Method and apparatus for identifying and scheduling medicine intake

• US 20080006700A1
• Filed: 07/06/2007
• Published: 01/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Zume Life
• Original Assignee: Zume Life
• Inventors: Zegelin, Christopher, Mehta, Rajiv, Kamani, Priya
• Application Number:
  US11/825,675
• Publication Number:
  US 20080006700A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/472.02
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/50 using icons or symbolic figures, e.g. by a graphical representation symbolising the type of pathology or the organ by an image
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/70 Audible labels, e.g. for pre-recorded info or messages
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0427 with direct interaction with a dispensing or delivery system
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A novel system and method for identifying objects uses a device, such as a pen. The device has integrated components and wireless access to identify objects according to stickers placed on the objects.

Claims

1. A system for identifying objects comprising:

a device having a camera, a software component and a speaker; and

a sticker affixed to an object identifying the object, wherein the device is positioned in close proximity to the sticker and the device identifies the object.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a printer wirelessly connected to the device printing information relevant to the object.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a server connected to the device via an internet receiving information about the sticker affixed to the object.

4. The system of claim 3 further comprising:

a remote terminal connected to the server and connected to the device wherein a person communicates information relevant to the object to an individual.

5. A device for identifying and scheduling medicine intake comprising:

a housing;

a camera integrated into the housing operable to take a picture of a sticker affixed to a medicine container containing a medicine;

a speaker integrated into the housing providing audible alerts from the device to alert an individual with information related to the medicine; and

a software component embodied in a computer readable medium integrated into the housing directing the speaker to provide the audible alerts by processing the picture taken by the camera.

6. The device of claim 5 further comprising:

a microphone integrated into the housing for recording the voice of the individual and other sound from the individual.

7. The device of claim 5 further comprising:

a display integrated into the housing providing information to the individual regarding the medicine.

8. The device of claim 5 further comprising:

a writing tip integrated into an end of the housing, the writing tip comprises a pen, or a pencil.

9. A method for identifying and scheduling medicine intake comprising:

positioning a device near a sticker attached to a medicine container;

taking a picture of the sticker using a camera of the device;

identifying the sticker as related to the medicine contained in the medicine container the sticker is attached to; and

producing an alert to provide information about the medicine contained in the medicine container the sticker is attached to.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the information comprises:

the name of the medicine, the most recent dosage of medicine taken, and the next dosage to be taken.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

affixing the sticker to the medicine container to identify the medicine container prior to taking a picture of the sticker.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

alerting an individual as to whether the medicine is correct or not.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

advising an individual to take medicine audibly through a speaker of the device.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

tapping the device against the sticker on the medicine container to position the device near to the sticker.

15. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

raising an alarm if an individual is not following a medicine schedule determined after identifying the sticker.

16. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

providing information to a caregiver regarding the alert.

17. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

responding by a caregiver to a question or concerns of the individual by an audio function the device.

18. A program for identifying and scheduling medicine intake embodied in a computer readable medium that when executed cause a system to:

take a picture of a sticker using a camera of a device positioned near a sticker on a medicine container;

identify the sticker as related to the medicine contained in the medicine container the sticker is attached to; and

produce an alert to provide information about the medicine contained in the medicine container the sticker is attached to.0

19. The program of claim 18 wherein the information comprises:

the name of the medicine, the most recent dosage of medicine taken, and the next dosage to be taken.

20. The program of claim 18 further comprising:

affixing the sticker to the medicine container to identify the medicine container prior to taking a picture of the sticker.

21. The program of claim 18 further comprising:

alerting an individual as to whether the medicine is correct or not.

22. The program of claim 18 further comprising:

advising an individual to take medicine audibly through a speaker of the device.

23. The program of claim 18 further comprising:

tapping the device against the sticker on the medicine container to position the device near to the sticker.

24. The program of claim 18 further comprising:

raising an alarm if an individual is not following a medicine schedule determined after identifying the sticker.

25. The program of claim 18 further comprising:

providing information to a caregiver regarding the alert.

26. The program of claim 18 further comprising:

responding by a caregiver to a question or concerns of the individual by an audio function the device.