Patent attributes
Systems and methods are described for providing a canister configuration system for medication dispensing machines. A medication dispensing machine has capacity to hold a fixed number of canisters and trays, each of which may contain a particular medication. If an order is received for a medication that is not in one of the currently loaded canisters, a canister of that medication may be swapped in, or the medication may be dispensed from a tray. A canister configuration system may analyze received orders, dispensed medications, and other inputs and constraints, and may determine a canister configuration for one or more dispensing machines that reduces canister swaps and tray fills. The canister configuration(s) may specify groups of medications that should be dispensed in particular ways, such as via canisters that remain in the dispensing machine at all times, via canisters that are swapped in or out as needed, or via trays.
