Patent attributes
An automated dispensing apparatus for the controlled dispensing of articles provided with associated RFID tags, comprises hatches (14) for opening article entry/exit zones and an internal motor-driven store (13) with shelves (15) divided up into a plurality of compartments (16) and intended to receive articles to be dispensed, upon command, through the hatches (14). The control unit (18) provided with a memory (30) intended to memorize the contents of the store and is connected to the store (13) in order to be able to operate the store so as to bring a selected compartment (16) into loading and unloading positions and allow the loading/unloading of an article inside the compartment. Inside the apparatus there is at least one RFID tag reader element (31, 131) which is connected to the control unit (18) and the control unit (18) is adapted to receive from the reader element (31, 131) data read by the reader element from an RFID tag and associate said data in the memory (30) with the compartment (16) which at that moment is close to the reader element (31, 131). A method for controlling the apparatus is also described.
