Patent ID: 8152020
Filing Date: 2012-04-10
Classification: A61J,G07F

Abstract:
1. A pill dispenser comprising: a. a container having a plurality of compartments, each of said plurality of compartments configured to contain a plurality of dosages of one of a plurality of medications to be dispensed over a period of time of at least one week, said container having a top and a bottom, each of said plurality of compartments extending from said bottom of said container to said top of said container each of said plurality of compartments having an opening proximal said top of said container; b. a user-rotatable lid attached to said container proximal said top of said container, said lid having an opening, said lid configured to rotate angularly about said container such that said opening in said lid may be selectively positioned in fluid communication with each of said plurality of compartments; c. a lid position detection device configured to identify which of said plurality of compartments said opening is in a present state of fluid communication therewith; d. a programmable computing device configured to track dosages administered from each of said plurality of compartments; e. a display controlled by said programmable computing device; and f. wherein said programmable computing device is configured to display dosage information on said display regarding a medication contained within a selected compartment of said plurality of compartments, said selected compartment determined by the position of said opening as indicated by said lid position detection device; g. wherein said lid position detection device comprises: h. a rheostat, affixed to said top of said container; i. wherein said rheostat includes a ground and a plurality of terminals, with each terminal having a unique electrical resistance between said terminal and said ground; j. wherein said lid includes a first contact which is electrically connected to said ground in said rheostat; k. wherein said lid includes a second contact configured to selectively contact each of said plurality of terminals within said rheostat as said user-rotatable, lid is rotated; l. wherein said programmable computing device receives information regarding a resistance between said first and second contacts; and m. wherein said programmable computing device contains information allowing said programmable computing device to determine a position of said lid with respect to said container according to said information regarding a resistance between said first and second contacts.