The present disclosure provides methods and systems for managing medications by releasing them on a controlled access or schedule. The methods and systems may comprise the use of a pill release device. The pill release device may comprise a substrate comprising one or more containers, a cover configured to rest adjacent to one or more walls of the container, a fluid source in fluid communication with the cover, and circuitry operably coupled to the fluid source. The circuitry may send one or more electrical signals which may cause the fluid source to move a fluid to or away from the cover. The movement of the fluid may seal or unseal the over against the one or more walls, which may permit the pill to be received by or dispensed from the container.

A mobile smart container system comprises a housing, an access component configured to secure access to a compartment within the housing when in a closed position, a communication interface configured to wirelessly receive a request to access the compartment, a perceivable output device, an electromechanical latch configured to engage with the access component to releasably lock the access component in the closed position, and a processor. The processor receives and authenticates the request to access the compartment and, in response to receiving and authenticating the request, activates the electromechanical latch to unlock the access component to make the compartment accessible, and outputs, upon actuation of the electromechanical latch, an alert via the perceivable output device to identify the smart container system.

An inventory tracking and management system includes storage devices comprising carts, cabinets, or shelves, sensors and/or monitoring devices associated with the storage devices, a central database connecting the storage devices, sensors, and monitoring devices within a hospital, and a processing server associated with the central database. The processing server including a software system controlling operation of the inventory tracking and management system.

A medication support apparatus includes a storage, a medicine delivery part, an extraction device, a transfer device, a pack information reader, and processing circuitry. The storage stores a medicine pack with first medication-related information. The medicine pack is arranged at a specific position in the delivery part. The extraction device extracts the medicine pack from the storage. The transfer device transfers the medicine pack extracted from the storage to the specific position in the delivery part. The pack information reader reads the first medication-related information before the transfer device transfers the medicine pack extracted from the storage to the specific position in the delivery part. The processing circuitry manages second medication-related information of the medicine pack, and compares the first medication-related information read by the pack information reader with the second medication-related information to determine whether medication-related information matches between the first medication-related information and the second medication-related information.

Mechanisms for dispensing items such as medications and medical supplies. Different mechanisms may be tailored to dispensing different kinds of items, for example medications in single dose packages, vials, syringes, or other similarly-shaped items. The dispensers may be placed in a dispensing unit that includes a lockable restock drawer and a dispense drawer into which items are dispensed by the dispensing mechanisms. The various kinds of dispensing mechanisms may be installed in the restock drawer in any workable proportion and arrangement. The dispensing mechanisms include multiple sensing technologies for tracking and inventory of items and for accurate sensing of items as they are dispensed.

Mechanisms for dispensing items such as medications and medical supplies. Different mechanisms may be tailored to dispensing different kinds of items, for example medications in single dose packages, vials, syringes, or other similarly-shaped items. The dispensers may be placed in a dispensing unit that includes a lockable restock drawer and a dispense drawer into which items are dispensed by the dispensing mechanisms. The various kinds of dispensing mechanisms may be installed in the restock drawer in any workable proportion and arrangement. The dispensing mechanisms include multiple sensing technologies for tracking and inventory of items and for accurate sensing of items as they are dispensed.

An apparatus and method for storing medical products such as pharmaceutical and medical products in climate controlled storage devices includes climate control systems in communication with inventory access and tracking systems.

An apparatus and method for storing medical products such as pharmaceutical and medical products in climate controlled storage devices includes climate control systems in communication with inventory access and tracking systems.

A server apparatus and the like that improve operation efficiency of a marketplace for trading products are provided. The server apparatus includes a communication interface, and a controller configured to transmit and receive information to and from another apparatus via the communication interface. The controller calculates a time required until sale of a product at a display position based on a temporal change in captured images of the display position where the product is displayed until the product is sold, determines an exhibition fee for the display position based on the time required, informs a terminal apparatus of an exhibitor of the exhibition fee, and urges the exhibitor to exhibit the product for sale at the display position.

Embodiments provide for systems and methods related to kiosks for personalizing a packaged article. The kiosks may also be used for storage, inventory management, retrieval, packaging, and/or personalization of packaged articles. The kiosks discussed herein differ from non-kiosk personalization systems, such as personalization systems installed on a factory or warehouse floor, in that the kiosks are self-contained personalization systems. In some embodiments, the kiosks are portable and can be moved between different sites or events. This portability allows the kiosks to personalize packaged articles for concerts, festivals, conventions, trade shows, and the like.