IP Library Granted Patent US 12665064
Granted Patent B2
US 12665064 · App. 18/514,963 · Granted Jun 23, 2026

Automated cross-facility, cross-container object validation

Inventors: Warren Thomas Roberts (Phoenix, AZ); Michael L. Mahar (Tempe, AZ); Anthony Hopper (Overland Park, KS)
Assignee: Optum, Inc.
G16H20/13A61J7/02A61J2200/74A61J2205/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12665064
App. No.
18/514,963
Granted
Jun 23, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure object provide tracking and monitoring techniques for implementing improved distribution systems in various environments. The techniques of the present disclosure may include receiving a transition identifier corresponding to a transitioning data object that include (a) a first object count of a plurality of transitioning objects within a transitioning container, (b) an intake identifier corresponding to the plurality of transitioning objects, and (c) a pallet identifier for a conveyor pallet configured to move the transitioning container. The techniques may include receiving a canister identifier corresponding to a distribution canister and in response to receiving the transition identifier and the canister identifier, (a) linking the canister and transition container, (b) determining, a second object count corresponding to the distribution canister, and (c) initiating a compliance operation based on a comparison between the first object count and the second object count.

Claims (63)

1 . A computer-implemented method, the computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving, by one or more processors, a transition identifier corresponding to a transitioning data object that comprises (a) a first object count of a plurality of transitioning objects within a transitioning container, (b) an intake identifier corresponding to the plurality of transitioning objects, and (c) a pallet identifier for a conveyor pallet configured to move the transitioning container;

receiving, by the one or more processors, a canister identifier corresponding to a distribution canister;

in response to receiving the transition identifier and the canister identifier,

(i) assigning, by the one or more processors, the transition identifier and the intake identifier to a canister data object corresponding to the distribution canister,

(ii) assigning, by the one or more processors, the canister identifier to a target intake data object corresponding to the intake identifier, and

(iii) removing, by the one or more processors, the intake identifier and the transition identifier from a pallet data object corresponding to the pallet identifier;

determining, by the one or more processors, a second object count corresponding to the distribution canister; and

initiating, by the one or more processors, a compliance operation based on a comparison between the first object count and the second object count.

2 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the transition identifier comprises:

receiving, via one or more scanning operations, scanned indicia data associated with the transitioning container; and

identifying the transition identifier based on the scanned indicia data.

3 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the canister identifier comprises:

receiving, via one or more scanning operations, scanned indicia data associated with the distribution canister; and

identifying the canister identifier based on the scanned indicia data.

4 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the transition identifier and the canister identifier are received within a time threshold.

5 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein determining the second object count comprises:

receiving, via one or more weighing operations, weight data for the distribution canister; and

determining the second object count based on the weight data and the intake identifier.

6 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the first object count identifies a number of the plurality of transitioning objects within a subset of a plurality of intake objects corresponding to the intake identifier and the first object count is determined during one or more dispensing operations of the subset of the plurality of intake objects.

7 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the compliance operation comprises one of (i) one or more verified operations initiated in response to the first object count matching the second object count or (ii) one or more error operations initiated in response to a deviation between the first object count and the second object count.

8 . The computer-implemented method of claim 7 , wherein the one or more error operations comprise providing, via one or more user interfaces, a deviation alert indicative of the first object count, the second object count, the transitioning container, or the distribution canister.

9 . The computer-implemented method of claim 7 , wherein the one or more verified operations comprise:

in response to an order data object, controlling, via a robotic distribution device, a dispensation of one or more ordered objects of the plurality of transitioning objects from the distribution canister to a pouch container;

modifying the second object count based on a third object count identifying a number of the one or more ordered objects; and

generating a pouch data object comprising the intake identifier, the third object count, and an order identifier corresponding to the order data object.

10 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

storing the intake identifier, the transition identifier, and the pallet identifier as a historic tuple.

11 . A computing system comprising memory and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the memory, the one or more processors configured to:

receive a transition identifier corresponding to a transitioning data object that comprises (a) a first object count of a plurality of transitioning objects within a transitioning container, (b) an intake identifier corresponding to the plurality of transitioning objects, and (c) a pallet identifier for a conveyor pallet configured to move the transitioning container;

receive a canister identifier corresponding to a distribution canister;

in response to receiving the transition identifier and the canister identifier,

(i) assign the transition identifier and the intake identifier to a canister data object corresponding to the distribution canister,

(ii) assign the canister identifier to a target intake data object corresponding to the intake identifier, and

(iii) remove the intake identifier and the transition identifier from a pallet data object corresponding to the pallet identifier;

determine a second object count corresponding to the distribution canister; and

initiate a compliance operation based on a comparison between the first object count and the second object count.

12 . The computing system of claim 11 , wherein receiving the transition identifier comprises:

receiving, via one or more scanning operations, scanned indicia data associated with the transitioning container; and

identifying the transition identifier based on the scanned indicia data.

13 . The computing system of claim 11 , wherein receiving the canister identifier comprises:

receiving, via one or more scanning operations, scanned indicia data associated with the distribution canister; and

identifying the canister identifier based on the scanned indicia data.

14 . The computing system of claim 11 , wherein the transition identifier and the canister identifier are received within a time threshold.

15 . The computing system of claim 11 , wherein determining the second object count comprises:

receiving, via one or more weighing operations, weight data for the distribution canister; and

determining the second object count based on the weight data and the intake identifier.

16 . The computing system of claim 11 , wherein the first object count identifies a number of the plurality of transitioning objects within a subset of a plurality of intake objects corresponding to the intake identifier and the first object count is determined during one or more dispensing operations of the subset of the plurality of intake objects.

17 . The computing system of claim 11 , wherein the compliance operation comprises one of (i) one or more verified operations initiated in response to the first object count matching the second object count or (ii) one or more error operations initiated in response to a deviation between the first object count and the second object count.

18 . The computing system of claim 17 , wherein the one or more error operations comprise providing, via one or more user interfaces, a deviation alert indicative of the first object count, the second object count, the transitioning container, or the distribution canister.

19 . The computing system of claim 17 , wherein the one or more verified operations comprise:

in response to an order data object, controlling, via a robotic distribution device, a dispensation of one or more ordered objects of the plurality of transitioning objects from the distribution canister to a pouch container;

modifying the second object count based on a third object count identifying a number of the one or more ordered objects; and

generating a pouch data object comprising the intake identifier, the third object count, and an order identifier corresponding to the order data object.

20 . One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

receive a transition identifier corresponding to a transitioning data object that comprises (a) a first object count of a plurality of transitioning objects within a transitioning container, (b) an intake identifier corresponding to the plurality of transitioning objects, and (c) a pallet identifier for a conveyor pallet configured to move the transitioning container;

receive a canister identifier corresponding to a distribution canister;

in response to receiving the transition identifier and the canister identifier,

(i) assign the transition identifier and the intake identifier to a canister data object corresponding to the distribution canister,

(ii) assign the canister identifier to a target intake data object corresponding to the intake identifier, and

(iii) remove the intake identifier and the transition identifier from a pallet data object corresponding to the pallet identifier;

determine a second object count corresponding to the distribution canister; and

initiate a compliance operation based on a comparison between the first object count and the second object count.