System for labeling a medicine container with a folded label

ES 2 297 201 T3

DESCRIPTION

Labeling system for a medicine container with a folded label.

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a labeling system and, in particular, the present invention relates to a method and a system for labeling drug containers.

Background of Related Art

In mail service pharmacies and large retail pharmacies, prescription drugs are dispensed in large quantities. For such services, it is known to use a tablet dispensing system to carry out the automatic dispensing of prescription drugs at a rapid dispensing rate and the labeling of the containers with the tablets, which can then be administered to the patient for whom the prescriptions were prescribed.

US Patent No. 6,413,345 (Treleaven), which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a method of forming a label to provide visual information, which includes a removable protective sleeve having a top surface. Prior art Figure 1 illustrates a label 10 that includes a booklet 11 and a laminated cover 50. The label 10 extends from the leading edge 94 to the trailing edge 92. Label 10 is removably attached to protective sleeve 12 by a patch 70 with an adhesive chamber and a portion 52A with an adhesive layer. Both the adhesive layer 70 and the adhesive layer 52A remain on the label 10 when it is removed from the removable sleeve 12 and serve to affix the label 10 to a container. An adhesive-free zone or space 90 is defined between the adhesive layer 70 and the adhesive layer 52A and extends across the entire width of the label. The incorporation of free space 90 facilitates the application of the label on round containers.

The label 10 includes a tear strip 60 and tear lines 58 and 64 that allow access to and separate the various panels of the booklet 11. The booklet 11 includes a bottom panel 20, a top panel 30, a first interior panel 40 and a few additional inner panels 42. Top panel 30 and bottom panel 20 are joined to form a fold 66. Top panel 30 and first inner panel 40 are joined to form fold 65. The fold 66 constitutes a leading edge of the booklet. The top panel has, formed inside, separate parallel tear lines 35A and 35B. The tear line 64 is formed along the fold 65 (as shown) or alternatively, on the panel 40 adjacent the fold 65. The top panel 30 includes a marginal portion 32 that extends between the fold 66 and the adjacent edge 68 of inner panel 40. Lower panel 20 includes a marginal portion 22 that extends between crease 66 and an adjacent edge 168. Lower panel 20 also includes an extended marginal flap 24 that extends outwardly beyond upper panel 30. On the upper surface On the top panel 30 the relevant indications 33 of the brand are printed. The extended edge flap 24 preferably extends at least 12.7mm beyond the longest panel of the top and inner panels, and more preferably, between about 12.7mm to 15.9mm. Indications 127 such as "EXP:" and "LOT:" are printed on the upper surface of the extended edge flap 24. Indications 23, preferably substantially identical to indications 33, are arranged on the upper surface of the display panel. background 20. Other relevant indications 43, for example instructions and warnings, are printed on the panels 40, 42.

US Patent No. 6,511,569 (Nixon et al.), Which is incorporated by reference herein, discloses an apparatus for in-line folding and affixing of a self-adhesive label onto an article, the label having a fold line that traverses defining a foldable portion and a cover portion of the label. As illustrated in prior art Figure 2, apparatus 100 includes a printing station 110, a label transfer rack 120, a folding station 140, and first, second, and third nozzles 150, 155, 158, respectively. air injection, and an apposition station 160.

The label transfer grid 120 includes an inner row 121 of rollers 121a and an outer row 122 of rollers 122a, the rollers 122a of the outer row 122 being spaced from the rollers 121a of the inner row 121 by a distance sufficient to grip. the retracted label between those for transporting the retracted label from printing station 110 to transfer station 160 along a generally curved upward path.

Transfer grid 120 includes a first end 126A, located adjacent to printing station 110, and a second end 120B, located adjacent to positioning station 160. Generically the label transfer rack 120 transports the label from the printing station 110, from which the label typically exits in a horizontal orientation, to the laying-out station, where the label is in a vertical orientation to be staked. to the vertical side surface 131 of the container 130. The label transfer grid 120 then includes a generally upwardly curved bend, whereby the flexible label is moved from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation for apposition to the container 130. However, the orientation of the The label does not need to be altered by a bend within the grid 120, and the label may have any appropriate orientation for its apposition to the container 130 as it exits.

ES 2 297 201 T3 the grid 120. For example, if the surface 131 of the container 130 is horizontal, the label must exit the grid 120 in an appropriate orientation to be placed against the horizontal surface of the container 130.

The outer row 122 of rollers 122a includes an aperture 123 which is defined as the absence of one or more rollers in the outer row 122. Alternatively, the aperture 123 may be defined by the gap between two consecutively spaced rollers 122a located in the row. outside 122, the gap between the two consecutively spaced rollers 122a being sufficient to allow the label to pass between them. The remaining rollers 122a are spaced for the label to pass along them and to transport the label through the grid 120.

Opening 123 is precisely sized to allow leading edge 123, which is, in the preferred embodiment, the collapsible portion 122 of the folded label, to pass out from inside the grid 120, through the opening 123 and toward the folding station 140 as the label is conveyed through the generally upward curved slope of the transfer rack 120. The third air injection nozzle 158 is located on one side along the inner row 121 of rollers 121a and faces the outer row 122 of rollers 122a to emit a stream of pressurized air through the screen 120. , as shown in general terms by reference numeral 159. The air stream 159 presses the leading edge 123 of the folding portion 122 of the label through the opening 123, to project from the inside of the grid 120 and out towards the folding station 140.

A conventional timing control circuit, such as a programmable logic controller, is provided with sensors and valves to determine that the injection of air 159 presses the leading edge 123 of the collapsible portion 122 of the label through the opening 123. Alternatively the rollers 121a, 122a may be driven by one or more stepper motors, in which case, the air injection 159 may be controlled with reference to the movement of the stepper motor (and, as such, by locating label on the grille), rather than by the programmable timing controller. Still alternatively, the air injection 159 may be a continuous stream of pressurized air that is emitted from the air injection nozzle 158.

As the rack 120 carries the label toward its second end, the forward travel of the label along the rollers 121a, 122a is temporarily diverted through the opening 123 toward the folding station 140. The forward travel of The label through the grid 120, then advances the folding portion 122 of the label further out of the grid 120.

Neither the Treleaven patent reference nor the Nixon et al. Patent reference refer to or disclose, for example, a method or system for reducing the size of a patient label and adhering the label. directly to an article. Neither Treleaven nor Nixon et al., Refer to, for example, a medicine container, in which the label does not need to be self-adhesive. What is desired, for example, is a method and system for rolling up a patient label, holding the patient label in the rolled position, and affixing the patient label to a drug using an adhesive. The invention, as described below, provides these and other optimal features and / or functionality.

Document US-A-4 363 685 corresponding to the preamble of claim 1, discloses a printed label for a product composed of at least two sections, at least one of which is provided with relevant label indications regarding the product. One of the indications on the label is provided with an adhesive of a certain type capable of permanently affixing said section of the label to the product. A second section is detachably connected to the first section and is also provided with the given type of adhesive, but said adhesive applied thereon is used to detachably fix the second section to the product. The second section is also provided with a second pressure-sensitive type adhesive which is covered to render it inoperative while the second section of the label is attached to the product, but which can easily become operative when the second section is separated from the product. and the first section of the label adheres the second separate section to the support member. The label may have additional sections of the label which may contain the relevant labeling indications in relation to the product and which are detachably connected to the first and second sections, and which, on their back sides, may be clean, or provided with said particular type of adhesive, or provided with pressure sensitive type capped adhesive.

Document WO 89/05727 A discloses a method and an apparatus for the folding of label strips coated on one side with adhesive which two parts of different lengths are folded together with their adhesive sides facing each other, along of a line transverse to the label strip to form a back-folded label in which the terminal portion of the longest part projects beyond the glue-bonded portion of the label, thus exposing the adhesive coating of said protruding terminal portion. The label strip is advanced toward a stop against which the leading end edge of the label strip is forced to abut to prevent continued advancement of the front section of the strip. The rear section of the label strip is then advanced further so that the portion of the strip located on said line is retracted toward the non-adhesive surface of the strip in an orientation substantially perpendicular to the plane of the strip of label. the label. Neutralizing pressing forces are applied to the non-adhesive surfaces of the curved portion of the label strip on both sides of said line to sharply fold the label strip along said line and compress the adhesive surfaces of the labels. unevenly long parts of the label strip.

ES 2 297 201 T3

Summary of the invention

It is a feature and advantage of the present invention to reduce the size of the patient label by folding or otherwise reducing the size of the patient label after the patient label has been printed.

These and other characteristics of the present invention are obtained in a labeling system of a container that includes a medicine as defined by claim 1. The container can be, for example, a bottle, a box, and / or a package. A label provides information to a consumer regarding the drug. The system includes a tag reduction tool. The system also includes a label attachment adhesive application device which applies a label attachment adhesive to the label so that the label is capable of being held in a reduced orientation. The system also includes a surface attachment adhesive application device which applies a surface attachment adhesive to the label such that the label is capable of being attached to the container. The system also includes a tag shuttle block. The label shuttle block removes the label from the label reduction tool and transports the label from the label reduction tool to the attachment adhesive application device to a surface. The label reduction tool having a flat rectilinear device, with first and second ends, with at least one of the ends between the first and second ends fixed to a rotation device, the rotation device allowing the reduction tool to rotate along a geometric axis of rotation.

This has outlined, in rather broad terms, the most important features of the invention and some, but not all, embodiments so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood, and for the purpose that the present contribution to the state of the art can be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention which will be described below and which will be the subject of the claims appended hereto.

In this sense, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of structure and the arrangements of the components set forth in the subsequent description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of being incorporated into other embodiments and of being practiced and developed in different ways. Also, it should be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are intended for description and should not be construed as limiting.

The objects set forth, together with other objects of the invention, as well as the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are specifically developed in the claims appended to and forming a part of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its functional advantages and the specific objects achieved by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and their descriptive elements in which the preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 illustrates a label according to the prior art;

Figure 2 illustrates an article labeling system according to the prior art;

Figure 3A illustrates an isometric view of an automatic labeling system of the present invention;

Figure 3B illustrates a reverse isometric view of the automatic labeling system of the present invention;

Figure 4 illustrates an elevation view of the automatic labeling system of the present invention;

Figure 5 illustrates a front view of the automatic labeling system of the present invention;

Figure 6A illustrates a right side view of the automatic labeling system of the present invention;

Figure 6B illustrates a left side view of the automatic labeling system of the present invention;

Figure 7 illustrates a label ironing apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 8 illustrates a tag reduction tool of the present invention;

Figure 9 illustrates a side view of the tag reduction tool of the present invention;

Figure 10 illustrates a label folding tool in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 11 illustrates a mechanism for removing a label from a label folding tool in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 12 illustrates a spring loaded shuttle block in accordance with the present invention;

Figures 13A, 13B, and 13C illustrate a hot melt glue gun;

Figure 14 illustrates a label in accordance with the present invention;

Figures 15A, 15B, and 15C illustrate various layouts of the hot melt application adhesive;

Figure 16 is a flow chart illustrating a method of automatic labeling of a drug container in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 17 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure for verifying a correlation between the label and a given drug container;

Figure 18 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure for more accurately verifying a correlation between the label and a given drug container;

Figure 19 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure for rejecting a faulty tag;

Figure 20 is an illustration of a computer used to implement computer processing in accordance with a computer-implemented embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 21 illustrates a block diagram of the internal hardware of the computer; and Figure 22 illustrates a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of a computer used to implement computer processing in accordance with a computer-implemented embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the preferred embodiments

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention. Said embodiments are offered by way of example of the invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, the person skilled in the art may appreciate, upon reading the present specification and observing the incorporated drawings, that various modifications and variants may be carried out.

For example, certain features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used in other embodiments to obtain a further embodiment. Additionally, certain characteristics can be exchanged with devices or similar characteristics not yet mentioned that perform the same or similar functions. It is therefore intended that such modifications and variants be included throughout the present invention.

Figures 3 to 6 illustrate an automatic labeling system ("ALS"), generically designated by reference numeral 200. The ALS 200 includes, for example: a printer 202; a label scanner 204; a vacuum stage assembly 206; a label folding tool 210; first ironing wheels 208 for the label; a spindle drive assembly 212; a track 214 of a shuttle block; a shuttle block 216; a label rejection mechanism 218; a reject label assembly 220; a folded label scanner 228; a transfer adhesive dispenser 246; a main board assembly 240; some bases in T 241; and a printer assembly 243. The main components of the ALS 200 are mounted on the main board assembly 240 and are supported by the printer assembly 243 using, for example, four T-bases 241. The operation of the ALS 200 is controlled by a system controller (not shown), eg, a standard programmable logic controller ("PLC").

Printer 202 prints a label 201 (as seen in Figure 3B). During operation of the ALS 200, the printer 202 is rotated 90 ° from the position shown in Figures 3-6, so that the label opening of the printer 202 is adjacent to the vacuum platen assembly ("VPA"). 206. The label scanner 204 scans a barcode printed on the label 201 to identify a particular drug for which the label 201 is intended. The system controller uses the bar code located on the label 201 to point to a file and / or a database, which stores the identifying information of the medicine packages and their appropriate labels. By scanning the barcode on the label 201, the system controller can identify for which medication the container label 201 is indicated.

The tag 201 is then inserted into the VPA 206. The VPA 206 includes, for example: an upper guide 268 of the VPA; label holding wheels 269 (Figures 3A, 6A, and 6B); a top 270 of the vacuum platen; and a second ironing wheel 244 for the label. Printer 202 prints the full extent of label 201. After the printing is complete, the label 201 is fed into the VPA 206 until the label 201 is positioned over the top 270 of the vacuum platen and a first end of the label 201 is positioned through the folding tool. 210 on the label. The tag 201 can be, for example, a length of

ES 2 297 201 T3

305 mm, and the top 270 of the vacuum platen provides a guide for the label 201 whose entire length is ejected from the printer 202.

The top 270 of the vacuum stage has a plurality of vacuum ports 271 (see Figure 7) connected through a plurality of vacuum reservoirs (not shown) through which a vacuum may optionally be applied to the label 201 when label 201 rests on top 270 of the vacuum platen. Vacuum is applied to enable label folding or reduction tool 210 to be applied to acquired label 201 prior to folding, or reduction in any other way to the size of label 201. Vacuum also provides tension to the label. label 201 during the folding operation to help ensure that the label 201 is held in a precise position above the label folding tool 210 during the folding operation. The label holding wheels 269 hold the label 201 against the vacuum holes 271 in the top 270 of the vacuum platen that are closest to the label folding tool 210. The label holding wheels 269 provide additional support to maintain the correct position of the label 201 as it passes along the top 270 of the vacuum platen and during the folding operation.

A transfer adhesive is applied to label 201 to maintain label 201 in a folded orientation. Transfer adhesive is applied to label 201 using a transfer adhesive dispenser ("TAD") 246. The TAD 246 includes, for example: a transfer adhesive pneumatic cylinder 247; a tape dispenser back plate 248; a tape applicator tool 250; a tape release member 252; an encoder tensioner roller 255; and a tape release member 254. The tape release member 252 is a hub on which a roll of adhesive transfer tape is positioned. The tape release member 252 includes an intermediate wheel 253, a brake bar 259, a retaining means 261 of the tape release member. A complete roll of a roll of transfer adhesive tape is attached to the back plate 248 of the tape dispenser using the tape release retainer 261. The tape discharge member 254 is a collection bin for the transfer adhesive web. while it is in use. The tape release member 254 includes a transfer adhesive servo driver 257 and a tape release member retention means 263. A take-up reel for a rear portion of the discarded transfer adhesive is attached to the rear tape dispenser portion 248 using the tape discharge retainer 263.

The transfer adhesive strip is located on the first intermediate wheel 253, which is attached to a stop bar 259. When the strip is dispensed from the roller, the first intermediate wheel 253 is slightly displaced due to the tension of the belt. , which releases the braking bar 259, thus enabling the web spool to unwind. Upon receiving a control signal from an ALS controller (not shown), the transfer adhesive servo driver 257 advances the take-up roll over the tape release retainer 263, thereby pulling the web from the web. the power coil. When the transfer adhesive web is dispensed, the web passes over the encoder tensioner roll 255 and then under the tape application tool 250. The discarded tape reinforcement is finally collected onto the take-up spool located on the tape release retainer 263. The intermediate encoder wheel 255 is connected to an encoder (not shown). The encoder measures the amount of tape that has been dispensed, for example approximately 12.7mm of tape is dispensed per label. The encoder sends a signal to the ALS controller that the appropriate amount of tape has been dispensed, and the ALS controller, in turn, sends a command to the transfer adhesive servo drive 257 to, for example, stop.

The transfer adhesive is applied to the label 201, for example, during the label folding / shrinking operation. In alternative embodiments, the transfer adhesive can be applied to the label 201 before or after the label shrink / fold operation. The label folding tool 210 is rotated through an amplitude of several degrees, thereby wrapping, or otherwise, or reducing the size of the label 201, until the desired location on the label 201 for the transfer adhesive is shaped. substantial directly under the tape application tool 250. The tape dispenser back plate 248 pivots at pivot point 249, thereby lowering the tape application tool 250 against the label 201. The tape dispenser back plate 248 is rotated using a pneumatic cylinder 247. The pivot movement presses a portion of the transfer adhesive against the label 201. The pneumatic cylinder 247 is then retracted to separate the web of transfer adhesive from the label 201. The web is wound, for example, onto a rubber shoe (not shown) which is used to press the web against the label 201 so that the transfer adhesive is fully within the confines of the label 201. The shoe The rubber pad provides a cushion and prevents the tag 201 from being damaged. The dimensions of the rubber shoe are, for example, 12.7 mm by 15.9 mm, optionally determines the area on the label 201 that is covered with the transfer adhesive.

In an alternative embodiment, the transfer adhesive may be applied such that the portion of the transfer adhesive overhangs an edge of the label 201. In this situation, only a portion of the transfer adhesive is placed on the surface of the label. Label 201 is used to hold label 201 in a folded orientation. The cantilevered portion of the transfer adhesive can be wrapped to connect to an outer side of the folded label 201. This cantilevered portion can be used to adhere the label 201 to the drug container and thus avoid the use of any additional adhesive, such as hot melt adhesive as described below to affix the label 201 to the medication container.

ES 2 297 201 T3

Vacuum, which is applied through, for example, the vacuum holes 271 in the top of the vacuum platen 270, holds the label 201 in place when the tape application tool 250 is raised to pull the adhesive. from its backing on the transfer adhesive strip. Once the backing is removed, the top of the vacuum platen 270 continues to hold the label 201 in place and providing tension as the remainder of the label 201 is folded over the label folding tool 210, as required. described in more detail below.

Figure 8 illustrates a more detailed view of the label folding tool 210 and a spindle drive assembly 212. The spindle drive assembly 212 includes, for example: a spindle servo drive 256 and a spindle block 258. Label folding tool 210 is connected through spindle block 258 using a shaft 260 of the label folding tool. Figure 9 illustrates a side cutaway view of the spindle drive assembly 212. A timing belt 262 is connected to the spindle servo drive 256 using a first timing belt pulley 266, which is, for example, a 32 tooth pulley. Timing belt 262 is also connected to a shaft 260 of the label folding tool using a second timing belt pulley 264, which is, for example, a 60 tooth pulley. Spindle servo drive 256 drives a first timing belt pulley 266, which causes timing belt 262 to move. The timing belt 262 in turn drives a second timing belt pulley 264, which causes the shaft 260 of the label folding tool to rotate, thereby enabling the label folding tool 210 to rotate. In one embodiment, the label 201 is wrapped around the label folding tool 210 during the folding operation. Alternatively other standard label reduction operations may be used.

During the folding operation, the first label ironing wheels 208 are positioned abutting against the label folding tool 210. The label 201 passes between the label folding tool 210 and the first ironing wheels 208 as the label folding tool 210 rotates, causing the label 201 to be ironed along the fold edges 203 (see Figure 8). The first label ironing wheels 208 also apply pressure on the label 201 to determine that the transfer adhesive sticks to maintain the label 201 in the folded orientation. As illustrated in Figure 3A, the first label ironing wheels 208 are held in position by an ironing wheel holder 209, which is mounted on a main plate assembly 240. Figure 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the first label ironing wheels 208 are held in position by an ironing wheel holder 211. In this embodiment, the ironing wheel holder 211 is mounted directly on the upper guide 268 of the VPA.

Figure 10 illustrates the label folding tool 210 in greater detail. The label folding tool 210 has a plurality of vacuum holes 225. The vacuum holes 225 secure the label 201 to the label folding tool 210. When label 201 is ejected from printer 202, a vacuum is applied through both vacuum holes 271 on top of vacuum platen 270 and through vacuum holes 225 on label folding tool 210. The upper part 270 of the vacuum platen is divided into two chambers, so that one chamber contains a group of holes, for example, half of the vacuum holes 271, away from the label folding tool 210, this is, closest to the printer 202, and the second chamber contains a group of holes near the label folding tool 210. Of course, different arrangements of such cameras are possible. The vacuum applied by the group of vacuum holes 271 remote from the label folding tool 210 is used to fix the label 201 to the surface of the top 270 of the vacuum platen during, for example, the application of the adhesive transfer to the label 201. Once the transfer adhesive is applied, the applied vacuum is released by the furthest group of vacuum ports 271.

After the folding operation is completed, the label 201 is removed from the folding label 210 from the label. Figure 11 illustrates a mechanism by which label 201 can be removed from label folding tool 210. The label folding tool 210 has label tension release fingers 219. The label tension release fingers 219 are alternately held in an open position and a closed position by tension release finger springs 221 and label release cam feelers 213.

While the label 201 is on the label folding tool 210, the label tension release fingers 219 pick up any existing adhesion on the label 201 and ensure that the label 201 is tightly wrapped around the folding tool. 210 on the label. The label tension release fingers 219 are held in the open position by the tension release finger springs 221. The tension release finger springs 221 are connected to tension release finger lugs 223. Springs 221, for example, are extension springs so that a certain force is required to cause springs 221 to extend. By retracting and thus applying pressure on the release tabs 223, the springs 221 cause the release tabs 223 to move around the pivot point 227 and displace the tension release fingers 219 from the label in the open position.

Label folding tool 210 and spindle servo drive 256 are mounted on an air cylinder (not shown) that can be raised and lowered. The label folding tool 210 is lifted up to a

ES 2 297 201 T3 upper position upon receipt of label 210 from upper member 270 of the vacuum platen and during the folding operation. Once the folding operation is complete, the label folding tool 210 is lowered, for example, approximately 38.1 mm, thus coming into contact with the label release cam feelers 213. The label folding tool 210 can also optionally be rotated 180 ° to ensure that the entire label 201 is wrapped around the label folding tool 210. The cam feelers 213 press against the label tension release fingers 219 at a point behind the label 201. This causes the label tension release fingers 219 to move to the closed position and causes a slowdown in the label 201. In an alternative embodiment, a trigger device, for example a cylinder, may be used. to press against the tension release fingers 219 of the label.

Label 201 is removed from label folding tool 210 by shuttle block 216. Figure 12 illustrates shuttle block 216 in greater detail. The shuttle block 216 includes, for example: a vacuum pad 217; receivers 231 for the tag ejection piercing pins; a spring loaded ridge 274. The label folding tool 210 is lowered onto the shuttle block 216 by the air cylinder after the folding operation has been completed. The vacuum pad 217 employs a vacuum to hold the label 201 in position on the surface of the shuttle block 216 while the label 201 is removed from the label folding tool 210 and while the shuttle block 216 is in transit, in accordance with what is described later in more detail.

The spring-loaded ridge 274 is pushed against the underside of the label folding tool 210, with the trailing edge of the label 201 locating just inside the spring-loaded ridge 274. An adjustable cylinder stop (not shown) is optionally used to limit the downward movement of the label folding tool 210 so that the label folding tool 210 does not press the label 201 too hard against the shuttle block. 216. The vacuum is drawn on the vacuum pad 217, attaching the label 210 to the surface of the shuttle block 216. As the shuttle block 216 begins to move, the spring loaded ridge removes the label 201 from the label folding tool 210, aided by the vacuum being applied to the vacuum pad 217.

After being removed from the label folding tool 210, the label 201 is transported from the label folding tool 210 by the shuttle block 216 on the track 214 of the shuttle block. As seen in Figure 3A, shuttle block 216 travels horizontally along shuttle block track 214 from label folding tool 210 to label ejection mechanism 218. An igus 215 chain has a hollow interior within which a vacuum line and detection lines (not shown) leading to the shuttle block 216 are contained during the movement of the shuttle block 216. The igus chain 215 fixes the shuttle block 216 at a first end and clamped to a fixed location at a second end, eg, spindle block 242. The second end slides back and forth along the fixed displacement while remaining facing the shuttle block 216 at the first end.

After the shuttle block 216 picks up the label 201 from the label folding tool 210, it passes under an optional second label ironing wheel 244. The second label ironing wheel 244, which is, for example, a part of the VPA 206, further irons the edges 203 of the label 201 as the label 201 passes under the second label ironing wheel 244 . The second label ironing wheel 244 may be used as a pair, although only one is illustrated in Figure 3A, such that one wheel irons each side of the label 201. Likewise, the second ironing wheel 244 of The label may be located at any point along the shuttle block track 214, for example, midway between the label folding tool 210 and a hot melt glue application apparatus. A ski, or a pair of skis in the case of two ironing wheels, can be used to guide the tag 201 under the second tag ironing wheel 244. After the second ironing 201 at some later point along the path of the shuttle block 216, the hot melt glue is added to the label 201, as will be described in greater detail later.

The ALS 200 also enables the tag 201 to be optionally rejected before being placed on a drug container. There are several reasons why tag 201 can be rejected. For example, label 201 may be rejected if the barcode printed on label 201 was not read by label scanner 204 after label 201 was printed, if label scanner 204 was not able to read the barcode printed on tag 201, if the scanner on tag 204 malfunctions, if a drug package that is sequentially intended to receive label 201 does not correspond to label 201 according to the barcode printed on label 201, etc. If label 201 is rejected before hot melt glue is applied to label 201, then label 201 is disposed of using label reject mechanism 218 and reject label assembly 220. Likewise, if the label 210 is rejected after the hot melt glue has been applied or after the label 201 has been attached to the drug container, it is still possible for a person to intervene to reject the label 201.

The label rejection mechanism 218 includes, for example; tag rejection piercing pins 230; a tag rejection stripper plate 232; a vertical slider member 236 for rejecting the label; and a horizontal slide member 238 for rejecting the label. The rejected label assembly 220 includes, for example: a label waste bin 222; a right sliding member 224 of the waste bin

ES 2 297 201 T3 waste; a left slide member 226 of the waste bin; and an abandonment tube 234 of the rejected tag. Right waste bin slide member 224 and waste bin slide member 226 allow removal of label waste bin 222 from reject label mount 220.

If the label 201 is rejected the label reject mechanism 218 is positioned on the shuttle block 216 using the horizontal slide member 238 for rejecting the label. The label reject mechanism 218, including the label reject removal plate 232 and the label reject perforation pins 230, is then lowered onto the label 201 using the vertical slide reject member 236 of the label. label. The tag stripper plate 232 has holes 233 for housing the tag rejection piercing pins 230. The label stripper plate is oriented such that the label reject piercing pins 230 must pass through the holes 233 to reach the label 201. The label rejection stripper plate 232 holds the label 201 in position on the vacuum pad 217, which is on the shuttle pad 216. The label rejection piercing pins 230 are advanced through the label 201 and into the interior of the receivers 231 of the label rejection piercing pins located adjacent to the vacuum pad 217. The label rejection piercing pins 230 are optionally knurled to prevent the label 201 from slipping. Once the label reject piercing pins 230 are extended through the label 201, the vacuum applied on the vacuum pad 217 is released and both the label reject piercing pins 230 and the stripper plate 232 rejection labels are lifted.

The label reject mechanism 218 is positioned on the rejected label drop tube 204 using the horizontal label reject slide member 238. A combination of the movements of the label reject mechanism 218 and the rejected label drop tube 234 is also possible. The label rejection stripper plate 232 is then lowered past the label rejection piercing pins 230. The label 201 passes through the opening 235 of the reject label abandonment tube and passes through the rejected label abandonment tube 234 into the label waste bin 222. At the bottom of the rejected label drop tube 234, an optional photocell device (not shown) advantageously detects the label 201 as it falls into the label waste bin 222. The photocell device enables confirmation that tag 201 has been successfully rejected by providing positive tag tracking.

After the label 201 is placed on the drug container, the barcode printed on the label 201 is again optionally scanned by the scanner 228 of the folded label. This second scanning operation provides further confirmation that the tag 201 is properly correlated to the particular medication for which the tag 201 is intended. In another embodiment, tag 201 is optionally scanned a second time when shuttle block 216 reaches the opposite end of shuttle block track 214 before tag 201 is placed on the drug container.

In order to allow the label 201 to be fixed to a package, a hot melt application glue is applied to the label 201 using a standard hot melt glue application assembly. The hot melt glue can be applied to the label 201 at any point along the path of the shuttle block 216 between the label folding tool 210 and the label reject mechanism, such as at the end of the label. displacement of the shuttle block 216 along the track 214 of the shuttle block. Alternatively, hot melt application glue can be applied to tag 201 after it has been determined that tag 201 will not be rejected. The hot melt glue application assembly (all parts of which are not shown) include a glue gun, a heated tank containing the hot melt glue in liquid form, a heated tube that allows the glue to pass through hot melt application glue from the heated tank to the glue gun, and a pump, which moves the hot melt application glue through the heated tube. For example, a Nordson hot melt glue system can be used for hot melt glue application assembly, in which the heated tank / pump is a Nordson Model 3400 and the glue gun is a Model pneumatic gun. Nordson H-200.

Figure 13A illustrates a hot melt glue gun assembly, generically designated 278. The hot melt glue gun assembly 278 includes, for example: a glue gun gun 280 hot melt with a nozzle 281; a glue gun slide member assembly 282; a glue gun holder 288; and a glue gun base 290. The hot melt glue gun assembly 278 also includes a standard hot melt glue controller (not shown) that regulates the timing of the hot melt glue gun 280. The system's PLC controller controls the position of the glue gun slide member assembly 282. The nozzle 281 may be, for example, a five-hole nozzle to enable the simultaneous distribution of a plurality of glue dots on the label 201, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

The glue gun slide member assembly 282 includes, for example: a glue gun movable slide member 284 and a fixed glue gun slide member 286. The slide member assembly 282 may utilize compressed air elements to enable the moveable slide member to

ES 2 297 201 T3

284 of the glue gun is displaced relative to the fixed slide member 286 of the glue gun. As can be seen in Figure 13B, which is a side view of the hot melt glue gun assembly 278, the hot melt glue gun 280 may be off-center from the glue gun holder 288. Figure 13C illustrates the optional nozzle design 281 of the five-hole nozzle. Note that four holes 292 are shown and that a fifth hole 292 is obscured by the isometric view of Figure 13C. Hot melt adhesive is expelled through holes 292 and onto label 201. A connector 294 links nozzle 281 to the remainder of hot melt glue gun 280. Of course, alternative glue nozzles and / or other types of standard hot melt applicators can be used to supply different glue patterns.

The hot melt glue gun assembly 278 can be positioned adjacent the ALS 200 so that the hot melt glue gun 280 is positioned on the track 214 of the shuttle block. As noted above, the hot melt glue gun assembly 278 may be located at any location along the shuttle block track 214 between the label folding tool 210 and the label rejection mechanism 218. the label. Alternatively, the hot melt glue gun assembly 278 can be positioned adjacent the label rejection mechanism 218 so that the label rejection mechanism 218 and the melt application glue gun 280 hot operate at substantially the same location along track 214 of the shuttle block. Hot melt application glue typically has a limited shelf life until the glue cures during which the glue maintains sufficient liquidity to be used as an adhesive. If a label to which the hot melt glue has been applied has not been affixed to the container during this time, the label is rejected.

The mounting 282 of the glue gun slide member enables the hot melt glue gun 280 to move at some angle relative to the shuttle block track 214. The angle may be parallel to the shuttle block track 214 so that the glue gun slide member assembly controls the position of the hot melt glue gun 280 and nozzle 281 on the tag 201 at a dimension, for example, an x ​​direction. In this situation, the one-way position of the label under the hot melt glue gun 280 and the nozzle 281 is controlled by the shuttle block 216. Alternative orientations of the hot melt gun assembly 278 could be employed that would allow for the application of the hot melt adhesive from the label 201. Other elements of the hot melt application glue application assembly, ie, the controller, The heated tank, the heated tube and the pump can optionally be located at a location remote from the AlS 200. The placement of the other items is only limited by the length of heated tube used to connect the heated tank and hot melt glue gun 280.

In accordance with the above, if the tag 201 is rejected before the hot melt application glue is applied to the tag 201, a personal operator can remove the tag 201 from the shuttle block 216, rather than employing the locking mechanism 218. label rejection. This prevents the hot melt application glue from reaching any part of the label reject mechanism 218. Tag tracking is also achieved even if such personal intervention is used.

Figure 14 illustrates a patient label for use in the ALS 200, generically designated 300. Note: the patient label shown in Figure 14 (and Figure 15) is not to scale. The patient label 300 is constituted, for example, from a smooth, white, high gloss paper card stock designed for use in thermal transfer ribbon printers or other standard printers. The information is printed on the patient tag 300 by the printer 202 (see Figure 3B). The patient tag 300 is defined by a first end 302 and a second end 304, wherein the length of the patient tag 300 is defined by, or extends between, a first end 302 and a second end 304. The tag 300 has a preferred length of between 279.4 mm and 304.8 mm and a width between 31.8 mm and 44.5 mm. Other alternative label sizes can be used. The width of the patient label 300 is determined by the width of the paper board and the length is obtained by a paper board cutting means (not shown) located on the printer 202. The length at which it is cut label 201 may be a preset value in printer 202.

The patient label 300 contains a plurality of information relating to a patient and the medication contained in the container on which the patient label 300 is to be affixed. Patient tag 300 includes, for example: a consumer information section 310; a medication information section 320; an instruction section 330 indicative of the correct use of the medication; a section 340 for affixing the tag; a surface attachment section 350; and a barcode section 360.

The consumer information section 310 contains, for example, the patient's name, the patient's address and phone number, the patient's doctor's name, the patient's doctor's phone number, and / or specific dosing instructions. for the patient. Medication information section 320 contains, for example, the name of the drug, the strength of the prescription, the amount of the drug, the expiration date of the drug, and / or an indication of how and if many refills can be allowed. The instructions for use section 330 contains, for example, any particular instructions regarding the use of the medicine. For example, instructions for use, information such as "Shake Well Before Use" and "Take on an Empty Stomach" may be included in section 330.

ES 2 297 201 T3

The label attachment section 340 defines a location on the patient label 300 to which a transfer adhesive 342 is applied. Once folded, the label attachment section 340 affixed to an adjacent face of the patient label 300 thereby enabling the patient tag 300 to be held in the folded, or otherwise reduced orientation. Transfer adhesive 342 adheres to, for example, the underside of the barcode section 360, where the underside is the side of the patient label opposite the side containing the printed information. The label attachment section 340 has a preferred length of between 19.1mm and 25.4mm and a width of between 31.8mm and 44.5mm, where the length and width dimensions are defined by, or are derived from, patient tag 300. Other sizes of label attachment section 340 may be used. It should be noted that the width of the tag attachment section 340 is limited by the width of the patient tag 300.

The consistency of the transfer adhesive 342 is preferably such that the transfer adhesive is applied cleanly to the patient tag 300 with no residual strings of adhesive remaining between the patient tag 300 and the disposable back. The transfer adhesive is, for example, a standard Hi-Tact Acrylic 3M adhesive or an equivalent. Also the transfer adhesive enables the patient label 300 to be unfolded and refolded without damaging the patient label 300.

The surface attachment section 350 defines a location on the patient tag 300 onto which a hot melt adhesive 352 is applied. Once folded, the surface attachment section 350 is disposed on the outer face of the patient tag 300, thus enabling the patient tag to be attached to a container containing the appropriate medication corresponding to the patient tag 300. The surface attachment section 350 has a preferred length of between 38.1mm and 44.5mm and a width of between 31.8mm and 44.5mm, where the length and width dimensions are defined by, or are derived from, patient tag 300. The hot melt adhesive 352 is preferably a medium viscosity pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive which exhibits strong adhesion and offers a permanent bond for example a rubber based adhesive.

Figures 13A and 13B illustrate alternate embodiments of the hot melt application adhesive 352 distribution in the adhesive surface attachment section 350. In Figure 15A, the hot melt adhesive 352 is distributed according to a five point pattern. This five-point pattern is applied, for example, using nozzle 281, where nozzle 281 is a five-hole nozzle. Although a five-dot pattern is illustrated, it should be appreciated that a variety of glue dot patterns are possible. In an alternative embodiment, a different nozzle 281, such as a single hole nozzle, may apply the five point pattern. Swirl nozzles can also be used to apply the desired pattern. In this situation the five-point pattern is applied by coordinating the movement of the shuttle block 216 along the track 214 of the shuttle block and the glue gun slide member mounting 282 to displace the patient tag and gun. 280 of hot melt application glue appropriately to create the five point pattern. In another alternate embodiment, as seen in Figure 15B, the hot melt adhesive 352 'may be applied in a continuous section rather than at separate locations.

Figure 15C illustrates a possible layout of a hot melt adhesive 352 when a patient label 300 is in an unfolded orientation. In this labeling system, which is not part of the present invention, the patient label 300 alternatively includes a first section 370 of surface attachment adhesive and a second section 380 of surface attachment adhesive. The first setting adhesive section 370 contains a first hot melt adhesive 372 and a second surface setting adhesive section 380 contains a second hot melt application section 382 at the first end 302 and at the second. end 304, respectively. The first hot melt adhesive 372 and the second hot melt adhesive 382 can be applied in a plurality of configurations, as discussed with reference to Figures 15A and 15B.

The first hot melt adhesive 372 and the second hot melt adhesive 382 may have identical configurations or different configurations, as illustrated in Figure 15C. Also, the label attachment adhesive section 340 and the surface attachment adhesive section 350 are omitted although the space in which the label attachment adhesive section 340 can be retained on the patient label 300 and the surface attachment adhesive section 350, as illustrated by the space 390. In this system, the patient label 300 is affixed to the medication container in the first surface-setting adhesive section 370 and the second surface-setting adhesive section 380 to form an indicator that protrudes from the medication container. .

The barcode section 360 contains, for example, a barcode 362 of the item. The item barcode 362 corresponds to a product barcode located on the medication and / or the medication container on which the patient tag 300 is affixed. In accordance with the above, a database stores the identifying information of the medicine packages, using the product's barcode as a reference and its corresponding labels. By scanning the barcode 362 on the item and the barcode on the drug container and determining whether the barcodes match, the ALS 200 PLC system can determine whether the particular patient label 300 is or is not the proper label for that drug. For example, the PLC system can control in a way that ensures

ES 2 297 201 T3 that the drug container and the label bets on that container both have the correct product barcode and article barcode 362, respectively.

Bar code section 364 may also contain open instructions 364, which instruct the consumer how to remove the patient tag 300 from its fixed, folded orientation so that the consumer can view all of the information printed on the patient tag. 300. Likewise, section 364 of the bar code can include other indications, for example, a name of the drug contained in the drug container, thus allowing easy identification of the drug even though the patient label 300 is folded. An example of additional details regarding the information that may be printed on the patient tag 300 can be found in Appendix A.

Figure 16 illustrates a flow chart of an operating procedure of the ALS 200, generically designated 400. The ALS procedure 400 begins when the printer 202 prints the patient label 200, in step 410. The transfer adhesive dispenser 246 then applies the transfer adhesive, eg, the transfer adhesive 342, at the label attachment section 342 on the patient label 300, in step 420.

Patient tag 300 is then fed into tag folding tool 210 at step 430. Patient tag 300 is then rolled up, or in any other reduced way, by tag folding tool 210 and optionally ironed by the first label ironing wheels 208, in step 240. The shuttle block 216 then transports the folded patient tag 300, or alternatively, the unfolded patient tag 300, from the tag fold tool 210 to the hot melt glue gun assembly 280, at the stage 450. During the transport step 450 the patient tag 300 is optionally further ironed by the second tag ironing wheel 244, provided that the patient tag 300 is in a folded or otherwise reduced orientation. Hot melt glue gun 280 applies hot melt glue, for example hot melt adhesive 352, to surface attachment section 350 on patient tag 300, at step 460 .

After the hot melt adhesive has been applied, a label application device applies the appropriate medication container to the patient label 300 by pressing the medication container against the hot melt glue, in the step 480. The tag application device includes, for example, a robotic arm and a controller. After application of the drug package to the patient tag 330, the label application device drives the patient tag 330 and the drug package to a scanning location on the tag. In one embodiment, a folded label scanner 228 may be located at this label scanning location rather than along track 214 of the shuttle block (see Figure 3A). The tag scan location may be located above the bag within which the patient tag 300 and drug container are located after verification.

By applying the patient label 300 to the appropriate drug container, in one embodiment the label application device, such as a robotic arm, retrieves the drug container and applies the drug container at the attachment section 350 to the surface, or alternative, to the first surface attachment section 370 and to the second attachment section 380, of the patient tag 300 while the patient tag 300 still rests on the vacuum pad 217 of the shuttle block 216. The vacuum pad 217 then removes the vacuum from the vacuum tag 300, enabling the patient tag 300 is removed from the shuttle block 216. As indicated above, the steps described herein (those set forth and listed below) can be carried out sequentially, non-sequentially, or independently of each other as long as the overall functionality develops accordingly. according to what is described in the present specification.

Figure 17 illustrates a flow chart that further describes the operation of the ALS 200 generically designated 500. In the procedure of operation of the ALS 500, after the printer 202 prints the patient label 300 in step 410, the tag scanner 204 scans the item barcode 262 in section 360 of the patient tag barcode 300, in step 510. The scanning of the article's barcode 362, which corresponds to the product's barcode located on the medicine and / or on the medicine container to which the patient label 300 is to be attached, facilitates the correct correlation of the label. number 300 with the correct medication. Also, the scanning of the barcode 362 of the article ensures the quality of the printing of the patient label 300 of the label. If, for example, the elements of a print head located in the printer 202 are burned, in general, the bar code 362 on the article will be unreadable by the scanner 204 of the label. The transfer adhesive is then applied to the patient label 300, in step 420, and the patient label 300 is rolled up and ironed in step 440, as described with reference to Figure 16.

Figure 18 illustrates a flow chart of a procedure to further verify the correct correlation between the patient label 300 and the drug on which the patient label 300 is to be affixed, generically designated by reference numeral 550. Accordingly As described with respect to FIG. 17, the tag scanner 204 scans the barcode 362 of the item located on the patient tag 300, in step 510.

ES 2 297 201 T3

The PLC system determines whether the patient tag 300 is valid or not, in step 555. The patient tag 300 may be considered valid if, for example, the item's barcode 362 was not read by the scanner 204 of the item. label, if the label scanner 204 could not read the barcode 262 of the item due to poor print quality or other such defect, if the label scanner 204 malfunctions, etc.

If the patient tag 300 has been determined to be invalid, the patient tag 300 may be rejected, at step 580. If the patient tag 300 is rejected before the hot melt adhesive is applied, the patient tag 300 can be rejected using the label reject mechanism 218 and reject label assembly 220, as described above. If the hot melt adhesive has already been applied before the PLC system determines that the patient tag 300 is to be rejected, a personal operator can intervene to physically remove the patient tag 300 from the ALS 200.

A product scanner (not shown) independently scans the product barcode located on the drug container in a scanning tunnel, at step 560. The product barcode scan can be carried out before, after, or simultaneously with scanning the item's 362 barcode. After the product barcode is scanned, the label application device retrieves the drug package and prepares the drug package for labeling, in step 565.

If the patient tag 300 was determined to be valid in step 555, the PLC system can optionally determine whether the barcode 362 of the item located on the patient tag 300 and the barcode of the product located on the drug container they correspond, in step 570, in accordance with what was previously described. For example, the PLC system references the database to determine whether the information on the label identified by the item barcode 362 and the drug information identified by the product barcode match. If the patient tag 300 and the medication contained in the medication container do not match, the patient tag 300 may be rejected, in step 580. Here again, this rejection can be accomplished using the label reject mechanism 218 and reject label assembly 220, if the patient label 300 is rejected before the hot melt adhesive is applied and by a personal operator if hot melt application adhesive has already been applied to patient tag 300.

If the patient tag 300 and the medication container match, the label application device applies the medication container to the patient tag 300 and removes the patient tag 300 from the shuttle block 210, in step 470, of in accordance with the above. The folded label scanner 222 performs a second scan on the item's barcode 362 in step 575. This second scan may take place at a distant scan location ALS 200, ie, near the bag itself, or alternatively the folded label scanner 228 may be located at the end of the shuttle block track 214, as seen in Figure 3A.

The PLC system then performs a second verification of the matching of the patient tag 300 and the medication container in step 585. In an alternative embodiment, the verification by the PLC system in step 570 can be omitted, such as indicated by the dotted arrow in the flow chart. In this situation, the verification in step 585 is the first verification of the correspondence of the patient label 300 and the drug package 300. If the patient label 300 and the drug package match, the drug package and the affixed patient tag 300 are placed in a bag and the bag is sealed, in step 590.

If, however, the patient label 300 and the medicine container do not match, since the patient label 300 is already attached to the medicine container, the ALS 200 bags the medicine container and the patient label bet. A quality assurance (“QA”) or target error is noted by the PLC system and the bag is not sealed. The QA target causes the packaged drug container to be routed to a station downstream of the manual QA, where a personal operator can resolve the issue. The ALS 200 may stop if an error is detected, eg a label mismatch, folded label scanner 228 malfunctions, folded label scanner 228 cannot read item barcode 262, patient label 300 is missing, etc., and may require a personal operator to restart the ALS 200.

Figure 19 illustrates a flow chart of a patient tag rejection procedure 300, at step 580 (see Figure 18). The label rejection procedure 580 begins when the label rejection mechanism 218, including the label rejection piercing pins 230 and the label rejection stripper plate 232 is advanced and positioned over the patient label 300 when resting on the shuttle block 216, in step 600. The tag rejection stripper plate 232 is lowered onto the patient tag 300 to hold the patient tag 300 in position on the shuttle block 216 and the tag rejection piercing pins 230 are inserted into the patient tag 300. , at step 610. The shuttle block 216 has receivers 231 for the tag rejection piercing pins (see FIG. 12) for housing the tag rejection piercing pins 230.

The vacuum pad 217 releases the vacuum applied to the patient tag 300 and the tag rejection piercing pins 230 and the tag rejection stripper plate 232 are then retracted,

ES 2 297 201 T3 thereby lifting the patient tag 300 from the shuttle block 216 in step 320. The label reject mechanism is then positioned over the reject label dropout tube 234 and the label reject hole puncher pins 230 are retracted from the label reject stripper plate 232, thereby causing the label to reject. patient 300 falls into an opening 235 of the reject label abandonment tube, and passes through the rejected label dropout tube 234 into the label waste bin 222 at step 630.

In accordance with the foregoing, it should be noted that the label rejection procedure 580 is used, for example, when the patient label 300 is rejected before the hot melt adhesive is applied to the patient label 300. If the hot melt adhesive is applied to the patient tag 300 before determining whether or not the patient tag 300 is to be rejected, then a personal operator optionally removes the patient tag 300 from the shuttle block 216. These are done to prevent any hot melt adhesive from reaching any part of the label reject mechanism 218, that is, the label reject piercing pins 230 and the label reject stripper plate 232. The personal operator can then discard the rejected patient tag 300 by depositing it in the tag reject bin 222.

Figure 20 is an illustration of a computer 758 used to implement computer processing in accordance with a computer-implemented embodiment of the present invention. The procedures described above can be presented in terms of program procedures executed on, for example, a computer or a computer network.

Viewed from the outside in Figure 20, computer 758 has a central processing unit (CPU) 768 incorporating disk drives 769, 770. Disk drives 769, 770 are only representative of a plurality of disk drives that could be incorporated. to computer 758. Typically, these drives could be one or more of the following: a 769 floppy drive, a hard drive (not shown), and a CD ROM, or a digital video disc, as indicated by the existing slot in reference numeral 770. The number and type of units varies, typically with different computer configurations. The disk drives 769, 770 are, in fact, options, and for space considerations, they may be omitted from the computer system used in conjunction with the processes described herein.

Computer 758 also incorporates a screen 771 on which certain information can be displayed. The display is optional for the computer used in conjunction with the system described herein. A keyboard 772 and / or a pointing device 773, such as a mouse, may be provided as input devices to connect to the central processing unit 768. To increase the efficiency of the input devices, the keyboard 772 can be supplemented or replaced by a scanner with a card reader, or other data input device. The pointing device 773 can be a mouse, a touch pad control device, a ball device, or any other type of pointing device.

Alternatively, with reference to Figure 22, the 758 computer may also include a 795 CD ROM reader and a 796 CD writer, both of which are interconnected by a 797 bus along with other 798 peripheral devices supported by the bus structure and protocol. . The 797 bus serves as the primary information highway that interfaces with the other components of the computer. It is connected via a 799 interface to the 758 computer.

Figure 21 illustrates a block diagram of the internal hardware of the computer of Figure 20. The CPU 775 is the central processing unit of the system that performs the calculations and logic operations required to execute a program. A read-only memory (ROM) 776 and a random access memory (RAM) 777 constitute the main memory of the computer. The 778 disk controller connects one or more disk drives to the system bus 774. These disk drives can be floppy drives, such as reference 779, or CD ROM or DVD (digital video / versatile disk) drives, as depicted in reference 780, or internal or external 781 hard drives. . As noted above, these various disk drives and disk controllers are optional devices.

A display interface 782 allows certain information from the bus 774 to be displayed on the screen 783. Here again, and as indicated, the screen 783 is an optional accessory to a central or remote computer on the communications network, such as they are the infrared receiver 788 and the transmitter 789. Communication with internal devices occurs using the communication port 84.

In addition to standard computer components, the computer may also include a 785 interface, which enables data entry through the 782 keyboard or pointing device, such as a 787 mouse.

In general, it should be emphasized that the various components of the present embodiment of the present invention can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of these. In such embodiments, the various components and steps are implemented in hardware and software to carry out the functions of the present invention. Any software language and / or computer hardware components currently available or to be developed in the future may be used in such embodiments of the

ES 2 297 201 T3 present invention. For example, at least some of the functionality mentioned above could be implemented using C, C ++ or any appropriate assembly language taking into account the processor (s) being used. It could also be written in an interpretive environment, such as Java, and transported to multiple sites intended for different users.