Medicine manager

• US 7,107,122 B1
• Filed: 02/18/2004
• Issued: 09/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Whyte
• Original Assignee: David Whyte
• Inventors: Whyte, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi H.
• Application Number:
  US10/782,310
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• Field of Search: 700/241, 700/244, 700/236, 221/2, 221/3, 221/9, 221/12, 221/13, 221/15, 221/123, 221/131, 368/10
• US Class Current: 700/241
• 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

Abstract

An apparatus for enabling a user to follow a detailed schedule for taking a plurality of medicines/supplemdents at various times. The apparatus includes a set of containers, one for each medicine, a release mechanism for each container and a computer programmed to open any one of its containers at a time according to the schedule of events. An event is defined as taking of a dosage at a scheduled time. An “alert” signal alerts the user to prepare for each event. A “take” signal indicates that the dosage has actually been taken, A warning signal; is activated after a ‘take period indicating that the user has not taken his dosage. A form is initally filled out by the user listing “events” according to the schedule. Events shown on the screen are underlined as they occur and the daily form with underlines of executed events is saved as a history with later evealuation. A “fresh” form (without uderlines) is programmed to appear with the days date to start the next day'"'"'s program.

Claims

1. A system for aiding a user to follow a schedule for taking an item of medicines/supplements dispensed as units of dosage in any form of pills, capsules, pouches of powders, which comprises:

a self contained plurality of containers, each container adapted to hold a plurality of dosages of one of the items respectively; and

a plurality of mechanisms, one for each said container, for releasing each one of said plurality of dosages from said container respectively, each dosage released one at a time;

a cell phone;

a server computer;

adapted for communicating with said plurality of containers and cell phone through an internet provider;

said server computer having a memory for storing a program for operating said apparatus, cell phone, a memory for storing a table for listing an event schedule;

and a processor for executing said program;

said event schedule being a series of events each event defined by an event action and a time when said event action should occur during a program period, said event action being release of at least one of said dosages from said respective container;

a keyboard coupled to said server computer for entering said event schedule into said table in said memory;

a monitor coupled to said server computer for displaying said table including said event schedule;

said table including said event schedule including;

(i) a list of numbers, each number of said list corresponding to one of said containers;

(ii) for each number, a name of an item to be dispatched from said container;

(iii) for each number and corresponding item, a list of events whereby an event schedule is created;

said server computer arranged for sending a signal to said a selected one of said mechanisms to release and item according to said event schedule and an event signal to said cell phone activating said cell phone to generate an audio event signal as each said dosage is released whereby said user is informed that said dosage has been released for ingestion according to said event schedule whereby said system enables an operator to control dispensing items from said containers worn by a patient possessing said containers and cell phone, by said operator operating said keyboard to entering said event schedule into said server computer and said operator is enabled to maintain surveillance of said client'"'"'s adhering to said event schedule by observing said table displayed by said monitor.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said event signal comprises an underline under said time of said event on said screen whereby said form becomes a history of events occurring during a program period wherein said program period is a length of time during which all event actions have been executed.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said program period is 24 hours.

4. A system for aiding a user to follow a schedule for taking an item of medicines/supplements dispensed as units of dosage in any form of pills, capsules, pouches of powders, which comprises:

a plurality of containers, each container adapted to hold a plurality of dosages of one of the items respectively and having a port for passing each one of said dosages;

a sliding door for each one of said containers respectively;

a plurality of solenoids, each one of said solenoids coupled to a respective one of said doors and responsive to an open signal to open said door and thereby release one of said items;

at least one of;

(i) a buzzer;

(ii) a red light, a yellow light, a green light;

a memory for;

(i) storing an operating program;

(ii) keeping track of quantities of dosage remaining in the containers;

(iii) storing a schedule of events, each event defined as release of at least one of said dosages from said respective container and a time of said release;

(iv) storing for each event a subschedule for generating an open signal and an event signal, said event signal being at least one of an audio and visual signal generated;

(a) before each event;

(b) as each event occurs;

(c) after each event;

said event signal being at least one of;

(i) an underline under said time of said event on said screen whereby said event schedule becomes a history of events occurring during a program period wherein said program period is a length of time during shich all event actions have been executed;

(ii) said yellow light energized before said event occurs, said red light energized when said event occurs, said green light energized after said event has occurred;

(iii) a sound from said buzzer;

a processor for operating said system according to said stored operating program;

a keyboard for entering said schedule of events into said memory;

a screen for displaying said schedule of events and a record of occurrence of each event;

an event clock arranged to count an event period being a period of time between two successive events beginning immediately after any one of said events occurs;

said processor coupled to said event clock to control function of said solenoids, keyboard, screen, lights and buzzer according to said schedule of events;

a tray positioned adjacent said plurality of doors operably arranged to catch said dosage released by any one of said plurality of doors.