A method and system provide for automated counting of prescription product and enables virtual verification of the dispensed prescription product. The method and system include capturing by a camera at a first site an image of the prescription product to be dispensed according to a prescription to a patient, electronically displaying the image on a display at a second site remote from the first site, and electronically transmitting a verification from the second site to the first site in response to the image of the prescription product being determined at the second site to be consistent with the prescription.

A pill dispenser including a first primary ramp and a second primary ramp, which is opposite to the first primary ramp. Also included are a first secondary ramp and a second secondary ramp, which is opposite to the first secondary ramp. The first and second secondary ramps are both between the first and the second primary ramps. The pill dispenser further has an outlet including outlet sidewalls and an aperture through which pills are dispensed from, or loaded into, the pill dispenser. The outlet sidewalls extend to the aperture from the first primary ramp, the second primary ramp, the first secondary ramp, and the second secondary ramp.

A pill dispenser including a first primary ramp and a second primary ramp, which is opposite to the first primary ramp. Also included are a first secondary ramp and a second secondary ramp, which is opposite to the first secondary ramp. The first and second secondary ramps are both between the first and the second primary ramps. The pill dispenser further has an outlet including outlet sidewalls and an aperture through which pills are dispensed from, or loaded into, the pill dispenser. The outlet sidewalls extend to the aperture from the first primary ramp, the second primary ramp, the first secondary ramp, and the second secondary ramp.

The disclosure relates to a system for identifying medicines, comprising a first measurement device for identifying, from the top, at least one first medicine deposited in a compartment of a pill box and analysing at least one identifying characteristic of the first medicine; and a second measurement device for identifying, from the bottom, at least one second medicine deposited in the compartment of said pill box and analysing at least one identifying characteristic of the second medicine. The system comprises a device for comparing the characteristic of the first medicine and the characteristic of the second medicine, for determining at least one validated medicine and comparing the characteristic of the validated medicine with medicine signature characteristics. The system also comprises a validation device for obtaining an identified content for the compartment and comparing the identified content with a prescription. Methods for identifying and validating medicines are also disclosed.

The disclosure relates to a system for identifying medicines, comprising a first measurement device for identifying, from the top, at least one first medicine deposited in a compartment of a pill box and analysing at least one identifying characteristic of the first medicine; and a second measurement device for identifying, from the bottom, at least one second medicine deposited in the compartment of said pill box and analysing at least one identifying characteristic of the second medicine. The system comprises a device for comparing the characteristic of the first medicine and the characteristic of the second medicine, for determining at least one validated medicine and comparing the characteristic of the validated medicine with medicine signature characteristics. The system also comprises a validation device for obtaining an identified content for the compartment and comparing the identified content with a prescription. Methods for identifying and validating medicines are also disclosed.

A medication dispensing and monitoring system of the present invention includes a housing containing an interior for storing and dispensing medication to an authorized 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 and/or if other undesirable events occur. The invention includes a secondary dispenser as a failsafe to ensure that the patient can obtain a dose of the contained medication in the event of a device malfunction or patient error.

A medication dispensing and monitoring system of the present invention includes a housing containing an interior for storing and dispensing medication to an authorized 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 and/or if other undesirable events occur. The invention includes a secondary dispenser as a failsafe to ensure that the patient can obtain a dose of the contained medication in the event of a device malfunction or patient error.

A dispensing apparatus for dispensing articles includes a dispensing outlet, laterally opposed, elongate first and second guide walls defining a singulating channel therebetween, a dispensing path extending through the singulating channel to the dispensing outlet, and a drive system. The drive system includes a belt and a belt actuator operable to drive the belt. The dispensing apparatus is configured to convey articles on the belt in a dispensing direction along the dispensing path toward the dispensing outlet to be dispensed. The singulating channel is configured to singulate the articles as the articles are conveyed along the dispensing path and through the singulating channel toward the dispensing outlet to be dispensed. The first guide wall extends laterally across the singulating channel at an oblique angle to vertical to overhang at least a portion of the singulating channel and engage articles conveyed along the singulating channel.

A dispensing apparatus for dispensing articles includes a dispensing outlet, laterally opposed, elongate first and second guide walls defining a singulating channel therebetween, a dispensing path extending through the singulating channel to the dispensing outlet, and a drive system. The drive system includes a belt and a belt actuator operable to drive the belt. The dispensing apparatus is configured to convey articles on the belt in a dispensing direction along the dispensing path toward the dispensing outlet to be dispensed. The singulating channel is configured to singulate the articles as the articles are conveyed along the dispensing path and through the singulating channel toward the dispensing outlet to be dispensed. The first guide wall extends laterally across the singulating channel at an oblique angle to vertical to overhang at least a portion of the singulating channel and engage articles conveyed along the singulating channel.

A counting mechanism (100) for a dispenser comprising: a first and a second housing part (110, 120) that are rotatable relative to each other; and a counting ring (130) disposed between the housing parts. The first housing part has a protrusion (111) which abuts the counting ring, holding a portion of the counting ring in contact with the second housing part. The relative rotation of the housing parts causes the protrusion to slide against the surface of the counting ring to drive a rolling movement of the counting ring around the circumference of the second housing part, such that a predefined rotation of the housing parts produces an incremental rotational displacement between the counting ring and second housing part to record a count. The counting mechanism provides a large gear reduction ratio in a compact form which is straightforward to manufacture and provides an accurate and reliable record of counts.