PACKAGE-COMPANION-USER INTERACTIVE SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHOD

• US 20080303665A1
• Filed: 06/07/2008
• Published: 12/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bilcare, Inc. (Bilcare Limited)
• Original Assignee: Bilcare, Inc. (Bilcare Limited)
• Inventors: Naik, Praful Ramachandra, Bhandari, Mohan Harakachand, Baliga, Jyoti Gopalkrishna
• Application Number:
  US12/135,173
• Publication Number:
  US 20080303665A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/035 Blister-type containers blisters in general B65D75/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/10 Bag-type containers
• 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 2205/60 using magnetic or electronic identifications, e.g. chips, RFID, electronic tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/70 Audible labels, e.g. for pre-recorded info or messages
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0445 for preventing drug dispensing during a predetermined time period
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis

Abstract

The present invention relates to a package-companion-user interactive system providing a comprehensive means of product authentication, registration for effective compliance, with user real-time feedback. The system comprises of a product package provided with a smart data processor and companion device comprising a housing with package holding provision; an array of signal generating means and signal sensing means provided in the said device to receive and reflect signals generated by the said signal generating means; user interactive means; powered time tracking means; data decoding means, data processing, data storage means, optionally equipped with audio visual display means, data transfer and connectivity means so configured to register user with the said device; authenticate product package, register product package, and optionally carrying out transient data collection and/or user feedback; when the said product package is placed in the said housing; wherein the product package is without any severable conductor.

Claims

1. A system to regulate medicinal product consumption by an individual consumer comprising:

a product package to contain a medicinal product, comprising

a first data storage circuitry secured to the package and encoded with a first information;

a companion device comprising;

one or more signal generators;

one or more sensors to sense a signal generated by the one or more signal generators;

a receptor region contoured to receive at least a portion of the product package and having the one or more signal generators and the one or more sensors disposed therewith;

a reader configured to read the first information from the product package;

a second data storage circuitry coupled to the reader and encoded with a second information;

a processing circuitry associated with the reader configured to process the first information and the second information to authenticate the package.

2. A package-companion-user interactive system comprising:

a product package, comprising;

a smart data processor affixed or embedded to the product package and encoded with a product package data using a unique identification protocol and further capable of storing a registration data corresponding to a user whereby the product package is configured for optional exclusive use by the user;

a companion device comprising;

a housing with a package holding means;

an array of signal generators;

an array of corresponding signal sensors configured to receive signals generated by the array of signal generators;

a user interactive and user input assembly including a display;

a powered time tracker;

a data decoding, processing and storage system configured to register a user, authenticate and register a product package when positioned with the housing, and optionally carry out one or more of transient data collection and user feedback, comprising;

an authentication decoder configured to decode the encoded product authentication data;

a memory configured to store;

an accession time data entered by user through the input interactive and user input assembly regarding a desired accession time;

a user registration data input through the user interactive and user input assembly; and

a product package authentication data;

a data processor configured to output a user signal with the user interactive and user input assembly to provide an indication to the user of the desired accession time; and

a means for connecting the companion device to a service provider,

wherein upon positioning of the product package with the companion device, the companion device interacts with the product package to authenticate the product package by;

decoding the registration data and the product package data from the product package using the unique identification protocol;

storing the decoded registration data and product data in the memory;

matching the decoded registration data and product data with the stored user registration data and product authentication data;

displaying a signal on the display to the user regarding authentication;

displaying a signal on the display to the user regarding registration of the user;

limiting access to the product package; and

limiting access of the product package only to the companion device; and

deactivating the registration of the package after a predetermined time, wherein the package and companion device interacts with user by;

providing a signal to the user on the display for entering an accession data regarding a time of access;

storing the accession data in the memory;

displaying or providing a signal using the user interactive and user input assembly regarding accession of the product to provide an indication to the user;

storing a data history of accession times of the product package;

storing user feedback in the memory; and

communicating information corresponding to the user through the means for connecting the companion device to a service provider.

3. A package-companion-user interactive system comprising:

a product package comprising;

a smart data processor;

a companion device comprising;

a housing with a package holding means;

an array of signal generating means;

an array of signal sensing means to receive and/or reflect signals generated by the signal generating means;

a user interactive means;

a powered time tracking means;

a data decoding means;

a data processing means;

a data storage means;

optionally equipped with an audio visual display means; and

a data transfer and connectivity means configured to register a user with the device, authenticate the product package, register the product package, and optionally carrying out transient data collection and/or user feedback when the product package is placed in the housing.

4. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the package further comprises a containment portion without any severable conductors.

5. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the signal sensing means measures a time differential in terms of capacitance based on a current or voltage generated by the signal generating means.

6. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3,

wherein the signal generating means is a light emitting diode emitting preferably white light, and

wherein the signal sensing means is a color sensor.

7. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the signal generating means of the companion device generates an optical signal.

8. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the package housing has a package locking means.

9. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the signal-sensing means is a spring-loaded mechanical device

10. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the signal-sensing means is a strain gauge.

11. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the user interactive means is a touch screen device.

12. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the user interactive means is a keyboard.

13. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the user interactive means is a Braille compatible keyboard.

14. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the user interactive means is a voice recognition device.

15. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the user interactive means is a biometric system.

16. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the user interactive means is an audio and/or visual signal indicating system.

17. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the user interactive means is a vibration generator.

18. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the data processing means outputs information modulated in a bit pattern such that it is suitable for wireless transmission.

19. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the data processing means transmits information using a modem.

20. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the companion device further comprises:

a customized connectivity data processing means to enable real-time connectivity to an IVR system using an external IVR protocol for communication with a service provider.

21. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the smart data processor is affixed to the product package.

22. The package-companion user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the product package further comprises a product containment portion constructed from a laminate material.

23. The package-companion user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the product package further comprises a product containment portion constructed from a polymeric material.

24. The package-companion user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the product package further comprises a product containment portion constructed from a multi-layered laminate material.

25. The package-companion user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the product package further comprises a product containment portion constructed from a combination of two or more of a laminate material, a polymeric material, and a multi-layered laminate material.

26. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the product package is press-fittable to the companion device.

27. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the product package further comprises:

a device configured to provide information regarding branding and product identity comprising;

a speaker,

a battery,

an optional switch; and

an audio signal generator.

28. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the smart data processor of the product package is a crypto memory device.

29. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the smart data processor of the product package is a secured memory device.

30. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the smart data processor of the product package is a micro-controller based memory chip.

31. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the smart processor is an RFID device.

32. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein user registration with the companion device is done by:

entering a user identifier information via the user interactive means;

storing the information in the data storage means; and

conveying user registration feedback using the user interactive means.

33. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the companion device interacts with the product package to register and authenticate product package by:

positioning the product package with the companion device such that the data decoding means is in contact with the smart data processor;

decoding a pre-encoded product information from the smart data processor;

storing the decoded product information in the data storage means;

authenticating the decoded product information against a predetermined product information in the data processing means;

providing an authentication feedback to the user via the user interactive means.

34. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the product package further comprises:

a product package data, comprising one or more of predetermined number of days, an expiry date, or a user-defined number of days,

wherein the product package data becomes inaccessible when the product package is expired, comprising;

decoding the product package data using the decoding means;

storing the product package data in the data storage means;

comparing the product package data against an expiration date calculated by the powered time tracker means;

disabling access to the product package data if the product package data exceeds the expiration date.

35. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the companion device and the product package interact with the user to collect transient product accession information by:

prompting the user using a product accession protocol as per a prescription inputted by the user;

accessing the product from the package according to the product accession protocol by the user;

inserting the product package in the housing in the device;

sensing for product absence in the product package using the array of signal generating means and the array of signal sensing means;

recording an accession time using the powered time tracking means; and

storing the accession time in the data storage means.

36. The package-companion-user interactive system of claim 3, wherein the companion device interact with user to collect and store real time user feedback by:

prompting the user to input feedback information regarding symptoms and effects of the product via the user interactive means;

storing the user feedback information in the data storage means; and

communicating the user feedback information through the data transfer and connectivity means to a service provider.

37. A method to monitor medicinal product consumption by an individual consumer comprising:

encoding an identification circuit on a medicinal product package with a first information;

encoding data storage in a companion device with a second information;

placing the medicinal product package and the companion device in close proximity;

obtaining the first information from the identification circuit by the companion device; and

processing the first information and the second information to authenticate the package to the companion device.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

generating one or more signals by signal generators disposed on the companion device with the package in close proximity to the companion device;

sensing a portion of the generated one or more signals received by one or more sensors disposed on the companion device; and

based upon the sensed portion, determining the presence or absence or amount of one or more medicinal product items from the package; and

reporting such presence, absence or amount to the individual consumer or to a health care provider.