System and method for providing a random access and random load dispensing unit

1. A method of dispensing a prescription drug to a customer, the method comprising:

identifying a particular customer's prescription to fill, said prescription authorized by a medical professional;

choosing from an inventory of drugs a prescription drug to fill the prescription;

creating a finished prescription by filling the particular customer's prescription with the chosen prescription drug;

associating the drug with the particular customer;

placing the finished prescription in a random location within a computer controlled dispenser;

automatically associating the finished prescription with a random location in the dispenser after the finished prescription is placed in the dispenser; and

identifying the finished prescription and controlling the dispenser to dispense the finished prescription to the particular customer upon demand.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein controlling the dispenser comprises translating the finished prescription from the random location to a dispense point in the dispenser.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising identifying the customer utilizing an identification reader.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein utilizing an identification reader comprises utilizing a magnetic stripe card reader.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein utilizing an identification reader comprises utilizing a reader selected from a group consisting of a fingerprint reader, a retinal scanner, a credit card reader, and a barcode reader.

6. The method of claim 3 , further comprising verifying an identity of the customer utilizing a password.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: identifying the customer utilizing a user identifying information.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the user identifying information is selected from a group consisting of a user name, a password, a prescription number, a birth date, a social security number, and a personal identification number.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising electronically recording a signature of the customer to purchase the finished prescription.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising photographing the customer during interaction with the dispenser.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising utilizing the computer to maneuver a picker assembly throughout the dispenser, and wherein the picker assembly dispenses the finished prescription to the customer.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising verifying the dispensing of the finished prescription.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising labeling the finished prescription with at least one of a barcode and an electronic identification tag correlating the customer to the finished prescription.

14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising utilizing the computer to maneuver a picker assembly throughout the automated storage facility, and wherein the picker assembly dispenses the container to the customer.

15. A method of delivering a customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription to a customer comprising:

providing an automated prescription dispenser, said dispenser comprising a computer, a controller, and a three-dimensional array of unique storage locations, each storage location capable of storing a different, customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription;

randomly placing a customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription into an available storage location, said customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription coupled with identifying information associating the prescription with a specific customer;

using said identifying information to associate the randomly-placed, customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription with an unique storage location within the dispenser;

controlling the dispenser to locate and deliver the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription from its random storage location after said customer has interfaced with the dispenser and requested delivery.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the pharmacy filled prescription is a prescription that has been filled by a licensed pharmacist.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein said controlling step further comprises retrieving the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription from the random location in the dispenser.

18. The method of claim 15 , further comprising identifying the customer utilizing an identification reader.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein utilizing an identification reader comprises utilizing a magnetic stripe card reader.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein utilizing an identification reader comprises utilizing a reader selected from a group consisting of a fingerprint reader, a retinal scanner, a credit card reader, and a barcode reader.

21. The method of claim 18 , further comprising verifying an identity of the customer utilizing a password.

22. The method of claim 15 , further comprising identifying the customer utilizing an user identifying information.

23. The method of claim 15 , wherein the user identifying information is selected from a group consisting of a user name, a password, a prescription number, a birth date, a social security number, and a personal identification number.

24. The method of claim 15 , further comprising electronically recording a signature of the customer before delivering the finished prescription.

25. The method of claim 15 , further comprising photographing the customer during interaction with the dispenser.

26. The method of claim 15 , wherein said dispenser further comprises a retrieving assembly, and said controlling step further comprises the computer causing the retrieving assembly to maneuver throughout the dispenser to locate and deliver the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription to the customer.

27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the retrieving assembly is a picker assembly.

28. The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of verifying that the correct pharmacy-filled, customer-specific prescription is delivered to the correct customer.

29. The method of claim 15 , wherein the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription is labeled with at least one of a barcode and an electronic identification tag correlating the customer to the pharmacy-filled, customer-specific prescription.

30. The method of claim 29 , wherein said label is used to associate said customer-specific, pharmacist filled prescription with said unique storage location.

31. The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of placing said customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription into a storage container before placement into the automated dispenser.

32. The method of claim 31 , further comprising placing on the container at least one of a barcode and an electronic identification tag correlating the customer to the pharmacy-filled, customer-specific prescription placed therein.

33. The method of claim 31 , wherein said container is a bag.

34. The method of claim 33 , wherein said dispenser further comprises a picker assembly, and said controlling step further comprises the computer causing the picker assembly to maneuver throughout the dispenser to locate and deliver the container and the pharmacy-filled, customer-specific prescription to the customer.

35. The method of claim 15 , wherein a plurality of distribution trays are housed within the dispenser.

36. The method of claim 35 , wherein at least one distribution tray is used to house a plurality of unique storage locations.

37. The method of claim 36 , wherein at least one of the distribution trays further comprises a plurality of parallel notches defining the unique storage locations.

38. The method of claim 35 , wherein at least one distribution tray is removable from said dispenser.

39. The method of claim 35 , wherein the customer specific pharmacy-filled prescriptions are placed at least one of the plurality of distribution trays, and then the distribution trays are placed in the dispenser.

40. The method of claim 39 , further comprising the step of placing said customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription into a storage container before placement into the distribution tray.

41. The method of claim 40 , further comprising placing on the storage container at least one of a barcode and an electronic identification tag correlating the customer to the pharmacy-filled, customer-specific prescription placed therein.

42. The method of claim 41 , wherein said storage container is a bag.

43. The method of claim 42 , wherein said barcode label is placed substantially near the top of the bag.

44. The method of claim 15 , wherein said computer is located remotely from said dispenser.

45. The method of claim 15 , wherein said dispenser is located in a pharmacy.

46. The method of claim 15 , wherein said dispenser is located remotely from a pharmacy.

47. The method of claim 46 , further comprising the step of moving a previously stored, customer specific, pharmacy-filled prescription from one unique storage location located within the dispenser to another unique storage location located within the dispenser.

48. The method of claim 15 , wherein said pharmacy-filled, customer specific prescription is stored among hundreds of other customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescriptions within the dispenser.

49. A method of delivering a pharmacy-filled prescription to a customer, wherein the pharmacy-filled prescription is associated with identifying information associating the prescription with a specific customer; the method comprising:

providing an automated prescription dispenser, said dispenser comprising a controller, and a plurality of unique storage locations, a first axis, a second axis, and a third axis, wherein said storage locations are each capable of storing unique, pharmacy-filled prescriptions associated with different specific customers, wherein a plurality of unique storage locations are located in the plane formed by the first axis and the second axis, a second plurality of unique storage locations are located in the plane formed by the first axis and the third axis, and a third plurality of unique storage locations are located in the plane formed by the second axis and the third axis;

placing a customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription at a random storage location within the dispenser;

allowing a customer access to the dispenser;

using the specifically associated identifying information to locate the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription stored for the particular customer accessing the dispenser;

controlling the dispenser to deliver the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription from its unique storage location to the accessing customer.

50. The method of claim 49 , wherein the pharmacy filled prescription is a prescription that has been filled by a licensed pharmacist.

51. The method of claim 49 , wherein said controlling step further comprises retrieving the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription from the random location in the dispenser.

52. The method of claim 49 , wherein said storage location is not assigned until after placement in the dispenser.

53. The method of claim 49 , further comprising identifying the customer utilizing an identification reader, the identification reader being part of the dispenser.

54. The method of claim 53 , wherein utilizing an identification reader comprises utilizing a magnetic stripe card reader.

55. The method of claim 53 , wherein utilizing an identification reader comprises utilizing a reader selected from a group consisting of a fingerprint reader, a retinal scanner, a credit card reader, and a barcode reader.

56. The method of claim 53 , further comprising verifying an identity of the customer utilizing a password.

57. The method of claim 49 , further comprising identifying the customer utilizing an user identifying information.

58. The method of claim 57 , wherein the user identifying information is selected from a group consisting of a user name, a password, a prescription number, a birth date, a social security number, and a personal identification number.

59. The method of claim 49 , further comprising electronically recording a signature of the customer before delivering the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription.

60. The method of claim 49 , further comprising photographing the customer during interaction with the dispenser.

61. The method of claim 49 , wherein said dispenser further comprises a translating assembly, and said controlling step further comprises the computer causing the translating assembly to maneuver throughout the dispenser to locate and deliver the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription to the customer.

62. The method of claim 61 , wherein the translating assembly is a picker assembly.

63. The method of claim 49 , further comprising the step of verifying that the correct customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription is delivered to the correct customer.

64. The method of claim 49 , wherein the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription is labeled with at least one of a barcode and an electronic identification tag correlating the customer to the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription.

65. The method of claim 64 , wherein said label is used to associate said customer-specific, pharmacist filled prescription with said unique storage location.

66. The method of claim 49 , further comprising the step of placing said customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription into a storage container before placement into the automated dispenser.

67. The method of claim 66 , further comprising placing on the storage container at least one of a barcode and an electronic identification tag correlating the customer to the pharmacy-filled, customer-specific prescription placed therein.

68. The method of claim 66 , wherein said container is a bag.

69. The method of claim 68 , wherein said dispenser further comprises a picker assembly, and said controlling step further comprises the computer causing the picker assembly to maneuver throughout the dispenser to locate and deliver the container and the pharmacy-filled, customer-specific prescription to the customer.

70. The method of claim 49 , wherein a plurality of distribution trays are housed within the dispenser.

71. The method of claim 70 , wherein at least one of the plurality of distribution trays is used to house a plurality of unique storage locations.

72. The method of claim 70 , wherein at least one distribution tray is removable from said dispenser.

73. The method of claim 72 , wherein the pharmacy-filled, customer specific prescriptions are placed in the distribution tray, and then the distribution tray is placed in the dispenser.

74. The method of claim 73 , wherein at least one of the distribution trays further comprises a plurality of parallel notches defining the unique storage locations.

75. The method of claim 73 , further comprising the step of placing said customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription into a storage container before placement into the distribution tray.

76. The method of claim 75 , further comprising placing on the container at least one of a barcode and an electronic identification tag correlating the customer to the pharmacy-filled, customer-specific prescription placed therein.

77. The method of claim 75 , wherein said container is a bag.

78. The method of claim 77 , wherein said barcode label is placed substantially near the top of the bag.

79. The method of claim 78 , further comprising the step of moving a previously stored, customer specific, pharmacy-filled prescription from one unique storage location located within the dispenser to another unique storage location located within the dispenser.

80. The method of claim 49 , wherein said computer is located remotely from said dispenser.

81. The method of claim 49 , wherein said dispenser is located in a pharmacy.

82. The method of claim 49 wherein said dispenser is located remotely from a pharmacy.

83. A method of delivering a pharmacy-filled prescription to a customer, wherein the pharmacy-filled prescription is associated with identifying information associating the prescription with a specific customer; the method comprising:

providing an automated prescription dispenser, said dispenser comprising a computer, controller, and a plurality of unique storage locations, wherein said plurality of unique storage locations are arranged in a three-dimensional array, and said storage locations are each capable of storing unique, pharmacy-filled prescriptions substantially associated with different specific customers;

placing a customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription at a random, unassigned storage location within the dispenser;

using said identifying information to associate the randomly-placed, customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription with an unique storage location within the dispenser;

allowing a customer access to the dispenser;

using the specifically associated identifying information to locate the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription stored for the particular customer accessing the dispenser;

controlling the dispenser to deliver the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription from its unique storage location to the accessing customer.

84. The method of claim 83 , wherein the pharmacy filled prescription is a prescription that has been filled by a licensed pharmacist.

85. A method of delivering a customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription to a customer comprising:

providing an automated prescription dispenser, said dispenser comprising a controller and a plurality of bins, each bin capable of storing a different, customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription;

randomly placing a customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription substantially into an available bin, said customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription containing identifying information associating the prescription with a specific customer;

associating the randomly-placed, customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription with the specific bin location within the dispenser where the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription was placed;

identifying the randomly stored, customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription, after said customer has interfaced with the dispenser and requested delivery;

controlling the dispenser to deliver the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription from its random storage location to the particular customer.

86. The method of claim 85 , wherein the pharmacy filled prescription is a prescription that has been filled by a licensed pharmacist.

87. A method of delivering a customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription to a customer comprising:

providing an automated prescription dispenser, said dispenser comprising a controller and a plurality of trays, each tray capable of storing a plurality of different, customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription;

randomly placing a customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription into an available tray, said customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription containing identifying information associating the prescription with a specific customer;

after placement, using said identifying information to associate the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription with a specific tray location within the dispenser;

identifying the randomly stored, customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription, after said customer has interfaced with the dispenser and requested delivery;

controlling the dispenser to deliver the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription from its random storage location to the particular customer.

88. The method of claim 87 , wherein the pharmacy filled prescription is a prescription that has been filled by a licensed pharmacist.

89. The method of claim 87 , wherein the tray is removable from the dispenser.

90. The method of claim 89 , further comprising the step of placing the customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescription substantially in the tray while the tray is removed from the dispenser.

91. The method of claim 90 , wherein the tray houses a plurality of unique storage locations.

92. The method of claim 91 , wherein the unique storage locations are defined by parallel v-shaped notches located on opposite sides of the trays.

93. The method of claim 92 , further comprising the step of placing several customer-specific pharmacy-filled prescription substantially in the tray while the tray is removed from the dispenser, and then returning the tray to the dispenser when customer-specific, pharmacist filled prescriptions have been placed at all unique storage locations.

94. The method of claim 93 , wherein a tray contains customer-specific, pharmacy-filled prescriptions for different customers.