Pill dispenser
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A pill dispenser, comprising:
- a housing defining an opening;
a pill-dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the opening;
a receptacle operatively coupled to the housing;
a first pill-viewing camera positioned to capture an image of the receptacle;
an identifying camera positioned to capture an image of an area adjacent to the housing;
at least one processor in operative communication with the pill-dispensing mechanism, the first pill-viewing camera, and the identifying camera;
a button operatively coupled to the housing, wherein the button is in operative communication with the at least one processor; and
a storage medium for storing processor executable instructions configured for execution by the at least one processor for;
instructing the pill-dispensing mechanism to dispense a pill;
instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a first image of the pill;
determining a presence of the pill within the first image;
instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a second image;
determining an absence of the pill within the second image;
determining compliance has occurred if the first image includes an image of the pill and the second image does not include another image of the pill;
instructing the identifying camera to capture a third image; and
instructing the identifying camera to capture a plurality of images including the third image in accordance with a predetermined schedule when the button is pressed.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pill dispenser is disclosed that includes a housing defining an opening, a pill-dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the opening, a receptacle operatively coupled to the housing, a first pill-viewing camera positioned to capture an image of the receptacle, an identifying camera positioned to capture an image of an area adjacent to the housing, at least one processor in operative communication with the pill-dispensing mechanism, the first pill-viewing camera, and the identifying camera, and a storage medium.
306 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A pill dispenser, comprising:
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a housing defining an opening; a pill-dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the opening; a receptacle operatively coupled to the housing; a first pill-viewing camera positioned to capture an image of the receptacle; an identifying camera positioned to capture an image of an area adjacent to the housing; at least one processor in operative communication with the pill-dispensing mechanism, the first pill-viewing camera, and the identifying camera; a button operatively coupled to the housing, wherein the button is in operative communication with the at least one processor; and a storage medium for storing processor executable instructions configured for execution by the at least one processor for; instructing the pill-dispensing mechanism to dispense a pill; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a first image of the pill; determining a presence of the pill within the first image; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a second image; determining an absence of the pill within the second image; determining compliance has occurred if the first image includes an image of the pill and the second image does not include another image of the pill; instructing the identifying camera to capture a third image; and instructing the identifying camera to capture a plurality of images including the third image in accordance with a predetermined schedule when the button is pressed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 21, 24, 25)
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3. A pill dispenser, comprising:
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a housing defining an opening; a pill-dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the opening; a receptacle operatively coupled to the housing; a first pill-viewing camera positioned to capture an image of the receptacle; an identifying camera positioned to capture an image of an area adjacent to the housing; at least one processor in operative communication with the pill-dispensing mechanism, the first pill-viewing camera, and the identifying camera; a button operatively coupled to the housing, wherein the button is in operative communication with the at least one processor; and a storage medium for storing processor executable instructions configured for execution by the at least one processor for; instructing the pill-dispensing mechanism to dispense a pill; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a first image of the pill; determining a presence of the pill within the first image; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a second image; determining an absence of the pill within the second image; determining compliance has occurred if the first image includes an image of the pill and the second image does not include another image of the pill; instructing the identifying camera to capture a third image; and dispensing the pill only when the button is pressed.
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4. A pill dispenser, comprising:
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a housing defining an opening; a pill-dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the opening; a receptacle operatively coupled to the housing; a first pill-viewing camera positioned to capture an image of the receptacle; an identifying camera positioned to capture an image of an area adjacent to the housing; at least one processor in operative communication with the pill-dispensing mechanism, the first pill-viewing camera, and the identifying camera; a button operatively coupled to the housing, wherein the button is in operative communication with the at least one processor; and a storage medium for storing processor executable instructions configured for execution by the at least one processor for; instructing the pill-dispensing mechanism to dispense a pill; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a first image of the pill; determining a presence of the pill within the first image; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a second image; determining an absence of the pill within the second image; determining compliance has occurred if the first image includes an image of the pill and the second image does not include another image of the pill; instructing the identifying camera to capture a third image; and instructing the identifying camera to capture the third image when the button is pressed.
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5. A pill dispenser, comprising:
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a housing defining an opening; a pill-dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the opening; a receptacle operatively coupled to the housing; a first pill-viewing camera positioned to capture an image of the receptacle; an identifying camera positioned to capture an image of an area adjacent to the housing; at least one processor in operative communication with the pill-dispensing mechanism, the first pill-viewing camera, and the identifying camera; a button disposed on the housing; and a storage medium for storing processor executable instructions configured for execution by the at least one processor for; instructing the pill-dispensing mechanism to dispense a pill; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a first image of the pill; determining a presence of the pill within the first image; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a second image; determining an absence of the pill within the second image; determining compliance has occurred if the first image includes an image of the pill and the second image does not include another image of the pill; instructing the identifying camera to capture a third image; and instructing the identifying camera to capture a series of images until the at least one processor identifies the presence of at least one face in a captured image of the series of captured images when the button is pressed.
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10. A pill dispenser, comprising:
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a housing defining an opening; a pill-dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the opening; a receptacle operatively coupled to the housing; a first pill-viewing camera positioned to capture an image of the receptacle; an identifying camera positioned to capture an image of an area adjacent to the housing; at least one processor in operative communication with the pill-dispensing mechanism, the first pill-viewing camera, and the identifying camera; a speaker disposed within the housing, wherein the at least one processor is in operative communication with the speaker; and a storage medium for storing processor executable instructions configured for execution by the at least one processor for; instructing the pill-dispensing mechanism to dispense a pill; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a first image of the pill; determining a presence of the pill within the first image; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a second image; determining an absence of the pill within the second image; determining compliance has occurred if the first image includes an image of the pill and the second image does not include another image of the pill; instructing the identifying camera to capture a third image; and instructing the speaker to audibly sound a reminder when the second image includes the pill and a predetermined amount of time has elapsed.
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11. A pill dispenser, comprising:
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a housing defining an opening; a pill-dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the opening; a receptacle operatively coupled to the housing; a first pill-viewing camera positioned to capture an image of the receptacle; an identifying camera positioned to capture an image of an area adjacent to the housing; at least one processor in operative communication with the pill-dispensing mechanism, the first pill-viewing camera, and the identifying camera; and a storage medium for storing processor executable instructions configured for execution by the at least one processor for; instructing the pill-dispensing mechanism to dispense a pill; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a first image of the pill; determining a presence of the pill within the first image; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a second image; determining an absence of the pill within the second image; determining compliance has occurred if the first image includes an image of the pill and the second image does not include another image of the pill; instructing the identifying camera to capture a third image; and identifying the pill using the first image. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A pill dispenser, comprising:
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a housing defining an opening; a pill-dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the opening; a receptacle operatively coupled to the housing; a first pill-viewing camera positioned to capture an image of the receptacle; an identifying camera positioned to capture an image of an area adjacent to the housing; at least one processor in operative communication with the pill-dispensing mechanism, the first pill-viewing camera, and the identifying camera; a scale integrated into the receptacle, wherein the at least one processor is in operative communication with the scale and receives a weight therefrom; and a storage medium for storing processor executable instructions configured for execution by the at least one processor for; instructing the pill-dispensing mechanism to dispense a pill; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a first image of the pill; determining a presence of the pill within the first image; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a second image; determining an absence of the pill within the second image; determining compliance has occurred if the first image includes an image of the pill and the second image does not include another image of the pill; instructing the identifying camera to capture a third image; and identifying the pill based upon an estimated weight of the pill using the scale. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A pill dispenser, comprising:
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a housing defining an opening; a pill-dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the opening; a receptacle operatively coupled to the housing; a first pill-viewing camera positioned to capture an image of the receptacle; a second pill-viewing camera positioned to capture an image of the pill through a transparent cup bottom; an identifying camera positioned to capture an image of an area adjacent to the housing; at least one processor in operative communication with the pill-dispensing mechanism, the first pill-viewing camera, and the identifying camera; and a storage medium for storing processor executable instructions configured for execution by the at least one processor for; instructing the pill-dispensing mechanism to dispense a pill; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a first image of the pill; determining a presence of the pill within the first image; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a second image; determining an absence of the pill within the second image; determining compliance has occurred if the first image includes an image of the pill and the second image does not include another image of the pill; and instructing the identifying camera to capture a third image. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A pill dispenser, comprising:
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a housing defining an opening; a pill-dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the opening; a receptacle operatively coupled to the housing; a first pill-viewing camera positioned to capture an image of the receptacle; an identifying camera positioned to capture an image of an area adjacent to the housing; at least one processor in operative communication with the pill-dispensing mechanism, the first pill-viewing camera, and the identifying camera; a touch screen, wherein the at least one processor is in operative communication with the touch screen; and a storage medium for storing processor executable instructions configured for execution by the at least one processor for; instructing the pill-dispensing mechanism to dispense a pill; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a first image of the pill; determining a presence of the pill within the first image; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a second image; determining an absence of the pill within the second image; determining compliance has occurred if the first image includes an image of the pill and the second image does not include another image of the pill; and instructing the identifying camera to capture a third image.
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22. A pill dispenser, comprising:
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a housing defining an opening; a pill-dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the opening; a receptacle operatively coupled to the housing; a first pill-viewing camera positioned to capture an image of the receptacle; an identifying camera positioned to capture an image of an area adjacent to the housing; at least one processor in operative communication with the pill-dispensing mechanism, the first pill-viewing camera, and the identifying camera; a communication component in operative communication with the at least one processor; and a storage medium for storing processor executable instructions configured for execution by the at least one processor for; instructing the pill-dispensing mechanism to dispense a pill; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a first image of the pill; determining a presence of the pill within the first image; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a second image; determining an absence of the pill within the second image; determining compliance has occurred if the first image includes an image of the pill and the second image does not include another image of the pill; instructing the identifying camera to capture a third image; communicating with a server having electronic medical records stored therein using the communication component; querying an electronic medical record entry of the server; and determining if the biometric data from the biometric identification component corresponds to the user as indicated by the electronic medical records.
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23. A pill dispenser, comprising:
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a housing defining an opening; a pill-dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the opening; a receptacle operatively coupled to the housing; a first pill-viewing camera positioned to capture an image of the receptacle; an identifying camera positioned to capture an image of an area adjacent to the housing; at least one processor in operative communication with the pill-dispensing mechanism, the first pill-viewing camera, and the identifying camera; a microphone in operative communication with the at least one processor; a speaker in operative communication with the at least one processor; and a storage medium for storing processor executable instructions configured for execution by the at least one processor for; instructing the pill-dispensing mechanism to dispense a pill; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a first image of the pill; determining a presence of the pill within the first image; instructing the first pill-viewing camera to capture a second image; determining an absence of the pill within the second image; determining compliance has occurred if the first image includes an image of the pill and the second image does not include another image of the pill; instructing the identifying camera to capture a third image; instructing the speaker to play an audio recording requesting a sequence of words be spoken; recording sound using the microphone; and authenticating a user in accordance with the sound, wherein the at least one processor authorizes the user when a voice in the sound corresponds to an authorized user.
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Specification