Method and apparatus for outputting a result of a game via a container

• US 8,556,728 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2006
• Issued: 10/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James Jorasch
• Original Assignee: James Jorasch
• Inventors: Walker, Jay S., Jorasch, James A., Packes, John M. Jr., Tedesco, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): DEODHAR, OMKAR A
• Application Number:
  US11/424,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20060234793A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,680 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/43, 463/44
• US Class Current: 463/43
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/04 Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/06 by returnable containers , i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/56 Financial cryptography, e.g. electronic payment or e-cash
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/805 Lightweight hardware, e.g. radio-frequency identification [RFID] or sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3297 involving time stamps, e.g. generation of time stamps

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed that documents and authenticates cap removal data. According to a first aspect of the present invention, the apparatus measures a parameter indicative of the number of times that a cap has been removed by a user. The apparatus also encodes at least the parameter indicative of the cap removal data, thereby deriving encoded cap removal data. The apparatus outputs the encoded cap removal data to a user. According to a second aspect of the present invention, another apparatus receives the encoded cap removal data and decodes it to authenticate the cap removal data. According to a third aspect of the present invention, a medicine container is operable to output a result of a game based on cap removal data associated with the medicine container.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, from a patient via an authentication device, a code comprising encrypted data descriptive of one or more cap removals of a medicine container;

decrypting the code via the authentication device; and

providing a benefit to the patient if the decrypted code indicates that the patient is eligible for the benefit.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a cap removal requirement associated with the patient;

determining, based on the decrypted code, that the patient is compliant with the cap removal requirement; and

determining, based on the patient'"'"'s compliance with the cap removal requirement, that the patient is eligible to receive the benefit.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving, decrypting, and providing are conducted by a central controller.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the central controller comprises an Interactive Voice Response Unit (IVRU).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the code is received from a telephone associated with the patient.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the code is received via a Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) transmission from the telephone associated with the patient.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the code is received by input provided by the patient via a Web interface.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the code comprises a code output by a container associated with the patient, and wherein the code is further descriptive of a result of a game.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the game comprises a game of chance.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the game comprises a game of skill.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the game comprises a trivia game requiring the patient to answer a plurality of questions.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the benefit is determined based at least in part on a magnitude of patient compliance associated with the cap removals of the medicine container.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

requesting, from the patient, a verification of a compliance of the patient with one or more medical instructions.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving, from the patient, an indication of a verification of compliance of the patient with the one or more medical instructions.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the benefit is provided at least in part based on the receiving of the indication of the verification of compliance of the patient with the one or more medical instructions.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the verification of compliance of the patient with the one or more medical instructions is provided via one or more reagent test strips.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the verification of compliance of the patient with the one or more medical instructions is provided via one or more medical tests.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the benefit comprises entering the patient into a sweepstakes drawing if the decrypted code indicates that the patient is eligible to be entered into the sweepstakes drawing.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein a probability of the patient winning the sweepstakes is based at least in part on a magnitude of patient compliance associated the cap removals of the medicine container.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the benefit is funded at least in part by one or more of a friend and a relative of the patient.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the benefit is defined by the one or more of the friend or relative.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein a value of the benefit is based at least in part on a number of successes associated with the one or more cap removals of the medicine container.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the data descriptive of the one or more cap removals of the medicine container is determined by a pill bottle stand.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the data descriptive of the one or more cap removals of the medicine container is determined by the pill bottle stand by utilizing a weight sensor.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the data descriptive of the one or more cap removals of the medicine container is determined by the pill bottle stand by utilizing a motion sensor.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the code is generated by the medicine container in response to the one or more cap removals of the medicine container.

27. A container, comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to;

receive, from a patient, a code comprising encrypted data descriptive of one or more cap removals of the container;

decrypt the code; and

provide a benefit to the patient if the decrypted code indicates that the patient is eligible for the benefit.

28. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to:

receive, from a patient, a code comprising encrypted data descriptive of one or more cap removals of a medicine container;

decrypt the code; and

provide a benefit to the patient if the decrypted code indicates that the patient is eligible for the benefit.