Devices, Systems, and Methods for Adherence Monitoring and Devices, Systems, and Methods For Monitoring Use of Consumable Dispensers
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a mechanical accessory includinga distal base portion having a distal opening configured to seat a consumables dispenser therein so as to removably and replaceably couple the accessory to the consumables dispenser,a proximal cap portion movably coupled to the distal base portion, movement of the proximal cap portion relative to the distal base portion being effective to cause the consumable to be dispensed from the consumables dispenser when the accessory is coupled to the consumables dispenser, anda sensor configured to sense the movement of the proximal cap portion relative to the distal base portion.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Devices, systems, and methods are provided for adherence monitoring, and devices, systems, and methods are provided for monitoring use of consumable dispensers. In general, the devices, systems, and methods can facilitate an individual'"'"'s adherence to a schedule for consuming consumables and can facilitate monitoring and tracking of the individual'"'"'s adherence to the schedule. The devices, systems, and methods can allow data regarding the individual'"'"'s historical adherence to the schedule to be accessible via a computer system. In one embodiment, an accessory is provided that can be configured to attach to consumable dispensers. The accessory can be configured to be removably and replaceably coupled to the dispenser. The accessory can be configured to provide a notification to a user indicating that a certain event occurred and/or that a certain action needs to be taken. The accessory can be configured to sense attachment thereof to and removal thereof from the dispenser.
23 Citations
33 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
a mechanical accessory including a distal base portion having a distal opening configured to seat a consumables dispenser therein so as to removably and replaceably couple the accessory to the consumables dispenser, a proximal cap portion movably coupled to the distal base portion, movement of the proximal cap portion relative to the distal base portion being effective to cause the consumable to be dispensed from the consumables dispenser when the accessory is coupled to the consumables dispenser, and a sensor configured to sense the movement of the proximal cap portion relative to the distal base portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus, comprising:
an accessory removably and replaceably attachable to a container that contains a consumable therein and that is movably coupled to a housing such that the container and the accessory are movable as a unit relative to the housing, the accessory including a distal base portion, a proximal cap portion movably coupled to the distal base portion, movement of the proximal cap portion relative to the distal base portion being effective to move the container relative to the housing and thereby dispense the consumable from the container, and a sensor configured to sense the movement of the proximal cap portion relative to the distal base portion to indicate that the consumable has been dispensed from the container. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus, comprising:
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a pressure sensor configured to sense a change in pressure; and a mechanical accessory removably and replaceably attachable to a consumables container that is movably coupled to a housing such that the movement of the container and the accessory relative to the housing is effective to dispense the consumable, the accessory including a processor configured to determine when the consumable is dispensed from the container based at least in part on the pressure sensor sensing the change in pressure, and a wireless communication mechanism, the processor being configured to cause the wireless communication mechanism to wirelessly transmit data indicative of the determined dispensing of the consumable to an external device that is external to the accessory and the dispenser. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method, comprising:
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attaching a mechanical accessory to a container of a consumables dispenser movably disposed within a housing of the consumables dispenser; moving the accessory and the container relative to the housing, thereby causing a pressure sensor to sense a change in pressure; comparing the sensed change in pressure to a predetermined amount of pressure so as to determine whether a consumable has been released from the consumables dispenser; and wirelessly transmitting data from the accessory to an external device, the transmitted data being indicative of the consumable having been released from the consumables container. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification