Method for controlling access to and segregating dispensed items
A method for controlling access to and segregating items dispensed from a vending machine having a stock of said items, said method comprising: vending an item only when a control procedure is satisfied; storing a record indicating said vended item has been dispensed; if said vended item is not distributable to an authorized recipient; quarantining said vended item including inserting said vended item into a port on an exterior of said vending machine that conveys said inserted vended item to a secure repository in the interior of said machine; and updating said record to indicate said vended item has been returned to said machine.
1. A method for controlling access to and segregating items dispensed from a vending machine having a stock of said items, said method comprising:
vending an item only when a control procedure is satisfied;
storing a record indicating said vended item has been dispensed;
quarantining those vended items which are inserted into a port of said vending machine that conveys said inserted vended item to a secure repository;
updating said record to indicate said vended item has been returned to said secure repository; and
providing a sheet containing identifying information associated with said returned item and inserting said sheet through a slot on said machine for storage within said machine.
2. A method for controlling access to and segregating items dispensed from a vending machine having a stock of said items, said method comprising:
vending an item only when a control procedure is satisfied;
storing a record indicating said vended item has been dispensed;
quarantining those vended items which are inserted into a port of said vending machine that conveys said inserted vended item to a secure repository; and
updating said record to indicate said vended item has been returned to said secure repository,
wherein said items comprise prepackaged pharmaceuticals.
3. A method for controlling access to and segregating items dispensed from a vending machine having a stock of said items, said method comprising:
vending an item only when a control procedure is satisfied;
storing a record indicating said vended item has been dispensed;
quarantining those vended items which are inserted into a port of said vending machine that conveys said inserted vended item to a secure repository; and
updating said record to indicate said vended item has been returned to said secure repository.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising sensing said vended item has been returned to said secure repository, wherein said updating of said record is responsive to said sensing.
5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising automatically generating an alert signal to a central processing facility for notifying of said returned vended item.
6. The method of claim 3 , wherein said secure repository is partitioned from said stock of items to be vended.
7. The method of claim 3 , wherein said control procedure includes identifying an item to be vended through a data-input terminal located remotely from said machine.
8. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the step of deactivating the vending machine upon a determination that said item has failed to vend following satisfaction of said control procedure.
9. The method of claim 3 , wherein said items comprise controlled or regulated substances.
10. The method of claim 3 , wherein said items comprise machine tools.
11. The method of claim 3 , wherein said items comprise hazardous materials.