Patent ID: 7747477

Claim:
A prescription supply container tracking system for use in a retail pharmacy having a first station therein for filling the prescription order and a storage device for holding supply containers therein when not in use; said tracking system including: a computer system having a display; a tag operably secured to the prescription supply container; and a first tag reader positioned near the first station in the retail pharmacy and in communication with said computer system, said first tag reader able to automatically detect the presence of said tag when said tag is moved by hand to a position in close proximity of said first tag reader and send a first signal to said computer system; such that said computer system automatically detects said first signal and automatically processes said signal under control of said computer system to display the presence of said tag at said first station within the retail pharmacy, thereby displaying the location of said prescription supply container; said storage device includes: a storage bin having a plurality of cubbies, each said cubby having an individual identifier, and having a cubby tag reader in communication with said computer system, such that the presence of said tag within one of said plurality of cubbies is automatically detected by that cubby's tag reader and sends a cubby location signal to said computer system, said cubby location signal including the individual identifier of said one of said plurality of cubbies; such that said computer system processes said first signal and said cubby location signal to display the location of said tag at one of said first location or said one of said plurality of cubbies thereby allowing the location of said supply container within said storage device; and wherein said computer system determines the identity of the supply container sought by a pharmacy worker and verifies that said supply container removed from the storage device is the same as the identity of the supply container sought by the pharmacy worker.