Package with integrated circuit chip embedded therein and system for using same

• US 6,335,907 B1
• Filed: 07/23/1999
• Issued: 01/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Michael E. Infuso, Robert Momich
• Original Assignee: Michael E. Infuso, Robert Momich
• Inventors: Momich, Robert, Infuso, Michael E.
• Primary Examiner(s): MISKA, VIT W
• Application Number:
  US09/359,322
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368/73, 368/250, 221/2, 221/3, 221/15, 340/309.15, 340/309.4, 600/300
• US Class Current: 368/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/10 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/20 Colour codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/30 Printed labels
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/40 by shape or form, e.g. by using shape recognition
• 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 7/0454 for dispensing of multiple drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

An interactive reminder device includes a read/write module, an integrated circuit, a power supply, memory, a clock and a prompt. The read/write module is adapted to read information stored on an identifiable integrated circuit chip and to write information onto the identifiable integrated circuit chip attached to a package. The integrated circuit is operably connected to the read/write module. The power supply is operably connected to the integrated circuit. The memory is operably connected to the integrated circuit. The clock operably connected to the integrated circuit and the prompt is operably connected to the integrated circuit. The interactive reminder device is for use with a package having an integrated circuit chip attached thereto. The interactive reminder device is for implementing a system for prompting for the use of medication. The prompting system includes the steps of reading information stored on an integrated circuit chip regarding a method of calculating a next take time; calculating the next take time; storing a next take time in a prompting device; and prompting at the next take time. The prompting system may also be adapted for use in a health care facility wherein the steps include calculating the next take time for an identifiable patient for an identifiable medication; storing a next take time, the identified medication and the identified patient in a prompting device; prompting at the next take time; confirming that the medication integrated circuit chip is the medication integrated circuit chip associated with the identified medication; and confirming that the patient integrated circuit chip is the patient integrated circuit chip associated with the identified patient and thereafter administering the identified medication to the identified patient.

Claims

1. An interactive reminder device for use in association with a packages having an integrated circuit chip attached thereto comprising:

a read/write module adapted to read information stored on an identifiable integrated circuit chip and to write information onto the identifiable integrated circuit chip attached to a package;

a means for confirming the identifiable integrated circuit chip is read from and written to by the read/write module;

an integrated circuit operably connected to the read/write module;

a power supply operably connected to the integrated circuit

memory operably connected to the integrated circuit;

a clock operably connected to the integrated circuit, and

a prompting means operably connected to the integrated circuit.

2. An interactive reminder device as claimed in claim 1 further including a screen operably connected to the read/write module for displaying information thereon.

3. An interactive reminder device as claimed in claim 2 further including a plurality of buttons operably connected to the integrated circuit and to the screen adapted to scroll through and select information displayed on the screen.

4. An interactive reminder device as claimed in claim 1 further including a means for confirming the identifiable integrated circuit chip is read from and written to by the read/write module.

5. An interactive reminder device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the prompting means is chosen from the group consisting of a beep, a vibration and a visual indicator.

6. An interactive reminder device as claimed in claim 5 including a combination of prompting means.

7. An interactive reminder device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device is incorporated in an electronic personal organiser.

8. A method for prompting for the use of medication using a unique identifier comprising the steps of:

reading information stored on an integrated circuit chip regarding a method of calculating a next take time,

determining if an identifier field on the integrated circuit chip is empty and if empty, writing the unique identifier onto the integrated circuit chip, if not empty, determining if the identifier in the identifier field is not the unique identifier then exiting and if the unique identifier is thereafter present in the identifier field;

calculating the next take time;

storing a next take time in a prompting device;

prompting at the next take time.

9. A method for prompting for the use of medication as claimed in claim 8 further including the steps of identifying an identifiable integrated circuit chip associated with the stored next take time and confirming the identifiable integrated circuit chip is associated with the prompted next take time.

10. A method for prompting for the use of medication as claimed in claim 9 wherein a name of the medication associated with the integrated circuit chip is stored in association with the next take time and the name is displayed on the prompting device at the next take time.

11. A method for prompting for the use of medication as claimed in claim 10 further including the steps of identifying that the medication is taken and writing the take time onto the integrated circuit chip.

12. A method for prompting for the use of medication as claimed in claim 11 further including the step of displaying the information stored on the integrated circuit chip on the prompting device.

13. A method for prompting for the use of medication as claimed in claim 12 further including the steps of calculating a next take window and identifying if the present time is within the next take window.

14. A method for prompting for the use of medication as claimed in claim 13 further including the steps of calculating a deferred next take time and prompting at the deferred next take time.

15. A method for monitoring the use of medication in a health care facility comprising the steps of:

calculating the next take time for an identifiable patient for an identifiable medication;

storing a next take time, the identified medication and the identified patient in a prompting device;

prompting at the next take time;

confirming that the medication integrated circuit chip is the medication integrated circuit chip associated with the identified medication; and

confirming that the patient integrated circuit chip is the patient integrated circuit chip associated with the identified patient and thereafter administering the identified medication to the identified patient.

16. A method for monitoring the use of medication in a health care facility as claimed in claim 15 further including the step of writing the take time and the medication onto the patient integrated circuit chip.

17. A method for monitoring the use of medication in a health care facility as claimed in claim 16 further including the step of writing the take time and the medication onto a prompting device.

18. A method for monitoring the use of medication in a health care facility as claimed in claim 15 further including the steps of calculating a deferred next take time and prompting at the deferred next take time.

19. A method for monitoring the use of medication in a health care facility as claimed in claim 15 wherein the patient integrated circuit chip is attached to the patient identification bracelet.

20. A package for tracking information for use in association with a reader/wrter comprising;

a package;

an integrated circuit chip integrally attached to the package for storing information regarding contents of the package and periodically receiving new information with regard to the use of the package whereby removing the integrated circuit chip from the package would destroy the package.

21. A package as claimed in claim 20 wherein the package is a plastic medicine bottle.

22. A package as claimed in claim 20 wherein the package is a blister pack.

23. A package as claimed in claim 20 wherein the package is a tube.

24. A package as claimed in claim 20 wherein the integrated circuit chip has an antenna operably attached thereto.