EP1571605A1 - Method and apparatus for automatic dispensing of products - Google Patents

Abstract

The fully automatic system has a warehouse [10] that has a commissioning system [12] from which selected products [8] are delivered to an output unit [14]. The system has access for a credit card [22] and a keyboard is provided [24] for product selection. The system is controlled by a data processor [40] which uses a product data base [42].

Description

The invention relates to the field of automatic dispensing of products to one Customers. It is specifically concerned with a device for the automatic dispensing of Products to an end customer according to the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a method of automatically delivering products to a customer according to the features of the preamble of claim 10.

Devices and methods for automatically delivering products to customers have been around long known. They can be divided into different categories. The simplest Devices of this type are vending machines, which after the money through the Customers and a corresponding product choice e.g. a chilled drink in cans or Spend bottles or use a hot water-based beverage with other appliances Spend coffee or tea. Larger machines, in addition to drinks and sweets or Sandwiches etc. also belong in this category. Such devices usually have a slot for the coin slot and a simple control panel with buttons for the Product selection on. Warehousing takes place in this category of output devices in Device itself, resulting in a limited number of products and a small number of respective product leads. The target group, i. the customers for these machines are the Consumer.

in Scheinen zu 1X100 und 2X50 , getroffen, so werden die Geldscheine ausgegeben. Der Kunde erhält seine Kundenkarte zurück und die Aktion ist beendet. Auf Wunsch des Kunden kann der Geldautomat auch einen Beleg für diese Aktion ausgeben, wofür eine Druckeinheit in den Automaten integriert ist.Another category of such devices are ATMs. The customer is in this case again the end user, the issued product are banknotes. ATMs typically have a user interface displayed on a screen that interfaces with a computer as a touch screen or together with a keypad control panel. Similar to a vending machine, the storage of goods to be issued to the customer, namely the bills, takes place within the device itself. However, since it is a very valuable commodity in bills, the ATM has various security systems that an identification or a Request authorization of the customer, so that only an authorized customer can withdraw money. The identification of the customer is carried out at ATMs today usually via a provided with a magnetic stripe customer card and a PIN code. Has the customer identified his customer card and the PIN code and his product choice, eg 200

in notes to 1X100 and 2X50 , hit, the notes are issued. The customer gets his customer card back and the action is over. At the request of the customer, the ATM can also issue a receipt for this action, for which a printing unit is integrated in the machine.

There are also the so-called picking systems, which are linked to a Inventory database and matching conveyors the fast and efficient Enable and manage large stocks of various products also the quick and efficient dispensing of required products from the warehouse e.g. at one Ensure output switch. Such order picking systems today are via computers controlled and usually operated via a user-friendly interface, mostly is graphically designed and displayed on a screen. The user interface can be designed as a touchscreen or together with a control panel in the form of a Keypad or a normal computer keyboard the interface to the Form data processing unit of the picking system. If e.g. Goods from the warehouse Needed at an output switch, they can be accessed through the user interface of the computer be requested. In a database, e.g. with the help of geographical coordinates stored, where in the warehouse the requested product is stored. If the product is requested, can with the help of an appropriate software the mechanical units of the Picking system, such as robots, slides, grippers, conveyor belts, etc. the desired Promote the product within the shortest possible time to the desired output switch. In the Inventory database is also the stock of the requested item changed accordingly. As such picking systems are usually of employees operated by the company that manages such a warehouse is not a coin or the like. The end user usually sees and services such systems Not.

Recent developments in the field of these automatic dispensers can be found in the Pharmaceutical industry. So is at the Expopharm from 18 to 21 September 2003 in Cologne, Germany has been presented a device, which is a picking system, used in the Warehouse of a pharmacy, combined with a dispenser for medicines. These Output device is intended to stop the dispensing of drugs by the pharmacist at times in which the pharmacy is normally closed. The pharmacist has to do this no longer be present at the pharmacy, so he overnight services and emergency services over Holidays and weekends, can cope from home. The presented Medication output device has a touch screen as user interface for this purpose and a payment unit for cash and credit cards, a receipt printer and a Output tray for the drugs. To ensure safe delivery of medication To ensure that the output device further has a scanner for the scanning recipes, a camera and a microphone as well as speakers and one Screen - combined with the touch screen - for contacting the pharmacist and an optical detection system for securing the output tray. The Output device is connected to a computer of the pharmacist. The computer of the Apotheker is in turn with camera, microphone, speakers and screen for the Contact with the customer equipped and is also with the Picking system connectable (see Fig.1).

For the receipt of a drug outside the opening hours of the pharmacy "rings" the Customer via touchscreen on the computer of the pharmacist who gives an audible signal and alert the pharmacist at home to a customer's request. The pharmacist opens the connection to the output device via his computer. About screen and Loudspeaker or camera and microphone can customer and pharmacist now miteinender Talk like at the counter of the pharmacy. The customer wants a prescription drug He places the recipe in the recipe scanner and the scanned image of the recipe Appears on the pharmacist's home screen. Is everything alright and also the Payment method clarified, the pharmacist via his computer that Picking system to provide the desired preparation from the warehouse and in the Dispose the output shaft of the output device. About the optical recognition system In the dispensing shaft, the pharmacist can check if the right preparation is provided has been. Only when the payment is in order and the product in the output shaft was recognized as correct, the pharmacist releases the output tray. The customer receives over the Receipt printer a slip about his payment and the purchased specimen that is business settled and the connection between the computer of the pharmacist and the Output device is released.

To be sure, such a system enables the goods to be delivered also from goods to the legal ones Sales restrictions apply at times when a store is closed and no Staff is on site. A staff-independent delivery of products is also with a such system not possible.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device and a method for To provide the output of desired products from a large number various, stored in a warehouse products to a customer time-independent and independent of personnel.

This object is achieved by a device according to the features of claim 1 and a Method according to the features of claim 10.

Another aspect of the invention is the time-independent and staff-independent Issuance of goods allow the legal or other distribution restrictions subject.

One more aspect is the provision of the products in different places, so that the Customer can choose his reference location freely among several locations.

The inventive device has a bearing with an output device and with a picking system. The output device and the picking system are doing so connected to a data processing system that a customer on a User interface Access to a catalog stored on the data processing system has the products in stock. The device has a user program, which allows the customer via a user interface a product choice. Next is that User program is so associated with the picking system that it is a deployment of the selected product through the picking system in the output tray of the Output device causes. With such a device, it is possible for a customer Deliver products from a warehouse without the need for staff. Without staff is the output of products regardless of normal working and business hours and thus completely independent of time possible.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the device has a payment unit, which is so connected to the user program that when choosing a product the Payment of the requested amount is automatically controllable. Should the payment on the spot, the means when the product is purchased at the output device, so includes the Payment unit, for example, a slots for the supply of coins and / or of Sheet music and / or a card reading unit incl. Software for the processing of cash cards, EC cards, credit cards etc. For a possible order of goods and a related Payment via a data transfer network, such as via the Internet or an intranet, the Payment unit but also a corresponding software / website for payment by Credit card in the usual form. Furthermore, the payment unit includes software that the correct payment of the requested amount via cash supply or card reading unit or possibly checked via credit card and data transfer network.

If a control unit is provided, the automatic nominal-actual comparison before issuing a product between the selected product and that through the picking system provided product increases, this increases the safety in terms of product output. In general, the location of a product in a warehouse over its geographical Defined data, which allows a relatively secure management of the warehouse. But the risk to be able to exclude a wrong product delivery, - which in particular with the delivery Of pharmaceutical products is important - it is necessary to control before delivery of the product provided for sale. This is the easiest way to do it readable by the product. Barcode done. The control unit insists in such a case So from a barcode reader and a corresponding software. Other options for one Control may vary depending on the products to be dispensed e.g. the review of the Weight by means of scales, the package dimensions, for example via infrared measurement or also the color of the packaging by means of color sensor. Further control measures are conceivable. Of course, such measures can also be combined in one control unit.

If the dispenser has an identification unit for identifying the customer, This ensures that products are only issued to authorized persons. This is especially important for products that are legal or otherwise Sales restrictions are subject. For example, should alcohol be dispensed or Video films, the age limit for the entitled persons must be considered. Persons who use the possibility of reference via a device according to the invention want to make, then, for example, identify the operator of the device and register as a user. To enable you to purchase products, you can Customers then similar to an ATM, e.g. a loyalty card and a pin code and / or for ordering or reserving products via the Internet Identification number, a password and a list with only once to be used Password add-ons (checklist code) or something similar for identification be put. The identification unit can therefore be a corresponding reader for a Customer card with appropriate recognition and identification software for the You can also access the Internet from a corresponding login page with associated Recognition or identification software. For very sensitive products is also the Identification via biometric data conceivable.

A slightly different type of product subject to sales restrictions Medicines that are only available by prescription. Again, one must necessarily Identification or a verification of entitlement to take place. As described above For example, this can be done via a patient or customer card e.g. with pin code and / or with an identification number, a password and a string code or something similar accomplished.

For integration into the Internet, the device is preferably at least one protected interface for connection to a data transfer network. About these At least one interface is also the connection of any number of clients is possible. The clients are preferably in groups with different access rights assigned. Such groups of clients may e.g. the operator or administrator of the device, Be suppliers of products and customers. Is this about pharmaceutical products like that For example, the groups could be e.g. be divided into operator / administrator of the device, doctors, Pharmacists, medical call centers, suppliers, customers.

For drug delivery, the device points to its data processing system a drug database and / or an electronic, pharmaceutical-medical Dictionary and / or a symptom diagnostic database and / or a patient database on. With the help of these databases it is possible, adapted to the user - namely doctor, Pharmacists, end users, call centers - to facilitate a menu-driven product choice.

Also, an interaction check before issuing or accepting an order or Reservation is possible with the help of these databases. For this purpose, e.g. the Drug database Data on drug interactions. With Interaction check is here the examination of a drug combination on their unwanted Meant effects and side effects. If e.g. in a combination of selected Drugs identified such interactions, so will according to the respective statutory or other provisions on an output unit, for example, on the Pointed out interactions and / or recommended the consultation of a doctor and / or the output of the product or products is blocked.

If a patient database is available, interaction checks can also be done in relation to Medications are made by a person over a longer period of time requested, or be obtained. Such patient databases include electronic Patient records in the form of person-specific stored, health relevant Data are stored centrally in the area of the data processing system and / or in form such data on a identification card serving patient card with magnetic strip, chip or any other storage medium. Also permanent recipes and Posologies (medication prescriptions individually adapted to each patient) for certain medications may be patient specific by a doctor or pharmacist in the respective patient file and thus stored in the patient database.

A delivery system with devices according to the invention at a geographical location separate locations linked together via a central data processing system are allowed to deliver the product at a particularly favorable for the customer Location, e.g. is in the area of his commute or near his home or his workplace etc .. Is a desired product in one location not in stock present, so in such a dispensing system, the customer can also to another Pickup location where the product is available. It is irrelevant if the Data processing systems of the individual devices at a central Ort are summarized and / or managed by a central processing unit.

In the event of a malfunction of the dispenser, the dispenser is advantageously equipped with a fault reporting system. The fault reporting system can be very simply include a key marked as the fault message key, and at Their operation, for example via the output unit of the output device a Indicates the telephone number of a troubleshooting service. But it can also be designed so that when operating the error message button automatically a fault message to a Fault service is sent. In an automated version, the malfunction reporting system can also be designed so that or the system performs a self-examination of its functions and sends a corresponding test report to a troubleshooting service. This can either periodically or after pressing a fault message button. The customer becomes one corresponding message issued.

The inventive method is characterized by the fact that the customer has a User interface into a user program and via the user program Product choice applies. By means of a query routine, the availability of the chosen one or more Products checked in the warehouse of the pick-up location and, if available, the customer via a Output unit requested to confirm the choice and / or the at least one product to reserve for a later pick-up. Confirmation of the choice without reservation Are the product (s) by means of a picking system from the warehouse in a Receiving compartment conveyed to a connected to the bearing dispensing device. At a Reserving one or more products becomes an identification key for them Reservation issued to the customer, with which he has the at least one reserved product can pick up at the dispenser. The identification key can be from a Reservation number and a password exist or e.g. also made of sturdy paper cards with magnetic strips, such as those used in parking garages, on which the corresponding ones Information is stored. Also conceivable are the storage of the reservation on one corresponding customer card and more. Among other things, the embodiment of the Identifikationsschlüssels depending on the type of products to be issued, as well as whether the reservation is made on the dispenser itself, which reduces the output e.g. a paper Magnetic card allowed or if the reservation e.g. via internet.

If a payment unit is provided, the product selection may take place instead of the request Confirm or reserve a request will be made to the selected product (s) pay and / or reserve. If a payment is made, it will be automatically electronic checked and with correct payment without reservation the barren the products by means of Picking system from the warehouse to the pick-up compartment of the connected to the warehouse Promoted dispensing device. When making a reservation, the issue of a Identification key as described above.

Devices without payment unit and thus procedure without payment for the chosen For example, products may be intended for prescription drugs Payment without invoice to the customer via health insurance.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, in case of unavailability of one or more several selected products the customer via an output unit on the delivery time for this (s) Product (s) informed. He is prompted to order the product electronically and Once an order has been placed, an identification key for it will again be generated Order issued to the customer. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the Procedure will make such an order automatically and preferably online to the Suppliers of the product forwarded

For certain products, e.g. Pharmaceutical products, it is particularly advantageous if the product selection is menu-driven, in particular with the aid of a Symptom Diagnosis Database and / or an electronic, pharmaceutical-medical Dictionary.

In cases where multiple issue locations are available, the customer will join a reservation or an order asked at which pickup location the selected products should be provided for him. In a particularly preferred Embodiment will provide the customer with a list of a number of possible Pick-up locations provided, with the pick-up locations in this list preferably are sorted according to their distance to a location specified by the customer.

For particularly sensitive products, the reservation and / or order may also be due a customer advisor, with the corresponding identification key and the Pickup location then be sent by the customer advisor to the customer. Such sensitive Products can e.g. Pharmaceuticals, with the client advisor then a call center, a Doctor or pharmacist. For the dispensing of prescription drugs is the payment then adapted to the customary practice for prescription drugs and takes place by invoicing, by the doctor / pharmacist this on the customer or the insurance or in whole or in part by the customer or the Patients.

Further embodiments of the method and the device are in the other dependent claims.

Fig. 1

Vorrichtung gemäss Stand der Technik;

Fig. 2

erfindungsgemässe Vorrichtung;

Fig. 3

erfindungsgemässes Abgabesystem; und

Fig. 4

erfindungsgemässes Verfahren mit einer erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung.

In the following the invention will be explained by way of example by way of example. Identical objects are generally identified by the same reference numerals in the figures. The figures show purely schematically:

Fig. 1

Device according to the prior art;

Fig. 2

device according to the invention;

Fig. 3

inventive delivery system; and

Fig. 4

inventive method with a device according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows the prior art with a device for semi-automatic delivery of pharmaceutical products of a pharmacy. A warehouse 10 of the pharmacy is with a Picking system 12 and an externally accessible output device 14th equipped. The output device 14 has an output tray 16 for the output of the picking system 12 from the warehouse 10 provided products 8 and a Payment unit 18 with slots 20 for the supply of coins and notes and with a Card reading unit 22 for the processing of debit and credit cards. Next are for the Operation an input field 24 in the form of a keypad and an output unit 26 in shape a screen and a printer unit 34 is provided. The dispenser 14 is e.g. connected via a data transmission network 38 to a computer 35 of the pharmacist, the for example, at this home stands. The output device 14 and the computer 35 The pharmacist's are each equipped with a microphone 28, a camera 30 and a speaker 31 equipped to provide a communication between pharmacist and customer virtually face to face. About a recipe scanner 37 it is possible to read in recipes, so that the pharmacist can check these on his screen 26. For the issue of a Product to a customer takes the customer from the output device 14 with the Pharmacist at the computer 35 contact. Due to the customer talk via electronic Media between pharmacist and customer instead, the pharmacist checks the product request of the Customers as well as the payment of the product 8 from his computer 35. Is everything ok, the pharmacist sends an issue command to the picking 12 and this promotes (arrow F) the desired product 8 in the output tray 16 of the output device 14th The pharmacist can check with a further camera 30 'in the dispenser 14 whether the correct product 8 was provided by the order picking system 12. Only when If this test is positive, he gives a corresponding release command to the Output device 14 and the output tray 16 releases the product 8 to the customer.

In contrast, the device 1 according to the invention functions to output Products 8 to end customers, as shown in Fig. 2, completely automated. Also at the Inventive device 1 is a bearing 10 with a picking 12 and an externally accessible output device 14 equipped. The output device 14, like that in Fig. 1, has an output tray 16 for the output of the Picking system 12 from the warehouse 10 promoted products 8 on. In the here this particular embodiment of the dispenser 14 has one Payment unit 18 with slots 20 for the supply of coins and notes and with a Card reader unit 22 for processing chip, debit and credit cards. Such Payment unit does not necessarily have to be provided if, for example, the delivery of the Products for free or another system of payment, e.g. via a at Operator of the device set up account or, for example, in prescription Drugs, via a health insurance.

Next are for the operation of an input field 24 in this example in the form of a keyboard and an output unit 26 provided in the form of a screen. The screen can also be in Formed a touch screen and instead of a keyboard can also be a simple Keypad, a number of distributed around the screen pushbuttons and / or a trackball, etc. be provided. For printing receipts for the customer, a printer unit 34 is provided intended. For the control of whether from the picking 12 also the correct, i. the customer-selected product 8 is provided, a control unit 39 is provided, which is designed in the example shown here as a barcode reader. The in the camp 10 located products 8 are provided for this control with a bar code, as he also for the processing is known at every till. Are not these products 8, the to be sold but to 8 products that are rented, such as DVDs and videocassettes, the barcode not only identifies the product family but additionally an individualization of each product within the product family.

The inventive device 1 has a user program and is with a Connection to a data processing system 40 with one or more databases 42 and a computing unit 44. The data processing system 40 may be used in the Device 1 may be integrated or geographically removed from the device 1 be arranged. The databases 42 may include, for example, the warehousing database Catalog with the products 8 available and / or orderable in the warehouse 10, one Patient database, an electronic, pharmaceutical-medical dictionary, or a Be Symptom Diagnosis Database. The data processing system is also with the Picking system 12 connected. The warehousing database can, however, be held on the data processing system 40 also be integrated in the order picking system 12. Should the Device have any malfunction is a fault indicator 32 is provided. This can e.g. a button that when pressed to give a phone number for a Issues fault service and / or reverses any payment already made and / or automatically a corresponding fault signal to the operator or a Troubleshooting service sends.

In the example shown here, the device 1 also has an interface 46 a data transfer network 38, e.g. protected by a firewall. The interface 46 can then for example by a customer for electronic query or reservation of a product 8 via the Internet. Another possibility of use is the Remote inquiry of the stocks by an operator / manager of the warehouse 10 or by a supplier. As such a device 1 by means of the inventive method can be operated to deliver a product 8 to a customer is below explained in detail using a flow chart.

Instead of only one device 1 according to the invention can also complex output systems 2 with several devices 1 at different, geographically separated locations are operated, as outlined in Fig. 3. Each device 1 has an outside accessible, connected to a warehouse 10 output device 14, a picking system 12 and a, preferably protected interface 46 for connection to a Data transfer network 38 on. Depending on the number of operated in such a system Devices 1, it may be useful parts of the data processing system 40 and / or the Databases 42 of each device 1 in one place (see Fig.3) or at several locations or the integrated database systems 40 of the individual To manage devices 1 only via a central, external processing unit. It can under central processing unit with a correspondingly large output system, a system with several local computing units organized in a hierarchical tree structure be understood, in this structure combined into groups and together managed devices 1 form the lowest hierarchical level. As indicated in Fig. 3, it is possible via the data transfer network 38 any number of clients C1, C2, C3, C4, ... Cn with the Link delivery system. The clients are preferably in groups with different ones subdivided, such as customers; Suppliers, operators / administrators, Account manager.

The summary of the databases 42 or database systems 40 and / or their central administration by means of arithmetic unit (s) serve the comparison of the data to the individual locations of the devices 1 e.g. concerning the one in the individual camps 10 existing products 8 or in the case of existing patient databases also to Alignment of patient-related products 8. This reconciliation allows for example, that the customer / patient can specify an alternate location, if a desired product 8 at a selected location is no longer in the warehouse 10 is present, or at a request via the Internet at all the choice of a suitable Pick-up location.

For an identification e.g. By means of a customer card, the device 1 can also, as in represented in the example shown in FIG. 2, an identification unit 36, for example in Form of a card reading device may be provided. Shall on the identification medium in addition to the identification data of the customer also reference data concerning the via Inventive device 1 stored products are stored, so is the Identification unit designed as a read-write device. The latter is e.g. useful if it is about the issue of medication and the data of the client or patient is not in a central patient database are stored and retrievable. Even if bought instead of Products leased products such as DVDs or video cassettes can be output e.g. Data on the hired and not yet returned products 8 on the Be stored identification means. In the latter case, the output tray 16 and the control unit 39 and the order-picking system 12 designed so that a Return of rented products 8 is possible.

With reference to the flowchart, as outlined in Fig. 4, the rough structure of the Method according to the invention for the automated dispensing of products from a warehouse to an end user. In the example shown here is a variant of the method in which a payment of the product is queried. The procedure can but instead of the payment only a confirmation of the election or a reservation of the Query product. Since this variant probably covers less use needs than the one with the payment query, the embodiment with the payment query is explained in more detail here.

In the method according to the invention shown here, the customer logs on User interface into a user program 100. Is it a secured one System so its authorization is checked 102. If he is not authorized then the query e.g. Be repeated 3 times, then the process is canceled 104. Is the customer the product choice 106 is authorized. If it is an unsecured system, then there is no query 104 and the customer can dial in 100 immediately after a product select 106. the product choice may e.g. take place from a product catalog or, e.g. for drugs, menu-driven via a symptom-diagnostic query. Is a product selected, so either more products can be selected, repetition of the step 106 (not shown). Are all products selected via a query routine the Availability of the selected product in stock checked 108. If available At least one product is informed to the customer via an output unit about the price and asked to pay for and / or reserve the at least one product 126.

If the at least one product is paid 128, an electronic check of the Payment 130. With a correct payment without reservation, this will be at least one product by means of a picking system from the warehouse into a pick-up compartment of the dispenser promoted 132. Depending on the safety standard, a check is made before the product is released of the product in relation to whether it is the chosen product and / or whether Product has defects 134. If the product is faultless 136 the release of the Product and is issued to the customer 142. The process is over.

If the product is defective or is not the product selected, will the product is retained and stored separately by the order picking system 140 Another attempt to issue the right or a defect-free product will be made. If these attempts 140, 132, 134, 136, 138 fail several times, the Procedure aborted 104b or the customer is requested to order the product and to be picked up at a later date 114. The customer receives an identification key for picking up his order 118.

If, after choosing 124 one or more products, a reservation 126 is made, an identification key for this reservation is issued to the customer 118, with He can pick up the at least one reserved product on the dispenser. Unlike shown in Fig. 4, the method can be configured so that the reservation either after the payment or even without payment of the at least one product can. in such a case can be picked up either then via appropriate to the Identification key stored data or by the special nature of the Identification key be recognizable, if the at least one reserved product already is paid or whether another payment must be made.

Similarly, if the product is not in stock, then the query 108 will proceed is answered negatively. If not available one or more selected products will the customer informs about the delivery time for the product (s) via an output unit 110. In the event that there are several pick-up locations (with dashed lines indicated), another location is offered as an option where the product is present is and can be obtained immediately 120. The customer makes his choice 112 between order of the product for the current location 114 or reservation for pickup at one other location 122. The customer receives both for the order and for the pickup an identification key 118 with which he ordered the at least one product ordered at the Abgabevorrichtung can pick up. Both from the reservation 122 and from the order from an abort of the method 104 may be provided as an option or the jump back to the product selection 106 (shown only for the order).

In addition to the process flow shown here are various other detail designs conceivable. Thus, it is clear to the person skilled in the art that certain query routines are executed several times and in what way end and start of such loops from that shown Schema can be set differently.

For the delivery of medicaments, the method may e.g. with an interaction check the release of the products (not shown). In such a Interaction check will be the adverse effects or side effects of a selected drug combination checked. The review is based on the Data from a drug database containing data on the interactions of Contains medication. If e.g. with a combination of selected drugs Interactions are determined, according to the respective legal or other provisions relating to an output unit to these interactions and / or the consultation of a doctor recommended, or it will be the issue of the Products blocked. Is next to the drug database a patient database There may also be interaction checks regarding medications requested by a person over a longer period of time become. Also permanent prescriptions and posologies (medication prescriptions individually matched to each patient) for specific medications can be customized by a doctor or pharmacist in the respective patient file and thus in the Patient database are stored and then via the printer unit at the reference of the particular drug to the patient.

It goes without saying that at a connection of the inventive device or of the output system dialing into the user program not only locally via the Output device 14 but also via the Internet can be done, resulting in the corresponding changes in the then running process leads. When dialing in Output system is then, for example, the query of the desired pick-up location 120, 122 preferred and after payment, for example, by entering the credit card number a reservation takes place instead of an issue of the product. Generally it is possible that at several possible pickup locations give the customer a list with a number of possible ones Pick-up locations are provided, which in terms of their distance to one of the Customer specified location is sorted.

The method may also be modified in the form that the reservation and / or Order is made by a customer advisor instead of by the end customer and the Customer advisor then the customer the appropriate identification key and the Pickup location announced. This is very useful, for example, in medicines, where as Customer advisors medical call centers, pharmacists and physicians are eligible. According to her Qualification or their different intensive customer contact have these customer advisors different permissions with respect to the order or reservation of Medications. The reservation or order of prescription drugs could For example, be made only by the attending physician or pharmacist, the Payment adapted to the customary practice for prescription drugs becomes. The reservation or order of a prescription drug by a Pharmacist may e.g. then take place when the patient with a medical prescription in the Pharmacy is coming and the drug is currently not available in the pharmacy. The Reservation or order by a doctor can be made at any time and is of course always then useful if in the immediate vicinity either no operated pharmacy available or if it is an emergency medication, e.g. on the weekend or at night is.

As could be shown, provide the inventive method and the device and the delivery system has many advantages. They can be used for a wide variety of products be about a device or a dispensing system not only products from a Product family but also from each other alien product families provided can be. An example of this is the delivery of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and of Prints of photos after an ordered development of a photo film about a single one Output device. Furthermore, the products may not just be products for the Sale but also to products intended for rental act. Also the Submission of products for a legal or other distribution restriction may be issued. The embodiments shown in FIGS clearly serve the explanation of the invention by way of examples. The skilled person is clear that it There are further possibilities of embodiment of the invention, which is not here for reasons of space all can be played. Also in which way the in the different It is clear to those skilled in the art that the elements shown in FIGS The examples shown in the figures have no limiting effect.

Claims (21)

Device for the automatic delivery of products to an end customer with an output device whose output tray can be loaded by means of a picking system with the products from a warehouse, characterized in that the output device (14) and the order picking system (12) with a data processing system (40) connected to the customer via a user interface access to a stored on the data processing system (40) catalog of products in the warehouse (10) (8) and that a user program is provided, which allows a product selection via the user interface, the User program is so associated with the picking system (12) that it causes a provision of the selected product (8) by the order-picking system (12) in the output tray (16) of the output device (14). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a payment unit (18) is provided, which is connected to the user program that when choosing a product (8), the payment of the required amount is automatically controlled. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a control unit (39) is provided which allows before output of product (8) an automatic target-actual comparison between the selected product and the product provided by the order picking system (12). Device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the catalog stored on the data processing system (40) also identifies the products (8) which are not in the warehouse (10) and the user program allows the order of such a product (8) , Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the output device (14) has an identification unit (36) for identifying the customer. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one interface (46) is provided for the connection to a data transfer network (38), which is preferably protected. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that via the interface (46) any number of clients (C1, C2, C3, C4, ... Cn) are connectable to the device (1), wherein the clients (C1, C2, C3, C4, ... Cn) are preferably divided into groups with different access rights. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that on the data processing system (40) a drug database and / or a pharmaceutical-medical dictionary and / or symptom diagnosis database and / or a patient database is stored. Dispensing system for the automatic delivery of products to end customers, at geographically separated locations devices (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8 are provided, which via a central processing unit (50) with each other are linked. Dispensing system according to claim 9, characterized in that the data processing system (40) of the individual devices (1) are combined at a central location and / or form the central processing unit and / or are managed by a central processing unit (50). A method for the automatic delivery of products from a warehouse to a customer, wherein the product is conveyed by means of a picking system from the warehouse in a pick-up of a dispenser, suitable for operating a device according to one of claims 1 to 8 or a dispensing system according to one of Claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the customer dials into a user program via a user interface and makes a product selection via the user program, then the availability of the at least one selected product (8) in the warehouse (10) is checked via a query routine and at Availability of the at least one product (8) the customer via an output unit (26) is requested to confirm the choice of at least one product (8) and / or to reserve that upon confirmation of the choice without reservation, the at least one product by means of a Picking system (12) from the warehouse (10) in a Abhblf after the dispenser is conveyed, while upon reservation, an identification key for that reservation is issued to the customer, with which he can pick up the at least one reserved product (8) at a dispenser (14). A method according to claim 11, characterized in that the customer is asked at the option of at least one product (8) to pay for at least one product (8) and / or to reserve that the payment is electronically checked in a payment, and at a correct payment without reservation, the at least one product is conveyed from the warehouse (10) into a pick-up compartment of the dispenser by means of the picking system (12), while at reservation a key for this reservation is issued to the customer, with whom he reserved the at least one Product (8) on the dispenser (14) can pick up. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, if one or more selected products (8) are not available, the customer is informed via an output unit (26) about the delivery period for this product (8) and to an electronic order of the product (8 ) and that after an order has been placed an identification key for this order is issued to the customer with which he can pick up the ordered product (8) at the dispenser (14). Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that before delivering the at least one product (8) to the customer, an automatic target-actual comparison between the at least one selected product (8) and the or by the order-picking (12 ) provided product (s) (8). Method according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the authorization of the customer is checked before dialing into the user program. Method according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the product selection is menu-driven, in particular with the aid of a symptom diagnosis database and / or an electronic, pharmaceutic-medical dictionary. Method according to one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that the dispensed products (8) are medicines and before delivery of a drug an interaction check is made, preferably with the aid of a drug database and / or an electronic patient record. Method according to one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that the dial-up in the user program via the Internet or via a user interface to an output device. Method according to one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that in the cases in which several issue locations are available, the customer can select the pickup location at which the at least one product is to be provided for him in a reservation or an order wherein the customer is preferably provided with a list of a number of possible pick-up locations, which list is sorted in particular with regard to their distance to a location specified by the customer. Method according to one of claims 11 to 19, characterized in that the reservation and / or order is made by a customer advisor and the corresponding identification key and the pickup location are transmitted by the customer advisor to the customer. Method according to one of claims 11 to 20, characterized in that for the delivery of prescription medicines the reservation or order made by the attending physician or upon presentation of a medical prescription from a pharmacist and the corresponding identification key transmitted by the doctor or pharmacist to the customer the payment is made, in particular, adapted to the customary practice for prescription medicines by invoicing and / or the doctor and / or the customer.

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