Patent Description:
The subject matter described herein relates generally to optical equipment and more specifically to a surveillance camera.

Diversion may refer to the transfer of a controlled and/or high-value substance to a third party who is not legally authorized to receive, possess, and/or consume the substance for personal use or personal gain. High-value and/or controlled prescription medications, notably opioids, may be especially prone to diversion. For instance, a prescription pain medication may be diverted when a clinician keeps the prescription pain medication for unauthorized personal use instead of administering the prescription pain medication to a patient or wasting the prescription pain medication. As such, diversion detection, investigation, and prevention may require surveillance of various interactions with high-value and/or controlled substances.

From <CIT> a safe is known having a monitoring camera, wherein the camera is integrated in a door or body of the safe. Furthermore, a system for dispensing of medicaments is known from <CIT> and a thermal coupling of a camera with a PCB is known from <CIT>.

The invention is defined in independent claim <NUM> and concerns an apparatus comprising a medical device and a surveillance camera configured to monitor activities at one or more medical devices. The surveillance camera may capture one or more images of the activities at a medical device including, for example, a diagnostic apparatus, an infusion pump, a dispensing cabinet, a wasting station, and/or the like. The one or more images may be used in workflows associated with the detection, investigation, and prevention of various anomalous behavior. For example, the one or more images may be analyzed to determine whether the activities exhibit anomalies indicative of diversion, medical error, hazardous behavior, protocol noncompliance, and/or the like.

To minimize complexity and opportunities for error during installation and operation, the position of the surveillance camera may be fixed such that the surveillance camera provides a deterministic field of view encompassing one or more areas of interest. For example, the housing of the surveillance camera may be configured to orient the surveillance camera in a direction and/or at an angle from which the surveillance camera is able to capture one or more interactions with a medical device once the surveillance camera is mounted on the medical device. In the case of a surveillance camera that is mounted to a dispensing cabinet, the position of the surveillance camera may be fixed to capture a clinician accessing the dispensing cabinet to retrieve and/or to return a medication. The fixed position further ensures privacy in sensitive areas such as patient care areas.

In one aspect, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus includes: a a medical device and camera; one or more heat sinks configured to dissipate heat generated by the camera; and a housing configured to maintain the camera in a fixed position while the apparatus is mounted on a medical device, the housing having a first portion configured to be inserted into a cavity within a panel of the medical device, the first portion of the housing being further configured to receive one or more fasteners for securing the apparatus to the medical device, the camera in the fixed position having a deterministic field of view that includes a first area in which a first interaction with the medical device occurs or is expected to occur, wherein a second portion of the housing is configured to remain outside of the cavity and wherein a first surface of the second portion is mounted flush against a second surface formed as an exterior surface of the panel of the medical device.

In some variations, one or more features disclosed herein including the following features can optionally be included in any feasible combination. The housing may maintain the camera at an angle from which the deterministic view of the camera includes the first area.

In some variations, the housing may maintain the camera at an offset from which the deterministic field of view of the camera includes the first area.

In some variations, the apparatus may be mounted at a height and/or an orientation from which the deterministic field of view of the camera includes the first area.

In some variations, the deterministic field of view of the camera may further exclude a second area.

In some variations, the camera may include one or more wide angle lenses and/or ultra wide angle lenses.

In some variations, the one or more heat sinks may be an indentation in the housing of the apparatus. The indentation may be configured to receive and/or engage with a flange in the panel of medical device.

In some variations, the one or more heat sinks may be in thermal contact with a printed circuit board including the camera.

In some variations, an interface material may be interposed between a surface of the one or more heat sinks and the printed circuit board. The interface material may be configured to maximize the thermal contact between the one or more heat sinks and the printed circuit board.

In some variations, the medical device may include a diagnostic apparatus, an infusion pump, a dispensing cabinet, a wasting station. The medical device may be a dispensing cabinet comprising an enclosure for storing one or more medications and/or medical supplies.

In some variations, the deterministic field of view of the camera may further include a second area in which a second interaction with another medical device occurs or is expected to occur.

In some variations, the camera may be configured to capture one or more images of the first interaction with the medical device.

In some variations, the one or more images may be analyzed to detect an anomalous behavior including one or more of a diversion, a medical error, a hazardous behavior, and a protocol noncompliance.

In some variations, the apparatus may further include a tamper detector configured to detect tampering at the apparatus and generate a signal in response to detecting a threshold level of tampering at the apparatus.

In some variations, the tampering may include a removal of one or more fasteners securing the apparatus.

In some variations, the tampering may include a change in the deterministic field of view of the camera.

In some variations, the tamper detector may include at least one data processor and at least one memory storing instructions that result in operations when executed by the at least one data processor. The operations may include: analyzing an image of a current field of view of the camera by at least comparing the image to a reference image of a field of view of the camera; and detecting, based at least on the analysis indicating an above-threshold difference between the image and the reference image, the threshold level of tampering at the apparatus.

In some variations, the analysis may include identifying one or more objects present in each of the image and the reference image, and comparing a location of the one or more objects in each of the image and the reference image.

In some variations, the analysis may include comparing a first color histogram of the image and a second color histogram of the reference image.

In some variations, the camera may be disabled in response to the signal indicating the threshold level of tampering at the apparatus.

In some variations, the apparatus may further include a visual indicator of a status of the apparatus.

In some variations, the visual indicator may include a light emitting diode configured to display a first color corresponding to a first status and a second color corresponding to a second status.

In some variations, the first status and the second status may be a different one of the camera actively capturing or recording data, the camera being operational but not capturing or recording data, the camera being disabled, tampering being detected at the apparatus, and calibration being performed at the apparatus.

The deterministic field of view may further exclude a second area.

While certain features of the currently disclosed subject matter are described for illustrative purposes in relation to diversion detection, investigation, and prevention, it should be readily understood that such features are not intended to be limiting. The claims that follow this disclosure are intended to define the scope of the protected subject matter.

Anomalous behavior, such as diversion, medical error, hazardous behavior, and protocol noncompliance, may occur at any point in time during the lifecycle of a medication including, for example, the shipping, receiving, stocking, dispensing, administration, and/or wasting of the medication. Prescription pain medications may be especially prone to diversion due to a lack of sufficient custodial oversight during, for instance, the shipping, receiving, stocking, dispensing, administration, and/or wasting of the prescription pain medication. The detection, investigation, and prevention of anomalous behavior may therefore require surveillance during each stage of the lifecycle of the prescription pain medication in order to observe and document various interactions with the prescription pain medication. To that end, surveillance cameras may be deployed to capture still images and/or videos of the interactions with the prescription pain medication. However, a conventional surveillance camera may be difficult to integrate into existing medication management systems at least because a proper placement and orientation at which the surveillance camera has an unobstructed view of the interactions with the prescription pain medication may be difficult to achieve. Furthermore, conventional cameras in care settings can present opportunities for using the cameras to accidentally or deliberately capture sensitive information within the care area such as images of patients, care givers, medical records, or the like.

In some example embodiments, a surveillance camera may be configured to provide a deterministic field of view encompassing one or more areas of interest. For example, the surveillance camera may include a housing configured to orient the surveillance camera at an angle from which the surveillance camera is able to capture one or more interactions with a medical device once the surveillance camera is mounted on or adjacent to the medical device. Examples of the medical device may include a diagnostic apparatus, an infusion pump, a dispensing cabinet, and a wasting station. When the surveillance camera is mounted to a dispensing cabinet, for example, the surveillance camera may be fixed at a position from which the surveillance camera is able to capture one or more images of various clinicians accessing the dispensing cabinet to retrieve and/or to return a medication. For instance, the surveillance camera may be motion activated such that the surveillance camera may capture the one or more images in response to detecting motion in the one or more areas of interest. The one or more images may be still images and/or form a part of a video. The images captured by the surveillance camera may be used in workflows associated with the detection, investigation, and prevention of various anomalous behavior. For instance, the one or more images may be analyzed to determine whether the activities exhibit anomalies indicative of diversion, medical error, hazardous behavior, protocol noncompliance, and/or the like.

<FIG>depict exploded views of an example of a camera assembly <NUM>, in accordance with some example embodiments. Assembled views of the example of the camera assembly <NUM> are shown in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the camera assembly <NUM> may include a housing <NUM> configured to house a first printed circuit board (PCB) 110a including a camera <NUM> and a second printed board 110b. As shown in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> may include one or more cavities configured to accommodate the first printed circuit board 110a and the second printed circuit board 110b. For example, the first printed circuit board 110a and the second printed circuit board 110b may be housed in a single cavity. Alternatively, the housing <NUM> may include two or more separate cavities, each of which containing one of the first printed circuit board 110a and the second printed circuit board 110b. Moreover, in the example of the camera assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the first printed circuit board 110a and/or the second printed circuit board 110b may be secured to the housing <NUM>, for example, using one or more fasteners <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> may couple with one or more covers, such as a mid-cover <NUM> and a rear cover <NUM>, in order to an enclosure around the first printed circuit board 110a and the second printed circuit board 110b. As shown in <FIG>, one or more fasteners <NUM> may be used to secure the mid-cover <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM> to the housing <NUM>. However, it should be appreciated that the mid-cover <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM> may be secured using any retention mechanism such as snap-fit, friction-fit, magnets, adhesives, and/or the like. The mid-cover <NUM> may be configured to maximize the field of view of the camera <NUM>. For example, the mid-cover <NUM> may include an aperture <NUM> configured to interface with the camera <NUM>. At least a portion of the surface around the aperture <NUM> may be a sloped plane that imposes minimal obstruction to the field of view of the camera <NUM>. Moreover, in the example of the camera assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the mid-cover <NUM> may couple with a cover assembly <NUM> configured to protect the camera <NUM>, for example, transportation, installation, and/or use of the camera assembly <NUM>. For instance, as shown in <FIG>, the cover assembly <NUM> may be transparent (or semi-transparent) such that the cover assembly <NUM> is able to protect the camera <NUM> without obscuring the field of view of the camera <NUM>.

Referring again to <FIG>, the camera assembly <NUM> may include one or more features for providing heat dissipation. For example, the housing <NUM> of the camera assembly <NUM> may include one or more heat sinks, such as the heat sink <NUM>, formed from a thermally conductive material (e.g., a metal such as aluminum (Al) and/or the like) configured to dissipate heat generated by the first printed circuit board 110a and/or the second printed circuit board 110b. The heat sink <NUM> may direct heat away from the first printed circuit board 110a and/or the second printed circuit board 110b. To minimize power consumption and reduce bulk, the camera assembly <NUM> may include the heat sink <NUM> instead of a cooling fan. In the example of the camera assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the heat sink <NUM> may be integrated into the housing <NUM>, for example, in the cavity housing the first printed circuit board 110a. The heat sink <NUM> may be a separate component that is fastened to the housing <NUM>, for example, using adhesives (or another attachment mechanism). Alternatively, the heat sink <NUM> may be a projection formed in the housing <NUM> such that the heat sink <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are part of a single monolithic structure.

The heat sink <NUM> may be oriented, positioned, shaped, and/or sized to maximize the thermal contact between one or more surfaces of the heat sink <NUM> and the first circuit board 110a. Maximizing the thermal contact between the heat sink <NUM> and the first circuit board 110a may maximize the heat dissipation and cooling effect achieved by the heat sink <NUM>. In some example embodiments, an interface material may be interposed between the first printed circuit board 110a and the heat sink <NUM> to further maximize the thermal contact between the first printed circuit board <NUM> and the heat sink <NUM>. The housing <NUM> itself may be formed from a thermally conductive material (e.g., a metal such as aluminum (Al) and/or the like) to further maximize heat dissipation from the camera assembly <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the camera assembly <NUM> may include a power cable <NUM> and a data cable <NUM>. The power cable <NUM> and the data cable <NUM> may be coupled with the first printed circuit board 110a and/or the second printed circuit board 110b. The power cable <NUM> may provide an electric coupling between an external power source (e.g., a power outlet, a battery, and/or the like) and the first printed circuit board 110a and/or the second printed circuit board 110b. Meanwhile, the data cable <NUM> may be configured to provide a data connection to and from the first printed circuit board 110a and/or the second printed circuit board 110b. For example, the first printed circuit board 110a and/or the second printed circuit board 110b may be communicatively coupled, via the data cable <NUM>, to one or more wired networks and/or wireless networks such as a local area network (LAN), a virtual local area network (VLAN), a wide area network (WAN), a public land mobile network (PLMN), the Internet, and/or the like.

The data connection may enable an exchange of data with the first printed circuit board 110a and/or the second printed circuit board 110b including, for example, the transmission of the one or more images captured by the camera <NUM> to a remote device for processing, analysis, and/or storage. For example, the camera assembly <NUM> may include a transceiver to communicate data to and from the camera assembly <NUM>. In some example embodiments, the data cable <NUM> may provide data connection between the camera <NUM> and a remote device to enable an exchange of data such as the one or more images captured by the camera <NUM>. Alternatively and/or additionally, the data cable <NUM> may connect independently to a communication network such as via Ethernet or another networking technology.

The data connection may be a wired connection and/or a wireless connection. For example, the camera assembly <NUM> may include a wireless transceiver (e.g., Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Near Field Communication (NFC), Wi-Fi, cellular, and/or the like) that enables data to be exchanged wirelessly between the camera <NUM> and a remote device and/or a communication network. Alternatively and/or additionally, the data connection may be a wired connection, in which case the data cable <NUM> may provide a direct physical connection between the camera <NUM> and the remote device and/or communication network.

In some example embodiments, the camera assembly <NUM> may be mounted on a medical device such as a diagnostic apparatus, an infusion pump, a dispensing cabinet, a wasting station, and/or the like. <FIG> depict various views of an example of the camera assembly <NUM> mounted on a dispensing cabinet <NUM>, in accordance with some example embodiments. In the example shown in <FIG>, the camera assembly <NUM> may be mounted on top of the dispensing cabinet <NUM>. For example, a first portion of the camera assembly <NUM> may be inserted into a cavity within the top panel <NUM> of the dispensing cabinet. The first portion of the camera assembly <NUM> may be further configured to receive one or more fasteners <NUM> such that the first portion of the camera assembly <NUM>, upon being slid into the cavity within the top panel <NUM>, may be secured to the dispensing cabinet <NUM> with the one or more fasteners <NUM> (or a different retention mechanism such as snap-fit, friction-fit, magnets, adhesives, and/or the like). As shown in <FIG>, the first portion of the housing <NUM> may have a first height h<NUM> while the second portion of the housing <NUM> may have a second height h<NUM>. The second height h<NUM> may be less than the first height h<NUM> such that the first portion of the camera assembly <NUM> extends above the second portion of the camera assembly. Once mounted, the first portion of the mounted camera assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG>, which remains outside of the panel <NUM>, may extend upward against the front exterior surface of the panel <NUM>. Contrastingly, the second portion of the camera assembly <NUM> may extend inward and be secured against one or more interior surfaces of the panel <NUM>.

The cavity in the top panel <NUM> accommodating the second portion of the camera assembly <NUM> may be sealed around the mounted camera assembly <NUM>, for example, by one or more fascia panels <NUM> covering the front of the top panel <NUM>, which minimizes accessibility to the one or more fasteners <NUM> securing the camera assembly <NUM>. As such, once mounted, removing the camera assembly <NUM> from the dispensing cabinet <NUM> may require at least a partial disassembly of the camera assembly <NUM> and/or the dispensing cabinet <NUM>. These challenges may thwart efforts to remove the mounted camera assembly <NUM> and evade surveillance by the camera assembly <NUM>.

In some implementations, the camera assembly <NUM> may include a tamper detector. The tamper detector may provide a signal or message when a threshold level of tampering is detected at the camera assembly <NUM>. The tamper detection may include identifying removal of one or more fasteners. The tamper detection may include detecting motion such as via an accelerometer. The tamper detection may be optical such as using a light detector to on a side of the camera assembly <NUM> facing the dispensing cabinet <NUM>. When installed, light the light detector will be obstructed at the interface between a first surface of the camera assembly <NUM> and corresponding surface of the dispensing cabinet <NUM>. However, if the camera assembly <NUM> is moved or angled away from the dispensing cabinet <NUM>, the tamper detector may generate a tamper detection signal. The tamper detector may include software. For example, upon installation, an ideal image of the desired field of view may be captured. Periodically, the tamper detector may capture an image of the current field of view and compare the image with the ideal image. The comparison may include identifying and comparing locations of objects in the images such as light fixtures, tile markings, walls, and the like. The comparison may include generating a color histogram for each image and determining whether there is a correspondence between the histograms. Upon detection of tampering, the camera <NUM> may be disabled until reset such as by an administrator using a device in communication with the camera assembly <NUM> or activation of an electromechanical switch or button using a specialized tool or sequence of activation.

The housing <NUM> of the camera assembly <NUM> is configured to provide a flush mounting between the camera assembly <NUM> and the dispensing cabinet <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, once mounted, a first surface 320a of the camera assembly <NUM> conforms to a second surface 320b of the panel <NUM> such that the first surface 320a is flush against the second surface 320b. In the example shown in <FIG>, the flush mounting may be achieved by the first surface 320a and the second surface 320b having a same shape or complementary shapes. Moreover, in the cross section of the mounted camera assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the heat sink <NUM> may be formed by an indentation in the housing <NUM> with the indentation receiving and/or engaging with a flange in the panel <NUM> to achieve the flush mounting. The flush mounting may improve the aesthetics of the mounted camera assembly <NUM> as well as thwart efforts to remove the camera assembly <NUM> once the camera assembly <NUM> is mounted to the dispensing cabinet <NUM>.

In some example embodiments, the housing <NUM> of the camera assembly <NUM> may be configured to maintain the camera <NUM> at an orientation and position that maximizes the field of view of the camera <NUM> mounted on the dispensing cabinet <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> may maintain the camera <NUM> at an angle α and an offset d from a front surface of the dispensing cabinet <NUM> (e.g., the door <NUM> and/or the like). Moreover, the camera assembly <NUM> may be mounted at a height h (see <FIG>) while the lens of the camera <NUM> may have a focal length l. For example, the camera <NUM> may include one or more wide angle lens or ultra wide angle lens (e.g., fisheye lens and/or the like). The camera <NUM> may capture visible or non-visible light. In some implementations, a thermal imaging camera may be included. A thermal imaging camera may be used to capture thermal data about a user of the dispensing cabinet. For example, thermal characteristics may indicate potential opioid use or identify clinicians who are ill (e.g., fever) and should not be working with patients. The angle α may be selected based on the drawers included in the dispensing cabinet <NUM> to ensure that the camera <NUM> can capture interaction with contents of each drawer when fully extended from the dispensing cabinet.

The housing <NUM> of the camera assembly <NUM> may also be configured to orient the camera <NUM> towards the one or more areas of interest. For instance, in the example shown in <FIG> where the camera assembly <NUM> is mounted on the top of the dispensing cabinet <NUM>, the housing <NUM> of the camera assembly <NUM> may orient the camera <NUM> downwards at least because the interactions with the dispensing cabinet <NUM>, including accessing the door <NUM> to retrieve and/or return a medication to the dispensing cabinet <NUM>, are expected to transpire below the camera assembly <NUM>. In other examples, the camera assembly <NUM> may be mounted on a side of the dispensing cabinet <NUM>, in which case the housing <NUM> of the camera assembly <NUM> may orient the camera <NUM> sideways towards the one or more areas of interest. The camera assembly <NUM> may also be mounted on the bottom of the dispensing cabinet <NUM>, in which case the housing <NUM> of the camera assembly <NUM> may orient the <NUM> upwards.

One or more of the orientation, the angle α, the offset d, the focal length l of the camera <NUM>, and the height h may be adjusted in order to maximize the field of view of the camera <NUM>. Alternatively and/or additionally, one or more of the orientation, the angle α, the offset d, the focal length l of the camera <NUM>, and the height h may be adjusted such that the field of view of the camera <NUM> includes the one or more areas of interest. One or more of the orientation, the angle α, the offset d, the focal length l of the camera <NUM>, and the height h may be adjusted in order to exclude one or more areas where surveillance is unsuitable, prohibited, and/or unnecessary. For instance, for the camera assembly <NUM> mounted on the dispensing cabinet <NUM>, the field of view of the camera <NUM> may include one or more areas of interest where interactions with the dispensing cabinet <NUM> occur or are expected to occur. Such interactions may include a clinician accessing the dispensing cabinet <NUM>, for example, by opening the door <NUM> to retrieve and/or to return a medication before closing the door <NUM>.

In some example embodiments, the field of view of the camera <NUM> may be deterministic. For example, the housing <NUM> of the camera assembly <NUM> may maintain the camera <NUM> in a fixed position (e.g., at the angle α and the offset d) to ensure that the field of view of the camera <NUM> includes the one or more areas of interest once the camera <NUM> is mounted to the dispensing cabinet <NUM>. In the fixed position, the field of view of the camera <NUM> may further exclude certain areas, for example, where surveillance is unsuitable, prohibited, or unnecessary. Maintaining the camera <NUM> in the fixed position may further prevent inadvertent changes to the field of view of the camera <NUM>, for example, during transit, installation, and/or operation.

<FIG> depicts a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a medication management system <NUM> with the camera assembly <NUM>, in accordance with some example embodiments. In the example of the medication management system <NUM> shown in <FIG>, one or more of the camera assemblies <NUM> may be mounted on top of a dispensing cabinet such as the dispensing cabinet <NUM>. Moreover, as shown in <FIG>, the medication management system <NUM> may support a modular configuration in which the dispensing cabinet <NUM> may be stacked on top of and/or next to other dispensing cabinets such as a first dispensing cabinet 710a, a second dispensing cabinet 710b, a third dispensing cabinet 710c, a fourth dispensing cabinet 710d, and/or the like. In the example of the medication management system <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the mounting height h of the camera assembly <NUM> may correspond to a combined height of the dispensing cabinet <NUM> and the first dispensing cabinet 710a.

In some example embodiments, the field of view of the camera <NUM> may be maximized in order to capture activities at the medication management system <NUM>. For example, the field of view of the camera <NUM> may include one or more areas of interest where interactions with the medication management system <NUM> occur or are expected to occur. Accordingly, the housing <NUM> of the camera assembly <NUM> may be configured to maintain the camera <NUM> in an orientation (e.g., downwards, upwards, sideways, and/or the like) and position (e.g., angle α, the offset d, and/or the like) from which the field of view of the camera <NUM> includes the one or more areas of interest. In the example of the medication management system <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the field of view of the camera <NUM> may include one or more areas of interest where interactions with the dispensing cabinet <NUM> occur or are expected to occur. The camera <NUM> may therefore be able to capture one or more image of the activities at the medication management system <NUM>.

The camera <NUM> may be motion activated such that the camera <NUM> may capture the one or more images in response to detecting motion within the one or more areas of interest where interactions with the dispensing cabinet <NUM> occur or are expected to occur. The one or more images may be still images and/or form a part of a video. The one or more images may be used in workflows associated with the detection, investigation, and prevention of various anomalous behavior associated with at least a portion of the medication dispensing system <NUM>. For instance, the one or more images may be analyzed to determine whether the activities exhibit anomalies indicative of diversion, medical error, hazardous behavior, protocol noncompliance, and/or the like.

In some example embodiments, the field of view of the camera <NUM> may encompass one or more areas of interest where interactions with one or more adjacent medical devices such as dispensing cabinets occur or are expected to occur. As noted, the camera <NUM> may include one or more wide angle lenses and/or ultra wide angle lenses (e.g., fisheye lens and/or the like) such that the field of view of the camera <NUM> may extend beyond areas of interest associated with the dispensing cabinet <NUM> on which the camera assembly <NUM> is mounted. Thus, in the example of the medication management system <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the field of view of the camera <NUM> may further include one or more areas of interest in which interactions with the first dispensing cabinet 710a, the second dispensing cabinet 710b, the third dispensing cabinet 710c, and/or the fourth dispensing cabinet 710d occur or are expected to occur.

The field of view of the camera <NUM> may be maximized, for example, to encompass adjacent medical devices by at least adjusting one or more of an orientation, angle α, offset d, focal length l, and mounting height h. Maximizing the field of view of the camera <NUM> to capture interactions with adjacent medical devices may improve the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the camera assembly <NUM>. For example, instead of installing the camera assembly <NUM> at each dispensing cabinet included in the medication management system <NUM>, a smaller quantity of the camera assembly <NUM> may be used to achieve the same (or comparable) coverage.

The camera assembly <NUM> may include a visual indicator such as a light (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED) and/or the like) to indicate status of the camera <NUM>. Different colors may represent different statuses such as: camera is actively capturing or recording data; camera is operational but not capturing or recording; camera is disabled; camera tampering detected; camera is calibrating (e.g., capturing an image of an ideal field of view); or the like.

One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein can be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designed ASICs, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof.

These computer programs, which can also be referred to as programs, software, software applications, applications, components, or code, include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. The machine-readable medium can alternatively or additionally store such machine instructions in a transient manner, such as for example, as would a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

To provide for interaction with a user, one or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein can be implemented on a computer having a display device, such as for example a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED) monitor for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device, such as for example a mouse or a trackball, by which the user may provide input to the computer. For example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, such as for example visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user may be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. Other possible input devices include touch screens or other touch-sensitive devices such as single or multi-point resistive or capacitive track pads, voice recognition hardware and software, optical scanners, optical pointers, digital image capture devices and associated interpretation software, and the like.

Claim 1:
An apparatus, comprising:
a medical device;
a camera (<NUM>);
one or more heat sinks (<NUM>) configured to dissipate heat generated by the camera (<NUM>); and
a housing (<NUM>) configured to maintain the camera (<NUM>) in a fixed position when the housing is mounted on the medical device, the housing (<NUM>) having a first portion configured to be inserted into a cavity within a panel (<NUM>) of the medical device, the first portion of the housing (<NUM>) being further configured to receive one or more fasteners (<NUM>) for securing the apparatus to the medical device, the camera (<NUM>) in the fixed position having a deterministic field of view that includes a first area in which a first interaction with the medical device occurs or is expected to occur, wherein a second portion of the housing (<NUM>) is configured to remain outside of the cavity and wherein a first surface (320a) of the second portion is mounted flush against and conforms to a second surface (320b) formed as an exterior surface of the panel (<NUM>) of the medical device.