Automated vending of products containing controlled substances
US8190291B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 23, 2010 |
| Grant date | May 29, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 23, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F9/02
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides for devices and methods for vending regulated products, particularly controlled substances, including those containing pseudoephedrine. The present invention allows for the identification of consumers through reliable log-in-procedures, allows the consumer to select items, validates whether the purchase request complies with regulations, to facilitate the delivery of the requested product to a consumer. Other embodiments include a vending machine that is placed into a retail environment in which software enforces validation of the purchasers' identities, limits the amount of pseudoephedrine for each purchaser within the regulations of local, state and federal agencies.This invention reduces the resources which must be expended in retail locations to comply with regulatory agencies, to implement effective counter measures against illegal purchases of regulated and controlled substances, and to ensure the effective limitation of these substances within reasonable limits required for normal consumption.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.