Disclosed is a method and apparatus for transporting and dispensing medications for a patient according to a medication schedule for the patient. A smart container from a pharmacy is received at the patient's site and the container is checked to make sure that the container was delivered to the correct patient site. The smart container contains a memory device that contains identification information of the patient, dosage and treatment instructions for the patient. This information and the medication were checked for compatibility before the smart container was delivered. The identity of the patient at the patient's site is then checked and the patient performs on or more biometric tests before the medication is dispensed by the smart container. Upon taking the medication and providing video proof thereof, the smart container is returned to the pharmacy.

This medicine case comprises: a case body for accommodating a medicine, the case body being such that a discharge opening for the medicine is provided in a bottom part thereof; and a rotating member disposed inside the case body, the rotating member rotating about a rotating shaft. The rotating member has a first side wall member and a second side wall member that are parallel to each other and that constitute a passage through which the medicine is guided to the discharge opening. The first side wall member and the second side wall member approach and separate from each other while remaining parallel to each other, adjusting the width of the passage.

A medicine feeder includes: an outer rotary body on the outer side to be rotated about a vertical line; an inner inclined rotary body on the inner side to be rotated about an inclined line; and a sorting mechanism and a regulating mechanism operable to align solid medicine pieces carried from the top of the inner inclined rotary body onto an annular upper end surface of the outer rotary body through rotation of the inner inclined rotary body. An upper surface inclined portion of the inner inclined rotary body includes delivery portions sloping downward toward the outer side even at an elevated position and push-up portions not sloping downward toward the outer side, the delivery portions and the push-up portions being formed alternately in the circumferential direction. The push-up portions include projecting portions. The projecting portions are extended to the inner peripheral side of the delivery portions.

A tablet counting apparatus and method and an associated control device are provided to ensure that the same type of tablets is transferred from a canister to a counter following the replacement of one canister with another. In addition to the counter and the replaceable canister, the tablet counting apparatus includes a gate that moves between closed and open positions. The tablet counting apparatus further includes a controller configured, following installation of the canister, to provide an authorization command to authorize the gate to be opened by being moved from the closed position to the open position. The tablet counting apparatus additionally includes a timer responsive to the authorization command. The controller is also configured to be responsive to the timer so as no longer provide the authorization command following expiration of the timer to prevent the gate from being subsequently opened if the gate has not already been opened.

A tablet counting apparatus and method and an associated control device are provided to ensure that the same type of tablets is transferred from a canister to a counter following the replacement of one canister with another. In addition to the counter and the replaceable canister, the tablet counting apparatus includes a gate that moves between closed and open positions. The tablet counting apparatus further includes a controller configured, following installation of the canister, to provide an authorization command to authorize the gate to be opened by being moved from the closed position to the open position. The tablet counting apparatus additionally includes a timer responsive to the authorization command. The controller is also configured to be responsive to the timer so as no longer provide the authorization command following expiration of the timer to prevent the gate from being subsequently opened if the gate has not already been opened.

The present invention discloses an apparatus for counting discrete objects, said apparatus comprises of a hopper 1; an incline feeder 2 containing an inlet and an outlet; a single optical zone that allows detection of the discrete objects 10 entering from the feeder outlet; a controller which provides the count of the discrete objects; a screen for displaying the count of the discrete objects; wherein the incline feeder outlet is arranged orthogonally to the optical zone. The present invention discloses a method for counting discrete objects comprising the steps of inputting the discrete objects 10 into the hopper 1; passing the discrete objects through the incline feeder 2 such that they enter into the optical zone; optical zone sensing the entering discrete object 10 and transmitting a signal to the controller; displaying the count on a screen; dispensing the counted discrete objects.

The present invention discloses an apparatus for counting discrete objects, said apparatus comprises of a hopper 1; an incline feeder 2 containing an inlet and an outlet; a single optical zone that allows detection of the discrete objects 10 entering from the feeder outlet; a controller which provides the count of the discrete objects; a screen for displaying the count of the discrete objects; wherein the incline feeder outlet is arranged orthogonally to the optical zone. The present invention discloses a method for counting discrete objects comprising the steps of inputting the discrete objects 10 into the hopper 1; passing the discrete objects through the incline feeder 2 such that they enter into the optical zone; optical zone sensing the entering discrete object 10 and transmitting a signal to the controller; displaying the count on a screen; dispensing the counted discrete objects.

In some instances, a method performed by a smart pill bottle delivery device is provided. The method comprises determining one or more prescription timing intervals indicating times for the user to take one or more medication units of the medication based on retrieving a prescription for the user from memory, providing one or more visual notifications indicating for the user to take the one or more medication units based on the one or more prescription timing intervals, subsequent to providing the one or more visual notifications, detecting position information indicating an action performed by the user, and causing display of a second display screen based on the position information indicating the action performed by the user.

In some instances, a method performed by a smart pill bottle delivery device is provided. The method comprises determining one or more prescription timing intervals indicating times for the user to take one or more medication units of the medication based on retrieving a prescription for the user from memory, providing one or more visual notifications indicating for the user to take the one or more medication units based on the one or more prescription timing intervals, subsequent to providing the one or more visual notifications, detecting position information indicating an action performed by the user, and causing display of a second display screen based on the position information indicating the action performed by the user.

Medication identification methods comprising depositing at least one medication in a compartment; identifying this one medication deposited in this compartment and analyzing at least one characteristic of said at least one medication; comparing this one characteristic of said at least one medication to medication signature characteristics to obtain an identified content for the compartment; comparing the identified content to a prescription; and allowing the medication to pass, via gravity, from the compartment to a pill box. Medication identification systems are also described.