Abstract:
A pharmacy transaction system which identifies pharmacy items bearing radio frequency identification (RFID) labels. One form of the system includes an RFID label associated with a pharmacy item, a reader for reading the RFID label to obtain RFID label identification information, and a computer for determining prescription information associated with the RFID label identification information.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to inventory management and, more specifically, to a pharmacy transaction system and method is provided.  
           [0002]    Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology provides an alternative to bar code reader technology for distinguishing and recording items for purchase. Some of the uses of RFID technology are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,394 assigned to the assignee of the present invention. This patent is hereby incorporated by reference.  
           [0003]    Pharmacies seek improved methods of identifying, tracking, and filling prescriptions. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an improved pharmacy transaction system and method. It would also be desirable to provide a pharmacy transaction system and method which uses RFID technology.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a pharmacy transaction system and method is provided.  
           [0005]    One form of the system includes an RFID label associated with a pharmacy item, a reader for reading the RFID label to obtain RFID label identification information, and a computer for determining prescription information associated with the RFID label identification information.  
           [0006]    It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a pharmacy transaction system and method.  
           [0007]    It is another object of the present invention to track and fill prescriptions using a radio frequency identification (RFID) label as a prescription label or in addition to a printed prescription label. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from the subsequent description of the preferred embodiments and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a pharmacy transaction system; and  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the method of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0011]    Referring now to FIG. 1, pharmacy transaction system  10  primarily includes pharmacy terminal  12  and checkout terminal  14 .  
         [0012]    Pharmacy terminal  12  includes processor  20  and radio frequency identification (RFID) interface  40 .  
         [0013]    Processor  20  executes pharmacy software  22 . Pharmacy software  22  obtains prescription information for container  16  using RFID interface  40  and compares the prescription information to prescription information in prescription data file  28  to verify the information and to determine whether the prescription is refillable.  
         [0014]    Prescription data file  28  may much information, including patient, physician, medicine, cost, dosage, issue time, and expiration information  
         [0015]    Pharmacy software  22  also issues medicines based upon new prescriptions and stores new prescription information in prescription data file  28  using RFID interface  40 .  
         [0016]    Pharmacy terminal  12  additionally includes display  24  and input device  26  to allow the operator to enter and modify prescription information in prescription data file  28 . Input device  26  may include a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, or a combination of these commonly used devices.  
         [0017]    RFID interface  40  communicates with RFID label  30  on container  16 . RFID interface  40  reads information from RFID label  30  and can be instructed to store information in RFID label  30  by pharmacy software  22 .  
         [0018]    RFID label  30  stores RFID label identification information and may additional store other information. RFID label  30  communicates stored information to RFID interface  40 .  
         [0019]    One embodiment of RFID label  18  is active and includes memory  32 , RFID communicator  34 , and power source  36 . RFID communicator  34  sends information stored in RFID memory  32  to RFID interface  40 . RFID communicator  34  may include an RF transceiver.  
         [0020]    Memory  32  stores prescription and possibly other information, such as physician, pharmacist, FDA control codes, patient identification, cost, and fill date. Whatever information is not stored within memory  32  may be stored within other files, such as pharmacy data file  28 . Memory  32  may also store an embedded agent or the like to preserve the privacy of the information. Memory  32  may include a read-only memory (ROM) for one-time use, or a programmable ROM (EPROM) for repeated use.  
         [0021]    Power source  36  may include a battery.  
         [0022]    In another embodiment, RFID label  30  is a passive label. Passive RFID labels use very little energy and may only include RFID communicator  34 . Power may be derived from radio waves.  
         [0023]    RFID communicator  34  may include a reflective antenna which has a frequency which is unique among different RFID labels  30 . RFID communicator  34  communicates RFID label identification information which must be cross-referenced to obtain the prescription and other information. RFID communicator  34  may include a number of antennas, such as conductive ink antennas.  
         [0024]    RFID label  30  may vary in size, depending upon container size, and may be visible or hidden when attached to containers  16 . RFID label  30  may be removably or permanently attached to containers  16 .  
         [0025]    Checkout terminal  14   
         [0026]    Storage medium  18  stores prescription data file  28 .  
         [0027]    Turning now to FIG. 2, refill operation is illustrated in more detail beginning with START  60 .  
         [0028]    In step  62 , pharmacy software  22  waits for an operator.  
         [0029]    In step  64 , pharmacy software  22  receives RFID label identification information from RFID label  30  through RFID interface  40 .  
         [0030]    In step  66 , pharmacy software  22  reads prescription data file  28 .  
         [0031]    In step  68 , pharmacy software  22  determines whether the prescription is refillable. If so, operation continues to step  72 . Otherwise, operation proceeds to step  70 .  
         [0032]    In step  70 , pharmacy software  22  displays a message indicating that the prescription is not refillable. Operation returns to step  62 .  
         [0033]    In step  72 , pharmacy software  22  displays a message indicating that the prescription is refillable.  
         [0034]    In step  74 , pharmacy software  22  stores the details of the transaction in pharmacy data file  28  or may reprogram RFID label  30 . Operation returns to step  62 .  
         [0035]    Pharmacy software  22  may issue medicine from new prescriptions. Pharmacy software  22  creates new records in prescription data file  28 .  
         [0036]    If pharmacy software  22  cannot find a record in prescription data file  28 , pharmacy software  22  may create a new record if the prescription was not originally filled by pharmacy software  22 .  
         [0037]    During checkout, RFID reader  42  reads RFID label  30 . Checkout terminal  14  may obtain cost information from RFID label  30 , if it is stored there, from pharmacy data file  28 , or from another file in use within the store. Checkout terminal  14  adds the cost to the transaction and completes the payment process.  
         [0038]    Although the present invention has been described with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations and modifications of the present invention can be effected within the spirit and scope of the following claims.