System and method for automating and verifying product value, usage, and suitability for use or sale

• US 8,823,500 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2011
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Noel J. Guillama
• Original Assignee: Quantum Group Inc.
• Inventors: Heath, Chester, Martinez, Pedro
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John A
• Application Number:
  US13/302,557
• Publication Number:
  US 20120125994A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,015 Days
• Field of Search: 340/309.16, 340/539.12, 340/573.1, 340/309.7, 368/10, 705/2
• US Class Current: 340/309.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/035 Blister-type containers blisters in general B65D75/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/10 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/60 using magnetic or electronic identifications, e.g. chips, RFID, electronic tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0436 resulting from removing a drug from, or opening, a container
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A computer-based system for monitoring product usage, value, and suitability for use or sale. The system can include one or more processors configured to process and manage data. Additionally, the system can also include product packaging comprising a machine-readable medium. Notably, the machine-readable medium can comprise product information among other types of information. The one or more processors can be configured for receiving the product information of the machine-readable medium. The machine-readable medium and corresponding medication information can be adjusted based on automated signals or interactive signals, where the signals are generated based on current or historical data regarding the product or the packaging.

Claims

1. A computer-based system for monitoring packaged products, the system comprising:

at least one processor configured to process and manage data;

at least one communications device communicatively linked to the at least one processor; and

at least one packaging for one or more products, the packaging comprising a machine-readable medium, wherein the machine-readable medium comprises product information;

wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive the product information of the machine-readable medium, wherein the machine-readable medium and corresponding product information are adjustable based on at least one of a current or a past state of the at least one packaging, wherein the at least one communications device captures and stores an image of the machine-readable medium, and wherein the at least one communications device retrieves the product information from the image.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one communications device is configured to forward the product information to the at least one processor.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one communications device comprises a reader configured to retrieve the product information from the adjustable machine-readable medium.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one processor and the at least one communications device is configured to determine if the at least one packaging is in an unused state, wherein the at least one packaging is in an unused state if the machine-readable medium has not been adjusted.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one processor and the at least one communications device is configured to determine if the products from the at least one packaging have been accessed, wherein the products has been accessed if a portion of the machine-readable medium corresponding to the products has been adjusted.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one processor and the at least one communications device is configured to perform at least one of acknowledging that the products from the at least one medication packaging were accessed and providing a reward.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the machine-readable medium is at least one of a barcode, optical disk, magnetic disk, card, tape, magnetic strip, radio frequency tag, and other machine-readable medium.

8. A packaging for one or more products, the packaging comprising:

at least one product holder; and

a machine-readable medium operably coupled to the at least one product holder, wherein the machine-readable medium is adjustable upon at least one of removal of product from the at least one product holder, a current state of the product holder, or a past state of the product holder, wherein the machine readable medium is a barcode disposed on a thermal sensitive paper, wherein the thermal sensitive paper resides over an array of resistive strips residing adjacent to a portion of the barcode.

9. The packaging of claim 8, further comprising a power source operably coupled to the array of resistive strips and to the at least one product holder, wherein upon closing a circuit between at least one resistive strip of the array of resistive strips and power source, causes the at least one resistive strip to heat, thereby causing the at least one resistive strip to alter the thermal sensitive paper to create a readable image on the thermal sensitive paper to alter the barcode.

10. The packaging of claim 9, wherein the at least one object holder comprises a sensor, and wherein the sensor, upon a signal from the sensor meeting a criteria, causes the circuit between the power source and the array of resistive strips to be closed.

11. The packaging of claim 10, wherein the signal is activated by at least one of a radio frequency device, Bluetooth interface, and other remote connectivity means.

12. The packaging of claim 9, wherein the at least one object holder comprises a conductive cover, an insulator, and a conductive foil, and wherein the conductive cover, upon being depressed, causes the conductive foil to tear and release the object from the at least one object holder.

13. The packaging of claim 12, wherein the conductive cover contacts the conductive foil thereby closing a circuit with the power source.

14. A packaging for one or more products, the packaging comprising:

at least one product holder for holding at least one product; and

a label operably coupled to the at least one product holder, wherein the label comprises at least one set of indicia defining a machine-readable medium, wherein the at least one set of indicia is visible after the coupling of the label to the at least one product holder, and wherein the at least one set of visible indicia is adjustable based on at least one of an automated signal or an interactive signal.

15. The packaging of claim 14, further comprising at least one sensor for generating the automated signal, the sensor generating the automated signal based on at least one of a status of the at least one product or the at least one product holder.

16. The packaging of claim 15, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one of a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, or tamper sensor.

17. The packaging of claim 15, wherein the status is based on a current state of the at least one product or the at least one product holder.

18. The packaging of claim 15, wherein the status is based on a history of states of the at least one product or the at least one product holder.

19. The packaging of claim 14, further comprising at least one sensor for generating the interactive signal, the sensor generating the interactive signal based on at least one of a status of the at least one product or the at least one product holder and an remotely generated signal.

20. The packaging of claim 19, wherein the sensor further comprises at least one transceiving device for receiving the remotely generated signal.

21. The packaging of claim 14, wherein the adjusting of the label is permanent.

22. The packaging of claim 14, wherein the machine readable medium is a barcode.

23. The packaging of claim 22, wherein the machine readable medium further comprises an array of resistive strips and a thermally sensitive material having the barcode disposed thereon, the packaging further comprising a power source operably coupled to the array of resistive strips and to the at least one product holder, wherein upon closing a circuit between at least one resistive strip of the array of resistive strips and power source, causes the at least one resistive strip to heat, thereby causing the at least one resistive strip to alter the thermal sensitive paper to alter the barcode.

24. The packaging of claim 14, wherein the label is not a human readable medium.