Abstract: A method of dispensing discrete tablets from a feeder unit comprises the steps of a) determining a last allowable dispensing moment for the tablets from the feeder unit; b) comparing the last allowable dispensing moment to a scheduled dispensing time; and c) sending a dispense signal only if the scheduled dispensing time is before the last allowable dispensing moment.

Abstract: A method for dispensing discrete medicaments with a dispensing device includes the steps of predicting a depletion time in the future when the medicaments in the container of a first feeder unit of the plurality of feeder units will be depleted; providing a notification ahead of said depletion time that a second feeder unit holding medicaments with the same composition as the first feeder unit needs to be presented to the dispensing device, together with a due time for presenting said second feeder unit to the dispensing device; determining a refill strategy for the first feeder unit based on determining a category of a plurality of refill categories based on the medicaments in first feeder unit; providing a refill notification based on the refill strategy; and continuing the dispensing of the medicaments from the first feeder unit at least until the due time.

Abstract: A method for dispensing discrete medicaments with a dispensing device includes the steps of predicting a depletion time in the future when the medicaments in the container of a first feeder unit of the plurality of feeder units will be depleted; providing a notification ahead of said depletion time that a second feeder unit holding medicaments with the same composition as the first feeder unit needs to be presented to the dispensing device, together with a due time for presenting said second feeder unit to the dispensing device; and continuing the dispensing of the medicaments from the first feeder unit at least until the due time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for step dispensing discrete medicaments from a feeder unit, wherein the feeder unit comprises a container holding said medicaments, and a dispensing mechanism, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises a singulating body with a plurality of singulation chambers; and a first release member arranged below the singulating body and provided with a release opening, wherein the first release member and the singulating body are movable with respect to each other, the method comprising the steps of: moving the singulating body and the first release member relative to each other; when the singulating body is in the aligned position, stopping relative movement between the singulating body and the first release member; maintaining the singulating body stationary for a predetermined waiting period to allow any medicaments accommodated in the aligned singulation chamber to fall through the release opening.

Abstract: A method of dynamically ordering tasks in a production system comprises providing a control unit configured to: receive a plurality of job orders; determine tasks associated with each of the plurality of job orders; dynamically adjust the priority of each job order in a pending job orders list; and send one of the job orders and associated tasks to a queue when a threshold associated with the system is met.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for handling a string of medicament pouches, wherein the assembly comprises a packaging device for packaging discrete medicaments in the respective medicament pouches, and a winding device for winding said string on a reel, wherein the assembly further comprises a control unit which is operationally connected to the packaging device and the winding device, wherein the control unit is arranged to: receive one or more packaging status signals from the packaging device and to send one or more winding control signals to the winding device in response to said one or more packaging status signals; and/or receive one or more winding status signals from the winding device and to send one or more packaging control signals to the packaging device in response to said one or more winding status signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, a pharmacy, a dispensing device, a medication dispensing container and a computer program product for dispensing discrete medicaments, wherein the method comprises the steps of: obtaining a value of a parameter indicative of a climatological condition or a state of the discrete medicaments as a result of said climatological condition; determining if the value of the parameter is within a first range or a second range, different from the first range; and choosing, for identical discrete medicaments that are subject to hygroscopic expansion, between a first medication dispensing container when the value of the parameter is within the first range and a second medication dispensing container when the value of the parameter is within the second range, wherein the second medication dispensing container has different dimensions than the first medication dispensing container.

Abstract: A bar-code printing device, a method and a computer program product for printing bar-codes is provided, wherein the bar-code printing device includes a printer that defines a printable area for printing bar-codes on a substrate and a scanner for scanning the bar-codes printed on the substrate, wherein the bar-code printing device is provided with a control unit that is operationally connected to the printer and the scanner and configured for performing the following steps: a) instructing the printer to print the bar-codes on the substrate in different bar-code positions within the printable area; b) obtaining scans of the bar-codes printed on the substrate from the scanner; and c) comparing the bar-code in each scan with information about the respective bar-code at least until a discrepancy is identified.

Abstract: A method, a computer program product and a dispensing device for dispensing discrete medicaments, wherein the dispensing device comprises a dispensing section, a collection section and a packaging section, wherein the dispensing section defines an array of feeder positions for holding a plurality of feeder units, wherein the collection section comprises a first collection unit that is movable in a collection direction, wherein the method comprises the steps of: positioning a first feeder unit at a first feeder position; and prior to removing the first feeder unit from the first feeder position, positioning a second feeder unit at a second feeder position, downstream from the first feeder position in the collection direction, wherein the first feeder unit and the second feeder unit hold medicaments of the same first composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for step dispensing discrete medicaments from a dispensing system accommodating one or more feeder units and arranged for selectively dispensing an amount of discrete medicaments from the one or more feeder units, the system comprising: a dispensing device provided with an array of dispensing positions, wherein the dispensing device at each of the array of dispensing positions is provided with a holder for one of the feeder units and with a through opening for passing discharged medicaments there through, wherein the method comprises the steps of: sending a dispensing command with data indicating dispensing parameters to a dispensing position of the array of dispensing positions via a non-real-time connection; buffering the dispensing command at the dispensing position of the array of dispensing positions; and sending a dispensing trigger to the dispensing position of the array of dispensing positions via a real-time connection, therewith triggering a feeder unit to dispense

Abstract: A method, a computer program product and a dispensing device for dispensing discrete medicaments, wherein the dispensing device comprises a dispensing section, a collection section and a packaging section, wherein the dispensing section defines an array of feeder positions for holding a plurality of feeder units, wherein the collection section comprises a first collection unit that is movable in a collection direction, wherein the method comprises the steps of: positioning a first feeder unit at a first feeder position; and prior to removing the first feeder unit from the first feeder position, positioning a second feeder unit at a second feeder position, downstream from the first feeder position in the collection direction, wherein the first feeder unit and the second feeder unit hold medicaments of the same first composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for step dispensing discrete medicaments from a feeder unit, wherein the feeder unit comprises a container holding said medicaments, and a dispensing mechanism, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises a singulating body with a plurality of singulation chambers; and a first release member arranged below the singulating body and provided with a release opening, wherein the first release member and the singulating body are movable with respect to each other, the method comprising the steps of: moving the singulating body and the first release member relative to each other; when the singulating body is in the aligned position, stopping relative movement between the singulating body and the first release member; maintaining the singulating body stationary for a predetermined waiting period to allow any medicaments accommodated in the aligned singulation chamber to fall through the release opening.

Abstract: A method for dispensing discrete medicaments with a dispensing device includes the steps of predicting a depletion time in the future when the medicaments in the container of a first feeder unit of the plurality of feeder units will be depleted or are past their expiry date; providing a notification ahead of said depletion time that a second feeder unit holding medicaments with the same composition as the first feeder unit needs to be presented to the dispensing device, together with a due time for presenting said second feeder unit to the dispensing device; and continuing the dispensing of the medicaments from the first feeder unit at least until the due time.

Abstract: A method for dispensing discrete medicaments with a first feeder unit includes the steps of determining a remaining value indicative of the amount of the medicaments remaining in the container; comparing said remaining value to a threshold value; making a selection between a complete empty detection mode when said remaining value is above the threshold value and a shortened empty detection mode when the remaining value is below the threshold value; and executing the selected one of the complete empty detection mode and the shortened empty detection mode when no medicament is fed from the container towards the outlet after controlling the dispensing mechanism to feed a medicament from the container into the outlet.

Abstract: A method for loading a medicine transport plate with one or more medicine items using a docking station includes the steps of moving a preparation release mechanism of a docking station into a preparation holding state; inserting the one or more medicine items into one or more preparation compartments in the docking station; loading the medicine transport plate into the docking station; and moving the preparation release mechanism from the preparation holding state into a preparation release state to release the one or more medicine items from the preparation compartments.

Abstract: A method for dispensing discrete medicaments with a dispensing device includes the steps of predicting a depletion time in the future when the medicaments in the container of a first feeder unit of the plurality of feeder units will be depleted; providing a notification ahead of said depletion time that a second feeder unit holding medicaments with the same composition as the first feeder unit needs to be presented to the dispensing device, together with a due time for presenting said second feeder unit to the dispensing device; and continuing the dispensing of the medicaments from the first feeder unit at least until the due time.

Abstract: A method for dispensing discrete medicaments with a dispensing device includes the steps of predicting a depletion time in the future when the medicaments in the container of a first feeder unit of the plurality of feeder units will be depleted or are past their expiry date; providing a notification ahead of said depletion time that a second feeder unit holding medicaments with the same composition as the first feeder unit needs to be presented to the dispensing device, together with a due time for presenting said second feeder unit to the dispensing device; and continuing the dispensing of the medicaments from the first feeder unit at least until the due time.

Abstract: A method for dispensing discrete medicaments with a first feeder unit includes the steps of determining a remaining value indicative of the amount of the medicaments remaining in the container; comparing said remaining value to a threshold value; making a selection between a complete empty detection mode when said remaining value is above the threshold value and a shortened empty detection mode when the remaining value is below the threshold value; and executing the selected one of the complete empty detection mode and the shortened empty detection mode when no medicament is fed from the container towards the outlet after controlling the dispensing mechanism to feed a medicament from the container into the outlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for step dispensing discrete medicaments from a feeder unit, wherein the feeder unit comprises a container holding said medicaments, and a dispensing mechanism configured for receiving the medicaments from the container and selectively dispensing the medicaments from the feeder unit, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises a singulating body with a plurality of singulation chambers; and a first release member arranged below the singulating body and provided with a release opening, wherein the first release member and the singulating body are movable with respect to each other, the method comprising the steps of: moving the singulating body and the first release member relative to each other into an aligned position in which one of the plurality of singulation chambers is aligned with the release opening; when the singulating body is in the aligned position, stopping relative movement between the singulating body and the first release member; maintaining the singulating bod

Abstract: A Method for loading a medicine transport plate with one or more medicine items using a docking station includes the steps of a) moving a preparation release mechanism of a docking station into a preparation holding state; b) inserting the one or more medicine items into one or more preparation compartments of a plurality of preparation compartments in the docking station; c) loading the medicine transport plate into the docking station; and d) moving the preparation release mechanism from the preparation holding state into a preparation release state to release the one or more medicine items from the preparation compartments.