Abstract: A medicinal recording device is provided which is placed directly upon a patient's medication container. The device consists of at least one strip having a plurality of indicia on raised or recessed detents. The indicia correspond to days and dosages. The patient slides a tab attached to the strip along the strip to the marked button corresponding to the day the medication is taken and/or the number of the dose taken. The tab engages the strip adjacent the selected indicia to releasably lock the tab in position and to prevent unintended sliding of the tab.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and dispensing medical items includes a plurality of hook registers (10). Each of the hook registers includes sensors (48, 60, 62, 64) sensing the removal or addition of a medical item to the storage location on the hook register. Each hook register has a microprocessor (66) connected to the sensor which stores a count of the items added or removed from the location. The microprocessor also includes location identifying information specifically associated with the particular hook register. The microprocessor is periodically polled by a controller (72) which reads and stores the count and location identifying information from each of the hook registers. The controller information is periodically read by a data terminal (76) which is connected through a local area network (82) to a remote computer (84) having a processor and data store.

Abstract: A medication dispensing system comprising an on-site medication dispensing unit and a central monitoring facility. The on-site medication dispensing unit holds medication in a plurality of canisters which it selects from according to an entered and stored prescription regimen and then notifies the patient by an audible or other sensory signal. If the patient presses a button within a prescribed time, the unit dispenses the selected canisters. If the patient does not press the button within the prescribed time, or if the unit detects a failure to dispense the selected canister, the unit makes the canister inaccessible and contacts a predetermined list of caregivers and then a central monitoring facility.

Abstract: A pill dispenser that includes a number of pill compartments each including a pivoting lid, a compartment identification diode, a compartment program select button, and a compartment alarm silence button. Each compartment alarm silence button is positioned within the pill compartment with which it corresponds. A computer board generate a number of alarm events that each include lighting one of the compartment identification diodes, and continuously outputting a signal to the speaker until the compartment alarm silence button within the pill compartment corresponding to the compartment identification diode is depressed.

Abstract: A container for drugs which features a cylindrical vial with a cylindrical skirt joined to a base unit housing a timer unit with a time display. A switch sets a time which remains on display, indicating the last time the switch was actuated, i.e. the last time medication was taken. The base unit is removably mounted to the vial with a ball and socket arrangement so that the base unit may be retained, even though the vial is discarded.

Abstract: An item dispensing system having modular and distributed components that are suitable for use at a POS counter. Item dispensing units are placed beneath the counter and are electrically connected by a cable to a stand-alone retailer keypad and display which, in turn, is electrically connected by a cable to a stand-alone customer keypad and display. Thus, a customer using the customer keypad and display selects items to be purchased. A clerk uses the retailer keypad and display to accept payment for the items and authorizes the dispenser to dispense the items.

Abstract: A mechanical system opens a selected drawer in a multiple-drawer cabinet. The drawers are arranged in rows and columns. A selected drawer is unlatched by moving a rod which has protruding fingers, only one of which is positioned to engage a latch in a column of drawers. When the rod moves longitudinally, the selected drawer becomes unlatched. The unlatched drawer can open only to a distance determined by a cable which unwinds from a drum and passes around a pulley attached to the drawer. Thus, by controlling the rotation of the drum, the system can be programmed to open the drawer only to a distance which exposes the first non-empty compartment in the drawer. A computer controls the selection and opening of the drawers. The computer keeps a record of which compartments of each drawer have been emptied. Each time a drawer is opened, it is opened to the next non-empty compartment, allowing access to one and only one compartment in the drawer.

Abstract: A ticket identification system is for a group of tickets of the type which includes a front sheet and a rear sheet and means for bonding the front sheet and the rear sheet together. The tickets are of a group of tickets having different classifications with some having a particular classification to establish an associated value thereof. The ticket identification system includes a normally closed bar code window in the front sheet. There are bar code markings for each ticket on the inward side of the rear sheet under the bar code window. The bar code markings include classification information to indicate the particular classification of each ticket. A ticket identification machine includes a housing and a ticket passageway through which a ticket can be inserted and advanced. A bar code window opening device is in the passageway to open the bar code window and reveal the bar code markings.

Abstract: A modular vending machine for dispensing a variety of different sized products with at least one array received within a cabinet, wherein the array is made up of a plurality of storage chambers with a dispensing mechanism disposed at the bottom of each chamber. The cabinet can receive any number of arrays which in turn can receive any number of storage chambers. The modular vending machine further includes a sensing device received within a receiving trough for confirming that a product has actually been dispensed. The dispensing mechanism includes a solenoid actuated plunger wherein the plunger controls the movement of a toggle member which is movable between a blocking position and a dispensing position so that only a single product is dispensed. The vending machine may also provide a two-point locking mechanism for positively securing a door to the cabinet of the vending machine while allowing maximum utilization of the space within the cabinet.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for dispensing articles. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises a cabinet defining an enclosure and at least one drawer is attached to the cabinet. The drawer slides in and out of the cabinet and contains an array of compartments. At least one lid is provided and is configured to slide back and forth with respect to the drawer. Each drawer further includes a distance sensor for detecting the distance traveled by the lid relative to the drawer. A controller is placed in communication with both the locking mechanism and the distance sensor. The controller sends a signal to actuate the locking mechanism after the lid has been moved to expose a desired compartment. In this manner, the lid can be moved to allow access to a compartment containing a desired article or medical supply. The locking mechanism prevents further movement of the lid, thereby preventing access to any additional compartments.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispensing system is for improved pull-tab lottery tickets of a type that include a plurality of normally closed windows that can be opened to reveal play symbols thereunder with some of the play symbols being winning symbols. Each of the improved lottery tickets is also provided a normally closed bar code window with bar code markings hidden thereunder which includes ticket information for indicating each of the play symbols as aligned with its respective window. When the ticket is being dispensed, the bar code window is opened and the bar code revealed thereunder is aligned with a bar code reading device to read and store the ticket information. The front panel of the machine includes a plurality of display areas and associated switches that correspond to the windows of the ticket to generate a display symbol in the corresponding display area which indicates the play symbol that is under the selected window of the ticket.

Abstract: A monitor for collecting data on consumer consumption of disposable sheet products is disclosed. The monitor comprises a working surface capable of supporting a stack of sheets thereon, a weight sensor, and a recorder. The stack of sheets comprises a plurality of sheets individually removable from the stack. The stack has a stack weight, and each sheet has a sheet weight. The weight sensor is in operative communication with the working surface for measuring the stack weight as the sheets are removed from the stack. The recorder is in communication with the weight sensor for receiving and recording the stack weight. Optionally, the monitor further comprises a consumer input device for receiving data generated by a consumer regarding usage and acceptability of the product being tested. The results of the stack weight measurements and the data generated by a user may be uploaded to a computer to create a data file.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for dispensing cylindrical objects, the apparatus having a dispensing device comprising a device housing having a dispensing opening, a storage magazine disposed within the device housing for storing the objects, and a dispensing drum rotatably borne in the device housing and having a recess for accepting the objects, the recess communicating with the storage magazine and the dispensing opening. The drum has an axis of rotation substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the objects, and teeth disposed at the recess to push objects seating on the drum away from the drum. The apparatus is particularly well-suited for dispensing rolls of coins without damage to same and without jamming.

Abstract: The present invention features a pill-dispensing system which has a number of standardized, or universal-type, modules. Each module has a rotating, helix-drive mechanism, which is rotationally controlled by a microprocessor. The helical-drive mechanism features several improvements, both in the drive mechanism and in the software control of the rotational drive system by the microprocessor that allows for the dispensing of pills of all shapes and sizes one at a time. The helix of the drive is securely mounted within a rotatable, hollow tube. A stationary collar is mounted adjacent the upper end of the rotating tube. The rotating helix extends into the stationary collar and forces pills from the hollow tube to the dispensing edge of the stationary collar. A hopper positioned at the input end, or mouth of the tube, feeds a batch quantity of pills to the drive mechanism. The tube is angled upwardly from the mouth portion, so that the pill-dispensing end is positioned above the input end.

Abstract: In an automatic medicament dispensing machine, a vial gripper mechanism includes a rotatable first jaw and a second jaw coupled with the output shaft of a jaw motor. In an open position, the jaws are spaced for receiving a medicament vial therebetween. Actuation of jaw motor rotates the second jaw toward the first jaw for gripping the vial therebetween in a gripping position. Continued rotation of the jaw motor causes rotation of both of said jaws and any vial gripped therebetween to a dispensing position for receipt of medicament into the vial from an adjacent dispensing cell.

Abstract: A pill dispenser with means is provided for alerting a user when medication must be taken. The dispenser includes a housing having a top face with at least one compartment formed therein and a lid having a first orientation for allowing access to the corresponding compartment and a second orientation for precluding access thereto. A real time clock is situated within the interior space of the housing for tracking a present time. Memory is included for storing a plurality of medication time. Further provided is a selector mechanism including a plurality of buttons for allowing the entering and storage of a plurality of medication times within the memory by a user. A plurality of alarm mechanisms are included and adapted to alert a user upon the actuatin thereof. Finally, a control mechanism is included for actuating at least one selected alarm mechanism upon the matching of the present time and at least one of the medication times within the memory.

Abstract: A medication dispensing and timing system includes a central monitoring computer which generates and sends an address-specific medication prompting message in accordance with a prescribed medication dispensing schedule over a two-way paging system to a communicator carried by a patient. The communicator includes receiver circuitry which responds to the prompt message to generate a display and audible alarm to alert the patient. Upon the patient acknowledging the message by actuating a switch on the communicator transmitter circuitry within the pager sends a reply message to the monitoring computer. In the event that a reply message is not received within a predetermined time period following the dispensing event, the computer initiates an alternative communication procedure which includes telephone calls to 1) the patient, 2) his doctor, 3) his care provider, or 4) an emergency contact.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medicament storage device which includes a storage plate having a plurality of storage spaces for storing quantities, such as medicament dosages and a base unit which has a memory and an alarm function. The device is characterized in that the openings of respective storage spaces are provided with a closure means in the form of a long and a short flap which overlap one another and which are either spring mounted or consist of elastic material. The flap overlap regions include indicating means which illustrate in which direction passage has occured through the opening and/or with detecting means which produce a signal relating to the direction of the last passage through the opening.

Abstract: A medication organizer assembly that includes a multiple sheet note/instruction pad secured to a base frame unit; the base frame unit including a house having a first plurality of medication drawers, a circuit compartment formed therein for receiving a time keeping, alarm and central processing circuit, a second plurality of medication drawer LED apertures, a liquid crystal display aperture, an hour time-set button aperture, a minute time-set button aperture, a master program button aperture, a repeat button aperture, and seven day/column sections, each day/column section including a third plurality of alarm segment aperture groupings and one day program aperture grouping, each of the third plurality of alarm segment aperture groupings having a red LED aperture, a green LED aperture, and an alarm acknowledge push-button aperture, the day program aperture grouping including a time push-button aperture, an enter push-button aperture and a clear push-button aperture; the multiple sheet note/instruction pad being

Abstract: A drug storage/discharge apparatus having a cleaning time determining device which can detect dirt in drug discharge paths and determine when it is necessary to clean the discharge paths. A motor control circuit controls each feeder to discharge drugs from the feeder through its discharge opening. A light-emitting diode and a phototransistor are provided opposite to each other at the discharge opening. A drug discharged from the feeder intercepts the light from the light-emitting diode, thus fluctuating the output of the phototransistor. Based on the output fluctuation, the motor control circuit can confirm that a drug has been discharged. A low-pass filter is provided to apply only a low-frequency component of the output of the phototransistor to a comparator. Such low-frequency components represent to what degree the light-emitting diode and phototransitor are soiled.

Abstract: A reprogrammable device for removably receiving a medicine container and for providing audio instructions to a patient for taking a medication. When a medicine container is removed from the device by the patient so that the patient may take the medicine, the device can be activated to play a pre-recorded individualized message from the pharmacist providing the patient audio instructions for taking the medication.

Abstract: A system for collecting prescribed injection ampules. In this system, it is possible to collect any ampules that cannot be collected from an automatic ampule dispenser with high efficiency. An ampule collecting apparatus has a tray supply unit for supplying trays. The trays supplied from the tray supply unit are sent into an ampule dispenser by an elevator unit and a conveyor unit, and moved downward in the dispenser by the downward conveyor unit. While the trays are being fed in the dispenser, ampules are put in the respective trays. The trays then exit the dispenser and stacked by the tray stacker. A drug name list is put in each tray. Of the ampules that are specified in a prescription, those which have not been collected from the ampule dispenser are highlighted on the list. Thus, a pharmacist can instantly see which ampules are not in the tray and can collect the missing ampules from a separate shelf.

Abstract: A vending machine for valved cylinders of propane gas is provided which includes a cabinet, a U-shaped roller conveyor and a support rail. The cabinet has return and dispensing openings sized to allow empty cylinders to be returned to the cabinet in an upright orientation and to allow full cylinders to be dispensed from the cabinet in an upright orientation. The return and dispensing openings are vertically offset and horizontally spaced apart. The roller conveyor is within the cabinet and extends from the return opening to the dispensing opening. The roller conveyor is downwardly inclined so that the valved cylinders move along the conveyor by gravity. The support rail extends along both sides of the roller conveyor and maintains the valved cylinders in an upright position while moving from the return opening to the dispensing opening. The vending machine also includes an anti-theft system to prevent unauthorized withdrawals of the valved cylinders from the cabinet.

Abstract: A personal computer peripheral, battery powered reward candy dispenser which immediately presents students with a single candy for each problem completed correctly while using educational application software.

Abstract: A new Programmable Medicine Dispenser and Storage Device for allowing for user or physician programming of a medication administration schedule, alerting the user, by means of an audible alarm, of a scheduled medication administration time, opening a corresponding medication compartment upon user acknowledgment of the alarm and instructing the user on the proper method of taking the medication.

Abstract: A computer controlled dispensing system including a first unit having a plurality of compartments for containing articles to be dispensed. A second unit includes larger compartments for containing articles of a size larger than the dimensions of the compartments in the first unit. Each compartment of the second unit including a locking mechanism. Some of the compartments of the first unit being programmed to receive and dispense means to operate the locking mechanisms to gain access to articles stored in the compartments of the second unit. A key pad associated with the first unit. A computer. Means are provided for inputting codes to the computer via the key pad to access the contents of a selected compartment of the first unit to dispense one of the means to operate a selected one of the locking mechanisms.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for dispensing items from a dispensing unit. According to the invention, the dispensing unit comprises a plurality of locations in which the items are held, a processor in which records corresponding to the items on the unit are stored, and a plurality of item switches corresponding to the locations in which the items are held. The item switches are connected to the processor so that a user of the dispensing unit can input records of items removed from the unit into the processor. The apparatus described is particularly suited for dispensing medical supplies although the apparatus will be usable for other types of items as well. Preferred embodiments will include a plurality of visual indicators, typically in the form of light emitting diodes, corresponding to the locations in which the items are held.

Abstract: An interactive, automated medication reminder/dispenser device having a housing and a container operably associated with the housing for containing and dispensing therefrom at least one predetermined type of medication. An audio and visual output for provides a visual and audio signal indicative of a time to take at least one medication and additional medication located external of the container, and further indicative of a dosage of medication to take at a preselected time. The device also includes a recording system for providing an indication of each of the medications which have been taken, the recording system being activated by the application of a signal thereto. This activation signal is responsive to either the opening of the container or an independent action.

Abstract: An automated drug dispensing system includes a cabinet adapted to store a variety of prepackaged pharmaceuticals in a plurality of bins for filling patient prescriptions. Each bin stores a particular variety of packaged multiple-dose pharmaceutical. Each variety of pharmaceutical is associated with a particular code. A controller receives request signals and in response generates dispense signals. Each bin includes a dispenser coupled to the controller for dispensing the packaged pharmaceuticals therefrom in response to a dispense signal sent from the controller. After a package is dispensed, a code reader determines the code of the dispensed package and verifies whether the code on the dispensed package matches the code of the requested package.

Abstract: There are used article display shelves each comprising a plurality of article storing compartments arranged vertically and laterally, the article storing compartments each holding a plurality of articles in a front-declined state, and the articles in each article storing compartment are held by means of a stopper, the stopper being capable of moving between an article holding position for inhibiting free fall of article and an article release position for permitting free fall of article. On the premise that money is paid, a bucket is conveyed to a position where a desired article is to be dropped from the article storing compartment which holds the article, and the position of the stopper is shifted to the article release position by an operation performed on the bucket side. As a result, the desired article is put into the bucket, which bucket is then conveyed up to an article take-out port. In this way the sale of article is effected.

Abstract: A storage and conveying rack havingrespective sets of shelves which independently pivot in a coordinating manner on a rack in an orientation enabling articles to be conveyed downwardly, back and forth between the shelves;a pivotably mounted cross bar extending transversely across each shelf and movable between an article receiving position and an article arresting position;a respective damper for arresting motion of each cross bar when engaged by a conveyed article and moved from the article receiving position to the article rested position;a respective bias for urging each cross bar from the article arrested position to the article receiving position; and,an optical sensor on each shelf for detecting an article's presence and supplying a control signal to the independently pivoting shelves in the coordinated manner.

Abstract: A medication filling apparatus improves workability in filling a predetermined container with medications and also shortens the time required for medication filling. The medication filling apparatus is equipped with tablet cases for containing medications separately by type, a dispensing and counting device for dispensing the medications from the tablet cases and counting the dispensed medications, a turntable and guide for collecting the medications dispensed from the tablet cases, and a holder for filling a vial with the medications.

Abstract: A pill dispenser is provided, comprising a container constructed to hold a plurality of pills, the container including an upper portion and a lower portion; an inclined baffle disposed within the container separating the upper portion from the lower portion, wherein the baffle has an aperture; a first opening in the lower portion; a pill holder, slidably disposed within the first opening and sized to fit through the aperture, for holding a pill located in the container; and an exit port in the upper portion aligned with the inclined baffle, wherein the exit port is sized to allow the pill to exit the upper portion. A pill release mechanism is provided within the pill holder to dislodge the pill from the pill holder by pneumatic pressure once the pill has risen above the baffle. Sensors are located on the exit port to detect the presence of a dispensed pill, which is recorded by an attached computer.

Abstract: A medication dosage timing apparatus which measures and displays time in response to the opening and closing of a medication bottle or container. A timing circuit and display are mounted on a circuit board and attached to a container cap. A battery is mounted on a disk which slidably moves within the container cap between a first position wherein electrical contacts on the circuit board engage the battery and activate or power the timing circuit and display, and a second position wherein the electrical contacts are disengaged from the battery and the timing circuit and display are deactivated. When the container cap is attached to the container, the battery and disk are held in the first activating position, and when the container cap is removed from the container, the battery and disk slide down into second, deactivating position. Each time a user opens and closes the medication container, the timing circuit and display are reset and re-started.

Abstract: A small parts vending machine for airplanes including a housing having an opening therethrough in a lower portion thereof. The housing includes a dispensing ramp secured therein the hollow interior. A powering and programming computer is secured within the housing to a rear wall thereof. An input portion is secured to a front wall of the housing. The input portion is electrically coupled with the powering and programming computer. A credit card input portion is secured to the front wall of the housing. The credit card input portion is electrically coupled with the powering and programming computer. A plurality of dispensing coils each are secured within the housing to the rear wall thereof. The dispensing coils are operably coupled with the powering and programming computer for the dispensing of small airplane parts at times when parts are otherwise unavailable.

Abstract: A programmable time interval alarm that has a plurality of switches or buttons to set the alarm interval. Each button corresponds to a different time interval setting. In this manner, the alarm is simply programmable by actuating a single button corresponding to the desired interval. The alarm has a housing with a resilient element such as a rubberized inner surface to compress against containers of different dimensions and be clamped into position to move with the container.

Abstract: An automated drug dispensing system includes a cabinet adapted to store a variety of prepackaged pharmaceuticals in a plurality of bins for filling patient prescriptions. Each bin stores a particular variety of packaged multiple-dose pharmaceutical. Each variety of pharmaceutical is associated with a particular code. A controller receives request signals and in response generates dispense signals. Each bin includes a dispenser coupled to the controller for dispensing the packaged pharmaceuticals therefrom in response to a dispense signal sent from the controller. After a package is dispensed, a code reader determines the code of the dispensed package and verifies whether the code on the dispensed package matches the code of the requested package.

Abstract: A system for dispensing medicaments such as pills and capsules includes a plurality of medicament dispensing cells, a manipulator arm for moving to a cell and receiving medicament dispensed therefrom into a vial, and a controller for controlling the operation of the manipulator arm. In one embodiment of the invention, each cell includes indicia thereon such as a bar code indicating the medicament contained therein and the system includes an indicia reader such as a bar code reader attached to the manipulator arm. When the system receives dispensing instructions such as a prescription to be filled, the controller moves the manipulator arm to a selected cell location of a cell having the medicament to be dispensed, as indicated by cell data included in the controller memory. The indicia reader reads the indicia on the cell at the selected location and the controller determines whether the medicament indicated by the indicia matches the medicament of the prescription.

Abstract: A device and method for encouraging proper timing compliance in accordance with a medication prescription regimen. The device is preprogrammed so as to be tailored for the particular prescription regimen to be complied with. Appropriate circuitry is provided in order to generate a dosage signal, which dosage signal persists and changes in an easily recognizable manner until compliance with that dosage requirement is indicated by interacting with the device. Also included is circuitry for prompting compliance with refill requirements of the prescription. The device includes a casing which can have members for facilitating stand-up display or hang-up display of the device.

Abstract: A feeding system for feeding blank contacts to a crimping device for crimping the contacts onto ends of lead wires. The contact feed system includes a bowl, and a scoop for removing contacts from the bowl. The scoop is preferably mounted on the end of a rotating arm so that the scoop describes the locus of a circumference of a vertical circle when the arm rotates. Contacts fall, under gravity, from the scoop, when it is near the apogee of travel, onto an angled chute that guides the contacts into a space between two parallel contact orienting rails. The contacts are stacked between the supporting contact orienting rails and a shuttle gate controlledly carries a single contact at a time into a drop tube that feeds the contact to a crimping device for crimping onto an end of a wire lead.

Abstract: In an automatic prescription dispensing system, a multiplicity of pill dispensers dispensing the pills of different prescriptions are arranged in columns and rows. A conveyer organizes open and labeled pill bottles in columns corresponding to the columns of the pill dispensers and carries the columns of pill bottles severally past and beneath the pill dispensers in the array. The pill bottles are carried in bottle carriers which in turn are carried by pallets on a conveyer. When a pill bottle gets to a pill dispenser containing the pills to be dispensed for the prescription of a pill bottle, the pills are released from the dispenser into the pill bottle, whereby a plurality of pill bottles passing under the array of dispensers are filled simultaneously. The pill dispensers count the pills out one at a time and accumulate the pills of a prescription before the pill bottle to receive such prescription reaches the dispenser and then releases the pills en masse into the pill bottle.

Abstract: A medication dispensing and timing system includes a central monitoring facility and a plurality of patient communicators, each containing sufficient memory for storing the medication schedule of a respective patient, and a clock circuit providing time and date information utilized in conjunction with the stored schedule to provide visual and aural prompts to the patient as medication is to be taken. Upon receiving a prompt the patient actuates a switch which causes transmitter means within the communicator to send a reply signal back to a computer at the monitoring facility, which includes a memory containing the same medication schedule and a clock circuit providing date and time information, whereby a follow-up procedure is initiated, including a follow-up message sent to the communicator, in the event a reply message is not received within a predetermined time following a scheduled medication event.

Abstract: A vending apparatus and system for storing and automatically dispensing magnetic or optical disks. A user interface means allows a user to enter a dispensing request corresponding to the selection of a desired disk and includes means for receiving user identification information, such as credit or debit card information, or other information stored magnetically on a bank card, driver's license, school identification card, or library card. Once a disk selection has been entered and user identification information received and verified, the selected disk is dispensed from the vending unit. The disks to be dispensed by the vending unit may be provided to have a region of magnetic recording media formed on one surface, and the vending unit may be equipped to write information relevant to the transaction onto the region of magnetic media.

Abstract: A medication compliance, co-ordination and dispensing system for coordinating the administration of medication regimens at home equipped with a system for monitoring patient compliance and protection from overdosage and underdosage. The system is accessible to all types of patients, including children, the elderly, the visually-impaired, the hearing-impaired and patients with other handicaps. The device comprises a centrally positioned main housing containing a control element, a plurality of storage and dispensing units dedicated to different medications engageable with the main housing, and a system of input and output devices in communication with the control element. The I/O devices include visual and audible alarms for alerting the patient of administration times, voice and display means for providing extended medication information to the patient, a mini-camera for recording patient compliance and a user-wearable message receiving component for doing same.

Abstract: An automatic pill dispensing apparatus is provided having a plurality of cartridges supported in guide slots within a housing. The apparatus is integrated with a microprocessor operating according to an algorithm, which receives, stores and processes prescription schedule data. Each cartridge has a plurality of compartments disposed about its periphery for containing medication to be dispensed at proper intervals at a dispensing position. An alarm is sounded for the user when the cartridges are ready to be positioned for dispensing medication according to the prescription schedule. A dispense bar is manually actuated by the user to eject scheduled medication into a tray for user access. If the user fails to dispense scheduled medication, it is withheld to prevent double dosing at subsequent dispensing times. The plurality of cartridges enable filling by a pharmacist of independent multiple prescriptions.

Abstract: The unattended machine has a hopper for holding an inventory of uniformly-sized, individual, frozen or refrigerated portions of food and for maintaining the inventory in a frozen or refrigerated condition. Insertion into the machine of a genuine dollar bill is verified by an electro-optical mechanism which signals control and monitor circuitry to initiate food preparation by causing a microwave oven below the hopper to open and rotate into a food-receiving position below a dispenser, located below the hopper, which then dispenses an individual portion of food into the oven by gravity. The oven then rotates to a horizontal cooking position and closes its door, where the portion is heated by microwave energy for a pre-determined length of time. Upon completion of heating, the oven door is opened and the oven tilted downward and the heated portion of food is dispensed by gravity through an opening or port in the machine.

Abstract: A medication dispensing and monitoring system of the present invention includes a housing containing a plurality of pill dispensing compartments for dispensing medication to a patient at a desired time. The invention is programmed to dispense medication at the desired time and activates alarms if the proper procedure is not completed. The invention also contacts the emergency personnel through phone lines and initiates two-way hands free communication between the patient and emergency personnel. The invention further includes a pendent transmitter worn by the patient to contact emergency personnel.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a combination of medications in dose lots at timed intervals comprising the following: a housing (12); a plurality of dose modules (32) rotatably mounted in the housing, each dose module including at least one circular disc (34), each of the discs having a plurality of apertures (36) therethrough, wherein each aperture is sealed on either side with film (38, 39) so as to form a compartment which contains a single dose of a medication; extractor means (110) mounted to the housing for selectively piercing the film coveting the apertures so as to release the medication contained in respective apertures; signaling means (92, 182) mounted to the exterior of the housing for periodically indicating a time medication is to be taken; and dose module index means (150, 152) for indexing each dose module at a predetermined interval and for actuating the signaling means. In an alternative embodiment, the dispenser is controlled by a microprocessor system (188).

Abstract: A vending apparatus and system for storing and automatically dispensing magnetic or optical disks. A user interface allows a user to enter a dispensing request corresponding to the selection of a desired disk and includes for receiving user identification information, such as credit or debit card information, or other information stored magnetically on a bank card, driver's license, school identification card, or library card. Once a disk selection has been entered and user identification information has been received and verified, the selected disk is dispensed from the vending unit. The disks to be dispensed by the vending unit may have a region of magnetic recording media formed on one surface, and the vending unit may be equipped to write information relevant to the transaction onto the region of magnetic media.

Abstract: .?.In a nurse administered medication dispensing system a mobile cart contains a plurality of doctor prescribed medication in accordance with a like plurality of patients scheduled to receive such medication. The medication containers stored in the cart is accessible by the nurse only in response to a patient ID code entered by the nurse into the keyboard of a cart supported microprocessor including a software program responding to the input code energizing mechanical components which obtains the medication from an onboard supply and transfers it to a specified nurse accessible cubicle or which releases secured medication dispensing units on or in the cart and records the time, date and quantity of medication dispensed..!..Iadd.A fully automatic apparatus for dispensing medications in tablet or capsule form for a patient is disclosed.