pump to transfer heat between the cold sink and the hot sink. An electrical motor, rotating shaft and propeller are carried by the assembly to assist in the circulation of air to improve the efficiency of the cold sink and the hot sink. Another propeller and/or impeller may be carried by the rotating shaft to assist with circulation of liquids in the container or enclosed structure.

Abstract: A modular thermoelectric assembly is provided to maintain the temperature within a container or enclosed structure at a desired level. The thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric device with a hot sink and a cold sink. A layer of insulating material is disposed between the hot sink and the cold sink. The hot sink and the insulating material are used to install the thermoelectric assembly into an appropriately sized opening extending through the exterior of the container or enclosed structure. A thermoelectric device, contained within the layer of insulating material, functions as a heat pump to transfer heat between the cold sink and the hot sink. An electrical motor, rotating shaft and propellers are carried by the assembly to assist in the circulation of air to improve the efficiency of the cold sink and the hot sink.