Apparatus and method for information challenged persons to determine information regarding pharmaceutical container labels

• US 20030189089A1
• Filed: 01/17/2001
• Published: 10/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: En-Vision America Incorporated
• Original Assignee: En-Vision America Incorporated
• Inventors: Raistrick, David, Raistrick, Philip
• Granted Patent: US 6,877,658 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/08 Devices or methods enabling eye-patients to replace direct visual perception by another kind of perception
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10861 sensing of data fields affixed to objects or articles, e.g. coded labels postal sorting B07C3/14, conveying articles B65G47/48
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/001 Teaching or communicating with blind persons G09B21/02 - G09B21/06 take precedence

Abstract

An apparatus and method permitting an information challenged person to determine the content of pharmaceutical information contained in a label placed on a medicine container. The apparatus comprises, in one embodiment, a two-dimensional bar code label and, in a second embodiment, a radio frequency identification label, a reader and a processing unit. The reader scans the label located on the medicine container, the label information is then decoded by a processing unit into text information for audio and/or video dissemination to the information challenged person.

Claims

1. A label for storing data related to medicine taken by an information-challenged person, comprising:

a substrate;

a memory for storing data related to medicine being taken by the information-challenged person, said memory being provided on said substrate;

a transceiver provided on said substrate and coupled to said memory, said transceiver being capable of receiving data and storing said data in said memory, and further being capable of retrieving said data stored in said memory and transmitting said data.

2. A label as defined in claim 1, wherein said memory is storing data which includes at least one of a description of the medicine, an identification of the information-challenged person, an identification of a physician prescribing the medicine;

drug reactions regarding the information-challenged person, medical records of the information-challenged person, side effects related to the medicine, the present medical condition of the information-challenged person, the past medical condition of the information-challenged person, a physiological trait of the information-challenged person, a characteristic of the information-challenged person, a description of conditions of administration of the medicine; and

instructions regarding accessing stored in a remotely located database.

3. A container comprising:

a body for holding a medicine;

a memory provided on said body, said memory for storing data related to medicine being taken by an information-challenged person, and

a transceiver coupled to said memory, said transceiver being capable of receiving data and storing said data in said memory, and further being capable of retrieving said data stored in said memory and transmitting said data.

4. A container as defined in claim 3, wherein said memory is storing data which includes at least one of a description of the medicine, an identification of the information-challenged person, an identification of a physician prescribing the medicine;

drug reactions regarding the information-challenged person, medical records of the information-challenged person, side effects related to the medicine, the present medical condition of the information-challenged person, the past medical condition of the information-challenged person, a physiological trait of the information-challenged person, a characteristic of the information-challenged person, a description of conditions of administration of the medicine; and

instructions regarding accessing information stored in a remotely located database.

5. A container as defined in claim 3, wherein said memory and said transceiver are provided on a substrate which is mounted on said container.

6. A combination comprising:

a label, a two dimension bar code provided on said label, said two dimension bar code containing information related to medicine being taken by an information-challenged person; and

a retrieval device, said retrieval device including means for retrieving data from said two dimension bar code, means for interpreting said retrieved data, and means for conveying said interpreted data to the information-challenged person in a form understandable to the information-challenged person.

7. The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said two dimension bar code has data thereon including at least one of a description of the medicine, an identification of the information-challenged person, an identification of a physician prescribing said medicine;

drug reactions regarding the information-challenged person, medical records of the information-challenged person, side effects related to said medicine, the present medical condition of the information-challenged person, the past medical condition of the information-challenged person, a physiological trait of the information-challenged person, a characteristic of the information-challenged person, a description of conditions of administration of the medicine; and

instructions regarding accessing information stored in a remotely located database.

8. The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said retrieval device further includes means for storing said data retrieved from said label.

9. The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said conveying means is capable of scrolling through said interpreted data when conveyed to the information-challenged person.

10. The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said conveying means is capable of randomly playing said interpreted data when conveyed to the information-challenged person.

11. The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said retrieval device further includes a transmitter for transmitting said retrieved data to a remotely-located database.

12. The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said retrieval device is a mobile telephone.

13. The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said retrieval device is a wireless organizer.

14. The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said retrieval device includes a retrieval device memory, and means for accessing information from a remote database and storing said information in said retrieval device memory.

15. The combination as defined in claim 14, wherein said retrieval device is a mobile telephone.

16. The combination as defined in claim 14, wherein said retrieval device is a wireless organizer.

17. The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said conveying means comprises a speech synthesizing means for converting said interpreted data into audible speech.

18. The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said conveying means comprises a display for visually displaying said interpreted data in alphabetical characters.

19. The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said conveying means comprises a display for visually displaying said interpreted data in graphics.

20. The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said conveying means comprises a Braille synthesizer.

21. A combination comprising:

a radio frequency identification label code containing information related to medicine being taken by an information-challenged person; and

a retrieval device, said retrieval device including means for retrieving data from said radio frequency identification label, means for interpreting said retrieved data, and means for conveying said interpreted data to the information-challenged person in a form understandable to the information-challenged person.

22. The combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said radio frequency identification label includes a memory and a transceiver coupled to said memory, said transceiver being capable of receiving data and storing said data in said memory, and further being capable of retrieving said data stored in said memory and transmitting said data.

23. The combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said information includes at least one of a description of the medicine, an identification of the information-challenged person, an identification of a physician prescribing said medicine;

drug reactions regarding the information-challenged person, medical records of the information-challenged person, side effects related to said medicine, the present medical condition of the information-challenged person, the past medical condition of the information-challenged person, a physiological trait of the information-challenged person, a characteristic of the information-challenged person, a description of conditions of administration of the medicine; and

instructions regarding accessing information stored in a remotely located database.

24. The combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said retrieval device includes means for editing said data in said memory.

25. The combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said retrieval device further includes means for storing said data retrieved from said label.

26. The combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said conveying means is capable of scrolling through said data when conveyed to the information-challenged person.

27. The combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said conveying means is capable of randomly playing said data when conveyed to the information-challenged person.

28. The combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said retrieval device further includes a transmitter for transmitting said data to a remotely-located database.

29. The combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said retrieval device is a mobile telephone.

30. The combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said retrieval device is a wireless organizer.

31. The combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said retrieval device includes a retrieval device memory, and means for accessing information from a remote database and storing said information in said retrieval device memory.

32. The combination as defined in claim 31, wherein said retrieval device is a mobile telephone.

33. The combination as defined in claim 31, wherein said retrieval device is a wireless organizer.

34. The combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said conveying means comprises a speech synthesizing means for converting said data into audible speech.

35. The combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said conveying means comprises a display for visually displaying said interpreted data in alphabetical characters.

36. The combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said conveying means comprises a display for visually displaying said interpreted data in graphics.

37. The combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said conveying means comprises a Braille synthesizer.

38. A combination comprising:

a container, non-text data provided on said container, said non-text data containing information related to medicine being taken by an information-challenged person; and

a retrieval device, said retrieval device including means for retrieving said non-text data from said container, means for interpreting said non-text data, and means for conveying said non-text data to the information-challenged person in a form understandable to the information-challenged person.

39. The combination as defined in claim 38, wherein said non-text data is provided in a memory provided on said container, said container further including a transceiver coupled to said memory, said transceiver being capable of receiving data and storing said non-text data in said memory, and further being capable of retrieving said non-text data stored in said memory and transmitting said non-text data.

40. The combination as defined in claim 39, wherein the non-text data includes at least one of a description of the medicine, an identification of the information-challenged person, an identification of a physician prescribing said medicine;

drug reactions regarding the information-challenged person, medical records of the information-challenged person, side effects related to said medicine, the present medical condition of the information-challenged person, the past medical condition of the information-challenged person, a physiological trait of the information-challenged person, a characteristic of the information-challenged person, a description of conditions of administration of the medicine; and

instructions regarding accessing information stored in a remotely located database.

41. The combination as defined in claim 39, wherein said memory and said transceiver are provided on a label which is mounted on said container.

42. The combination as defined in claim 39, wherein said retrieval device includes means for editing said data in said memory.

43. The combination as defined in claim 38, wherein the non-text data includes at least one of a description of the medicine, an identification of the information-challenged person, an identification of a physician prescribing said medicine;

drug reactions regarding the information-challenged person, medical records of the information-challenged person, side effects related to said medicine, the present medical condition of the information-challenged person, the past medical condition of the information-challenged person, a physiological trait of the information-challenged person, a characteristic of the information-challenged person, a description of conditions of administration of the medicine; and

instructions regarding accessing information stored in a remotely located database.

44. The combination as defined in claim 38, wherein said retrieval device further includes means for storing said non-text data retrieved from container.

45. The combination as defined in claim 38, wherein said conveying means is capable of scrolling through said data when conveyed to the information-challenged person.

46. The combination as defined in claim 38, wherein said conveying means is capable of randomly playing said data when conveyed to the information-challenged person.

47. The combination as defined in claim 38, wherein said retrieval device further includes a transmitter for transmitting said data to a remotely-located database.

48. The combination as defined in claim 38, wherein said retrieval device is a mobile telephone.

49. The combination as defined in claim 38, wherein said retrieval device is a wireless organizer.

50. The combination as defined in claim 38, wherein said retrieval device includes a retrieval device memory, and means for accessing information from a remote database and storing said information in said retrieval device memory.

51. The combination as defined in claim 50, wherein said retrieval device is a mobile telephone.

52. The combination as defined in claim 50, wherein said retrieval device is a wireless organizer.

53. The combination as defined in claim 38, wherein said conveying means comprises a speech synthesizing means for converting said data into audible speech.

54. The combination as defined in claim 38, wherein said conveying means comprises a display for visually displaying said interpreted data in alphabetical characters.

55. The combination as defined in claim 38, wherein said conveying means comprises a display for visually displaying said interpreted data in graphics.

56. The combination as defined in claim 38, wherein said conveying means comprises a Braille synthesizer.

57. A retriever for processing data related to medicine taken by an information-challenged person, comprising:

a memory storing data related to medicine being taken by the information-challenged person;

means for retrieving said non-text data from an article;

means for interpreting said non-text data; and

means for conveying said non-text data to the information-challenged person in a form understandable to the information-challenged person.

58. A retriever as defined in claim 57, wherein said data includes at least one of a description of the medicine, an identification of the information-challenged person, an identification of a physician prescribing the medicine;

drug reactions regarding the information-challenged person, medical records of the information-challenged person, side effects related to the medicine, the present medical condition of the information-challenged person, the past medical condition of the information-challenged person, a physiological trait of the information-challenged person, a characteristic of the information-challenged person, a description of conditions of administration of the medicine; and

instructions regarding accessing stored in a remotely located database.

59. A retriever as defined in claim 57, further includes means for storing said non-text data retrieved from the article.

60. A retriever as defined in claim 57, wherein said conveying means is capable of scrolling through said data when conveyed to the information-challenged person.

61. A retriever as defined in claim 57, wherein said conveying means is capable of randomly playing said data when conveyed to the information-challenged person.

62. A retriever as defined in claim 57, further including a transmitter for transmitting said data to a remotely-located database.

63. A retriever as defined in claim 57, wherein said retrieval device is a mobile telephone.

64. A retriever as defined in claim 57, wherein said retrieval device is a wireless organizer.

65. A retriever as defined in claim 57, further including means for accessing information from a remote database and storing said information in said memory.

66. A retriever as defined in claim 65, wherein said retrieval device is a mobile telephone.

67. A retriever as defined in claim 65, wherein said retrieval device is a wireless organizer.

68. A retriever as defined in claim 57, wherein said conveying means comprises a speech synthesizing means for converting said data into audible speech.

69. A retriever as defined in claim 57, wherein said conveying means comprises a display for visually displaying said interpreted data in alphabetical characters.

70. A retriever as defined in claim 57, wherein said conveying means comprises a display for visually displaying said interpreted data in graphics.

71. A retriever as defined in claim 57, wherein said conveying means comprises a Braille synthesizer.

72. A retriever as defined in claim 57, further including means for editing data stored in said memory.

73. A method for assuring proper administration of medicine comprising the steps of:

providing a container having non-text data provided thereon containing information related to medicine being taken by an information-challenged person;

providing a retrieval device, said retrieval device including means for retrieving said non-text data from said container, means for interpreting said non-text data, and means for conveying said non-text data to the information-challenged person in a form understandable to the information-challenged person;

using said retrieval device to retrieve said non-text data from said container;

using said retrieval device to interpret said non-text data; and

using said retrieval device to convey said non-text data to the information-challenged person in a form understandable to the information-challenged person.

74. A method as defined in claim 73, further including the step of editing the non-text data provided in said memory.

75. A method as defined in claim 73, further including the step of using said retrieval device to retrieve information from a remote database.

76. A method for assuring proper administration of medicine comprising the steps of:

providing a container;

labeling said container with non-text data containing information related to medicine being taken by an information-challenged person.

77. An apparatus for an information challenged person to determine information on a medicine container, said apparatus comprising:

a two-dimensional bar code label, said label enabling storage of information separated in at least two levels;

scanning means for scanning said information contained in said two-dimensional label;

a processing unit connected to said scanning means to receive said scanned information from said scanning means, said processing unit including means for decoding said scanned information from said scanning means, memory means for storing said decoded information, means for allowing said information challenged person to scroll through said at least two levels of information, and means for conveying said information to the information challenged person in a form understandable to said information challenged person.

78. An apparatus as defined in claim 77, wherein said scanning means uses electro-optical light energy to scan said two-dimensional bar code label.

79. An apparatus as defined in claim 77, wherein said conveying means includes a speech processor and a speaker.

80. An apparatus as defined in claim 79, wherein said processor unit further includes volume control means for regulating the volume for said speaker.

81. An apparatus for an information challenged person to determine information on a medicine container, said apparatus comprising:

a radio frequency identification label for storing information separated in at least two levels;

scanning means for scanning said information contained in said two-dimensional label;

a processing unit connected to said scanning means to receive said scanned information from said scanning means, said processing unit including means for decoding said scanned information from said scanning means, memory means for storing said decoded information, means for allowing said information challenged person to scroll through said at least two levels of information, and means for conveying said information to the information challenged person in a form understandable to said information challenged person.

82. An apparatus as defined in claim 81, wherein said scanning means uses radio frequency waves to scan said radio frequency identification label.

83. An apparatus as defined in claim 81, wherein said conveying means includes a speech processor and a speaker.

84. An apparatus as defined in claim 83, wherein said processor unit further includes volume control means for regulating the volume for said speaker.