Hand-held apparatus for monitoring drug-nutrient-mineral interactions and method therefor

• US 6,696,924 B1
• Filed: 06/05/2000
• Issued: 02/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medavite, LLC
• Original Assignee: Tonia H. Socinski
• Inventors: Socinski, Tonia H
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie
• Application Number:
  US09/586,949
• Time in Patent Office: 1,359 Days
• Field of Search: 340/309.15, 340/309.4, 368/10, 221/2, 221/3, 221/15, 221/96, 700/231, 700/233
• US Class Current: 700/213
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A hand-held device for alerting a user when scheduled medications, nutritional supplements, nutrients and minerals should be ingested. The device includes a processor positioned and a memory unit connected to the processor for storing user input data concerning a schedule for ingesting desired medications, nutritional supplements, nutrients and minerals. A display screen displays a message from the processor related to the schedule and function keys are connected to the processor for inputting the data concerning the schedule. The data includes a signal identifing the desired medications, nutritional supplements, nutrients and minerals to be ingested and a time at which they are to be ingested. The processor monitors a time of day and alerts the user when a scheduled time arrives. A speaker is connected to the processor for generating an audible alarm signal and alerting the user when a scheduled time arrives. The device is able to provide information concerning medications, nutritional supplements, nutrients and minerals as well as information concerning drug and nutritional supplement companies. The processor further monitors a schedule input by a user for taking medications, nutritional supplements, nutrients and minerals and alerts the user when the proper time arrives as well as checking to determine whether the user has scheduled times and dosages of medications, nutritional supplements, nutrients and minerals which may cause a harmful interaction. The user is also able to input personal daily, weekly, monthly schedules and schedule appointments or meetings.

Claims

1. A hand-held computer for alerting a user when scheduled medications, nutritional supplements, minerals and nutrients should be ingested, said computer comprising:

a) a housing having a face side;

b) a processor positioned inside said housing;

c) a memory unit connected to said processor for storing user input data concerning a schedule for ingesting desired medication, nutritional supplements, minerals and nutrients, and information concerning medications, nutritional supplements, nutrients and minerals which form harmful combinations;

d) a display screen positioned on said face side of said housing for displaying a message from said processor related to the schedule for ingesting desired medications, nutritional supplements, minerals and nutrients;

e) function keys connected to said processor for inputting the data concerning the schedule for ingesting desired medications, nutritional supplements, minerals and nutrients, wherein said data includes a signal identifying the desired medications, nutritional supplements, minerals and nutrients to be ingested and a time at which said medications, nutritional supplements, minerals and nutrients is to be ingested and said processor monitors a time of day and alerts the user when a scheduled time for ingesting said medications, nutritional supplements, minerals and nutrients arrives;

f) said processor comparing data entered by the user with said data regarding medications, nutritional supplements, nutrients and minerals to determine if the user has scheduled a harmful combination of medications, nutritional supplements, nutrients and minerals; and

g) said function keys include a drug company key and a nutritional supplement company key and said memory stores data regarding numerous drug companies and nutritional supplement companies and wherein activation of one of said drug company keys and nutritional supplement company keys provides the user with data regarding a desired medication, nutritional supplement, nutrient and mineral.

2. The hand-held computer as recited in claim 1, further comprising a speaker connected to said processor for generating an audible alarm signal and alerting the user when a scheduled time for ingesting said medications, nutritional supplements, minerals and nutrients arrives.

3. The hand-held computer as recited in claim 1, further comprising a first peripheral port for connection of a peripheral device to said processor for inputting data to said processor.

4. The hand-held computer as recited in claim 1, further comprising a second peripheral port for connection of a second peripheral device to said processor for outputting data from said processor.

5. The hand-held computer as recited in claim 1, wherein said function keys include a prescription drug key, a nutritional supplement key, a homeopathic drug key and a nutrient/mineral key and said memory stores data regarding numerous medications, nutritional supplements, nutrients and minerals and wherein activation of one of said prescription drug key, nutritional supplement key, homeopathic drug key and nutrient/mineral key provides the user with data regarding a desired medication, nutritional supplement, nutrient or mineral.

6. The hand-held computer as recited in claim 5, wherein said function keys further include an alphanumeric keyboard for inputting a medications, nutritional supplements, nutrients and minerals for which data is desired.

7. The hand-held computer as recited in claim 2, wherein said processor ceases generation of said audible alarm signal upon receipt of response data from said user indicating whether the user ingested the scheduled medications, nutritional supplements, nutrients and minerals.

8. The hand-held computer as recited in claim 7, wherein said processor further calculates statistics regarding the frequency the user ingests scheduled medication based upon said response data.

9. The hand-held computer as recited in claim 8, wherein said processor causes said speaker to generate an audible message of recommendation when said statistics indicate that the frequency that the user ingests scheduled medication, nutritional supplements, nutrients and minerals is below a predetermined threshold level.

10. The hand-held computer as recited in claim 8, wherein said processor causes said speaker to generate an audible message of recommendation when said statistics indicate that the frequency that the user ingests scheduled medication, nutritional supplements, nutrients and minerals is above a predetermined threshold level.

11. The hand-held computer as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises a top side and a bottom side pivotally connected together and movable between a first closed position restricting access to said function keys and a second open position permitting access to said function keys.

12. The hand-held computer as recited in claim 11, further comprising a clasp for selectively securing said top and bottom sides in said first closed position.

13. The hand-held computer as recited in claim 1, wherein said function keys further include an alphanumeric keyboard for inputting a drug company or nutritional supplement company for which data is desired.

14. The hand-held computer as recited in claim 1, wherein said data regarding a schedule is stored for a plurality of users, each user being assigned a unique medical record number and said function keys include a medical records number key wherein activation of said medical record number key allows a user to obtain data stored on a desired patient.

15. The hand-held computer as recited in claim 14, wherein said function keys also includes a numerical keypad for use in inputting a numerical record number of a patient of which data is desired.