Patent Publication Number: US-6910601-B2

Title: Collating unit for use with a control center cooperating with an automatic prescription or pharmaceutical dispensing system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
   This non-provisional utility application relates to and claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional application entitled “COLLATING CONTROL CENTER,” Ser. No. 60/394,589, filed Jul. 8, 2002, which is hereby incorporated into the present non-provisional application by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to automatic dispensing systems that are operable to automatically fill and label prescription vials or otherwise dispense pharmaceutical products to be labeled and dispensed as prescriptions to patients. More particularly, the invention relates to a collating unit operable to automatically store prescription containers dispensed from an automatic dispensing system for subsequent retrieval by an operator. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Automatic dispensing systems (“ADSs”), such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,919, have been developed to assist pharmacists in the filling and dispensing of prescriptions. ADSs are extremely helpful in automatically filling prescription vials with medicaments or automatically dispensing unit-of-use packages containing medicaments. However, busy pharmacies often do not have enough pharmacists, technicians, or other operators available to retrieve and store the vials and packages, i.e. the prescription containers, as quickly as an ADS outputs the containers. It is therefore common for prescription containers to be lined up on an outfeed conveyor of the ADS, waiting for retrieval and storage by the operator. When the operator wishes to retrieve a particular patient&#39;s container, the operator must look at and read a label of each container on the outfeed conveyor until finding the correct container. This method of retrieving prescription containers is time-consuming and presents a possibility for error, since the operator may easily pick up the wrong container in search of the patient&#39;s container. If the patient has several filled prescriptions corresponding to several containers, the operator must look through even more containers for the patient&#39;s containers. Further, if the ADS is filling the containers faster than the operator can retrieve the containers, place caps on the containers that are filled prescription vials, and store the containers, then the operator may likely store the containers on a counter top in the pharmacy. This presents the possibility of containers becoming disorganized, or of even more concern, containers being knocked over. If the containers are filled prescription vials, then since the vials are not yet capped when they exit the ADS, then medicaments may spill from toppled vials onto the counter top or onto the floor. Further, there is the possibility other items may inadvertently be placed in the vials, such as other medicaments or particulates, such as dust accumulated on the counter top or floor. 
   If the pharmacy does provide multiple pharmacists, technicians, or other operators to retrieve and store the prescription containers exiting the ADS, one or more persons are necessarily moving around the outfeed conveyor of the ADS. Since the area around the conveyor is relatively small, these persons are likely to bump into each other or otherwise cause a disruptive work environment. Further, with multiple persons retrieving the containers, the containers may become misplaced, or the contents of filled prescription vials may be spilled. It is also possible that one or more of the containers dispensed for a given patient may be retrieved by one operator while other container(s) for the same patient may be retrieved by another operator. This may cause confusion, and when this happens, the patient may inadvertently leave the pharmacy without all of the required prescription containers. Requiring additional operators for managing retrieval and storage of the containers also increases the overall operating costs of the pharmacy. 
   Once the operator finds the correct container for the patient, the container is usually packaged in a bag having a label identifying the patient&#39;s name for whom the container is intended, a prescription number for the prescription associated with the container, and other relevant and identifying information for the prescription. If the patient requires multiple containers, all containers would normally be packaged in the same bag. A prescription label for each prescription stored in the bag is then normally stapled to the bag. The bag is then stored, normally in alphabetical order, in a bin or other storage receptacle. As bags for various patients are stored in the bin, the bags are bunched together, which often makes it difficult to find a bag for a particular patient. Further, if a bag is mistakenly placed in the bin out of alphabetical order, upon retrieval of the bag, the operator is required to conduct a more extensive search of the stored bags for the desired bag. 
   If the patient has several prescriptions corresponding to several filled containers, all the containers should be packaged in the same bag for retrieval by the operator. However, it is common for multiple prescription containers to be packaged in separate bags for a variety of reasons. For example, if prescriptions are entered into a control system of the ADS at separate times, as opposed to being entered at approximately the same time, then the containers containing the prescribed medicament will exit the ADS at separate intervals. The operator retrieving the containers from the ADS outfeed conveyor will then likely package the containers as they exit the ADS, as opposed to retrieving a container for a patient, recognizing that other containers will be forthcoming from the ADS, and temporarily setting the retrieved container aside to wait for the other containers for the patient to exit the ADS. When the last container for the patient has exited the ADS, the operator must then retrieve all containers for the patient that have been set aside, package the containers in a bag, and store the bag in alphabetical order in the storage bin. If the operator sets aside multiple containers for multiple patients, the counter top of the pharmacy is likely to become full with prescription containers awaiting packaging, which increases the possibility of misplacing a container or of even more concern, incorrectly packaging a container in the wrong bag. 
   To alleviate some of the problems associated with retrieving dispensed prescription containers, ADSs are often provided with a control center or other end unit, wherein prescription containers filled with medicaments are conveyed to the control center via the outfeed conveyor of the ADS. Most prior art control centers are static in that they are simply a cabinet or handling station at which the operator retrieves a filled container from the outfeed conveyor, places a cap on the container if it is a filled prescription vial, packages the container in a bag or other package, and stores the container in a storage receptacle or bin based on a patient&#39;s name. 
   Automated control centers have been developed which are operable to automatically store the containers exiting the ADS. Such automated control centers commonly include a storage unit having a plurality of holding slots, holding areas, or other storage mechanism in which the prescription containers are stored. Unfortunately, prior art automated control centers are limited to storing only one prescription container per a slot or compartment. Additionally, prior art automated control centers store the container based on a prescription number associated with the container, as opposed to storing the container based on a patient name for whom the container is intended. This is especially inconvenient for several reasons. First, many patients now receive more than one prescription at a time, and thus, more than one prescription container will be associated with each patient. Since prior art automated control centers are only operable to store one container per a slot, an operator retrieving stored containers for a patient must retrieve containers from several different slots. Further, because the slots in which the containers for the patient are stored are not necessarily next to each other, or even proximate to each other, the operator is required to look for containers at several various locations within the storage unit. 
   Second, prior art automated control centers are only operable to store the container for the patient under the prescription number, and thus, any indicator for the slot in which the container is stored only displays the prescription number. The operator is then required to cross-reference the prescription number to the patient name by either viewing the prescription number on paperwork for the prescription, viewing the prescription number on the indicator for the slot, and determining if the numbers match, or viewing the prescription number on a display, such as a computer monitor, and matching the prescription number to the number on the indicator. This is time-consuming and prone to error since the operator must match prescription numbers that are often several digits in length. 
   As noted above, many ADSs already include static control centers. To automate the static control centers, the static control centers must either be completely replaced with automated control centers having storage units for storing the prescription containers, or the static control centers must be substantially modified to include the storage units. Extensive modification or replacement of the static control centers is required because the storage units for storing the prescription containers are normally large and bulky and include many structural items not found in existing static control centers. Therefore, prior art static control centers cannot be easily and inexpensively modified to include storage units for storing prescription containers. 
   Another limitation of prior art automated control centers is that they are not configured to simultaneously store both unit-of-use packages containing medicaments and filled prescription vials. This is especially problematic because many medicaments are now pre-packaged in unit-of-use packages, especially in Europe. 
   Further yet, prior art automated control centers are often relatively expensive, due to their large size and numerous features. 
   There is therefore a need for an automated storage unit configured to be easily used with an existing static control center. More particularly, there is a need for a storage unit that automatically stores a prescription container containing medicaments and dispensed from an automatic dispensing system for subsequent retrieval by an operator. There is also a need for a unit operable to store more than one container in a holding area. Additionally, there is a need for a unit operable to collate multiple containers for a patient in one holding area. Further, there is a need for a unit operable to store a container for a patient based on the patient&#39;s name, as opposed to a prescription number associated with the container. Additionally, there is a need for a unit that is configured to simultaneously store both prescription vials and/or packages containing medicaments in a staging area such that multiple prescriptions for a patient, whether in the form of prescription vials, unit-of-use packages, or a combination thereof, are grouped together for easy retrieval. Even further, there is a need for a unit that is relatively inexpensive. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention solves the above-described problems and provides a distinct advance in the art of automated storage units for use with static control centers cooperating with automatic dispensing systems (“ADSs”). More particularly, the present invention provides a collating unit that may be used with an existing static control center to automatically store prescription containers, such as prescription vials and unit-of-use packages containing medicaments, exiting an ADS. The unit stores prescription containers according to a storage algorithm that is dependent on a patient name for whom a container is intended and an availability of an open storage position in the collating unit. 
   The collating unit of the present invention broadly includes an infeed conveyor, a base, a collating unit conveyor, a frame, a plurality of holding areas, a plurality of guide arms, a plurality of sensors, and a control system. The collating unit may be mounted in an opening formed in a counter top of an existing control center or, alternatively, a control center may be manufactured with the collating unit. 
   The infeed conveyor is preferably positioned on the counter top of the control center and may be an outfeed conveyor of the ADS. The base is preferably mounted within the opening in the counter top and extends into the cavity of the control center. The base is secured to the counter top and provides a stable support structure on which the collating unit conveyor may be mounted. The collating unit conveyor is mounted on the base and is positioned generally adjacent to the infeed conveyor. 
   The frame substantially surrounds the infeed conveyor and the base and collating unit conveyor. The frame includes a longitudinal slot positioned along a length of the frame, such that when the frame is positioned over the infeed and collating unit conveyors, the longitudinal slot is positioned over the infeed conveyor. The frame also includes the plurality of holding areas formed therein. Each holding area is positioned generally transverse to the longitudinal slot at an angle less than 90° to the longitudinal slot. Each holding area is generally U-shaped to include an open end and a closed end. The open end of each area is interconnected with the longitudinal slot. When the frame is positioned over the infeed and collating unit conveyors, the holding areas are positioned over the collating unit conveyor. 
   The plurality of guide arms are rotatably mounted to the base between the infeed conveyor and the collating unit conveyor and at the open end of each holding area. The rotation of each arm is driven by an individual guide arm motor in communication with the control system. 
   The plurality of sensors are operable to determine the presence of a container within the collating unit. Each sensor includes an infrared light emitting diode (“LED”) and receiver. Sensors are positioned at an end of the longitudinal slot, at the closed end of each holding area, and along a length of the longitudinal slot proximate to the open end of each holding area. 
   The control system controls operation of the infeed conveyor, the collating unit conveyor, the plurality of guide arms, and the plurality of sensors. The control system includes a computing device, such as a computer, an infeed conveyor controller, a collating unit conveyor controller, a guide arm controller for each guide arm, a sensor controller for each sensor, a central sensor controller, an input device, an indicia reader, and at least one display, such as a computer monitor. The control system is preferably integrated with a control system of the ADS. 
   The infeed conveyor controller controls operation of the infeed conveyor and specifically, is operable to instruct movement of an infeed conveyor motor. Similarly, the collating unit conveyor controller controls operation of the collating unit conveyor and is operable to instruct movement of a collating unit conveyor motor. 
   Each guide arm controller controls operation of its guide arm and specifically, controls operation of its guide arm motor. When a container is ready to be stored in the holding area, the control system instructs the guide arm motor, via the guide arm controller, to open and close the guide arm. 
   Each sensor is controlled by its sensor controller, and each of the sensor controllers is controlled by the central sensor controller. Thus, the central sensor controller is operable to transmit information to and receive information from each of the sensor controllers. 
   The input device may be a keyboard, keypad, fingerprint reader, mouse, etc. An operator of the collating unit uses the input device to input identifying information for a patient, such as the patient&#39;s name, into the control system to facilitate locating stored containers in the collating unit. 
   The indicia reader is preferably a bar code reader for scanning a bar code of a prescription for the patient. Paperwork for the prescription preferably includes the bar code identifying the prescription. 
   The display is preferably a flat screen computer monitor mounted on an outer face of the ADS for easy viewing by the operator. 
   In operation, a prescription for a patient is entered into the control system of the ADS along with identifying information for the prescription, such as the patient&#39;s name. The ADS then dispenses a container containing the prescribed medicament. The container is transported to the control center, and specifically to the collating unit, via the infeed conveyor. The control system next determines in which holding area to store the container. The selected holding area is dependent on whether previous containers for the patient have been stored in the collating unit and not yet retrieved. If containers for the patient have already been stored and not yet retrieved, the control system determines if the holding area has space to store the additional container. To accomplish this, the sensor positioned at the open end of the holding area determines if the holding area is full. If the holding area is not full, the container is stored in the holding area. If the holding area is full, or if no container for the patient has been stored and not yet retrieved, the control system selects the first empty holding area for storage of the container. 
   To store the container in the holding area, the infeed conveyor moves forward to transport the container to the open end of the selected holding area. As the container progresses to the holding area, the guide arm for the area opens outwardly into the path of the container. Based on the speed of the infeed conveyor and the sensor sensing the presence of the container, the control system knows when the container is positioned at the opening of the holding area. Once the container is positioned at the opening of the holding area, the control system instructs the guide arm to close, which pushes the container into the holding area and onto the collating unit conveyor. To further transport the container to the closed end of the area, the control system instructs the collating unit conveyor to move forward. Since the holding area is positioned at an angle less than 90° to the longitudinal slot, the container is moved to the closed end of the holding area due to the forward progression of the collating unit conveyor. 
   When an operator of the collating unit desires to retrieve the container from the holding area, the operator may input the identifying information for the prescription, such as the patient&#39;s name, into the control system via the input device. Alternatively, the operator may scan the bar code on the paperwork of the prescription using the indicia reader. The control system then instructs an indicator positioned on either side of the frame proximate to the holding area to flash, which indicates the holding area location of the desired container. 
   By constructing a collating unit as described herein, numerous advantages are realized. For example, the collating unit of the present invention assists pharmacists or other operators in storing containers dispensed by an automatic dispensing system by automatically storing the containers, which significantly reduces the time necessary to manually retrieve and store the containers. Additionally, the collating unit eliminates errors associated with manual retrieval and storage of dispensed containers. Further, the collating unit eliminates the need for multiple pharmacists or operators to retrieve and store the containers, thus decreasing the operating costs of the pharmacy. Further yet, the collating unit is operable to store more than one prescription container per a holding area. 
   The collating unit is also operable to associate a stored container with a patient based on the patient&#39;s name. Further, the collating unit of the present invention can collate and store multiple containers for a patient within the same area. Further yet, the collating unit may be used with an existing control center and is relatively inexpensive, thus providing a pharmacy with an inexpensive, easy-to-install solution for collating and storing prescription containers, including prescription vials and unit-of-use packages, dispensed from an automatic dispensing system. 
   These and other important aspects of the present invention are described more fully in the detailed description below. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a collating unit constructed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention and shown mounted on a control center cooperating with an automatic dispensing system (“ADS”); 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the collating unit, specifically illustrating an infeed conveyor, a collating unit conveyor, and a frame; 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a base of the collating unit having the collating unit conveyor and a plurality of guide arms mounted thereon; 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the frame of the collating unit, particularly illustrating a plurality of holding areas; 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view of the frame; 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic of the components of a control system of the collating unit; 
       FIG. 7  is a flow diagram illustrating steps performed by the collating unit for storage of a prescription container; 
       FIG. 8  is a flow diagram illustrating steps performed by the collating unit when storing multiple prescription containers for a patient; and 
       FIG. 9  is an isometric view of two collating units constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein prescription containers are routed on two infeed conveyors to the two collating units. 
   

   The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Turning now to the drawing figures, and particularly  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  6  a collating unit  10  constructed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The collating unit  10  is provided for use with a control center  12  cooperating with an automatic dispensing system (“ADS”)  14 . The collating unit  10  is operable to automatically store filled prescription containers, such as prescription vials and unit-of-use packages containing medicaments, exiting the ADS  14  based on an organization scheme that accounts for identifying information of the container, such as a patient name for whom the container is intended or a prescription number of the container. 
   The collating unit  10  broadly comprises an infeed conveyor  16  for transporting the prescription containers from the ADS  14  to the collating unit  10 ; a base  18  housed within the control center  12  and positioned generally adjacent to the infeed conveyor  16 ; a collating unit conveyor  20  mounted on the base  18 ; a frame  21  substantially surrounding and covering the infeed conveyor  16  and the base  18 ; a plurality of holding areas  22  formed within the frame  21 ; a plurality of guide arms  24  mounted on the base  18  between the infeed conveyor  16  and the collating unit conveyor  20  and operable to maneuver the containers from the infeed conveyor  16  into the plurality of holding areas  22 ; a plurality of sensors  26  to sense the presence of the containers within the collating unit  10 ; and a control system  28  for controlling operation of the infeed conveyor  16 , the collating unit conveyor  20 , the guide arms  24 , and the sensors  26 . 
   As noted above, the present invention cooperates with the ADS  14 , such as, for example, the SP 200 Robotic Prescription Dispensing System or the SP Unit Dispenser, both manufactured and sold by ScriptPro LLC of Mission, Kans. Various aspects of ADSs are embodied in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,337,919, 5,713,487, and 5,762,235, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/457,286, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Briefly, the ADS  14  receives prescriptions (“scripts”) via a host computer. The scripts are then automatically filled, either by automatically filling a prescription vial or automatically dispensing a unit-of-use package containing medicaments. The filled vials or packages, i.e. the containers, are transported, via an outfeed conveyor  31 , to the control center  12 , where an operator retrieves the containers from the outfeed conveyor  31 , places caps on the containers that are prescription vials, and stores the containers in a predetermined storage unit or packages the containers for receipt directly by customers. The control center  12  is commonly a cabinet, table, or other housing structure  32  that houses caps for the vials, a printer, a scanner, a keyboard drawer, and other necessary supplies. A counter top  34  encloses a top of the cabinet  32  and provides a surface on which the outfeed conveyor  31  may be positioned. The control center  12  is thus a workstation from which a pharmacist, technician, or other operator may retrieve the containers from the outfeed conveyor  31  and manually store them in the predetermined storage unit. 
   The present invention may be positioned on the counter top  34  of the control center  12  and housed partially inside the cabinet  32  of the control center  12 . To prepare the existing control center  12  for receipt of the collating unit  10  of the present invention, an opening  36  must be formed or cut in the counter top  34 . The opening  36  allows access to a inside cavity  38  of the control center  12 , where the printer, scanner, and other supplies are housed. Alternatively, a new counter top (not shown) for the control center  12  may be provided already having the opening  36  formed therein. Thus, the collating unit  10  of the present invention provides an automatic container storage unit that may be used with existing control centers  12 . The collating unit  10  automatically stores containers exiting the ADS  14  by patient, prescription, or other predetermined storage scheme without input or handling by the operator. 
   The infeed conveyor  16  is preferably positioned on the counter top  34  of the control center  12  and extends from the ADS  14 . In preferable form, the infeed conveyor  16  is also the outfeed conveyor  31  of the ADS  14 , such that the outfeed conveyor  31  extends onto the counter top  34  of the control center  12 . Alternatively, the infeed conveyor  16  may be positioned substantially adjacent to an end of the outfeed conveyor  31  of the ADS  14 , such that containers being transported on the outfeed conveyor  31  continuously move onto the infeed conveyor  16  without interruption and without toppling or otherwise displacing the containers. Preferably, the infeed conveyor  16  extends a length of the collating unit  10  to transport containers to various locations in the collating unit  10 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the infeed conveyor  16  includes a conveyor base  40  having a horizontal base section  42  preferably formed of metal. A pair of spaced-apart, transversely-extending rollers  44  are rotatably mounted to the conveyor base  40 . A conveyor belt  46  is trained over the rollers  44  so that the belt  46  covers and rides over the horizontal base section  42 . The rightmost roller  44 , as viewed in  FIG. 2 , serves as a drive roller that is driven by a belt or chain  48  rotated by an infeed conveyor motor  50 . The infeed conveyor motor  50  is in communication with the control system  28 , as described in more detail below. 
   Turning to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 , the base  18  is positioned within the opening  36  in the counter top  34  and partially housed within the cavity  38  of the cabinet  32  of the control center  12 . The base  18  is substantially rectangular in horizontal cross-section and extends the length of the collating unit  10 , such that the base  18  is positioned generally adjacent to the infeed conveyor  16 . The base  18  includes first and second supporting members  52 , 54  for supporting the collating unit  10 , as illustrated in FIG.  3 . The first supporting  52  member is preferably substantially rectangular in vertical cross-section and provides a support structure on which the second supporting member  54  is positioned. The second supporting member  54  is generally U-shaped in vertical cross-section. The shape of the second supporting member  54  forms a wide, hollow trough, the purpose of which will be described below. A leg  56  of the second supporting member  54  is provided with a securing plate  58  fitted at a general 90° angle to the leg  56 . The securing plate  58  includes a plurality of holes  60  through which screws, bolts, or other securing fasteners may be guided to secure the base  18  to the counter top  34  of the control center  12 . As such, the base  18  fits primarily within the cavity  38  of the control center  12 , except for the securing plate  58 , which lies flat against and is secured to the counter top  34 . The base  18  is preferably formed of metal or other suitable material capable of providing a stable support structure for the collating unit  10 . 
   The collating unit conveyor  20  is mounted within the hollow trough of the second supporting member  54  of the base  18 , such that a top of the collating unit conveyor  20  is generally even with a top of the infeed conveyor  16 . The collating unit conveyor  20  is generally similar to the infeed conveyor  16  in that the collating unit conveyor  20  includes a horizontal base section  62 , a pair of spaced-apart, transversely-extending rollers  64  rotatably mounted to the horizontal base section  62 , and a conveyor belt  66  trained over the rollers  64  so that the belt  66  covers and rides over the horizontal base section  62 . The rightmost roller  64 , as viewed in  FIG. 3 , serves as a drive roller that is driven by a belt  68  or chain rotated by a collating unit conveyor motor  70 . The collating unit conveyor motor  70  is positioned within the cavity  38  of the control center  12  and is in communication with the control system  28 , as described in more detail below. 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the frame  21  preferably substantially surrounds the infeed conveyor  16  and the base  18  and collating unit conveyor  20  and abuts up against the ADS  14 , as best illustrated in FIG.  1 . The frame  21  may be secured to the infeed conveyor  16  and base  18  or may be sized to simply fit over the infeed conveyor  16  and base  18 . The frame  21  includes a longitudinal slot  72  generally extending a length of the frame  21 . When the frame  21  is positioned over the infeed conveyor  16  and base  18 , the longitudinal slot  72  is substantially positioned over the infeed conveyor  16 . The longitudinal slot  72  preferably includes an open end  74  and a closed end  76 , and the open end  74  preferably abuts up against an opening in the ADS  14  through which the containers are transported, as illustrated in FIG.  1 . Thus, as the containers are transported on the infeed conveyor  16 , the containers are also guided within the longitudinal slot  72  of the frame  21 . The frame  21  is preferably formed of plastic or other lightweight material, such as aluminum. 
   As with the longitudinal slot  72 , the plurality of holding areas  22  are preferably formed in the frame  21 . Each holding area  22  is generally U-shaped, and each area  22  is interconnected with the longitudinal slot  72 , as best illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Each area  22  preferably includes an open end  80  and a closed end  82 , and the open end  80  of each area  22  is preferably positioned adjacent to the longitudinal slot  72 . When the frame  21  is positioned over the infeed conveyor  16  and the base  18 , the holding areas  22  are substantially positioned over the collating unit conveyor  20  mounted on the base  18 , as illustrated in FIG.  2 . In preferable form, the frame  21  includes six holding areas  22  generally arranged parallel to each other, although fewer or more areas  22  are possible depending on the size of the frame  21 . Importantly, the holding areas  22  are preferably formed at an angle less than 90° to the longitudinal slot  72 , as opposed to the holding areas  22  being formed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal slot  72 , the purpose of which will be described below. The holding areas  22  are also advantageously sized to accommodate both prescription vials and unit-of-use packages containing medicaments, such that the collating unit  10  may store both vials and packages simultaneously in the holding areas  22 . 
   The plurality of guide arms  24  are rotatably mounted on the base  18  between the infeed conveyor  16  and the collating unit conveyor  20 , as illustrated in FIG.  2 . Each guide arm  24  is mounted at the open end  80  of each holding area  22 , such that each guide arm  24  separates each holding area  22  from the longitudinal slot  72 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  4 , and  5 . Thus, the collating unit  10  preferably has one guide arm  24  for each holding area  22  for a total of six guide arms  24 . 
   The rotation of each guide arm  24  is driven by an individual guide arm motor  84 , such that each guide arm  24  is operable to rotate outwardly into the longitudinal slot  72 . Each guide arm motor  84  is in communication with the control system  28 , as described in more detail below. As a container exits the ADS  14  and travels on the infeed conveyor  16  through the longitudinal slot  72 , the control system  28  determines in which holding area  22  to store the container, as described in more detail below. The guide arm  24  for the selected holding area  22  opens via the guide arm motor  84 , such that the container is guided within the holding area  22 . As the guide arm  24  closes, the container is substantially moved within the holding area  22 , as also described in more detail below. 
   The plurality of sensors  26  sense the presence or location of containers stored in the collating unit  10 , as described in more detail below. Each sensor  26  preferably includes at least one infrared light emitting diode (“LED”)  86  and at least one receiver  88 , such that infrared energy emitted by the LED  86  is received by the receiver  88 , as illustrated in FIG.  4 . If an object, such as a container, is located in a path of the energy emitted from the LED  86 , then the energy will reflect off of the object and be received by the receiver  88 , thus indicating the presence of the object. In contrast, if no object is in the path of the emitted energy, then the energy has no object off of which to reflect or alternatively, the reflecting energy is measurably reduced. Therefore, little or no energy is received by the receiver  88 , which indicates that no object is within the path of the energy emitted by the LED  86 . 
   Sensors  26  are positioned at the closed end  76  of the longitudinal slot  72 , at the closed end  82  of each holding area  22 , and along the length of the longitudinal slot  72  proximate to the open end  80  of each holding area  22 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . Although infrared LEDs  86  and receivers  88  are described, the sensors  26  may include any conventional optical-type sensor having an optical emitter and an optical detector. The use and operation of the sensors  26  will be described in more detail below with respect to the operation of the collating unit  10 . 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  8 , the control system  28  of the present invention controls operation of the collating unit  10  and is integrated with a control system  90  of the ADS  14 . The control system  90  of the ADS  14  receives data corresponding to prescriptions inputted to the host computer  30 . The host computer  30  may be any pharmacy computer running a pharmacy automation program such as provided by Zadall Computer Systems. With respect to the collating unit  10  of the present invention, the control system  28  communicates with and controls operation of the infeed conveyor  16 , the collating unit conveyor  20 , the plurality of guide arms  24 , and the plurality of sensors  26 . 
   The control system  28  broadly includes a computing device  92 , such as a computer, an infeed conveyor controller  94 , a collating unit conveyor controller  96 , a guide arm controller  98  for each guide arm  24 , a sensor controller  100  for each sensor  26 , a central sensor controller  102  for controlling operation of each of the individual sensor controllers  100 , an input device  104 , such as a keyboard, keypad, fingerprint reader, mouse, etc., an indicia reader  106 , such as a bar code reader, and at least one display  108 , such as a computer monitor, that serves as an operator interface. 
   The computing device  92  may broadly comprise any processor capable of being programmed and preferably also includes a memory  110  on which at least one database  112  may be stored. The computing device  92  communicates with and controls operation of the other components of the control system  28 . 
   The infeed conveyor controller  94  controls operation of the infeed conveyor  16 . Specifically, the infeed conveyor controller  94  is in communication with the infeed conveyor motor  50  and is operable to instruct movement of the motor  50 . The infeed conveyor controller  94  receives instructions from the control system  28  on when to begin and end movement of the infeed conveyor  16 . 
   The collating unit conveyor controller  96  controls operation of the collating unit conveyor  20 . As with the infeed conveyor controller  94 , the collating unit conveyor controller  96  communicates with the collating unit conveyor motor  70  and receives instructions from the control system  28  on when to begin and end movement of the collating unit conveyor  20 . 
   Each guide arm controller  98  controls operation of its guide arm  24 . Specifically, each guide arm controller  98  controls operation of its guide arm motor  84  and thus, is in communication with its guide arm motor  84 . Each guide arm controller  98  receives instructions from the control system  28  on when to open and close its guide arm  24 , as described in more detail below. 
   Each sensor controller  100  controls operation of its sensor  26 , and, as noted above, the central sensor controller  102  controls operation of each sensor controller  102 . Thus, the central sensor controller  102  is operable to transmit information to and receive information from each sensor controller  100 . At predetermined intervals, the sensors  26  determine the presence of any stored containers within the collating unit  10 , as described below, and information on any sensed containers is transmitted to the control system  28  via the central sensor controller  102 . 
   Initially, a script is entered into the control system  90  of the ADS  14  by a pharmacist, technician, or other operator. When entering the script, the operator preferably also enters identifying information for the script, such as a patient&#39;s name. Additionally, the script is assigned a script number, wherein the script number identifies the particular patient name and medicament to be dispensed. Further, a unique bar code is associated with the script, and the bar code is preferably placed on any paperwork for the script, the purpose of which will be described below. 
   Once the script is entered into the control system  28 , the ADS  14  automatically dispenses a first initial container, wherein the container is either a prepackaged unit-of-use prescription package or a vial filled with the prescribed medicament. The ADS  14  then labels the container with the identifying information and bar code for the script and conveys the container to the collating unit  10  via the outfeed conveyor  31 , as described above. The control system  90  of the ADS  14  sends the script information to the control system  28  of the collating unit  10 , including the patient&#39;s name and the script number. 
   Before storing the first container in the collating unit  10 , the sensors  26  of the collating unit  10  determine if any object is stored or otherwise located in the collating unit  10 , as depicted in Box  7 A of FIG.  7 . Thus, the sensor  26  positioned at the closed end  76  of the longitudinal slot  72  determines if any object is located on the infeed conveyor  16 , and the sensors  26  positioned at the closed and open ends  80 , 82  of each holding area  22  determine if any object is located in any of the holding areas  22 . If the sensors  26  determine that an object is located in the collating unit  10 , such information is transmitted to the control system  28  via the central sensor controller  102 , and the control system  28  instructs an error message to be displayed on the display  108 , as depicted in Box  7 B. If the sensors  26  determine that no object is located in the collating unit  10 , the control system  28  instructs the first container exiting the ADS  14  to be stored in the collating unit  10 , as depicted in Box  7 C. Thus, the sensors  26  can determine if a prescription container from a previous use has not been removed from the collating unit  10  or if a foreign object has been placed in the collating unit  10 . 
   When the collating unit  10  is initially empty, the control system  28  instructs the first container exiting the ADS  14  be stored in the first available holding area  22 , i.e. the holding area  22  nearest to the ADS  14 . To store the container in the holding area  22 , the control system  28  instructs the infeed conveyor  16  to move forward, and the guide arm  24  for the selected holding area  22  to open. Once the guide arm  24  opens into the longitudinal slot  72  and into the path of the container, the container is prevented from being transported by the infeed conveyor  16  and is held in place in the longitudinal slot  72  by the guide arm  24 . The sensor  26  positioned at the open end  80  of the holding area  22  is then instructed to confirm that the container is located at the open end  80  of the holding area  22 . If the sensor  26  at the open end  80  does confirm the presence of the container, the control system  28  instructs the guide arm  24  for the area  22  to close, which consequently moves the container off of the infeed conveyor  16  and into the holding area  22  and onto the collating unit conveyor  20 . Once the guide arm  24  closes, the control system  28  instructs the collating unit conveyor  20  to move forward. Since the holding area  22  is formed at an angle within the frame  21 , as discussed above, forward movement of the collating unit conveyor  20  moves the container proximate to the closed end  82  of the holding area  22 . This allows room for other containers to be stored in the area  22  without disrupting or otherwise toppling the currently stored container. 
   As containers are stored in the collating unit  10 , the control system  28  of the collating unit  10  stores such information in the memory  110 . An operator of the collating unit  10  may at any time determine which containers are currently stored in the collating unit  10  and the location of the containers in the collating unit  10 . Further, the control system  28  stores the identifying information for each stored container in the memory  110 . 
   After the control system  28  instructs the first container to be stored in the holding area  22 , the control system  28  instructs an indicator  114  proximate to the area  22  to display the identifying information for the container, such as the patient name and script number, as illustrated in FIG.  4 . The indicator is preferably a vacuum fluorescent display and multiple indicators  114  are preferably secured to opposing sides of the frame  21 . The indicator  114  for each holding area  22  is preferably lit once a container is stored in the holding area  22 . 
   To store a second container in the collating unit  10 , the control system  28  first determines if the second container is for the same patient as the first container, as depicted in Box  8 A of FIG.  8 . If the second container is not for the same patient as the first container, the control system  28  will not store the second container in the same holding area  22  in which the first container was stored, since the control system  28  will not store containers for different patients in the same holding area  22 . Thus, the control system  28  instructs the second container to be stored in the first empty holding area  22 , as depicted in Box  8 B. 
   If the second container is for the same patient as the first container, the control system  28  determines if the first container for the patient has been retrieved or otherwise removed from the holding area  22 , as depicted in Box  8 C. The control system  28  determines if the first container has been removed from the holding area  22  by instructing the sensors  26  for the holding area  22  to determine if an object is located in the area  22 . Such information is transmitted to the control system  28  via the sensor controller  100  for the holding area  22  and the central sensor controller  102 . If the holding area  22  is empty, and thus, the first container has been removed, the control system  28  instructs the second container to be stored in the first empty holding area  22 , as depicted in Box  8 D. 
   If the first container for the patient has not been removed from the holding area  22 , the control system  28  determines if the holding area  22  storing the first container is full, as depicted in Box  8 E. In this example, since only one container has been stored in the collating unit  10 , namely the first container, the holding area  22  that is holding the first stored container will not be full. However, in operation, several containers may be stored in the collating unit  10 , and thus, it is possible the holding area  22  may be full. To determine if the holding area  22  is full, the sensor  26  positioned proximate to the open end  80  of the holding area  22  along the longitudinal slot  72  determines if any container is located proximate to the open end  80  of the holding area  22  and thus, if the holding area  22  is full. Since any previously stored container will be transported along the length of the holding area  22  due to the movement of the collating unit conveyor  20 , as discussed above, then if the sensor  26  positioned proximate to the open end  80  of the holding area  22  senses any container, the control system  28  knows the holding area  22  is full. 
   If the holding area  22  already storing containers for the patient is full, the control system  28  instructs the second container for the patient to be placed in the first empty holding area  22 , as depicted in Box  8 F. If the holding area  22  is not full, the control system  28  instructs the second container for the patient to be placed in the holding area  22  currently storing the first container for the patient, as depicted in Box  8 G. 
   The above process is repeated for each container exiting the ADS  14 . As noted above, as containers are stored in the collating unit  10 , the control system  28  tracks in which holding area  22  the container is stored and the patient for whom the container is intended. The control system  28  displays such information on the display  108  so that an operator of the collating unit  10  can quickly and easily determine the location of any container. When the operator desires to retrieve a container for a patient, the operator may locate the correct holding area  22  storing the prescription containers for the patient by any one of the following methods: 
   (1) find the correct holding area  22  storing the container for the patient from the information displayed on the indicator  114  associated with the holding area  22 ; 
   (2) highlight the script on a display (not shown) of the ADS  14  using either an input device (not shown) or an indicia reader (not shown) of the ADS&#39; control system  90 ; or 
   (3) highlight the script on the display  108  of the collating unit&#39;s control system  28  using either the input device  104  or the indicia reader  106 . 
   Locating the holding area  22  by reading each indicator  114  may be time-consuming and error-prone. Therefore, the present invention allows the operator to highlight the locating information either using the input device  104  or the indicia reader  106  and either on the ADS&#39; display (now shown) or the collating unit&#39;s display  108 . The display  108  is preferably a flat-screen computer monitor mounted on an outer face of the ADS  14 , as illustrated in FIG.  1 . The method of the second and third options above are substantially similar, and therefore, only the third option will be described below. 
   To retrieve a container using a patient&#39;s name, for example, the operator may input the patient&#39;s name into the control system  28  by either typing the name using the keyboard, highlighting the name on the display  108  using the mouse, touching the name on the display  108  if the control system  28  includes touch-screen software, or any other suitable method. Preferably, the indicator  114  for the holding area  22  will flash, indicating the holding area  22  contains the identified container for the script. Alternatively, the operator may scan the bar code for the paperwork for the script using the indicia reader  106 , which also triggers flashing of the indicator  114 . 
   Upon retrieval or removal of the container from the holding area  22 , the control system  28  closes the script to indicate the container for the patient has been retrieved. If the patient has more than one container, the control system  28  does not close the script until all containers for the patient have been retrieved from the collating unit  10 . As a security feature, after retrieval of the containers from the holding area  22 , the sensors  26  associated with the holding area  22 , i.e. the sensors  26  positioned at the open and closed ends  80 , 82  of the holding area  22 , determine if any container is located in the area  22 . If a container is located in the holding area  22 , the control system  28  instructs an error message to be displayed on the display  108 . This alerts a busy operator that not all containers for the patient were retrieved. Upon removal of all containers from the holding area  22 , the control system  28  registers the holding area  22  as empty and operable to store additional containers. 
   In a second preferred embodiment, an ADS  14   a  is operable to dispense both prescription vials and unit-of-use packages to multiple collating units, hereinafter referred to as first and second collating units  10   a ,  10   b , via multiple infeed conveyors, hereinafter referred to as first and second infeed conveyors  16   a ,  16   b , as illustrated in FIG.  9 . The collating units  10   a ,  10   b  of the second preferred embodiment are substantially similar to the collating unit  10  of the first preferred embodiment. Similarly, the infeed conveyors  16   a ,  16   b  of the second preferred embodiment are substantially similar to the infeed conveyor  16  of the first preferred embodiment. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the first infeed conveyor  16   a  may be operable to transport prescription vials to the first collating unit  10   a , and the second infeed conveyor  16   b  may be operable to transport prescription unit-of-use packages to the second collating unit  10   b . The first and second collating units  10   a ,  10   b  may be positioned such that the holding areas  22   a , 22   b , substantially similar to the holding area  22  of the first preferred embodiment, are generally head-to-head, although other arrangements are possible. Thus, the prescription vials for the patient may be routed to the holding area  22   a  within the first collating unit  10   a , and the prescription packages for the patient may be routed to the holding area  22   b  within the second collating unit  10   b , wherein the holding areas  22   a , 22   b  are adjacent or generally proximate to each other. The prescription containers for the patient are then generally grouped together for easy retrieval by the operator. More than two collating units  10   a ,  10   b  may be required for a busy pharmacy. 
   Alternatively, the first and second infeed conveyors  16   a ,  16   b  may transport the prescription containers and packages to one collating unit  10  (not shown in  FIG. 9 ) substantially similar to the collating unit  10  of the first preferred embodiment, and the prescription vials and packages for each patient may be routed to the same holding area  22 . 
   The second preferred embodiment may be used with the ADS  14   a , which is operable to dispense both prescription vials and prescription unit-of-use packages, as illustrated in FIG.  9 . The ADS  14   a  preferably includes two separate dispensing machines with the collating units  10   a ,  10   b  positioned therebetween. For example, the leftmost dispensing machine is operable to dispense prescription vials via the first infeed conveyor  16   a  to the first collating unit  10   a , and the rightmost dispensing machine is operable to dispense prescription packages via the second infeed conveyor  16   b  to the second collating unit  10   b . Alternatively, the ADS  14   a  could be one single dispensing machine operable to dispense both prescription vials and packages and thus include multiple infeed conveyors  16   a ,  16   b  mounted within the dispensing machine (not shown in  FIG. 9 ) and operable to feed to at least one collating unit  10 . 
   Although the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached drawing figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims. For example, a prescription container dimension sensor may be used with the collating unit  10  as a security feature to ensure that the container being stored in the collating unit  10  is the same container the control system  90  of the ADS  14  is expecting to be stored in the collating unit  10 . This prevents foreign objects placed in the collating unit  10  during the storing process mistakenly being recognized as a container exiting the ADS  14 . The container dimension sensor may be operable to recognize that the dimensions of the container to be stored do not match the expected dimensions provided by the control system  90  of the ADS  14 . Additionally, the collating unit  10  may include holding areas  22  of varying dimensions for holding containers of varying dimensions. 
   Further, prior art control centers may be manufactured with the collating unit  10 , as opposed to the above-described incorporation of the collating unit  10  with the existing control center  12 . Additionally, sensors  26  may be positioned on each guide arm  24  to further sense if a container is contacting the guide arm  24 .