SMART PILL DISPENSER

Abstract

A smart pill dispenser may be used to receive, store, track and/or dispense one or more pills for a user. The dispenser may be capable of tracking information related to the pills. Moreover, the user may manually enter their prescription details or alternatively, the dispenser may include a reader capable of reading the specific code and retrieving the details. The dispenser may be capable of informing the user when to take their pills. The dispenser may either automatically or manually quantify the pills in the dispenser. The dispenser may be capable of tracking medical parameters of the user that may be associated with the pills they are taking The dispenser may be capable of communicating with external sources such as a pharmacy to replenish the pills or a doctors office to renew a prescription or enable the doctor to modify the prescription.

Description

PRIORITY

This application claims the priority under 35 USC §119 of Provisional Application 61/060,858 entitled “Weighted Scale Medicine Tracker” filed on Jun. 12, 2008 and having Michael R. Nguyen as inventor. Application 61/060,858 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety but is not prior art.

BACKGROUND

People take medicine for many different reasons. Some times the medication is taken for a short period of time. For example, a person with an ear infection may get a prescription for a certain medicine that they are to take for a week or so. Other times the medication is taken for a long period of time, possibly forever. For example, a person with high blood pressure may take a certain medicine all the time. People taking medicine for a long period of time may receive a prescription that enables them to receive a certain quantity of the medicine at a time and then get it refilled up to a certain number of times. After, the prescription expires (all refills are used) the person, or someone caring for them (hereinafter referred to collectively and/or individually as user), may need to call the doctor or see the doctor before a new prescription is given. A pill for the purposes of these descriptions may be a prescription drug, an over-the-counter medication, a vitamin or nutritional supplement, or any other tablet like object which is designed to be taken by the user.

The status of the prescription needs to be tracked to ensure that the prescription doesn't expire. A doctor's appointment may be necessary to get the prescription renewed (or possibly modified). Depending on the type of insurance, the medication, and/or the pharmacy (e.g., brick-and-mortar, mail order) the prescription may need to be filled in advance of the time that the medication will be needed. Accordingly, the timeline associated with the necessary steps required to get a prescription and receive the medication needs to be known.

Certain prescriptions may require the user to monitor and/or measure certain body parameters (e.g., blood sugar) and to bring these parameters to the doctor for review when it is time to renew or modify the prescription. This may require the user to keep detailed records and remember to bring them to the doctor.

Some users may have limited mobility so that getting to the pharmacy to get a prescription filled or getting to the doctor to provide the tracked parameters may be a hardship.

Many users need to take a variety of different medicines. The medicines may need to be taken at different times (e.g., days, hours) and in different quantities. Medicine organizers are utilized to assist users track the medicines that they need to take. The organizers may come in various styles. For example, they may include containers where each container includes the medicine that they take for a certain period (e.g., hour, day). The organizers may include audio or visual alarms to notify/remind the individual when the medicine should be taken.

What is needed is a way to automate the tracking of the prescriptions and the number of refills. What is also needed is a way to automate the monitoring and recording of user parameters. What is further needed is automated communications between the user, doctor, and pharmacy with regard to prescriptions and any monitored parameters. An automated refill and delivery service is also needed. Integrating the automated tracking, monitoring/recording and/or communications with a medicine organizer or dispenser is desirable. Utilizing the automated refill service/delivery in conjunction with the other noted automations would be beneficial.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the various embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of example communications between a smart pill dispenser and external sources, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2A illustrates a front view of an example automated feed smart pill dispenser, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2B illustrates a top view of an example automated feed smart pill dispenser, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2C illustrates a side view of an example automated feed smart pill dispenser, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2D illustrates an expanded side view of an example automated feed smart pill dispenser, according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an example manual feed smart pill dispenser, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A smart pill dispenser may be used to receive, store, track and/or dispense one or more pills for a user. The dispenser may include one or more storage units for housing pills. A user may transfer the pills from a container they are provided in (e.g., bottle) to the storage units and the dispenser may include an intake device (e.g., funnel) to aid in the transfer. Alternatively, the container may act as the storage unit or be used in connection with the storage unit to store the pills in the dispenser.

The dispenser may be capable of tracking information related to the pills (e.g., information associated with a prescription for the pills). The information may be manually entered by the user using a user interface. The user may enter specific details (e.g., when to take, what to take with) or may enter a specific code (e.g., prescription number) that is used to retrieve specific details. Alternatively, the dispenser may include a reader (e.g., bar code scanner) capable of reading the specific code and retrieving the details related thereto. The dispenser may be capable of informing the user when to take the pills contained therein and may include a output device (e.g., chute) for providing the pills to the user. The dispensing means may be configured so that it either automatically or manually dispenses the appropriate pills to the user.

The dispenser may be capable of either automatically or manually quantifying (e.g., count, weigh) pills in the dispenser. The dispenser may include one or more counters (e.g., optical, mechanical) that count the pills as they are added thereto and subtracted therefrom in order to quantify the pills contained therein. The dispenser may include one or more scales that can weigh the pills contained therein in order to quantify the pills. The dispenser may be capable of determining when the pills in the dispenser need to be replenished and whether a new prescription is required to replenish the pills.

The dispenser may be capable of tracking medical parameters of the user that may be associated with the pills they are taking (e.g., blood pressure). The medical parameters may be entered by the user or may be received from external medical devices (e.g., blood pressure machine). Alternatively, the dispenser may include certain medical devices integrated therewith.

The dispenser may be capable of communicating with external sources. For example, the dispenser may communicate with a pharmacy the need to replenish the pills. The dispenser may communicate with a doctors office the need for a new prescription and/or may communicate the medical parameters. The dispenser may enable the doctors office to modify the prescription associated pills contained therein (e.g., reduce number of pills taken).

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of example communications between a smart pill dispenser 100 and external sources. The external sources that the dispenser 100 may communicate with include one or more of a doctor's office 110, other interested party 120, a pharmacy 130, medical data sources 140, a user interface 150, and other smart pill dispenser(s) 160.

The dispenser 100 may communicate with the doctor's office 110 via a communication link 111 therebetween (e.g., Internet, phone network, private network). The dispenser 100 may include one or more communication ports (e.g., modem, wireless card) that enable connection to and communication via the communication link 111. The communications may include, but is not limited to, accessing a web portal, accessing a network, and sending/receiving messages (e.g., phone, fax, electronic). The communications from the dispenser 100 may be initiated by a user or may be initiated by the dispenser 100.

The communication link 111 may be used to notify a doctor's office 110 that pills in the dispenser 100 are running low or are about to expire and may need to be renewed. The communication between the dispenser 100 and the doctor's office 110 may be initiated by the user (possibly after the user is notified by the dispenser 100) or may be initiated by the dispenser 100. The communication link 111 may be used to forward other data (e.g., diagnostic data) about the user (e.g., blood pressure, blood sugar, temperature) to the doctor's office 110 so that a doctor can monitor the users' response to prescribed pills. The other data may be stored in the dispenser 100, may be generated by the dispenser 100, or the dispenser 100 may just be used to transmit the other data (the other data is to be described in more detail later).

The doctor's office 110 may communicate with the dispenser 100 via the communication link 111 to change a prescription or to change the frequency of pills already prescribed by a doctor contained in the dispenser 100. The communication link 111 may also enable the doctor's office 110 to notify the dispenser 100 of the user's upcoming appointment at the doctor's office 110 or that results from medical test are now available. The dispenser 100 may notify the user of the communications from the doctor's office 110. The dispenser 100 may await instructions from the user with respect to the communications from the doctor's office 110 or may perform some processing of the communications without instructions from the user.

The dispenser 100 may communicate with one or more other interested parties 120 (e.g., a medical insurance provider, a loved one) via a communication link 121 therebetween. The communication link 121 may be different than, similar to, or the same as the communication link 111. The communications may include the same or similar type of interactions. The communication link 121 may enable a user to submit proof of prescriptions contained in a dispenser 100 for reimbursement. The communications between the dispenser 100 and an insurance provider 120 could be used by the insurance provider 120 to help prevent billing fraud by, for example, a doctor's office 110, a pharmacy 130, or other parties 120. The communication link 121 could enable a loved one 120 to monitor a users use of the dispenser 100 (e.g., whether the user has taken their daily dose of medicine).

The dispenser 100 may communicate with the pharmacy 130 via a communication link 131 therebetween. The communication link 131 may be different than, similar to, or the same as the communication links 111, 121. The communications may include the same or similar type of interactions. The pharmacy 130 may be a conventional brick-and-mortar store, part of a hospital or doctor's office, an online retailer, or any other means of dispensing prescribed drugs, nutritional supplements, or over the counter medications.

The dispenser 100 may utilize the communication link 131 to notify the pharmacy 130 when a certain pill in the dispenser 100 is running low. The communication may be initiated by the dispenser 100 or the user. The pharmacy 130 may then notify the dispenser 100 when a new quantity of pills will be available for pick up at the pharmacy 130, when the pills are shipped from the pharmacy 130, or if there are other issues such as a problem with a party 120 (e.g., insurance provider, Medicare, Medicaid, or any similar government medical insurance program). The communication link 131 could be used to inform the pharmacy 130 of an error in the user's prescription (e.g. the wrong medication, an incorrect dosage, name brand rather than generic, an expired prescription), or any number of similar types of issues involved in the user receiving the correct pills.

The dispenser 100 may be capable of receiving information from medical data sources 140 via a communication link 141. The communication link 141 may be different than, similar to, or the same as the communication links 111, 121, 131. The communication link 141 may provide a direct connection to and receive information directly from a medical data source 140 (e.g., blood pressure machine, blood sugar tester, thermometer). Alternatively, the medical data source 140 may save the information on a medium (e.g., disk, zip drive) and then the communication link 141 (e.g., USB port, disk drive) may be capable of receiving the medium and the dispenser 100 may read the information therefrom. According to one embodiment, certain medical data sources 140 may be part of the dispenser 100 (e.g., a blood pressure machine could be integrated with the dispenser 100). The dispenser 100 may store the information therein, may provide some level of analysis of the information, and may report the information and/or analysis, for example, to the doctor's office 110, the other interested parties 120, and/or the pharmacy 130.

The dispenser 100 may communicate with the user via the user interface 150. The interface 150 may be integral to the dispenser 100 or it may be separate from the dispenser 100. If the interface 150 is separate from the dispenser 100 it may be provided by a computer, a personal digital assistant or smart phone, or any other device that would facilitate interaction between the user and the dispenser 100. The dispenser 100 may communicate with the user interface 150 via a communication link 151 (e.g., wireless or wired connection).

The dispenser 100 may communicate with additional dispensers 160 via a communication link 161. The communication link 161 may be different than, similar to, or the same as the communication links 111, 121, 131, 141. The communication link 161 may be a direct connection (wired, wireless) therebetween. A user may have more than one dispenser 100, 160 for any number of reasons. For example, the user may need to take so many pills that they don't all fit in one, the user may have one at home and one at work, the user may desire to have one dispenser for prescribed pills and the other for over the counter pills, or the user may have a smaller portable version that they take with them (e.g., take to bed at night, take on trips). Regardless of the reason, communications between the dispensers 100, 160 may be desirable to maintain an accurate accounting and/or to provide a back up copy of the users information.

FIG. 2A illustrates a front view of an example automated feed smart pill dispenser 200. The dispenser 200 may have an upper feed section 293, a middle feed section 294, a lower feed section 295, a base feed section 296, a lower housing 228, and an upper housing 202.

The upper housing 202 may consist of an outer shell surrounding the upper feed section 293, the middle feed section 294, and the lower feed section 295. The upper housing 202 may also have a cover or lid like device 201 which may be placed on top of the housing 202 to help to prevent the introduction of incorrect pills or other foreign objects. Additionally, the upper housing 202 may be divided into a plurality of segments 297 with each segment 297 housing a respective upper feed 293, a middle feed 294, and a lower feed 295 (three segments 297 are at least partially visible as illustrated). Each segment 297 may be capable of holding pills so that a plurality of pills can be stored in and dispensed from the dispenser 200.

The upper feed section 293 may include a reader 204 (e.g., bar code scanner, RFID reader), a coupling attachment 206, a gate like device 207 and a retaining plate 209. The reader 204 may be used to read the information associated with the prescription from a pill bottle 203 or associated papers to identify the pill, the quantity associated with the prescription, and/or the directions for taking The coupling attachment 206 may be used to secure the pill bottle 203 within the upper feed section 293. The coupling 206 may have at its center an opening for pills to pass therethrough. The gate like device 207 may be used to regulate the flow of pills from the bottle 203. The gate like device 207 may be configured to operate with either a maximum or a variable aperture depending upon the application. The retaining plate 209 may be used to secure the components of the feed section 293.

The middle feed section 294 may contain a funnel like device 212 having at its center an opening through which pills may be channeled from the feed section 293 to the feed section 295. The funnel 212 may be secured to the plate 209 in a temporary (e.g., with screws) or permanent (e.g., glue) manner. A quantifying device (e.g., counter) 214 may be used to count and register the number of pills as they pass thereby may be located along a base of the funnel 212. The counter 214 may be an optical type counter, a mechanical type counter (e.g. a flap door switch), or any other means of registering a quantity of pills that pass thereby. The counter 214 may be secured to the funnel 212 in a temporary or permanent manner.

The lower feed section 295 may contain a funnel like device 216 to receive the pills and an upper chute 235 through which pills may be channeled. The lower feed section 295 may also include a switch like device 220 (e.g., solenoid), a rod 223, and a gate (not visible as illustrated) that may function to regulate the flow of pills from the upper chute 235 to the base feed section 296. The solenoid 220 may be attached to a mounting plate 217 that may be attached along the side of the funnel 216. The rod 223 may be attached to and controlled by the solenoid 220 and the gate may be attached to and controlled by the rod 223. The gate may be within upper chute 235 to regulate the flow of pills.

The upper housing 202 may include a rotatable platform 267 (e.g., turntable like platform) that the lower feed section 295 sits thereon and may be mounted or connected to. The rotatable platform 267 may enable the upper feed section 293, the middle feed section 294, and/or the lower feed section 295 to be rotated within the outer shell of the upper housing 202 (or the outer shell may be capable of being rotated as well). The upper housing 202 may be rotated so that a particular segment 297 is aligned to dispense the pills contained therein (dispensing of pills to be described in more detail later).

The upper feed section 293, the middle feed section 294, and the lower feed section 295 for each segment 297 may individually, collectively, or in some combination with each other may make up storage units for the pills.

The lower housing 228 may include a base feed section 296 that is made up of a lower chute 225 and an opening 226. The lower housing 228 may encase the base feed section 296 as well as providing a structure upon which the components of the upper housing 202 may be supported. The lower chute 225 may extend from the top of the lower housing 228 and be aligned such that it will be in communication with the upper chute 235 of the segment 297 dispensing pills. That is, the rotatable platform 267 will rotate so that the segment 297 dispensing the pill will be aligned with the base feed section 296. The lower chute 225 may be configured such that there may be a small space between the upper chute 235/turntable 267 and the lower chute 225 such that the lower chute 225 will not interfere with the upper chute 235/turntable 267 when the rotatable platform 267 is rotating. However, the spacing should be small enough that pills will not be able to accidently exit as traversing from the upper chute 235 to the lower chute 225.

The lower chute 225 may extend through the opening 226 in the lower housing 228. The pill may exit the dispenser 200 via the lower chute 225 that extends through the opening 226. The pill may be dispensed directly to a users hand or may be dispensed to a receiving means 229. The receiving means 229 might be a cup, a pill organizer, a tray or any other means of receiving a dispensed pill. The lower housing 228 may include some sort of ledge for the receiving means 229 to sit on while the pill(s) are being dispensed. The receiving means 229 may be part of the dispenser 200 or may be separate therefrom.

Note while a pill dispenser 200, as illustrated, may only have a single lower chute 225 in other embodiments it is possible that there may be a plurality of lower chutes 225 such that each segment 297 has its own lower chute 225 and pills may be dispensed from any segment 297 without requiring the upper housing 202 to be rotated. In an embodiment having multiple lower chutes 225 the turntable 267 may not be needed or included.

According to one embodiment, the upper feed section 293 may not be utilized and the pills may just be poured from the pill bottle 203 directly into the funnel like device 212. Rather than having a reader 204 for each segment 297 the dispenser 200 could have a single reader that was used to identify the pills being poured in the appropriate segment 297. According to one embodiment, the dispenser 200 may have one location where the pills are poured in so that the housing is rotated so that the appropriate segment is below an opening for pouring the pills therein.

The lower housing 228 may contain a user interface 299. The user interface 299 may include a display 224 that is used to present data to the user. The data being displayed may include pill usage information, expiration dates of pills, symptoms and side effects of pills, directions for proper taking of pills, and warn of missed dosages of pills. The display 224 may also enable users to enter data. The user interface 299 may also contain a speaker(s) 227 that may work in conjunction or separately from the display 224. The speaker(s) 227 may produce audible alerts for a missed dose, warn of the wrong pills being placed in a pill feed, provide guidance to the visually impaired, and enable interaction between some other party and a pill dispenser 200 user, or a host of other informative auditory interactions. While not illustrated the user interface 299 may also include a keyboard, a pointer device (e.g., mouse, trackball), and/or microphone for entering data.

The interface 224 may include connection ports 230A, 230B, and 230C to provide communication links with other sources (e.g., doctor's office 110, other interested party 120, pharmacy 130, medical data sources 140, a user interface 150, and other smart pill dispenser(s) 160 of FIG. 1). The ports 230A, 230B, and 230C may be wired or wireless in nature.

The communication links provided by the connection ports 230A, 230B, and 230C may be used to, for example, contact the pill distributor (pharmacy) for a renewed supply of pills, submit or receive data from the user's doctor concerning the user's health, submit or receive data from a third party such as an insurance provider or loved one, submit or receive data from another smart pill dispenser, and receive numerous types of medical information from other medical data sources.

FIG. 2B illustrates a top view of an example automated feed smart pill dispenser 200. As illustrated the upper housing 202 is divided into eight segments 297A, 297B, 297C, 297D, 297E, 297F, 297G, and 297H by separating inserts 266A, 266B, 266C, 266D, 266E, 266F, 266G, and 266H. The dispenser 200 is in no way intended to be limited to eight segments 297 rather it may be configured with as many or as few segments as is desired by the application.

Each segment 297 may include an opening 268 along the turntable 267 for the passing there through of wiring for connections, a connection 270 from a counting device 234 to a power source and/or controlling device (not seen in this view). The dispenser 200 may includes a connection 256 to a power source. The dispenser 200 may also include a communication link 261 to an external user interface 260, a communication link 263 to a network connection 262, and a communication link 265 to a medical data sources 264 (e.g., 140 of FIG. 1). The communication links 261, 263, 265 may be wireless or wired.

The external user interface 260 may function as a master with an integrated user interface (display 224 only part of integrated user interface 299 of FIG. 2A illustrated) functioning as a slave or the integrated user interface 224 may function as a master with the external user interface 260 functioning as a slave or the two interfaces 224, 260 may function in tandem or there may be a configuration the external interface 260 is not included.

The network connection 262 may be a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), personal area network (PAN), virtual private network (VPN), campus area network (CAN), global area network (GAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), storage area network (SAN), internetwork, intranet, extranet, the Internet or any other type of network and may be used either individually or collectively to connect the dispenser 200 to external sources.

The medical data source 264 may be a medical instrument (e.g., blood pressure device, a glucose meter, a thermometer, a heart monitoring device) or may be medical records.

FIG. 2C illustrates a side view of an example automated feed smart pill dispenser 200. The pill dispenser 200 may include the upper feed section 293, the middle feed section 294, the lower feed section 295, the base feed section 296, a vacuum device 252, and a power source and/or controlling device 253.

The lower feed section 295 may contain a funnel like device 216, which may have an upper chute 235, which may itself contain a plurality of openings 245A, 245B, 245C, 245D, 245E, and 245F along its length, through which pills may be channeled to a lower chute 225 which may be located along the base feed section 296. Along a side of the funnel like device 216 may be located the mounting plate 217 both of which may be secured to the turntable like platform 267. The switch like device 220 (e.g., solenoid) may be attached to a plate 217. The solenoid 220 may be connected a power source and/or controlling device 253 via a link between connections 219, 238. The link may pass through an opening 218 located along the plate 217. The solenoid 220 may be connected to the rod like attachment 223 which in turn may be affixed to the gate like device 254. The solenoid 220, the rod 223, and the gate 254, may function to regulate the flow of pills through the funnel 216, the upper chute 235, the lower chute 225, and the opening 226.

Along the chute 235 may be located the counting type device 234 that registers the number of pills as they pass thereby. The counter 234 may be an optical type counter, a mechanical type counter, (e.g. a flap door switch), or any other means of registering the quantity of pills that pass thereby. The counter 234 may be connected the power source and/or controlling device 253 via a link (e.g., wired, wireless) between connections 220, 239. The link may pass through an opening 233 located along the plate 217.

Along a side of an upper chute 235 may be located a vacuum plate 249 with a plurality of vacuum valves 242A, 242B, 242C, 242D, 242E, and 242F which may in turn align with a plurality of openings 245A-F along length of the upper chute 235. Likewise, attached to valves 242A-E may be a plurality of vacuum lines 248A, 248B, 248C, 248D, 248E, and 248F where the vacuum lines 248 may be attached to a vacuum regulating device 250. The regulating device 250 may have a vacuum source through a vacuum line 251 from a vacuum pump device 252. The regulating device 250 may be connected the power source and/or controlling device 253 via a link between connections 243, 240. The vacuum pump 252 may be connected to the power source and/or controlling device 253 via a link between connections 246, 241.

The upper chute openings 245A-F, the vacuum valves 242A-F with their respective vacuum lines 248A-F, the regulating device 250 with its vacuum 251 from a vacuum pump 252, the controlling device 253 and the connections 243, 240, 246, and 241 may work as a system to regulate the flow of a pill through the upper chute 235 such that if a user of a pill device 200 needs one pill, two pills, or any number of pills as required by the dosage requirements a dispenser 200 may feed the appropriate number of pills.

The reader 204 may be connected to the power source and/or controlling device 253 via a link (e.g., wired, wireless) between connections 205, 292. The gate 207 may be connected to the power source and/or controlling device 253 via a link (e.g., wired, wireless) between connections 208, 236.

The example controlling device 253 may act as the central control and storage mechanism for the pill dispenser 200. The controlling device 253 may have a connection 256 with a power source where the power source may be either internal or external to the controlling device 253. The controlling device 253 may contain a database of pill information: such as barcodes, pill images, a list of side effects, dosages, instructions for proper pill taking, blood pressure readings, glucose readings, temperature readings, medical insurance status, total dollar amounts spent on pills or any other relevant information for the user.

Furthermore, the controlling device 253 may act as a switching device for the relative connections issuing commands to an appropriate connection at the correct time. The controlling device 253 may act as a master in connections with other devices such as a computer and provide data to these other devices via a connection 257. In another embodiment, the controlling device 253 may act as a slave in connection with other devices and receive data and be manipulated by these other devices. The user may configure the controller 253 via the integrated user interface 299 or the external user interface 260. The external interface device 260 may be part of an external controller (e.g., computer).

FIG. 2D illustrates an expanded side view of an example automated feed smart pill dispenser 200. The upper feed section 293 may include an intake device (e.g., funnel) to aid in receiving the pills from the bottle 203. The bottle may sit within the intake device after the pills are transferred thereto.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an example smart pill dispenser 300 manual feed system. The dispenser 300 may have an upper housing 271, a lower housing 283, an upper feed section 293, a middle feed section 294, a lower feed section 305, a base feed section 310, and a power source and/or controlling device 253. The upper and middle feed sections 293, 294 may function as described in any of the preceding descriptions (see FIGS. 2A-D). The upper housing 271 has an external lower section 273 and an internal lower section 275. A spring like device 272 may be located between section 273 and section 275. The spring 272 may be connected via a connection 290 along an upper end to a section 275 and along a lower end via a connection 274 to an upper section 276 of a lower feed door 277. The connections may be such that the feed door 277 or similar mechanism may expand upon the insertion of a digit or digit like device into a lower feed opening 278. As illustrated, the feed opening 278 may be bound along a base by an additional lower feed door 279 that may be a part of the lower housing 283.

In the example pill dispenser 300, the lower feed section 295 may receive a pill from the feed section 293 through the feed section 294 into the funnel like device 216 through which a pill may be channeled onto a conveyor belt like device 280 having rollers 281A and B, where the conveyor 280 may be located along a turntable 288. Upon a pill being deposited upon the conveyor 280 the user may insert a digit or digit like device into the lower feed opening 278 and engage the conveyor 280 such that a pill thereon would be carried toward the user and would be deposited into an opening 287 in the base feed section 310.

While the present example pill dispenser 300 may have a manual conveyor 280, in another embodiment the conveyor 280 may be automated such that a digit may not need to engage the conveyor 280. Additionally, in another embodiment the opening 278 may have a light curtain such that when a digit breaks a light plane a switch is engaged to power the conveyor 280.

When a pill is deposited in the opening 287 the pill may pass through a counting device 286 that registers the number of pills as they pass thereby and into a receiving means 229. The counter 286 may be an optical type counter, a mechanical type counter, (e.g. a flap door switch), or any other means of registering the quantity of pills that pass thereby. The counter 286 may be secured to a lower outer housing 283 and a turntable 288 through setscrews 284A, 284B, and 284C or some similar means of attachment whether permanent or temporary. The counter 286 may have a connection 285 with a controlling device 253 through a connection 291 where the controlling device 253 may have a connection 256 to an internal or external power source.

The controlling device 253 may register the quantity of pills that are in a bottle 203 when a bottle 203 is scanned by the reader 204, register the quantity of pills as they pass through counters 214 and 286 and then determine the remaining pills in the funnel 216 or the bottle 203. Additionally, the controlling device 253 may alert the user of an incorrect quantity of pills dispensed prompting the user through audible or visual aids of the need to return the additional pills to a correct segment 297. The controlling device 253 may inform the user of their need to refill a certain pill, update their insurance information, contact their physician or pharmacist about their pills, or any other similar notification that may be associated with pill usage.

Although the various embodiments have been illustrated by reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent that various changes and modifications may be made. Reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” appearing in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Different implementations may feature different combinations of hardware, firmware, and/or software. It may be possible to implement, for example, some or all components of various embodiments in software and/or firmware as well as hardware, as known in the art. Embodiments may be implemented in numerous types of hardware, software and firmware known in the art, for example, integrated circuits, including ASICs and other types known in the art, printed circuit broads, components, etc.

The various embodiments are intended to be protected broadly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pill dispenser comprising:

a housing to receive, store and dispense pills;

a quantifier to quantify the pills contained within the housing; and

a communication link to communicate with external sources regarding a user and the pills contained within the housing.

2. The pill dispenser of claim 1, wherein the quantifier includes a counter to automatically count pills as they are added to and subtracted from the housing.

3. The pill dispenser of claim 1, wherein the quantifier includes a scale to weigh the pills contained in the housing.

4. The pill dispenser of claim 1, wherein the communication link includes an internet connection.

5. The pill dispenser of claim 1, wherein the communication link includes a dial-up connection.

6. The pill dispenser of claim 1, wherein the external source includes a doctors office.

7. The pill dispenser of claim 1, wherein the external source includes a pharmacy.

8. The pill dispenser of claim 1, wherein the external source includes a medical data source.

9. The pill dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a control device to control operation of the pill dispenser.

10. The pill dispenser of claim 9, wherein the external source is a computing device and the control device may operate as a slave to the computing device or in tandem with the computing device.

11. The pill dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a user interface to interact with the user.

12. A pill dispenser comprising:

a plurality of storage units to store pills therewithin;

a counter to quantify pills within the plurality of storage units;

an output device to dispense pills from the plurality of storage units;

a user interface to interact with a user;

communication links to provide communications with external sources regarding the user and the pills; and

a control device to control operation of the pill dispenser.

13. The pill dispenser of claim 12, a reader to read a code associated with pills deposited in the pill dispenser.

14. The pill dispenser of claim 12, further comprising a turntable to rotate the plurality of storage units to align an appropriate storage unit with the output device in order to dispense an appropriate pill.

15. The pill dispenser of claim 12, wherein the user interface is to provide the user with information regarding the pills.

16. The pill dispenser of claim 12, wherein the output device includes a plurality of output devices aligned with the plurality of storage units.

17. The pill dispenser of claim 12, wherein the communication links are to communicate with a doctors office and a pharmacy regarding prescriptions.

18. The pill dispenser of claim 12, wherein the communication links are to receive medical data.

19. The pill dispenser of claim 12, wherein the plurality of storage units include an automated gate device to control dispensing of the pills to the output device.

20. The pill dispenser of claim 12, wherein the plurality of storage units include an manual conveying device to enable the user to control dispensing of the pills to the output device.