System and method for collection and management of items

Abstract

A method for collecting returned items and evaluating return policy criteria with respect to collected items, and a system for the same, are disclosed. The method includes providing a station, such as a kiosk terminal, preferably at a pharmacy location. The station includes a computer and a user interface including a touch screen interface. Items, for example, pharmaceutical items to be returned are brought to the station. The user enters information at the station, such as by scanning a bar code on a container of the item, weighing the item or its contents, and entering lot number and expiration date associated with the item. In the event of pharmaceutical items, the station determines whether the item is a controlled or non-controlled substance and opens a chute for the user to deposit the item into a receptacle selected based on the determination.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for collecting returnable items and determining return policy compliance comprising the steps of:
 providing a station having a first receptacle adapted to receive a returnable item,   providing said station with a computer and a user interface adapted to enable a user to enter information related to a returnable item,   receiving said information related to the returnable item at said station,   evaluating at least a portion of said information with respect to a return policy associated with the returnable item, and   determining whether or to what extend the item complies with the return policy.   
     
     
         2 . The method for collecting returnable items and determining return policy compliance according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing a database server having return policy parameters,   providing a networked connection between said database server and said computer, wherein said database server is configured to receive said information from said computer over said networked connection.   
     
     
         3 . The method for collecting returnable items and determining return policy compliance according to  claim 2 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing a second receptacle within said station adapted to receive a returnable item,   determining an item category based on at least a portion of said information,   providing a pathway to enable a user to deposit the returnable item in one of said first receptacle or said second receptacle based on the item category.   
     
     
         4 . The method for collecting returnable items and determining return policy compliance according to  claim 3 , wherein said item is a pharmaceutical item and wherein said item category is either a non-controlled pharmaceutical substance or a controlled pharmaceutical substance. 
     
     
         5 . The method for collecting returnable items and determining return policy compliance according to  claim 4 , wherein the step of providing a station comprises providing the station at a pharmacy location. 
     
     
         6 . The method for collecting returnable items and determining return policy compliance according to  claim 5 , wherein a portion of said information is an indication of a reason for returning the item. 
     
     
         7 . The method for collecting returnable items and determining return policy compliance according to  claim 6 , wherein a portion of said information includes a product number or bar code data. 
     
     
         8 . The method for collecting returnable items and determining return policy compliance according to  claim 7 , wherein a portion of said information includes a quantity of said pharmaceutical item. 
     
     
         9 . The method for collecting returnable items and determining return policy compliance according to  claim 8 , wherein a portion of said information includes an expiration date of said pharmaceutical item. 
     
     
         10 . The method for collecting returnable items and determining return policy compliance according to  claim 9 , wherein a portion of said information includes a lot number associated with said pharmaceutical item. 
     
     
         11 . The method for collecting returnable items and determining return policy compliance according to  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing said station with a scale adapted to measure the weight of said pharmaceutical item, and   sensing a weight associated with said pharmaceutical item once said item is placed on said scale.   
     
     
         12 . The method for collecting returnable items and determining return policy compliance according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step of arranging for removing said first receptacle from said station and transporting it substantially directly from said pharmacy location to a waste disposal facility. 
     
     
         13 . A collection station comprising:
 a station device having a computer and a user interface,   a first receptacle disposed in the interior of said station device adapted to receive a deposited pharmaceutical item,   a second receptacle disposed in the interior of said station device adapted to receive a deposited pharmaceutical item,   a first chute having a first selectively controlled openable and closable access door adapted to selectively provide access to said first receptacle,   a second chute having a second selectively controlled openable and closable access door adapted to selectively provide access to said second receptacle,   software and hardware functionality adapted to receive information from a user and determine from at least a portion of said information whether a pharmaceutical item being deposited is a controlled or non-controlled pharmaceutical item, and based on a determination of whether such item is a controlled or non-controlled pharmaceutical item, adapted to open a selective one of first access door or said second access door.   
     
     
         14 . The collection station according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 at least one camera disposed at said station and positioned to view a user depositing a pharmaceutical item.   
     
     
         15 . The collection station according to  claim 14 , further comprising a pharmaceutical scale adapted to allow a user to weigh a pharmaceutical item, and the scale adapted to provide output weight information to said computer. 
     
     
         16 . The collection station according to  claim 15 , wherein said scale includes a manual pill counting tray at a top surface adapted to allow a user to place and count tablets, capsules, or pills associated with said pharmaceutical item. 
     
     
         17 . The collection station according to  claim 16 , wherein said user interface comprises a touch screen interface, and further comprising a scanner adapted to scan a bar code on a pharmaceutical item. 
     
     
         18 . The collection station according to  claim 17 , further comprising a networked connection between said computer and an off site database server adapted to receive information from said computer and evaluate said information in view of return policy compliance rules. 
     
     
         19 . A system for collecting items comprising:
 a station having at least a first receptacle adapted to receive an item, said station further comprises a computing device having a user interface adapted to enable a user to enter at least a first piece of information associated with such an item,   a database containing return policy information related to such an item, and   software adapted to function to assist in determining whether such item meets requirements of a return policy related to such an item based on at least the first piece of information.   
     
     
         20 . The system for collecting items according to  claim 19 , further comprising a second receptacle adapted to receive an item,
 wherein said first receptacle is disposed within an interior of said station, and wherein said second receptacle is disposed within the interior of said station,   wherein said user interface is adapted to enable such a user to enter a second piece of information, and wherein said computing device is adapted to determine into which of said first receptacle and said second receptacle such an items should be placed, said computing device adapted to provide a signal to selectively cause a first passageway to open to allow a user to deposit such an item in said first receptacle or a second passageway to open to allow a user to deposit such an item in said second receptacle based on the second piece of information.