The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 29, 2016
Filed:
Jun. 14, 2012
Jeffrey J. Schedel, Apex, NC (US);
James Robert Rivenbark, Jr., Raleigh, NC (US);
Mark Alan Uebel, Morrisville, NC (US);
Thomas H. S. Gordon, Cary, NC (US);
Jeffrey J. Schedel, Apex, NC (US);
James Robert Rivenbark, Jr., Raleigh, NC (US);
Mark Alan Uebel, Morrisville, NC (US);
Thomas H. S. Gordon, Cary, NC (US);
Parata Systems, LLC, Durham, NC (US);
Abstract
An automated pill dispensing system includes an output chute configured to hold pill-containing vials and an optical sensor located at a predetermined location in the output chute. The optical sensor includes an optical emitter and an optical detector configured to be operated cooperatively to output a detection signal indicating a presence or absence of a vial at the predetermined location of the output chute. A controller is coupled to the optical sensor and is configured to receive the detection signal therefrom, detect the presence or absence of the vial at the predetermined location of the output chute in response to the detection signal, and control a next depositing event whereby a next vial is deposited in the output chute responsive to the detection. Related methods of operation are also discussed.