Importance

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Abstract

An interface unit is operably coupled between a pharmacy management computing subsystem and printer, and is operably coupled between the pharmacy management computing subsystem and a tablet counting/dispensing subsystem. In response to a user issuing a command to print a prescription label, a printer command file is generated by a label print function of the pharmacy management computing subsystem. The printer command file is supplied to the interface unit, where it is processed to render and store a bit map image of the prescription label. Symbol recognition operations are performed on portions of the bit map image to generate a sequence of symbol identifier values (e.g., an alphanumeric character string) that corresponds to symbols identified in such portions. This sequence of symbol identifiers represents information pertaining to the prescription, such as (such as NDC number, prescription number, drug name and strength, count (quantity-to-be-dispensed), patient instructions (SIG code), patient name, price, etc). It is used to build a data message that is communicated to the tablet counting/dispensing subsystem, which stored and accesses this data to assist in tablet counting operations and/or tablet dispensing operations performed therein. In addition, the label processing operations of the interface unit is preferably configured during a set up routine which enable the end user to specify locations of portions of a sample label bit map image that correspond to relevant data fields. Such locations are stored in persistent storage and used in subsequent label processing operations to capture the relevant information contained in the label.

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First Claim