Patent Description:
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 user 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 system for dispensing medicament units is known, which includes a transceiver within a housing for communication with an external device or other transceiver for performing a dispensing function. Furthermore, <CIT> discloses a fingerprint sensor being hinged to facilitate a gripping force and an increase in a contact surface for the fingerprint reading.

Diversion of a medication may occur at any point in time during the lifecycle of the 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 diversion may therefore require surveillance during each stage of the lifecycle of the prescription pain medication in order to identify the different individuals who interact with the prescription pain medication during the shipping, receiving, stocking, dispensing, administration, and/or wasting of the prescription pain medication. To that end, biometric sensors may provide a robust and efficient mechanism for identifying and authenticating these individuals. However, conventional biometric sensors may be difficult to integrate into existing medication management systems and established clinical workflows.

In some example embodiments, a self-adjusting biometric sensor may be configured to capture one or more biometric identifiers including, for example, fingerprint, palm veins, facial geometry, palm print, hand geometry, iris pattern, retina pattern, voice, typing rhythm, gait, signature, and/or the like. The self-adjusting biometric sensor may be configured to operate with minimal adjustments by at least automatically returning to a neutral position in which the self-adjusting biometric sensor is capable of capturing the biometric data associated with a threshold quantity of users. For example, while the self-adjusting biometric sensor is in the neutral position, the eyes of a threshold quantity of users may be within the field of view and/or angle of view of the self-adjusting biometric sensor. As such, the self-adjusting biometric sensor may be capable of capturing the biometric data of a majority of users without any adjustments. Minimizing the need to adjustments may minimize opportunities of user error and prevent unnecessary wear on the self-adjusting biometric sensor. For other users, the field of view and/or angle of view of the self-adjusting biometric sensor may be adjusted (e.g., raised, lowered, tilted, rotated, and/or the like) to capture the biometric data of these users before returning to the neutral position. In doing so, the self-adjusting biometric sensor may remain capable of adapting to different users.

<FIG> depict exploded views of an example of a biometric sensor <NUM>, in accordance with some example embodiments. Assembled views of the biometric sensor <NUM> are shown in <FIG> while <FIG> depict interior views of the biometric sensor <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the biometric sensor <NUM> may include a main body assembly <NUM>, a cable <NUM>, a gasket <NUM>, a front cover <NUM>, adhesives <NUM>, fasteners <NUM>, pivot hinges <NUM>, springs <NUM>, bearings <NUM>, bearing holders <NUM>, a housing <NUM>, and a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) <NUM>. In some example embodiments, the printed circuit board assembly <NUM> may include a biometric scanner <NUM> configured to capture one or more biometric identifiers including, for example, fingerprint, palm veins, facial geometry, palm print, hand geometry, iris pattern, retina pattern, voice, typing rhythm, gait, signature, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the biometric scanner <NUM> may be dynamically activated such as in response to an input value indicating consent to biometric data collection for a user. For example, the user may present a badge or other credentials to access the system. Once authorized, the system may receive consent from the user (e.g., via a graphical user interface) to collect biometric data from the user for future access attempts.

As shown in <FIG>, the printed circuit board assembly <NUM>, including the biometric scanner <NUM>, may be enclosed within a cavity formed by the main body assembly <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. The printed circuit board assembly <NUM> may be mechanically and electrically coupled to the cable <NUM>, which may convey signals from the biometric scanner <NUM> to a controller (e.g., an AD board and/or the like) configured to further process the biometric data (e.g., iris patterns and/or the like) captured by the biometric scanner <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the printed circuit board assembly <NUM> may be secured to the main body assembly <NUM> and/or the housing <NUM> using one or more fasteners such as a first fastener 122a, a second fastener 122b, and/or the like. In some cases, the lenses of the biometric sensor <NUM> may be positioned with its radiused edge (e.g., rounded or curved edge) facing outward and aligned with, for example, the bottom edge of the housing <NUM>. The gasket <NUM>, which may be configured to seal and protect, for example, the lenses included in the biometric scanner <NUM>, may be interposed between the biometric scanner <NUM> on the printed circuit board <NUM> and the main body assembly <NUM>. Furthermore, in the example shown in <FIG>, the main body assembly <NUM> may be secured to the housing <NUM> using one or more fasteners such the first fastener 122a, the second fastener 122b, and/or the like. However, it should be appreciated that the printed circuit board assembly <NUM>, the main body assembly <NUM>, and the housing <NUM> may be secured using any retention mechanism including, for example, snap-fit, friction-fit, magnets, adhesives, and/or the like.

Referring again to <FIG>, the main body assembly <NUM> may be further coupled to the front cover <NUM> by the adhesives <NUM>. The front cover <NUM> may provide additional protection for the biometric scanner <NUM> (e.g., the lens assembly of the biometric scanner <NUM>) included in the printed circuit board <NUM>. An additional protective film may be disposed on a front surface of the front cover <NUM> and may be kept on the front surface of the front cover <NUM> during manufacturing, assembly, and shipping of the biometric sensor <NUM>.

The biometric sensor <NUM> is configured with a neutral position (or resting position) at which the biometric scanner <NUM> is able to capture the biometric data associated with a threshold quantity of users. For example, while the biometric sensor <NUM> is in the neutral position, the eyes of a threshold quantity of users may be within the field of view and/or angle of view of the biometric scanner <NUM>. The neutral position of the biometric sensor <NUM> may be defined by one or more metrics including, for example, a height, an angle of rotation, and/or the like. Moreover, the neutral position of the biometric sensor <NUM> may be determined based on the height and/or angle at which the biometric sensor <NUM> is mounted. Alternatively and/or additionally, the neutral position of the biometric sensor <NUM> may be determined based on the physical characteristics of the users interacting with the biometric sensor <NUM>. For instance, the neutral position of the biometric sensor <NUM> may be determined based on a height distribution (e.g., mean, median, mode, range, and/or the like) of the users expected to interact with the biometric sensor <NUM>.

The neutral position of the biometric sensor <NUM> may be fixed during manufacturing and be subject to subsequent reconfiguration. In particular, if more than a threshold quantity of adjustments are detected at the biometric sensor <NUM> subsequent to deployment, the neutral position of the biometric sensor <NUM> may be reconfigured accordingly. For example, if the biometric sensor <NUM> is raised (or lowered) from the neutral position at an above threshold frequency, the neutral position of the biometric sensor <NUM> may be raised (or lowered) in order to minimize the need to adjust the biometric sensor <NUM>.

Alternatively and/or additionally, the neutral position of the biometric sensor <NUM> may be reconfigured if the biometric sensor <NUM> is rotated upwards (or downwards) from the neutral position at an above threshold frequency. The magnitude of these reconfigurations may correspond to the magnitude of the adjustments actually encountered at the biometric sensor <NUM>. For example, a controller coupled with the biometric sensor <NUM> may detect adjustments to the position of the biometric sensor <NUM> and record the frequency and magnitude of these adjustments. When the frequency of the adjustments exceeds a threshold, the controller may generate an output including a recommended configuration for the biometric sensor <NUM>. For instance, the output may indicate that the neutral position of the biometric sensor <NUM> should be reconfigured as well as indicate a magnitude of the adjustment, which may correspond to the distribution (e.g., mean, medium, mode, range, and/or the like) of actual adjustments encountered at the biometric sensor <NUM> over a period of time. Thus, the neutral position of the biometric sensor <NUM> may be adapted based on actual usage data in order to accommodate for the actual physical characteristics of the users interacting with the biometric sensor <NUM>. Doing so may, as noted, minimize subsequent adjustments to the biometric sensor <NUM>.

In some example embodiments, the biometric sensor <NUM> may include one or more motors (or other actuators) to automatically adjust the neutral position of the biometric sensor <NUM> such that the eyes of one or more users are within the field of view and/or angle of view of the biometric sensor <NUM>. For example, a controller coupled with the biometric sensor may determine, based at least on a quality of the biometric data captured by the biometric sensor <NUM>, whether to adjust the neutral position of the biometric sensor <NUM>. If the quality of more than a threshold quantity (or proportion) of the biometric data captured by the biometric sensor <NUM> fails to meet a threshold level, the controller may activate the motor (or other actuator) to adjust the neutral position of the biometric sensor <NUM>. In this context, the quality of the biometric data may correspond to whether the biometric data captured at the biometric sensor <NUM> enables an identification of the users interacting with the biometric sensor <NUM>. Biometric data that fails to meet the quality threshold may be incomplete and/or lack sufficient clarity. Thus, an iris scan captured by the biometric sensor <NUM>, for example, may fail to meet the quality threshold if the iris scan does not enable the identification a corresponding user.

In some example embodiments, the biometric sensor <NUM> may be configured to self-adjust to return to the neutral position after being shifted out of the neutral position. For instance, for users whose eyes are not in the field of view and/or angle of view of the biometric scanner <NUM> when the biometric scanner <NUM> is in the neutral position, the biometric sensor <NUM> may raised, lowered, tilted, and/or rotated in order to adjust the field of view and/or the angle of view of the biometric scanner <NUM>. The biometric sensor <NUM> may be adjusted by applying, to the biometric sensor <NUM>, pressure to raise, lower, and/or rotate the biometric sensor <NUM>. That is, the biometric sensor <NUM> may be adjusted by one or more rectilinear shifts along an x-axis, y-axis, and/or z-axis. Alternatively and/or additionally, the adjustment to the position of the biometric sensor <NUM> may include rotation around a fixed axis. Once the pressure on the biometric sensor <NUM> is released, for example, after the biometric scanner <NUM> has captured the biometric data of such users, the biometric sensor <NUM> may automatically return to the neutral position. Because the biometric sensor <NUM> in the neutral position is configured to capture the biometric data associated with a majority of users, the biometric sensor <NUM> may operate with minimal adjustments. Nevertheless, even when adjustments are necessary, the biometric sensor <NUM> may return to the neutral position without intervention.

A stable and secure touchpoint for adjusting the biometric scanner <NUM> may be included. For example, the main body assembly <NUM> may include at least one touchpoint <NUM>. The touchpoint <NUM> may include a recess <NUM> forming a depression within a face of the main body assembly <NUM>. The recess <NUM> may be formed to receive a finger or structure for adjusting the biometric scanner <NUM>. To direct an adjustment force from the finger or other adjustment structure, some touchpoints may include a ridge <NUM> within the recess <NUM>. The ridge <NUM> may provide a purchase for the finger or other adjustment structure to prevent slipping during adjustment. The ridge <NUM> may also direct the adjustment pressure. For example, the touchpoint <NUM> can guide the adjustment force along the adjustment axis and away from a direction that might disrupt or break the biometric scanner <NUM>. The example biometric scanner shown in <FIG> includes two touchpoints on the front face of the main body assembly <NUM>. The touchpoint <NUM> may additionally or alternatively be included on a top surface of the scanner, at the middle of the front face of the main body assembly <NUM>, or other position that can receive an adjustment pressure without obscuring the scanner (e.g., biometric scanner <NUM>).

In some example embodiments, the biometric sensor <NUM> may include a self-adjusting mechanism configured to return the biometric sensor <NUM> to the neutral position. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the self-adjusting mechanism may include, on one end of the biometric sensor <NUM>, a first pivot hinge 124a that is coupled with a first spring 126a, a first bearing 128a, and a first bearing holder 130a. The self-adjusting mechanism may further include, on an opposite end of the biometric sensor <NUM>, a second pivot hinge 124b that is coupled with a second spring 126b, a second bearing 128b, and a second bearing holder 130b. To reduce cost as well as manufacturing complexity, the first pivot hinge 124a and the second pivot hinge 124b may be implemented as identical components and not complementary components.

In some example embodiments, the self-adjusting mechanism may be configured to accommodate the cable <NUM>. For instance, as shown in <FIG>, the cable <NUM> may be threaded through an aperture that runs through an assembly including the first pivot hinge 124a coupled with the first spring 126a, the first bearing 128a, and the first bearing holder 130a. Moreover, as shown in <FIG>, the biometric sensor <NUM> may be mounted via the first pivot hinge 124a and/or the second pivot hinge 124b. For example, the first pivot hinge 124a and/or the second pivot hinge 124b may include one or more apertures for receiving one or more fasteners, such as the first fastener 122a and/or a third fastener 122c, for mounting the biometric sensor <NUM>. However, it should be appreciated that the biometric sensor <NUM> may be mounted using any retention mechanism including, for example, snap-fit, friction-fit, magnets, adhesives, and/or the like.

In some example embodiments, while force may be applied against the first spring 126a and the second spring 126b to shift the biometric sensor <NUM> out of the neutral position, the first spring 126a and the second spring 126b may provide an opposite force to return the biometric sensor <NUM> to the neutral position once the force is removed. Moreover, the first bearing holder 130a and/or the second bearing holder 130b may include one or more surface features (e.g., ridges, protrusions, and/or the like) that interact with the first spring 126a and/or the second spring 126b to prevent the biometric sensor <NUM> from being shifted more than a threshold quantity beyond the neutral position. For example, the first bearing holder 130a and/or the second bearing holder 130b may include one or more surface features (e.g., ridges, protrusions, and/or the like) that interact with the first spring 126a and/or the second spring 126b to prevent the biometric sensor <NUM> from being tilted and/or rotated more than a threshold degrees from the neutral position. Alternatively and/or additionally, the first bearing holder 130a and/or the second bearing holder 130b may include one or more surface features (e.g., ridges, protrusions, and/or the like) that interact with the first spring 126a and/or the second spring 126b to prevent the biometric sensor <NUM> from being raised and/or lowered more than a threshold distance from the neutral position.

In some example embodiments, the biometric sensor <NUM> may include other features for imposing a positional limit on the self-adjusting mechanism. For example, the housing <NUM> may include one or more surface features (e.g., ridges, protrusions, and/or the like) that interacts with the first pivot hinge 124a, the first bearing holder 130a, the first spring 126a, the second pivot hinge 124b, the second bearing holder 130b, and/or the second spring 126b to prevent the biometric sensor <NUM> from being tilted, rotated, raised, and/or lowered more than a threshold quantity from the neutral position. One or more positional limits against the movement of the biometric sensor <NUM> may also be imposed by the first pivot hinge 124a and/or the second pivot hinge 124b having a limited range of motion.

<FIG> depicts a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a medication management system <NUM>, in accordance with some example embodiments. The example of the medication management system <NUM> shown in <FIG> may include a main unit <NUM>. The biometric sensor <NUM> may be mounted on the main unit <NUM> such that the users interacting with the medication management system <NUM> may be identified based at least on the biometric data captured by the biometric sensor <NUM>. As noted, the neutral position of the biometric sensor <NUM> may be determined based at least on the mounting height and angle of the biometric sensor <NUM>. Thus, in the example of the medication management system <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the neutral position of the biometric sensor <NUM> may be configured to account for the height of the main unit <NUM>. Moreover, as noted, the neutral position of the biometric sensor <NUM> may be determined based on the physical characteristic, such as a height distribution (e.g., mean, median, mode, range, and/or the like), of the users expected to interact with the biometric sensor <NUM> mounted on top of the first dispensing cabinet 810a. Accordingly, while in the neutral position, the field of view and/or the angle of view of the biometric sensor <NUM> may be suitable for capturing the biometric data of a threshold quantity of users interacting with the biometric sensor <NUM> mounted on top of the main unit <NUM>.

Furthermore, the medication management system <NUM> shown in <FIG> may include one or more dispensing cabinet storing medications and supplies including, for example, a first dispensing cabinet 810a and a second dispensing cabinet 810b. Moreover, as shown in <FIG>, the medication management system <NUM> may support a modular configuration in which the first dispensing cabinet 810a and the second dispensing cabinet 810b may be stacked on top of other dispensing cabinet such as a third dispensing cabinet 810c and a fourth dispensing cabinet 810d. One or more surveillance cameras <NUM> may be mounted on top of the first dispensing cabinet 810a and the second dispensing cabinet 810b. The one or more surveillance cameras <NUM> may be configured to capture images and/or videos of various activities at the medication management system <NUM> including, for example, one or more users interacting with the main unit <NUM>, the first dispensing cabinet 810a, the second dispensing cabinet 810b, the third dispensing cabinet 810c, and the fourth dispensing cabinet 810d.

In some example embodiments, the biometric identifiers captured by the biometric sensor <NUM> at the main unit <NUM> may be used to control access to the main unit <NUM>, the first dispensing cabinet 810a, the second dispensing cabinet 810b, the third dispensing cabinet 810c, and/or the fourth dispensing cabinet 810d. For example, upon receiving biometric data from an authorized user, a fastener (e.g., a latch, a lock, and/or the like) securing one or more of the main unit <NUM>, the first dispensing cabinet 810a, the second dispensing cabinet 810b, the third dispensing cabinet 810c, and the fourth dispensing cabinet 810d may be released to provide access to the contents of therein. Moreover, the biometric identifiers captured by the biometric sensor <NUM> at the main unit <NUM> may be used to identify the users who appear in the footage captured by the one or more surveillance cameras <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts a flowchart illustrating an example of a process <NUM> for biometric authentication, in accordance with some example embodiments. Referring to <FIG>, the process <NUM> may be performed by the biometric sensor <NUM> to capture the biometric data of users with different physical characteristics. For example, the process <NUM> may be performed by the biometric sensor <NUM> in order to capture a first biometric data of a first user having a first height and a second biometric data of a second user having a second height. While the first user may be one of a majority of users whose eyes are in the field of view and/or angle of view of the biometric sensor <NUM> in the neutral position, the eyes of the second user may be outside of the field of view and/or angle of view of the biometric sensor <NUM> in the neutral position.

At <NUM>, the biometric sensor <NUM> may capture, while in a neutral position, a first biometric data associated with a first user. In some example embodiments, the biometric sensor <NUM> in the neutral position may be configured to capture the biometric data of a threshold quantity of users interacting with the biometric sensor <NUM>. For example, as noted, while the biometric sensor <NUM> is in the neutral position, the eyes of a majority of users may be within the field of view and/or angle of view of the biometric sensor <NUM>. Because the biometric sensor <NUM> in the neutral position may be capable of capturing the biometric data associated with a majority of users, the biometric sensor <NUM> may be able to operate with minimal adjustments.

The neutral position of the biometric sensor <NUM> may be determined based at least on the physical characteristics of the users interacting with the biometric sensor <NUM> including, for example, a height distribution (e.g., mean, median, mode, range, and/or the like) of the users expected to interact with the biometric sensor <NUM>. Moreover, the neutral position of the biometric sensor <NUM> may be determined based on the mounting height and/or mounting angle of the biometric sensor <NUM>. For instance, in the example of the medication management system <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the neutral position of the biometric sensor <NUM> may be determined based on the combined height of the first dispensing cabinet 810a and the third dispensing cabinet 810c atop which the biometric sensor <NUM> is mounted.

At <NUM>, the biometric sensor <NUM> may shift from the neutral position to an adjusted position. In some example embodiments, the biometric sensor <NUM> may be configured to support various types of adjustments in order to capture the biometric data of users who are not within the field of view and/or angle of view of the biometric sensor <NUM> in the neutral position. For example, the position of the biometric sensor <NUM> may be adjusted by one or more rectilinear shifts along an x-axis, y-axis, and/or z-axis. Alternatively and/or additionally, the position of the biometric sensor <NUM> may be adjusted by rotating the biometric sensor <NUM> around a fixed axis. As shown in <FIG>, the self-adjusting mechanism included in the biometric sensor <NUM> may include one or more features configured to impose a limit on the magnitude (e.g., distance, angle, and/or the like) of the adjustment.

At <NUM>, the biometric sensor <NUM> may capture, while in the adjusted position, a second biometric data associated with a second user. For example, while the biometric sensor <NUM> is in the adjusted position, the biometric sensor <NUM> may be able to capture the biometric data of users whose eyes are above or below the field of view and/or angle of view of the biometric sensor <NUM> in the neutral position.

At <NUM>, the biometric sensor <NUM> may, upon having captured the second biometric data, automatically return from the adjusted position to the neutral position. In some example embodiments, the biometric sensor <NUM> may be configured to return to the neutral position. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the biometric sensor <NUM> may include an adjustment mechanism that includes, at one end of the biometric sensor <NUM>, the first pivot hinge 124a coupled with the first spring 126a, the first bearing 128a, and the first bearing holder 130a. Furthermore, the adjustment mechanism may further include, at the opposite end of the biometric sensor, the second pivot hinge 124b that is coupled with the second spring 126b, the second bearing 128b, and the second bearing holder 130b. The first spring 126a and the second spring 126b may provide the force to return the biometric sensor <NUM> to the neutral position. Returning the biometric sensor <NUM> to the neutral position may ensure that the biometric sensor <NUM> may continue to operate with minimal adjustments.

One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein, such as the controller associated with the biometric sensor <NUM>, 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:
A dispensing cabinet (810a-810d), comprising:
a self-adjusting biometric sensor (<NUM>) including a scanner (<NUM>) configured to capture a biometric data, and an adjustment mechanism configured to respond to a force applied to the biometric sensor (<NUM>) by shifting the biometric sensor (<NUM>) from a neutral position to an adjusted position, the adjustment mechanism further being configured to respond to the removal of the force by returning the biometric sensor (<NUM>) to the neutral position, the scanner (<NUM>) being able to capture a first biometric data of a first user while the biometric sensor (<NUM>) is in the neutral position, and the scanner (<NUM>) being able to capture a second biometric data of a second user while the biometric sensor (<NUM>) is in the adjusted position;
a storage container;
a fastener configured to secure one or more contents of the storage container; and
a controller having at least one data processor configured to receive, from the biometric sensor (<NUM>), the first biometric data and/or the second biometric data, and control, based at least on the first biometric data and/or the second biometric data, the fastener securing the one or more contents of the storage container,
wherein the biometric sensor (<NUM>) in the neutral position is able to capture the biometric data of a threshold quantity of users interacting with the dispensing cabinet (810a-810d) including the first user and wherein the controller is adapted to determine the neutral position of the biometric sensor (<NUM>) based at least on a frequency and/or a magnitude of adjustments made to the biometric sensor (<NUM>) and to output a corresponding configuration of the neutral position for the biometric sensor (<NUM>).