Smart pill box and medical compliance monitoring

• US 10,022,305 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2017
• Issued: 07/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bunker, Brandon, Lin, Rongbin Lanny, Jenkins, Harrison Taylor
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US15/468,086
• Publication Number:
  US 20170258686A1
• Time in Patent Office: 481 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1437 Locking means requiring key or combination to open the container
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/70 Device provided with specific sensor or indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/70 Audible labels, e.g. for pre-recorded info or messages
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0084 for multiple medicaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0427 with direct interaction with a dispensing or delivery system
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0436 resulting from removing a drug from, or opening, a container
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0454 for dispensing of multiple drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Methods and systems are described for monitoring medication use with a home automation system. An example medication monitoring system includes a medication storage device, a proximity device, and a dispenser module. The medication storage device is configured to hold a plurality of medications. The proximity device is configured to detect an activity of a user relative to the medication storage device. The dispense module is configured to detect a pattern of the activity based on data received from the proximity device, and generate a notice. The notice may be generated if the pattern is broken. The notice may include a summary report on usage of the medication storage device. The notice may include an alarm if the medication storage device is, for example, tampered with or moved.

Claims

1. A medication monitoring system, comprising:

a medication storage device to hold a plurality of medications;

a sensor to monitor an activity of a user; and

a dispense module to;

receive authentication data confirming an identity of the user prior to permitting the user to access the medication storage device; and

generate a notice based on the monitored activity.

2. The medication monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the dispense module is further configured to:

dispense medication based at least in part on the monitored activity.

3. The medication monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the dispense module is further configured to:

receive instructions or information related to a medical condition of the user.

4. The medication monitoring system of claim 3, wherein the notice is generated based at least in part on the received instructions or information.

5. The medication monitoring system of claim 3, wherein the dispense module is further configured to:

determine whether the monitored activity is permitted based at least in part on the received instructions or information.

6. The medication monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the notice is generated for medical personnel, the user, or both.

7. The medication monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the monitored activity includes at least one of the user dispensing medication from the medication storage device and the user coming within a predetermined distance of the medication storage device.

8. The medication monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is further configured to sense medical data associated with the user.

9. The medication monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the data associated with the user comprises one of:

a blood pressure of the user, a temperature of the user, a glucose level of the user, a weight of the user, or a combination thereof.

10. The medication monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is carried by the user.

11. The medication monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the dispense module is further configured to:

determine a pattern based on the monitored activity; and

wherein the generated notice is based at least in part on the determined pattern.

12. The medication monitoring system of claim 11, wherein the notice is generated if the determined pattern is broken.

13. The medication monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller to operate the dispense module, the controller being located remotely from the medication storage device and the sensor.

14. The medication monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the notice is at least one of a text message and an audible message delivered to the user.

15. The medication monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the notice is at least one of:

a summary report on usage of the medication storage device;

or

an alarm if the medication storage device is tampered with or moved.

16. A computer implemented method for monitoring medical compliance using a home automation system, comprising:

receiving authentication data confirming an identity of a user prior to permitting the user to access a medication dispenser;

receiving data from a device carried by the user regarding an operation of the medication dispenser by the user;

determining a pattern of the user operating the medication dispenser based on data;

generating a notice; and

delivering the notice to at least one of the user and a caregiver of the user.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the device communicates with the medication dispenser.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the device comprises a sensor.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving data from the medication dispenser concerning the operation of the medication dispenser.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

continuously monitoring operation of the medication dispenser by the user; and

generating the notice if a sustained in the pattern is detected.