Abstract:
One aspect of the invention relates to an assembly comprising a plurality of bins with a plurality of lids associated therewith. Each of the bins has a lock assembly that includes a catch operable to lock the lid in its closed position and a mechanical indicator responsive to the catch. Another aspect of the invention relates to an automated dispensing cabinet that includes a control computer and a plurality of drawers having a plurality of row assemblies therein. Each row assembly has bins that include a tabbed lid, a lock assembly with a catch operable to engage and disengage the tab, and an indicator responsive to the lock assembly. Methods for dispensing from and restocking the remote dispensing systems are also given, as well as a method for indicating which item is to be dispensed from one of a plurality of bins.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/369,779 filed Mar. 7, 2006, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/313,554, filed Dec. 6, 2002, both of which are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for providing access to items to be dispensed, and relates more particularly to the automatic dispensing of medical supplies. The invention further relates to an apparatus and method for reducing the amount of power consumed by an automatic dispensing system. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In typical medical facilities (for example, hospitals, clinics, rest homes, etc), medical supplies are maintained in centralized storage locations and delivered to remote locations (for example, an emergency room, patient ward, etc.) as needed. Once delivered, the medical supplies are then dispensed to a patient. “Medical supply” is intended to include, among others, any item that is administered to or dispensed for a patient or used by a medical caregiver to treat a patient (for example, pharmaceuticals, syringes, sterilized bandages, scalpels, etc.). The invention has been described herein with reference to the dispensing of medical supplies, but it should be recognized that the invention is applicable to fields other than the medical field. 
         [0006]    A variety of systems are used for transferring (i.e., from the storage location to the remote locations) and for dispensing (i.e., from the remote locations to the patient) the medical supplies. A system may use, for example, mobile dispensing carts which are stocked at the centralized storage area and then wheeled to the remote location. The medical supplies may then be dispensed directly from the mobile dispensing cart for administering to the patient. Alternatively, a dispensing system may use a stationary dispensing cabinet located at the remote location. Medical supplies are dispensed from the dispensing cabinet for later administering to the patient. A restocking cart, loaded with replacement medical supplies from the centralized storage location, is used to replenish the stationary dispensing cabinet. 
         [0007]    Of particular interest to the present invention are dispensing systems which dispense items which require close monitoring and control. A variety of schemes have been proposed for providing secured access to items that are held within such dispensing systems, including locking the items within the carts or allowing access to only one item at a time (commonly referred to as “single dose” or “unit dose” dispensing). In addition to providing secure access, the schemes direct the user to the location within the dispensing system of the item to be dispensed. 
         [0008]    One such system is described in related U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,366 entitled “Pharmaceutical Dispensing Device and Methods” and No. 5,905,653 entitled “Methods and Devices for Dispensing Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Items.” The system controls access to items to be dispensed and maintains an inventory of the items. The system includes a dispensing unit having a plurality of storage locations distributed within an enclosure. The storage locations may include a multiplicity of lockable receptacles disposed within at least some of the storage locations. The storage locations and the individual lockable receptacles may have sensors and indicator lights associated therewith. 
         [0009]    A processor is operable to receive user input and, in response to the input, is operable to activate an indicator light corresponding to the storage location associated with the item to be dispensed. The processor activates locks to prevent access to non-selected storage locations. The processor unlocks the individual receptacle (within the selected storage location) containing the item to be dispensed and activates the indicator light corresponding to the unlocked receptacle. The processor is also connected to receive feedback signals from the receptacle-associated sensors, such that when the unlocked receptacle is opened by a user, a feedback signal is sent to the processor indicating that the item has been dispensed. 
         [0010]    Another such system is described in related U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,774 entitled “Drawer Operating System” and No. 6,065,819 entitled “Jerk-Resistant Drawer Operation System.” The patents disclose a drawer operating system for controlling a plurality of elongated drawers having a plurality of bins consecutive with one another along a sliding direction for holding various dispensable items. The drawers are housed in an array in a cabinet, each drawer arranged to move independently between a closed position and graduated, progressively opened positions to allow access to one or more bins and the contents stored therein. The system controls access to the bins by only allowing the drawer to travel the distance necessary to expose the next bin containing the item. For example, if a drawer has five bins each containing the desired item, the system will only allow the drawer to move to a position in which the first bin is exposed. After the first bin is emptied, the system will only allow the drawer to move to a position in which the second bin is exposed. The process may be repeated until all five bins are emptied. The system includes a keyboard for inputting coded information concerning the particular item needed and information as to the party entering the information. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,011,999 entitled “Apparatus for Controlled Dispensing of Pharmaceutical and Medical Supplies” discloses a system for controlled dispensing of pharmaceutical and medical supplies. The system includes a cabinet having a plurality of drawers, each having a plurality of receptacles. Each receptacle is sized to hold one item and has an identifier associated therewith. Locks are provided for securing the lid. The locks include an electrically responsive actuator wire, which in response to an electrical current supplied to the electrically responsive actuator wire, causes the lock to engage and disengage the lid. A processor is in communication with the locks and is configured to send a signal to the electrically responsive actuator wire to actuate the lid. The lid is spring biased and includes a colored indicator on an inner portion of the lid, such that when unlocked, the lid pops open and the indicator is exposed. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,461 entitled “Method and Apparatus for the Dispensing of Drugs” discloses another dispensing system. The system includes modular receptacles which are filled and transported to remote automatic dispensing machines for later retrieval and distribution. The system includes the loading, refilling, and replacement of the modular receptacles at various stages in the process of the invention. The system includes a receptacle having a lockable lid. When required an electronic circuit causes a latch to be actuated, thus opening the lockable lid. The lid has a spring in the hinge assembly which pushes the lid open when the latch is freed, thus indicating to the user the correct receptacle. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,450 discloses a supply station with an internal computer. The supply station is comprised of a cabinet having a plurality of lockable doors. Information is provided to the computer which unlocks the doors and simultaneously and automatically updates a patient&#39;s record, billing information and hospital inventory. Relevant data may be displayed on a display or printed on a sheet of paper by a printer connected to the computer. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,297 discloses an auxiliary storage and dispensing unit for use with a computer-controlled supply and medication dispenser station. The dispensing unit includes a cabinet having a plurality of lockable doors, a device for interconnecting one or more of the doors to allow access to the cabinet and a door unlocking device interconnected to the computer-controlled station for selectively unlocking one or more of the doors as a function of information inputted to the station. 
         [0015]    Computer controlled dispensing systems, such as those discussed above, have been developed in response to a number of problems existing in medical facilities. Computer controlled dispensing systems, for example, address problems such as the removal of medications by unauthorized personnel, dispensing the wrong medication for a patient, inaccurate record keeping, etc. 
         [0016]    The AcuDose-Rx dispensing cabinet available from McKesson Automation Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pa. is an example of a computer controlled cabinet programmed to address the aforementioned problems. A user is required to logon to the computer (thereby identifying who is removing medications). After identifying a patient, the user is presented with a list of medications that have been approved for administering to the identified patient (thereby addressing the problem of incorrect dispensing). Records are kept for each dispensing event thereby creating an audit trail. 
         [0017]    As discussed above, a variety of different storage options are available for dispensing cabinets to ensure the safe and accurate dispensing and administration of medications. These include, but are not limited to, drawers with individual locking pockets which provide access to only one medication in a drawer at any given time; unit-dose dispensing drawers, which provide access to one “unit-of-use” of a medication at any given time, and open matrix drawers, which consist of a plurality of open pockets and which provide access to multiple medications at any given time. 
         [0018]    While such systems provide for access controlled dispensing, most require large amounts of power to keep the compartments locked. Furthermore, systems using lighted indicators require additional power, control circuitry, and wiring. In contrast, systems using non-lighted indicators rely on the drawer or lid to “spring” open. If an item is caught on the drawer or lid, an increased risk is encountered that the item will become airborne when the drawer or lid is opened. The airborne item may become lost or may strike a user. 
         [0019]    Thus, a need exists for a secure unit dose dispensing cabinet that requires less power to operate and provides a mechanical indicator means for notifying the user of correct location of the item to be dispensed without “springing” open a drawer or lid. Additionally, there exists a need for a safer, less error-prone dispensing and replenishment system. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    One aspect of the present invention relates to an assembly comprising a plurality of bins, a plurality of lids each associated with one of the plurality of bins, wherein each of the bins has a notched tab and a touch latch. The notched tab and the touch latch are in one of an engaged state and a disengaged state when said lid is in a closed position. The assembly includes a lock assembly including a catch operable to prevent the notched tab and the touch latch from changing state and a mechanical indicator responsive to the catch. 
         [0021]    Another aspect of the present invention relates to an automated dispensing cabinet, comprising a plurality of drawers, wherein at least one of the drawers includes a plurality of row assemblies, each of the row assemblies having a plurality of bins. Each of the plurality of bins includes a lid having a tab attached thereto, a touch latch operable to one of engage and disengage the tab when the lid is in a closed position, a lock assembly including a catch operable to prevent the notched tab and the touch latch from one of engaging and disengaging, and a mechanical indicator responsive to the lock assembly and viewable when the lid is in a closed position. The automated dispensing cabinet also includes a control computer operable to lock and unlock the plurality of drawers and to control the position of the catch of each of the bins. 
         [0022]    Additionally, an aspect of the present invention relates to a method for dispensing an item contained in remote dispensing system. The method comprises granting a user access to the remote dispensing system having a plurality of lockable drawers with a plurality of lockable bins, accepting dispensing information from the user, unlocking at least one of the plurality of drawers, wherein the unlocked drawer contains an item to be dispensed, unlocking at least one of the plurality of bins located within the unlocked drawer while changing the state of a mechanical indicator associated with a bin that has been unlocked, verifying that the user has closed the unlocked bin, and locking the at least one of the plurality of bins and the at least one of the plurality of drawers. 
         [0023]    Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for restocking items contained in a remote dispensing system including a cabinet having with a plurality of drawers, at least one of the plurality of drawers having a plurality of bin row assemblies. The method comprises selecting a bin row assembly, opening the drawer containing the bin row assembly, identifying the selected bin row assembly, removing the selected bin row assembly from the drawer, inserting a restocked bin row assembly in place of the removed selected bin row assembly. 
         [0024]    Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to an assembly comprising a plurality of bins, a plurality of lids, each lid being associated with one of the plurality of bins, each of the bins having a notched tab, a lock assembly including a catch operable to one of engage or disengage the notched tab when the lid is in a closed position, and a mechanical indicator responsive to the catch. 
         [0025]    Those advantages and benefits, and others, will be apparent from the Detailed Description below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0026]    To enable the present invention to be easily understood and readily practiced, the present invention will now be described for purposes of illustration and not limitation, in connection with the following figures wherein: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dispensing system located at a decentralized location according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a lockable drawer for the dispensing system shown in  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a bin row assembly for the lockable drawer shown in  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3B  is a front view of a the bin row assembly of  FIG. 3A  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIGS. 3C and 3D  are left and right side views, respectively, of the bin row assembly of  FIG. 3A  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 3E  is a top view of the bin row assembly of  FIG. 3A  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 3F  is an exploded view of the bin row assembly of  FIG. 3A  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIGS. 3G and 3H  illustrate a touch latch in the unhooked and hooked positions, respectively according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a power control circuit board for the bin row assembly of  FIG. 3A  according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 4B  is a detailed view of a portion of the power control board for the bin row assembly illustrated in  FIG. 4A  according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 4C  is an exploded view of a portion of the power control board for the bin row assembly of  FIG. 3A  according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 4D  is a sectional view taken along the lines A-A of the portion of the power control board for the bin row assembly illustrated in  FIG. 4B . 
           [0039]      FIG. 5  illustrates an operational process for dispensing items from the remote dispensing system shown in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 6  illustrates an operational process for restocking dispensed items from the remote dispensing system shown in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIGS. 7A-7C  are an electrical schematic of an input/output interface circuit and a manually activated override interface circuit for the remote dispensing system illustrated in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are an electrical schematic of a relay select circuit for the remote dispensing system illustrated in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0043]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are an electrical schematic of a manual override sequence control circuit for the remote dispensing system illustrated in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0044]      FIG. 10  is an electrical schemata of feedback circuits for the remote dispensing system illustrated in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0045]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a remote dispensing system  10  located at a decentralized location according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  may be comprised of, for example, an AcuDose-Rx™ cabinet  12  (available from McKesson Automation inc., 700 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, Pa.) having a control computer  14 , and an AcuDose-Rx™ auxiliary cabinet  16 . A supply tower  18  is also illustrated. The control computer  14  controls the operation of the cabinet  12 , auxiliary cabinet  16 , and supply tower  18 . 
         [0046]    The control computer  14  may include a memory device (not shown, such as a disk drive, tape drive, CD-ROM drive, etc.) having a local database. The local database may contain inventory, user, and patient information (among others). Alternatively, the control computer  14  may be in communication with another computer (for example, located at the centralized storage location) having a central database which contains the inventory, user, and patient information (among others). 
         [0047]    The control computer  14  accepts entry of inventory, user, patient, and other information via a keyboard  20 , scanning device  22 , and datalink (not shown), among others. The control computer  14 , in programmed interaction with the entered information, provides output information to a display  24 , printer (not shown), etc. and provides output control signals to the cabinet  12 , auxiliary cabinet  16 , and supply tower  18 , etc. 
         [0048]    The control computer  14  may be programmed to regulate access to the system&#39;s cabinets  12 ,  16  and supply tower  18  and to generate records related to access, inventory, etc. The records may be stored in the local database, displayed on the display  24 , printed by a printer unit, or transmitted to a central database (among others). The control computer  14  may be preprogrammed with appropriate information regarding the medication types associated with, and their exact location within, each cabinet  12 , auxiliary cabinet  16  and supply tower  18 . The programming may, for example, be entered directly into the control computer  14  or downloaded from the central database. 
         [0049]    As will be discussed in greater detail in conjunction with  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a user logs onto the control computer  14  to perform a dispensing operation. After log-on, patient information and information regarding items to be dispensed are entered. Based on the entered information, the appropriate drawers  26  in the cabinet  12  and the auxiliary cabinet  16 , and various doors  28  on the supply tower  18  are unlocked. The user then accesses the unlocked drawers  26  and doors  28  and removes the appropriate item. After the item to be dispensed has been removed, its removal is recorded at the control computer  14 . The record may be entered manually by the user or automatically by a feedback signal. The user may continue to dispense items for the identified patient, enter patient information for another patient, or logoff. 
         [0050]    Entry of information, including log-in, can be performed in a variety of ways with a variety of input devices, for example, using the keyboard  20  and barcode scanning  22 . Additional input devices or input means, for example, a touch screen, selecting items from a pick list, RF ID), flash memory, magnetic strips, OCR (none of which are shown), etc., may also be used. The reader will understand that the hardware illustrated in  FIG. 1  is exemplary and is illustrated for purposes of demonstrating one type of hardware which may be located at the decentralized location. 
         [0051]    The hardware illustrated in  FIG. 1  limits access to the items to be dispensed to those individuals who have properly logged on. Thus, the hardware illustrated in  FIG. 1  is referred to as a closed system for performing dispensing operations because a dispensing operation cannot be performed unless the user is identified to, and recognized by, the control computer  14 . 
         [0052]    It should be noted that in the current embodiment, a limited access manual override system is also provided. Access is limited to individuals having keys to the rear of the AcuDose-Rx cabinet  12 , AcuDose-Rx auxiliary cabinet  16 , and AcuDose-Rx supply tower  18 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one type of a lockable drawer  26  for use with the dispensing system  10  shown in  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment of the present invention. For example, the lockable drawer  26  may be one of the drawers  26  from the AcuDose-RxTM cabinet  12  or from the auxiliary cabinet  16 . Lockable drawer  26  is comprised of a housing  30 , a frame  31 , and a pair of slides  32  (one of which is seen in  FIG. 2 ) which enable the frame  31  to move relative to the housing  30 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , five (5) bin row assemblies  34 , each having five (5) bins  36  are secured to the frame  31 . The frame  31  and bin row assemblies  34  are slidably moveable between a closed position within the housing  30  and an open position outside of the housing  30 . It should be noted that the housing  30  may have a single frame  31  (with a plurality of bin row assemblies  34  secured thereto, for example, as shown in  FIG. 2 ) or with a number of frames  31  (each having a single bin row assembly  34  secured thereto, for example) each mounted on corresponding slides  31 . 
         [0054]    For simplicity, in the current embodiment the bins  36  are numbered from left-to-right and from back-to-front, relative to the lockable drawer  26 . Thus as illustrated, the first bin row assembly  34  is comprised of bins  1 - 5 , the second bin row assembly  34  is comprised of bins  6 - 10 , the third bin row assembly  34  is comprised of bins  11  - 15 , etc. It should be noted that the number of bin row assemblies  34  per drawer  26 , the number of bins  36  per bin row assembly  34 , and the scheme used to number the bin row assemblies  34  and bins  36  may be altered while remaining within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0055]    The bin row assemblies  34 , to facilitate restocking procedures or changing of inventory, are separable from the open drawer  26 . For example if the bins  6 - 10  need to be restocked, the second bin row assembly may be removed from the open drawer  26 , taken to the central storage location, restocked, and then returned to the open drawer  26 , or swapped out with another bin row assembly, i.e., the second bin row assembly may be removed from the open drawer  26  and a previously stocked replacement bin row assembly  34  may be substituted in place of the second bin row assembly. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 3A-3F  are perspective, front, left side, right side, top, and exploded views, respectively, of a bin row assembly  34  for the dispensing system  10  shown in  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment of the present invention. As best seen in  FIG. 3E , the bin row assembly  34  is comprised of a base  38 , front wall  40 , back wall  42 , side wall  44 , and interior partitions  46 . As illustrated, the bin row assembly  34  in the current embodiment contains five (5) bins  36 . The front wall  40  includes a lip  48  and one or more spacers  50  configured to receive a power control circuit board  52 . The power control circuit board  52  is positioned under the lip  48 , abutting the spacers  50 , and attached to the front wall  40  (for example, with screws). The lip  48  includes a slotted indicator window  54  and a latching mechanism aperture  56  for each bin  36 . 
         [0057]    A lid  58  is attached to the back wall  42  of each bin  36  via a hinge mechanism  60 . When the lid  58  is in the closed position, a notched tab  62  on the lid  58  enters the aperture  56  in the lip  48  and engages with a touch latch  63  that is mounted to the bin  36  (for example, on the lip  48  under the aperture  56 , among others). The touch latch  63 , as is known in the art, operates by pushing the notched tab  62  on the lid  58  into the touch latch  63 . The notched tab  62  “hooks” with the touch latch  63 . Referring briefly to  FIG. 3H , a touch latch is illustrated in the hooked position. Thus, the lid  58  is closed it by pushing it down until the touch latch  63  latches and holds it closed. The lid  58  is opened by pushing down on the lid  58  again which causes the touch latch  63  to release (i.e., “unhook”) the lid  58 . Referring briefly to  FIG. 3G , a touch latch is illustrated in the unhooked position. 
         [0058]    When closed, the lid  58  may be locked in place by a lock assembly  66  (shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C ) contained on the power control circuit board  52 . In the current embodiment, each bin  36  has a lid  58  associated therewith. Additionally, each lid  58  may be constructed of a transparent material so that both the contents of the bin  36  and the slotted indicator window  54  can be viewed when the lid  58  is in the closed position. 
         [0059]    When a lid  58  is in the closed position (i.e., engaged by the touch latch  63 ) and locked by the lock assembly  66 , the slotted indicator window  54  displays a first color (for example, red) indicating to the user that the lid  58  cannot be opened. When the lid  58  is unlocked by the lock assembly  66 , the slotted indicator window  54  displays another color (for example, green) indicating to the user that the lid  58  can be opened. It should be noted that in the current embodiment, the indicator can be viewed even when the lid  58  remains closed. It should further be noted that other types of mechanical indicators may be used that permit the indicator to be viewed when the lid  58  is closed while remaining within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0060]    It should be noted that an assembly having an alternative latching/locking means may be used while remaining within the scope of the present invention. For example, a lid  58  may have a notched tab  62  that is engaged by the lock assembly  66  without using a touch latch  63 . In one instance, the lock assembly&#39;s catch  74  may engage the notched tab  62  when the lid is in a closed position. 
         [0061]    It should further be noted that, although the bin row assembly  34  of the current embodiment has five (5) bins, the number of bins  36  may be varied while remaining with the scope of the present invention. Additionally, certain bins  36  may not have a lid  58  associated therewith, for example, a bin  36  containing non-regulated supplies may not have a lid  58 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a power control circuit board  52  for the bin row assembly  34  of  FIG. 3A  according to one embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 4B-4D  are detailed, exploded, and sectional views of a portion of the power control circuit board  52  for the bin row assembly  34  illustrated in  FIG. 4A  according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIG. 4A , power control circuit board  52  is comprised of a backing plate  64  with five (5) latch assemblies  66  (i.e., one associated with each bin  36 ) and a connector  68  attached thereto. The connector  68  is used to connect signal and power conductors for each lock assembly  66  to the system  10 . For example, the connector  68  couples with a complimentary connector (not shown) that is in electrical communication with the control computer  14 . The complimentary connector in the present embodiment is located on the drawer  26 . 
         [0064]    As best seen in  FIG. 4C , in the current embodiment each locking assembly  66  includes a solenoid  70 , pivot arm  72 , catch  74 . The catch  74 , in the current embodiment, includes the mechanical indicator for notifying the user whether the bin  36  is locked or unlocked. The lock assembly  66  may also include a relay  82 , Hall-effect sensor  84 , as well as associated hardware, for example, flat washers  76 , fastener standoff  78 , and screws  80 , among others. 
         [0065]    In the current embodiment, latching solenoids  70  are used. A latching solenoid  70  refers to a solenoid  70  that does not have a default mechanical state and must receive an electrical pulse to change states. For, example in the current embodiment, the catch  74  slides from side to side to lock and unlock the lid  58 . When the catch  74  is engaged (i.e., the lid  58  is locked), the notched tab  62  of the lid  58  is prevented from being pushed down far enough to change the state of (i.e., engage or disengage) the touch latch. If power is removed from the latching solenoid  70 , the catch  74  remains engaged. The catch  74  remains engaged until a control pulse is applied to the latching solenoid  70 . Likewise, when a bin  36  is unlocked, the catch  74  is disengaged. If power is removed from the latching solenoid  70 , the catch  74  remains disengaged. The catch  74  remains disengaged until a control pulse is applied to the latching solenoid  70 . Thus, the use of latching solenoids  70  reduces the amount of power needed to operate the dispensing system  10 . It should be noted that other means for moving the catch  74  (for example, a non-latching solenoid, a motor, a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, an actuator, an electromagnet, etc.) may be used while remaining within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0066]    Referring now to  FIG. 4B , the lock assembly  66  is shown in the locked (i.e., engaged) position. For simplicity, the notched tab  62  and touch latch  63  are not shown in  FIG. 4B . When an electrical pulse is applied via the relay  82  to the solenoid  70 , the solenoid plunger  71  extends (moves to the left as shown), causing the pivot arm  72  to rotate clockwise about its pivot point. The pivot arm  72 , in turn, causes the catch  74  to unlock (i.e., move to the right as shown) the lid  58 . When the lock assembly  66  is in the disengaged position and an electrical pulse with opposite polarity is applied to the solenoid  70  via the relay  82 , the solenoid plunger  71  retracts (moves to the right as shown), causing the pivot arm  72  to rotate counterclockwise about its pivot point. The pivot arm  72 , in turn, causes the catch  74  to unlock (i.e., move to the left as shown) the lid  58 . The Hall-effect sensor  84  produces a feedback signal (that is sent to the control computer  14 ) indicative of whether the lid  58  is closed or open. 
         [0067]    As discussed above, when the lock assembly  66  is engaged, the notched tab  62  of the lid  58  is prevented from being pushed down far enough to change the state of (i.e., engage or disengage) the touch latch  63 . Thus, it should be apparent to one skilled in the art that the direction of travel of the catch  74  to lock and unlock the lid may be changed while remaining within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0068]    In the current embodiment, the locking/unlocking and the mechanical indication of the bin&#39;s status (i.e., locked or unlocked) are combined in a unitary function, i.e., as the bin is locked or unlocked, the mechanical indicator changes state. The catch  74 , for example, may have an indicia (such as colors, words, symbols, marks, etc.) representative of whether the catch is engaged (i.e., the bin  36  is locked) or disengaged (i.e., the bin  36  is unlocked). For example as discussed in conjunction with  FIGS. 3A-3F , catch  74  may have red colored portions and green colored portions which show through the indicator window  54  when the bin in locked and unlocked, respectively. It should be noted, however, that other mechanical indicia, such as raising a flag or pin, rotating a cylinder having “locked” on one portion and “unlocked” on another portion, turning a dial, etc. may be used while remaining within the scope of the present invention. Also, the function need not be unitary, that is, the bin may be locked or unlocked followed by the mechanical indicator changing state. It should be apparent to one skilled in the art that any mechanical indicator that is responsive to the lock assembly  66  may be used while remaining within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0069]      FIG. 5  illustrates an operational process  500  for dispensing items at a remote dispensing system  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Operation  500  is initialized by a user logging onto the remote dispensing system&#39;s control computer  14  at operation  501 . In the current embodiment, the remote dispensing system  10  includes a control computer  14 , AcuDose-Rx cabinet  12 , AcuDose-Rx auxiliary cabinet  16 , and a supply tower  16  as discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 1 . 
         [0070]    After logging onto the control computer  14 , the user is granted access to the remote dispensing system  10  in operation  502 . In the current embodiment, the access may be either restricted or unrestricted. Restricted access allows the user to access fewer than all of the drawers  26  and bins  36  located at the remote dispensing station  10  and prevents the user from removing some or all of the bin row assemblies  34  from a drawer  26 . On the contrary, unrestricted access allows the user access to all of the drawers  26  and bins  34  located at the remote dispensing station  10  and allows the user to removing all of the bin row assemblies  34  from a drawer  26 . 
         [0071]    The control computer  14  then accepts dispensing information from said user in operation  503 . In the current embodiment, dispensing information may include inventory, user, patient, and prescription information, among others. The dispensing information may be entered via a keyboard  20 , scanning device  22 , and datalink (not shown), among others. 
         [0072]    After accepting the dispensing information, the drawers  26  containing the items to be dispensed are unlocked in operation  504 . In the current embodiment, the control computer  14 , in programmed interaction with the entered information, provides the output control signals for unlocking the drawers  26  of the cabinet  12 , auxiliary cabinet  16 , and supply tower  18 . 
         [0073]    The bins  36  within the unlocked drawers  26 , which contain the items to be dispensed, are unlocked in operation  505 . In the current embodiment, the bins  36  contain a mechanism that not only locks/unlocks the bin  36 , but also simultaneously indicates to the user whether the bin  36  is locked or unlocked. In the current embodiment, a mechanical indicator is used which can be viewed when the bin&#39;s lid  58  is closed. It should be noted that even when unlocked, the bin&#39;s lid  58  remains closed until lifted by the user, or the lid can be spring loaded so the pushing down on an unlocked lid causes the lid to spring up. 
         [0074]    Once the bin(s)  36  have been unlocked, the user can remove the desired item and close the bin lid  58 . Typically, the user then enters information into computer  14  to create a dispensing record. In the current embodiment, feedback signals are sent from the bins  36  to the control computer. The feedback signals may be used, among others, to verify whether a drawer  26 , bin  36 , etc. is locked or unlocked, and whether a bin&#39;s lid  58  is opened or closed. 
         [0075]    After the remote dispensing station  10  verifies that the user has closed the unlocked bin(s)  36  and closed the drawer  26  in operation  506 , the closed bins  36  and closed drawer  26  are locked in operation  507 . As discussed above, the mechanism used not only locks/unlocks the bin  36 , but also simultaneously indicates to the user whether the bin  36  is locked or unlocked. A mechanical indicator is used which can be viewed when the bin&#39;s lid  58  is closed. 
         [0076]    After the opened bins  36  and drawers  26  are locked in operation  507 , the user indicates whether another dispense is desired in operation  508 . If another dispense is desired, operational process  600  returns to operation  603  and the user enters new dispensing information. If another dispensing operation is not desired, the user is logged off of the control computer  14  in operation  509 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 6  illustrates an operational process  600  for restocking dispensed items with the remote dispensing system  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Operation  600  is initiated by operation  601  when the remote dispensing system  10  detects that a bin row assembly  34  within the remote system  10  is depleted or below par (i.e., below an acceptable inventory level). In the current embodiment, the control computer  14  may be manually notified by a user, notified by a centralized computer, or the control computer  14  may automatically detect, that a bin row assembly  34  has been selected (i.e., it is depleted or below par). 
         [0078]    The remote dispensing system  10  then unlocks the drawer  26  containing the selected bin row assembly  34  in operation  602 . In the current embodiment, the user is notified of which drawer  26  has been unlocked on the control computer display  14 . Alternatively, an indicator located on the cabinet or auxiliary cabinet may also be used to notify the user. 
         [0079]    The selected bin row assembly  34 , within the unlocked drawer  26 , is then identified in operation  603 . In the current embodiment, the selected bin row assembly  34  is identified on the control computer display  24 . Alternatively, an indicator located on the drawer, cabinet, or auxiliary cabinet may also be used to identify the selected bin row assembly  34 . 
         [0080]    After the selected bin row assembly  34  has been identified, the user removes the selected bin row assembly  34  from the drawer  26  in operation  604 . In one embodiment, the bin row assembly  34  can be secured within the drawer  26  such that a user having restricted access (as discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 5 ) can only remove the selected bin row assembly  34  from the drawer  26  that has been unsecured by the control computer  14 . The user having restricted access is unable to remove the bin row assemblies that remain secured. 
         [0081]    A restocked bin row assembly  34  is then inserted into the drawer  26  in operation  605 . In the current embodiment, the restocked bin row assembly  34  is filled at a centralized storage location. Each bin in the restocked bin row assembly  34  is locked at the centralized storage location, prior to transporting the restocked bin row assembly  34  to the remote dispensing system  10 . After the restocked bin row assembly  34  is inserted into the unlocked drawer  26  and the drawer  26  is closed, the control computer  14  locks the drawer  26  in operation  606 . Operational process  600  is then terminated in operation  607 . 
         [0082]      FIGS. 7A-7C  are an electrical schematic of an input/output interface circuit  86  and a manual override interface circuit  94  for the remote dispensing system  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The input/output interface circuit includes filters  87 , flip-flops  88 , inverters  89 , and buffers  90 , among others. Column select and row select input bits on pins  91 , sent from control computer  14 , are received by the input output interface circuit  86 , inverted, buffered and output to a relay select circuit  92  (discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 8 ) via row select and column select pins  93 .  FIG. 7  also illustrates a manual override interface circuit  94 , which in conjunction with a flip-flop  88 A, may be used to disable the row and column select inputs  91  should a manual override be instituted.  FIG. 7  also illustrates a start transaction bit carried on line  102  which is input to a power drive  104  through a one-shot  106 . Finally, a flip-flop  88  is used to generate signals for determining the direction needed to drive the solenoids  70 . It should be noted that alternative input/output interface and manual override interface circuits may be used while remaining within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0083]      FIG. 8  is an electrical schematic of a relay select circuit  92  for the remote dispensing system  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the current embodiment, the relay select circuit  92  has a row select circuit  108  and a column select circuit  110  that receive signals from the row select and column select pins  93  of the input/output interface circuit  86 . The row select circuit  108  and column select circuit  110  each fire one of a plurality of output lines that feed a grid or matrix of relay circuits  95 . In the current embodiment, each bin  36  in the remote dispensing station  10  has a corresponding relay circuit  95 . If a given relay circuit  95  receives both a row select signal (e.g., “X”) and a column select signal (e.g., “Y”), the relay for that “X-Y” coordinate is selected. The output of the relay circuit  95  is used to pulse the latching mechanism&#39;s  66  latching solenoid  70  for the desired bin  36 , thus locking or unlocking the bin  36 . It should be noted that an alternative relay select circuits or other circuits may be used to actuate the latching mechanism  66  for locking and unlocking the bins  36  while remaining within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0084]      FIG. 9  is an electrical schematic of a manual override sequence control circuit  96  for the remote dispensing system  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The circuit of  FIG. 9  is comprised of a pair of counters that enable each bin  36  of a selected drawer  26  to be separately and sequentially addressed and unlocked, before proceeding to the next drawer and separately and sequentially addressing and unlocking all of the bins  36  in that drawer  26 . In this manner, the power requirements are maintained at an acceptable level. A similar scheme could be implemented with the control computer  14  if it is still functioning and an override is needed for some reasons other than a control computer  14  malfunction. It should be noted that the actual sequence employed, as well as the auto-sequence circuit used for the manual override (among others) may be varied while remaining within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0085]      FIG. 10  is an electrical schematic of a portion of a feedback circuit for the remote dispensing system  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As discussed, the latching mechanism  66  for each bin  36  produces one or more feedback signals. For example, a feedback signal may indicate that the lid  58  is opened or closed (e.g., designated as  0 /C in  FIG. 10 ). In the current embodiment, the feedback signal for the bins  36  in each column (i.e., within a drawer  26 ) are sent to a feedback selector  114 . It should be noted that only one feedback selector  114  is shown in  FIG. 10  for simplicity. Although not shown in  FIG. 10 , the feedback circuit includes a number of feedback selectors  114  to receive feedback from each bin  36 . The output of the feedback selectors  114  are then sent to the control computer  14  (e.g., via pin PORT  3  BIT  0 ). It should be noted that other feedback circuits may be used while remaining within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0086]    It should be recognized that the above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to be illustrative only. Numerous alternative embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the following claims.