Web enabled audiovisual medication dispensing
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for audiovisual communication between a caregiver and a dependent while dispensing a medication, comprising:
- web link circuitry configured to communicate with a remote caregiver device;
a medication cartridge assembly electrically coupled to the web link circuitry;
a mass-sensing receptacle electrically coupled to the web link circuitry and configured to transmit the mass of any medication in the mass-sensing receptacle to the web link circuitry;
a camera electrically coupled to said web link circuitry and configured to capture images of said dependent and transmit said images to said web link circuitry, and said web link circuitry configured to receive said images from said camera and transmit said images to said caregiver; and
a microphone electrically coupled to the web link circuitry and configured to capture audio input and transmit the audio input to the web link circuitry, and the web link circuitry configured to receive the audio input and transmit the audio input to a caregiver;
said camera and microphone powered on responsive to said communication between said web link circuitry and said remote caregiver device to establish said audiovisual communication between said caregiver and said dependent;
said medication cartridge assembly powered on during said audiovisual communication between said caregiver and said dependent and configured to dispense medication responsive thereto; and
said medication cartridge assembly powered off during said audiovisual communication between said caregiver and said dependent responsive to said mass-sensing receptacle detecting a presence of mass in said mass-sensing receptacle followed by an absence of mass in said mass-sensing receptacle.
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Abstract
The disclosure relates generally to methods and devices for taking care of elderly, disabled, or other dependents. The devices and methods may be useful for dependents that are not willing or able to live in an environment which has a caretaker physically present. Example devices and methods can facilitate communication between a caretaker and a dependent. Devices and methods can optionally facilitate disbursing medications remotely.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for audiovisual communication between a caregiver and a dependent while dispensing a medication, comprising:
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web link circuitry configured to communicate with a remote caregiver device; a medication cartridge assembly electrically coupled to the web link circuitry; a mass-sensing receptacle electrically coupled to the web link circuitry and configured to transmit the mass of any medication in the mass-sensing receptacle to the web link circuitry; a camera electrically coupled to said web link circuitry and configured to capture images of said dependent and transmit said images to said web link circuitry, and said web link circuitry configured to receive said images from said camera and transmit said images to said caregiver; and a microphone electrically coupled to the web link circuitry and configured to capture audio input and transmit the audio input to the web link circuitry, and the web link circuitry configured to receive the audio input and transmit the audio input to a caregiver; said camera and microphone powered on responsive to said communication between said web link circuitry and said remote caregiver device to establish said audiovisual communication between said caregiver and said dependent; said medication cartridge assembly powered on during said audiovisual communication between said caregiver and said dependent and configured to dispense medication responsive thereto; and said medication cartridge assembly powered off during said audiovisual communication between said caregiver and said dependent responsive to said mass-sensing receptacle detecting a presence of mass in said mass-sensing receptacle followed by an absence of mass in said mass-sensing receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of remote audiovisual provision of medication to a dependent, the method comprising the steps of:
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electrically coupling a camera configured to capture images of said dependent and a microphone configured to capture audio input from said dependent with a caregiver device remote from said dependent to operably audiovisually communicate with said remote caregiver device; powering on said camera and microphone to establish said audiovisual communication between said caregiver and said dependent; activating a medication cartridge assembly subsequent to said powering on step and during said audiovisual communication between said caregiver and said dependent and thereby causing said medication cartridge assembly to dispense medication; detecting a presence of said medication in a mass-sensing receptacle subsequent to said activating step; determining an absence of said medication in said mass-sensing receptacle subsequent to said detecting step; deactivating said medication cartridge assembly during said audiovisual communication between said caregiver and said dependent and subsequent to said determining step; and powering off said camera and microphone to disconnect said audiovisual communication between said caregiver and said dependent subsequent to said deactivating step. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification