U.S. patent application number 13/594540 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-24 for system and method for collection and management of items.
The applicant listed for this patent is Daniel Ezell. Invention is credited to Daniel Ezell.
Application Number | 20140207600 13/594540 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51208466 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140207600 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ezell; Daniel |
July 24, 2014 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COLLECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF ITEMS
Abstract
A method for collecting returned items and evaluating return
policy criteria with respect to collected items, and a system for
the same, are disclosed. The method includes providing a station,
such as a kiosk terminal, preferably at a pharmacy location. The
station includes a computer and a user interface including a touch
screen interface. Items, for example, pharmaceutical items to be
returned are brought to the station. The user enters information at
the station, such as by scanning a bar code on a container of the
item, weighing the item or its contents, and entering lot number
and expiration date associated with the item. In the event of
pharmaceutical items, the station determines whether the item is a
controlled or non-controlled substance and opens a chute for the
user to deposit the item into a receptacle selected based on the
determination.
Inventors: |
Ezell; Daniel; (Buffalo
Grove, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ezell; Daniel |
Buffalo Grove |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51208466 |
Appl. No.: |
13/594540 |
Filed: |
August 24, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/30 20130101;
G06Q 10/0832 20130101; G07F 7/06 20130101; A61B 2050/105 20160201;
Y02W 90/00 20150501; A61B 50/36 20160201; A61B 50/10 20160201; G06Q
30/014 20130101; G06Q 50/22 20130101; G16H 20/10 20180101; G06Q
30/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/26.1 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00 |
Claims
1. A method for collecting returnable items and determining return
policy compliance comprising the steps of: providing a station
having a first receptacle adapted to receive a returnable item,
providing said station with a computer and a user interface adapted
to enable a user to enter information related to a returnable item,
receiving said information related to the returnable item at said
station, evaluating at least a portion of said information with
respect to a return policy associated with the returnable item, and
determining whether or to what extend the item complies with the
return policy.
2. The method for collecting returnable items and determining
return policy compliance according to claim 1, further comprising
the steps of: providing a database server having return policy
parameters, providing a networked connection between said database
server and said computer, wherein said database server is
configured to receive said information from said computer over said
networked connection.
3. The method for collecting returnable items and determining
return policy compliance according to claim 2, further comprising
the steps of: providing a second receptacle within said station
adapted to receive a returnable item, determining an item category
based on at least a portion of said information, providing a
pathway to enable a user to deposit the returnable item in one of
said first receptacle or said second receptacle based on the item
category.
4. The method for collecting returnable items and determining
return policy compliance according to claim 3, wherein said item is
a pharmaceutical item and wherein said item category is either a
non-controlled pharmaceutical substance or a controlled
pharmaceutical substance.
5. The method for collecting returnable items and determining
return policy compliance according to claim 4, wherein the step of
providing a station comprises providing the station at a pharmacy
location.
6. The method for collecting returnable items and determining
return policy compliance according to claim 5, wherein a portion of
said information is an indication of a reason for returning the
item.
7. The method for collecting returnable items and determining
return policy compliance according to claim 6, wherein a portion of
said information includes a product number or bar code data.
8. The method for collecting returnable items and determining
return policy compliance according to claim 7, wherein a portion of
said information includes a quantity of said pharmaceutical
item.
9. The method for collecting returnable items and determining
return policy compliance according to claim 8, wherein a portion of
said information includes an expiration date of said pharmaceutical
item.
10. The method for collecting returnable items and determining
return policy compliance according to claim 9, wherein a portion of
said information includes a lot number associated with said
pharmaceutical item.
11. The method for collecting returnable items and determining
return policy compliance according to claim 10, further comprising
the steps of: providing said station with a scale adapted to
measure the weight of said pharmaceutical item, and sensing a
weight associated with said pharmaceutical item once said item is
placed on said scale.
12. The method for collecting returnable items and determining
return policy compliance according to claim 11, further comprising
the step of arranging for removing said first receptacle from said
station and transporting it substantially directly from said
pharmacy location to a waste disposal facility.
13. A collection station comprising: a station device having a
computer and a user interface, a first receptacle disposed in the
interior of said station device adapted to receive a deposited
pharmaceutical item, a second receptacle disposed in the interior
of said station device adapted to receive a deposited
pharmaceutical item, a first chute having a first selectively
controlled openable and closable access door adapted to selectively
provide access to said first receptacle, a second chute having a
second selectively controlled openable and closable access door
adapted to selectively provide access to said second receptacle,
software and hardware functionality adapted to receive information
from a user and determine from at least a portion of said
information whether a pharmaceutical item being deposited is a
controlled or non-controlled pharmaceutical item, and based on a
determination of whether such item is a controlled or
non-controlled pharmaceutical item, adapted to open a selective one
of first access door or said second access door.
14. The collection station according to claim 13, further
comprising: at least one camera disposed at said station and
positioned to view a user depositing a pharmaceutical item.
15. The collection station according to claim 14, further
comprising a pharmaceutical scale adapted to allow a user to weigh
a pharmaceutical item, and the scale adapted to provide output
weight information to said computer.
16. The collection station according to claim 15, wherein said
scale includes a manual pill counting tray at a top surface adapted
to allow a user to place and count tablets, capsules, or pills
associated with said pharmaceutical item.
17. The collection station according to claim 16, wherein said user
interface comprises a touch screen interface, and further
comprising a scanner adapted to scan a bar code on a pharmaceutical
item.
18. The collection station according to claim 17, further
comprising a networked connection between said computer and an off
site database server adapted to receive information from said
computer and evaluate said information in view of return policy
compliance rules.
19. A system for collecting items comprising: a station having at
least a first receptacle adapted to receive an item, said station
further comprises a computing device having a user interface
adapted to enable a user to enter at least a first piece of
information associated with such an item, a database containing
return policy information related to such an item, and software
adapted to function to assist in determining whether such item
meets requirements of a return policy related to such an item based
on at least the first piece of information.
20. The system for collecting items according to claim 19, further
comprising a second receptacle adapted to receive an item, wherein
said first receptacle is disposed within an interior of said
station, and wherein said second receptacle is disposed within the
interior of said station, wherein said user interface is adapted to
enable such a user to enter a second piece of information, and
wherein said computing device is adapted to determine into which of
said first receptacle and said second receptacle such an items
should be placed, said computing device adapted to provide a signal
to selectively cause a first passageway to open to allow a user to
deposit such an item in said first receptacle or a second
passageway to open to allow a user to deposit such an item in said
second receptacle based on the second piece of information.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a system and method for the
collection and management of items, and more particularly, to the
collection of returnable items such as pharmaceuticals and the
accounting and return policy management system with respect
thereto.
[0003] 2. Background
[0004] The pharmaceutical industry in particular requires many
return transactions to take place. Pharmaceutical items such as
containers of prescription or over-the-counter drugs and
medications may be returned by the retail pharmacy to the drug
manufacturer for credit under certain circumstances. For example,
various manufacturers have specific return policies which will
determine to what extent credit will be given for returned
pharmaceuticals such as items which are expired, short dated,
damaged, defective, or recalled.
[0005] Conventionally, the manner in which pharmaceutical items are
returned and disposed of is a rather inefficient and costly
process. Typically, pharmacies will ship such items to a third
party contractor who will record the details of each item including
information such as lot numbers, expiration dates, quantities,
product numbers, etc. The third party will determine what credits
it believes are due under the various return policy rules. Then,
the items are typically shipped to a contractor hired by the
manufacturer to verify the details of the returned items. These
contractors analyze the same information again, and apply the
return policies to verify or refute the application of the return
policies. The returned items must then be sent through proper
disposal channels based on the pertinent regulations, such as
controlled substances being sent to an incinerator.
[0006] This conventional process is a very inefficient process with
the involvement of multiple parties, multiple shipping
transactions, and significant costs to both the pharmacies and the
manufacturers. Furthermore, regulations relating to the shipping of
pharmaceuticals in various categories by agencies such as the EPA
and FDA, et al., are placing increasing limitations on the ability
of pharmacies to ship various items, and particularly so when such
a shipment crosses state lines. This can result in pharmacies
failing to claim credits rightfully due to them because they have
no suitable method to ship a returned item. In addition, expired
and otherwise returnable pharmaceutical items may pile up and take
up space at retail locations.
[0007] There is no prior art system or method to address these
problems. In other industries, such as in the medical waste
industry, there are various waste receptacle units which are
designed to accept various types of medical waste, including
sharps. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,620,559 issued to Mallett et
al., discloses a medical waste disposal unit which provides for
different openings to different containers for different types of
waste. However, there is no system in place to enter information
which would relate to returning an item, nor is there any
determination of return policy compliance. Numerous other similar
units exist in the prior art, however, none of them provide for
return policy analyses.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 7,487,100, also issued to Mallet et al.,
discloses a method of sorting regulated drug waste. But again,
there is no method for providing details related to determining
whether a return credit is available under a return policy.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,754,637 issued to Stenz discloses a method
for managing return processing. Software is used to address return
policy issues. Other such systems exist. However, there is no
method disclosed to verify the details of the product being
returned, and the product must still be shipped for
verification.
[0010] None of these prior devices provide for an efficient system
which verifies the item contents without shipping to another site,
and addresses return policy issues without having to ship returned
items to an independent contractor for verification. Thus, there
continues to be a need for a more efficient method and system for
the collection and management of returned items.
SUMMARY
[0011] The present invention is a method and system for collecting
returned items and determining return policy compliance. This
method and system consolidate the collection, verification, and
return compliance steps into a much more efficient process. While
this method and system may be applied to any suitable industry, one
industry in which the method is particularly well-suited is the
pharmaceutical industry. It is understood that the following
discussion and description relate to certain embodiments of the
invention, but that the scope of the invention is broad enough to
include collection in other industries as well.
[0012] In various different embodiments, the invention includes
providing a kiosk type station at a retail location such as a
retail pharmacy location or any pharmacy location. Ideally, the
station would be located in an area for personnel access only.
Employees are able to use the station to deposit pharmaceutical
items for return, such as items which are expired, short dated,
damaged, defective, or recalled.
[0013] In various embodiments, the station includes a cabinet and
an interior in which two receptacles are placed. One receptacle is
placed in a non-controlled substance area, and the other is in a
controlled substance area, as various regulations require these two
categories of waste to be treated differently. The receptacles are
locked within the station and can be accessed to deposit returned
items via access panels which open selectively depending on which
category the returned items belong to.
[0014] A user enters information to identify the user at the
station. Then, various pieces of information are input into the
system, either by user interface such as touch screen, or by
various station instruments. In various embodiments, the
information may include any combination of scanned bar code,
product number, lot number, expiration date, weight, pill count,
type of packaging and whether sealed or partial package, whether
prescription vial, etc. The station may include various cameras to
record events for later verification. A pill counting tray and
scale are included. Once all information is entered, a panel may
open on one side or the other, depending on the category of the
item. The user then deposits the item into a chute and it drops
into the removable receptacle below. Once one of the receptacles
becomes filled to a predetermined level, the system may notify the
user at the station, or notify an off site party such as a waste
disposal contractor, that the receptacle requires removal and
changing.
[0015] Once information is entered, various portions of information
can be checked, such as whether the weight and count of the item
matches existing database data for the item. The system then checks
whether return policy rules allow the item to qualify for a return
or partial return. This may be done using updated information at
the station itself. However, the preferred method is to enable the
system to communicate via a network or the internet with a database
server which is maintained with updated information related to
pharmaceutical items and manufacturer return policy rules. Once the
system determines to what extent the item qualifies for return, and
record and accounting is stored and optionally sent to interested
parties such as the retail facility, the manufacturer, or a third
party.
[0016] Thus, this system greatly streamlines the process for
obtaining credit for returned items such as pharmaceuticals, and
disposing of them. Instead of the items being shipped to a
manufacturer or third party contractor, which is sometimes
prohibited in view of various local and national government
regulations, the verification steps are largely automated and take
place right on site at the pharmacy location. Waste is then taken
directly to a waste disposal facility such as a waste consolidation
facility or an incinerator directly from the pharmacy location.
[0017] Still other objects and advantages of the present invention
will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the
following detailed description, wherein it is shown and described
only the preferred embodiments of the invention, simply by way of
illustration of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the
invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other
and different embodiments and its several details are capable of
modifications in various obvious respects, without departing from
the invention. Accordingly, the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals represent like features, and description are to be
regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the
station of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the
system of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows a diagram of one embodiment of the method of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many
different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail, preferred embodiments of the invention with
the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered
as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the
embodiments illustrated.
[0022] The present invention is a method and system 10 for
collecting returnable items and determining return policy
compliance. The method and system is applicable to many different
types of items which can be returned for potential credit. It is
understood that this system and method can be adapted or used with
respect to any suitable item. However, in a preferred embodiment,
the method and system is used in conjunction with pharmaceutical
items being returned. Typically, these items include expired drugs,
damaged items, short dated drugs meaning drugs with expiration
dates approaching within a short time period, defective items, or
recalled items.
[0023] In various embodiments, the system 10 and method include
providing a station 20 having a first receptacle 30 adapted to
receive a returnable item. A second receptacle 40 also adapted to
receive a returnable item is preferably provided. The receptacles
are ideally removable, though they are optionally locked within the
station 10. Access to remove them may be provided to authorized
persons either identified by the system 10 or having a key or
combination. The receptacles may be shippable containers such as
shipping boxes, or they may be any other suitable containers.
[0024] The station 10 is provided with a computer and a user
interface such as a touch screen 50. A user is able to enter
information using the touch screen. In certain embodiments, a user
initially is identified by the system via any of various methods,
such as by scanned ID, biometric finger scanner 60, or user name
and password identification. The user then enters information about
the item being returned. Such information may include the reason
for the return, such as expired, short dated, damaged, defective,
recalled, etc. The user may then scan a bar code on the item using
a scanner 70 or 170, or enters a product number associated with the
item. Further information is preferably entered, such as a lot
number associated with the pharmaceutical item and an expiration
date.
[0025] In various embodiments, the user is then prompted to empty
the contents of the container of the item onto a pill counting tray
80, count the contents, whether pills, tablets, capsules, etc., and
then replace them into the container. The tray 80 is preferably the
top surface of a scale which weighs the item or its contents. The
quantity information, as well as the weight, are input into the
system. Various verifications are preferably performed by the
system, such as verifying that the weight of the item matches its
type and quantity based on known information stored in a database
related to the item.
[0026] The information is then evaluated with respect to return
policy rules. The rules may be updated in a database at the station
20 itself, or a database server 90 may be networked with the
station 20 via a network or internet connection 100. The
information provided is checked against return policy rules to
determine whether the return qualifies for credit. The manufacturer
or its agent can be sent a report of this determination and an
accounting is kept. Preferably, the station is located at a
pharmacy location, and the pharmacy company can also have a report
of the analysis and an accounting sent.
[0027] In various embodiments, a first camera 110 records at least
a portion of the user's transaction at the station for possible
subsequent verification. A second camera 120 and optionally a third
camera 130 are preferably placed in locations to record various
views of the item being returned for verification. Records from the
cameras may be viewed or spot checked at subsequent times to verify
the user's actions.
[0028] A first access panel 140 and second access panel 150 are
preferably provided. These panels are opened and closed by the
system based on whether the item is determined to fit into one
category or another. In the embodiment of returning pharmaceutical
items, the item is determined by the system using information input
by the user whether the item is a controlled or non-controlled
substance. If it is a controlled substance, the second access panel
150 may open to allow the user to deposit the item into the second
receptacle 40. If the item is a non-controlled substance, the first
access panel 140 may be opened to allow the user to deposit the
item into the first receptacle 30.
[0029] In certain embodiments, the station 20 may further include a
label printer 160 for printing labels, such as for shipping a box
for a recalled item. In the event an item is recalled, the system
may be used to display this information on the screen. Thus, if a
pharmacy location is sent a recall notice via this station, the
station may require the user to act on the recall before
authorizing further use.
[0030] As the system provides a verification and accounting of the
items deposited, and to what extent return policies should be
implemented, no further third party or manufacturer need verify the
contents of the receptacles. Thus, the receptacles can be
transported to a waste disposal facility such as a dump or
incinerator. Access is provided to authorized parties to remove the
receptacles and transport them.
[0031] While specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described, numerous modifications come to mind without
significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the
scope of protection is limited by the scope of the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *