Patent ID: 7502664

Claim:
A method for interactively controlling an items dispenser over a communications network, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a networked programmable items dispenser for storing and dispensing at least one item; (b) automatically dispensing the at least one item according to a pre-programmed schedule, wherein the step of automatically dispensing comprises the steps of: storing the at least one item in a temporary storage receptacle; dispensing the at least one item after receiving a request; restocking the at least one item if the at least one item is not to be dispensed according to a preprogrammed protocol stored in a memory of the items dispenser; and dispensing an adjusted dose according to the preprogrammed protocol if the at least one item is not to be dispensed according to the preprogrammed protocol or if the at least one item is requested too late; (c) receiving a signal indicative of the at least one item being removed from the dispenser; (d) sending the signal over a communications network to a remote computing device; and (e) updating the pre-programmed schedule according to a hierarchy of pre-determined dispensing rules.