Dosage dispensing and tracking container with wireless communication

• US 8,708,192 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2012
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arnett G. Flowers, Mary E. Flowers
• Original Assignee: Arnett G. Flowers, Mary E. Flowers
• Inventors: Flowers, Mary E., Flowers, Arnett G.
• Primary Examiner(s): COLLINS, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US13/439,064
• Publication Number:
  US 20120187142A1
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• Field of Search: 221/2, 221/4, 221/5, 221/7, 221/8, 221/121, 221/113, 700242-243
• US Class Current: 221/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/03 for pills or tablets containers for pills or tablets with special dispensing means therefor B65D83/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0409 with timers
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00

Abstract

A container for dispensing dosages of multiple medications over time. The present invention includes a container which has a plurality of compartments each configured to contain a plurality of dosages of a different medication. A rotatable lid is attached on top of the container such that an opening in the lid may be selectively positioned in fluid communication with each of the plurality of compartments. A lid position detection device is provided for identifying which of the compartments the opening is presently addressing. A programmable computing device is provided to track dosages administered from each of the plurality of compartments. A display, controlled by the programmable computing device, conveys information regarding the medication contained within a selected compartment. The ability to transmit and receive information from an external device or the Internet, either by a data port or wirelessly, is provided for increased functionality of the device.

Claims

1. A pill dispenser comprising:

a. a container having a plurality of compartments, each of said plurality of compartments configured to contain a plurality of dosages of one of a plurality of medications to be dispensed over a period of time, said container having a top and a bottom, each of said plurality of compartments extending from said bottom of said container to said top of said container;

each of said plurality of compartments having an opening proximal said top of said container;

b. a rotatable lid attached to said container proximal said top of said container, said lid having an opening, said lid configured to rotate angularly about said container such that said opening in said lid may be selectively positioned in fluid communication with each of said plurality of compartments;

c. a lid position detection device configured to identify which of said plurality of compartments said opening is connected to;

d. a programmable computing device configured to track dosages administered from each of said plurality of compartments;

e. a display controlled by said programmable computing device;

f. wherein said programmable computing device is configured to display information on said display regarding a medication contained within a selected compartment of said plurality of compartments, wherein said information on said display includes a medication name in said selected compartment, an amount of medication left in said selected compartment, and a set of data relating to when a prescription needs to be refilled for a medication in said selected compartment, said selected compartment determined by a position of said opening as indicated by said lid position detection device; and

g. wherein said programmable computing device can connect wirelessly to an external electronic device;

h. wherein said lid position detection device further comprises;

i. a rheostat, affixed to said top of said container;

ii. wherein said rheostat includes a ground and a plurality of terminals, with each terminal having a unique electrical resistance between said terminal and said ground;

iii. wherein said lid includes a first contact which is electrically connected to said ground in said rheostat;

iv. wherein said lid includes a second contact configured to selectively contact each of said plurality of terminals within said rheostat as said rotatable lid is rotated;

v. wherein said programmable computing device receives information regarding a resistance between said first and second contacts; and

vi. wherein said programmable computing device contains information allowing said programmable computing device to determine a position of said lid with respect to said container according to said information regarding a resistance between said first and second contacts.

2. The pill dispenser of claim 1, wherein said rheostat comprises an embedded circuit, said embedded circuit remaining stationary relative to said container when said lid is rotated angularly.

3. A pill dispenser comprising:

a. a container having a plurality of compartments, each of said plurality of compartments configured to contain a plurality of dosages of one of a plurality of medications to be dispensed over a period of time, said container having a top and a bottom, each of said plurality of compartments extending from said bottom of said container to said top of said container, each of said plurality of compartments having an opening proximal said top of said container;

b. a rotatable lid attached to said container proximal said top of said container, said lid having an opening, said lid configured to rotate freely with respect to said container about an axis of rotation such that said opening in said lid may be selectively positioned in fluid communication with each of said plurality of compartments;

c. a lid position detection device configured to identify which of said plurality of compartments said opening is connected to, said lid position detection device including a grounding pivot, said grounding pivot lying in said axis of rotation of said lid, wherein said lid position detection device comprises a rheostat; and

d. a programmable computing device configured to track dosages administered from each of said plurality of compartments, said programmable computing device electrically connected to said grounding pivot.

4. The pill dispenser of claim 3, wherein said programmable computing device can connect wirelessly to an external electronic device.

5. The pill dispenser of claim 3, wherein said programmable computer device can connect wirelessly to the Internet.

6. The pill dispenser of claim 3, further comprising a port:

a. said port designed to receive electrical power; and

b. said port designed to transmit output and receive input from an external device.

7. The pill dispenser of claim 3, wherein said lid position detection device comprises:

a. said rheostat, affixed to said top of said container,

b. wherein said rheostat includes a ground and a plurality of terminals, with each terminal having a unique electrical resistance between said terminal and said ground;

c. wherein said lid includes a first contact which is electrically connected to said ground in said rheostat;

d. wherein said lid includes a second contact configured to selectively contact each of said plurality of terminals within said rheostat as said rotatable lid is rotated;

e. wherein said programmable computing device receives information regarding a resistance between said first and second contacts; and

f. wherein said programmable computing device contains information allowing said programmable computing device to determine a position of said lid with respect to said container according to said information regarding a resistance between said first and second contacts.

8. The pill dispenser of claim 3, wherein said rheostat comprises an embedded circuit, said embedded circuit remaining stationary relative to said container when said lid is rotated angularly.

9. The pill dispenser of claim 3, further comprising an input device electrically connected to said programmable computing device.

10. The pill dispenser of claim 3, further comprising:

a. a display controlled by said programmable computing device;

b. wherein said programmable computing device is configured to display information on said display regarding a medication contained within a selected compartment of said plurality of compartments, said selected compartment determined by the position of said opening as indicated by said lid position detection device;

c. said programmable computing device with capability to transmit information to the integral display and transmitted to remote external receiving devices;

d. said programmable computing device with capability to receive information from integrated function buttons on dispenser and remote external devices for updates and diagnostics.