Patent ID: 8467899

Claim:
An apparatus for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles, the apparatus comprising: a) a housing defining a dispensing channel having a dispensing inlet and a dispensing outlet downstream of the dispensing inlet; b) a drive mechanism to force the articles along a path through the dispensing channel between the dispensing inlet and the dispensing outlet; and c) a sensor system including: first and second sensors operative to detect articles passing through the dispensing channel; and a controller to receive and use detection signals from the first and second sensors to monitor, dispensing performance of the apparatus; wherein the first and second sensors are spaced apart along the dispensing channel such that the second sensor is located downstream of the first sensor; wherein the controller is configured to compare the detection signals from the first and second sensors to determine whether a dispensing fault condition has occurred; wherein the controller is configured to: signal the drive mechanism to force articles through the dispensing channel in a forward direction toward the dispensing outlet; thereafter signal the drive mechanism to force articles in the dispensing channel in a reverse direction toward the inlet; and identify an article reversal dispensing fault condition responsive to: detecting an article passing the first sensor while forcing the articles through the dispensing channel in the forward direction; thereafter detecting the article at least partially passing the second sensor; and thereafter detecting the article passing the first sensor while forcing the articles through the dispensing channel in the reverse direction.