Patent ID: 8060246
Filing Date: 2011-11-15
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
1. A system using a networked automated items dispensing apparatus, comprising: a housing enclosing at least one storage receptacle for storing a plurality of items within the housing; at least one temporary storage receptacle proximate the at least one storage receptacle for receiving at least one of the plurality of items; and a dispensing receptacle within the housing for receiving the at least one of the plurality of items from the at least one temporary storage receptacle; a communications network interface operatively connected to the items dispenser for entering programming instructions; and at least one programmable internal memory device contained in the items dispenser for storing a schedule for dispensing the plurality of items to the dispensing receptacle, wherein after the at least one of the plurality of items is dispensed to the dispensing receptacle, the schedule automatically adjusts according to a hierarchy of dispensing rules.