Abstract:
A medicament-free device (e.g., a smartphone device) for simulating a medicament dispenser may include a sensing device and a processor. The sensing device may sense a user action performed upon the medicament-free device and may output sense data. The processor may receive the sense data, compare the sense data with predefined data, and provide feedback based on how the sense data compares to the predefined data. The predefined data may be indicative of a model user action associated with the medicament dispenser.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Great Britain Application No. 1420039.8 filed on Nov. 11, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    It is important that patients properly adhere to medicament usage advice. For example, adhering to advice regarding medicament usage with respect to prescribed and/or recommended techniques of dispensing a medicament may be a significant factor in improving the results of medical treatments. Non-adherence to medicament usage advice may negatively affect health outcomes and the effectiveness of therapeutics. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    A mobile smartphone device for simulating a medicament dispenser may include 
         [0000]    a microphone; a display; and a processor. The processor may be configured to cause the display to display a representation of a type of oral inhaler; receive a signal from the microphone indicative of user&#39;s airflow; determine, based on the signal, whether the airflow would be sufficient for dispensing medicament from the type of oral inhaler represented; and provide feedback to a user based on the determination. 
         [0004]    A medicament-free device for simulating a medicament dispenser may include a sensing device and a processor. The sensing device may sense a user action performed upon the medicament-free device and may output sense data. The processor may receive the sense data, compare the sense data with predefined data, and provide feedback based on how the sense data compares to the predefined data. The predefined data may be indicative of a model user action associated with the medicament dispenser. 
         [0005]    A system for simulating a medicament dispenser may include a medicament dispenser configured to dispense a medicament and a medicament-free device for simulating the medicament dispenser. The medicament-free device may include a sensing device configured to sense a user action performed upon the medicament-free device and to output sense data; and a processor. The processor may receive the sense data; compare the sense data with predefined data indicative of a model user action associated with the medicament dispenser; and provide feedback based on how the sense data compares to the predefined data. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example mobile device. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2A  is an example GUI showing multiple example medicament dispensers. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2B  is an example GUI providing a demonstration of an example medicament dispenser. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2C  is an example GUI providing another demonstration of an example medicament dispenser. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2D  is an example GUI providing a scoring information relating to an example medicament dispenser. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates an example use of a simulated medicament dispenser, via touch. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates an example use of a simulated medicament dispenser, via exhalation and/or inhalation. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a computing network system  500   
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an example peripheral device coupled to an example mobile device. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7A  illustrates an example system including a medicament dispenser and a training dispenser. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7B  illustrates an example system including a medicament dispenser having an inhaler housing and a training dispenser having an inhaler housing. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8A  illustrates an example use of a medicament dispenser providing input illustrated by an example GUI on the mobile device. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8B  illustrates another example use of a medicament dispenser providing input illustrated by an example GUI on the mobile device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8C  illustrates yet another example use of a medicament dispenser providing input illustrated by an example GUI on the mobile device. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8D  illustrates yet another example use of a medicament dispenser providing input illustrated by an example GUI on the mobile device. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8E  illustrates yet another example use of a medicament dispenser providing input illustrated by an example GUI on the mobile device. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  illustrates an example GUI on a mobile device providing a score and guidance. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a flow diagram of an example method for receiving feedback as a result of simulating a medicament dispensing activity. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    It is important that patients adhere to medicament usage advice. A factor that may contribute to non-adherence of prescribed and/or recommended uses of medicament may be a lack of feedback and/or immediate indication of how the medicament is being dispensed and/or used (e.g., lack of feedback of whether the medicament is being dispensed and/or used correctly and/or incorrectly). This may apply to the treatment of chronic conditions, the use of medicament having slow-acting effects, the use of medicament for maintenance, and so forth. Promoting and/or encouraging increased compliance and adherence with the dispensing of medicament among users (e.g., by providing feedback, such as instant rewards) may be provided. For example, promotion and/or encouragement of compliance with the use of a medication dispenser related to childhood asthma may be provided. 
         [0025]    Sixty percent of all puffs from devices (e.g., inhalers) used to dispense asthma medicament may be ineffective, e.g., because of incorrect usage. Flawed inhaler techniques may be commonly attributed to incorrect inhalation, exhalation, and/or positioning of the medicament dispenser body and/or head. Combining competition and/or rewards with “smart” device connectivity and inhaler training devices and applications may serve to improve adherence and health outcomes, e.g., through effective delivery of medicament into the lungs, rather than the mouth and stomach. 
         [0026]    A system, method, and instrumentality may be provided for training a user in administering a medicament, e.g., administering a medicament from a dispenser. A user may be trained in the administering of a medicament from a simulated and/or actual medicament dispenser. A number of different types of medicament dispensers may be simulated, and/or the medicament dispensers may be compatible with various medical devices (e.g., as new devices are developed). A number of interconnected and/or widely available communication devices may be provided to provide multi-platform access of medicament dispenser data to a large user base. Feedback may be received in response to a user&#39;s operation of the simulated and/or actual medicament dispenser. Monitoring user actions, visualizing user actions, connecting data, and/or visualizing other information may provide a solution for training patients in the use of a variety of medicament dispenser types, and/or in providing actionable data to users and medical professionals for improving adherence, efficacy, and/or impact analysis of medicament usage. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  depicts an example mobile device  100  that may be used to provide training for using a medicament dispenser. The mobile device  100  may be configured to execute an application (e.g., a computer application) capable of receiving and/or analyzing data representative of an interaction with a user and/or presenting training information to the user. The application may simulate an actual use of a defined medicament dispenser. The mobile device  100  may include a personal computer, such as a laptop or desktop computer, a tablet device, a cellular phone or smartphone, a server, or another type of mobile device. The mobile device  100  may include a processor  102 , a communication device  104 , a memory  106 , a display  108 , input devices  110 , output devices  112 , a location determination subsystem  114 , a sensing device  116 , and/or the like. The mobile device  100  may include additional, different, or fewer components, and each of the components may include one, or more, other components. For example, an input device  110  and/or an output device  112  may include a sensing device  116 , etc. 
         [0028]    The processor  102  may include one or more general purpose processors, special purpose processors, conventional processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), microprocessors, integrated circuits, a programmable logic device (PLD), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or the like. The processor  102  may perform signal coding, data processing, image processing, power control, input/output processing, and/or any other functionality that enables the mobile device  100  to perform as described herein. 
         [0029]    The processor  102  may store information in, and/or retrieve information from, the memory  106 . The memory  106  may include a non-removable memory and/or a removable memory. The non-removable memory may include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk, or any other type of non-removable memory storage. The removable memory may include a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a memory stick, a memory card, or any other type of removable memory. The memory may be local memory or remote memory external to the mobile device  100 . The memory  106  may store instructions which are executable by the processor  102 . Different information may be stored in different locations in the memory  106 . For example, the memory  106  may store instructions that when executed by processor  102  perform the methods disclosed herein, e.g., the methods described in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0030]    The processor  102  may communicate with other devices via the communication device  104 . The communication device  104  may transmit and/or receive information over the network  118 , which may include one or more other mobile devices. The communication device  104  may perform wireless and/or wired communications. The communication device  104  may include a receiver, transmitter, transceiver, or other device capable of performing wireless communications via an antenna. The communication device  104  may be capable of communicating via one or more protocols, such as a cellular communication protocol, a Wi-Fi communication protocol, Bluetooth®, Bluetooth® Low Energy (e.g., Bluetooth® Smart), a near field communication (NFC) protocol, an interne protocol, another proprietary protocol, or any other radio frequency (RF) or communications protocol. The mobile device  100  may include one or more communication devices  104 . 
         [0031]    The processor  102  may be in communication with a display  108  for providing information to a user. The information may be provided via a user interface on the display  108 . The information may be provided as an image generated on the display  108 . The display  108  and the processor  102  may be in two-way communication, as the display  106  may include a touch-screen device capable of receiving information from a user and providing such information to the processor  102 . 
         [0032]    The processor  102  may be in communication with a location determination subsystem  114  (e.g., GPS, cellular location determination, and/or Wi-Fi) for receiving geospatial information. The processor  102  may be capable of determining the GPS coordinates of the wireless communication device  100  based on the geospatial information received from the location determination subsystem  114 . The geospatial information may be communicated to one or more other communication devices to identify the location of the mobile device  100 . 
         [0033]    The processor  102  may be in communication with input devices  110  and/or output devices  112 . The input devices  110  may include a camera, a microphone, a keyboard or other buttons or keys, and/or other types of input devices for sending information to the processor  102 . The display  108  may be a type of input device, as the display  108  may include touch-screen sensor capable of sending information to the processor  102 . The output devices  112  may include speakers, indicator lights, or other output devices capable of receiving signals from the processor  102  and providing output from the mobile device  100 . The display  108  may be a type of output device, as the display  108  may provide images or other visual display of information received from the processor  102 . 
         [0034]    The processor  102  may be in communication with sensing device  116 . Sensing device  116  may include one, or more, sensing devices  116 . Sensing device  116  may be internal to mobile device  100 , and/or sensing device  116  may be external to mobile device  100 . For example, sensing device  116  may be a peripheral sensing device that provides functionality to the mobile device  100 , e.g., functionality for detecting physical signals and/or activities that a user may place upon a mobile device  100 . The sensing device  116  may be comprised of a sensor and/or a group of sensors configured to monitor user actions and/or dispensing data (e.g., data that is representative of a how a medicament dispenser is operated by a user). 
         [0035]    The sensing device  116  may be an electronic device that converts physical properties into an electronic signal. The sensing device  116  may include an acoustic sensor, a pressure sensor, an accelerometer, a biological sensor (e.g., a biosensor), and the like. For example, an acoustic sensor may be used to convert sound waves into an electronic signal, a pressure sensor may be used to convert pressure into an electronic signal, and/or an accelerometer may be used to convert orientation and movement (e.g., acceleration) into an electronic signal. A biosensor may include a transducer and a biological element (e.g., an enzyme, an antibody, a nucleic acid, and the like). The biological element may interact with an analyte (e.g., an analyte being tested by the transducer), and a resulting biological response may be converted into an electronic signal. The sensing device  116  and/or sensor may include a communications device. 
         [0036]    The mobile device  100  may be configured to communicate with the sensing device  116  and/or to provide information (e.g., information based upon dispensing data) with the sensing device  116 . The sensing device  116  and/or the mobile device  100  may communicate by way of wired and/or wireless (e.g., radio) signals. The mobile device  100  and/or sensing device  116  may analyze the data with respect to the quality of the user&#39;s administering technique and present the resulting information to a user based upon the analysis. 
         [0037]    As shown on  FIG. 2A-2D , a mobile device  200  may provide a simulated demonstration of a medicament dispenser. The mobile device  200  may provide the simulated medicament dispenser via an application running on the mobile device  200 . The simulated medicament dispenser may be illustrated in static form and/or in animated form on the mobile device&#39;s display. The simulated medicament dispenser  202  may comprise an oral inhaler, an injector, a dermal applicator, a pill dispenser, and the like. 
         [0038]    The type of medicament dispenser  202  may be characterized by the shape and/or size of the medicament dispenser  202 , the type of medicament dispensed by the medicament dispenser  202 , the electronics and/or sensors resident in the medicament dispenser  202 , and so forth. For example, a first medicament dispenser and a second medicament dispenser may be oral inhaler devices. The first medicament dispenser and the second medicament dispenser may have similar inhaler housings (e.g., the size and/or shape of the inhaler housings of the first and second medicament dispensers may be similar). The first medicament dispenser and the second medicament dispenser may comprise the same, or different, types of medicaments. For example, the medicament in the first medicament dispenser may comprise a stronger dose of medicament than comprised in the second medicament dispenser. The first medicament dispenser and second medicament dispenser may require different activities for medical dispensing, for example, in the example wherein the first and second medicament dispensers have similar housings but comprise different medicaments. The first medicament dispenser and second medicament dispenser requiring different activities for medical dispensing may require different demonstrations of medicament dispensers  202 . 
         [0039]    Training a user in administering a medicament from a variety of types of dispensers may be provided. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the mobile device  200  may allow a user to choose a medicament dispenser, for the simulated demonstration. The mobile device  200  may provide a visual representation of a medicament device for choosing. For example, the mobile device  200  may provide a visual of an Easy Breathe device  210 , ProAir device  216 , Spiromax device  220 , etc. A user may select a medicament device via input, e.g., via touch. The mobile device  200  may provide information about the medicament dispenser (e.g., textual descriptions and/or ratings of the medicament dispenser). 
         [0040]    As shown on  FIGS. 2B and 2C , a demonstration button  225  may provide different views (e.g., top view, bottom view, side views, inside views, etc.) of the medicament dispenser  202 . The demonstration may allow a user to perform a demonstration of the medicament dispenser  202  and/or to see a demonstration of the medicament dispenser  202  in use. The mobile device  200  may allow a user to perform actions required to dispense a medicament from the medicament dispenser  202 . For example, the mobile device  200  may allow a user to open a cap  206  of the medicament dispenser  202 , perform a dispensing activity (e.g., inhalation, exhalation, shaking, etc.) to the medicament dispenser  202 , and/or close the cap  206  of the medicament dispenser  202 . The mobile device  200  may provide an indication (e.g., feedback) if one or more dispensing activities is missed and/or performed incorrectly. For example, the mobile device  200  may indicate if the cap  206  is not closed after the dispensing activity is performed. The mobile device  200  may allow a user to watch a video of the medicament dispenser  202  being used properly and/or improperly. The mobile device  200  may allow a user to watch the video of the medicament dispenser  202  being used properly and/or improperly, for example, in response to the user improperly demonstrating the medicament dispenser  202  (e.g., the user not closing the cap  206  after performing a medicament dispensing activity), and/or the mobile device  200  may allow a user to watch the video of the medicament dispenser  202  being used properly and/or improperly based on a selection by the user. The mobile device may allow a user to see different views of different medicament dispensers  202 , e.g., for comparison purposes. 
         [0041]    As shown on  FIG. 2D , and described herein, the mobile device  200  may provide scores  250  of a use of the simulated medicament dispenser  202 . The scores  250  may be previous scores of the user and/or previous scores of other users. The scores  250  may represent actions performed by the user, as the actions may compare with actions providing optimal results of medicament dispensing. The scores  250  may be based on a demonstration provided by the user, such as the demonstration described above. For example, a user may obtain a score  250  based on performing all activities required for dispensing a medicament (e.g., opening cap  206 , performing a dispensing activity, and/or closing cap  206 ). The score may be reduced if the user misses a required medicament dispensing activity (e.g., the user does not close the cap  206  after the medicament is dispensed). Each of the medicament dispensing activities may be rated and/or scaled. For example, opening the cap  206  may be weighted differently, and/or similarly, as performing a dispensing activity or closing cap  206 . An optimum score may be reached if the user performs all activities required for dispensing a medicament, and/or performs each activities at an optimum level. 
         [0042]    As shown on  FIG. 3 , a user  304  may provide input to a mobile device  300 . A user  304  may interact with the mobile device  300  using many and various forms. For example, the user  304  may physically touch (e.g., using an input device  308 , such as a touchscreen) the mobile device  300  to interact with the mobile device  300  and/or the user  304  may interact with mobile device  300  via voice commands. The touchscreen  308  may comprise a touch sensor allowing the user to interact with the mobile device  300 , e.g., by touching areas of the display. The touchscreen  308  may display visual information to a user. 
         [0043]    The user  304  may perform tests of one or more simulated medicament dispensers. For example, as shown on  FIG. 3 , a user choosing an inhaler as the simulated medicament dispenser  302 , may open and/or close a cap  306  of the simulated medicament dispenser  302 , e.g., by swiping across the touchscreen  308  of the mobile device  300 . The user  304  may observe portions (e.g., front, back, bottom, top portions) of the simulated medicament dispenser  302 , e.g., to compare one simulated medicament dispenser  302  with other medicament dispensers. Actions that a user  304  performs on a mobile device  300  that correlates with a medicament dispenser activity may be prompted and/or demonstrated by on-screen visuals. 
         [0044]    The mobile device  300  and/or sensing device may be configured to detect, measure, and/or process various physical properties, conditions, and/or changes performed upon the mobile device  300 . For example, the sensing device may detect physical properties (e.g., signals) of actions performed on the mobile device  300 . The mobile device  300  and/or sensing device may convert the physical signals performed on the mobile device  300  to electronic signals. The actions performed on the mobile device  300  may be correlated with actions performed on a medicament device. 
         [0045]    A user  304  may apply an action to the mobile device  300 , such as shaking the mobile device  300 . The mobile device  300  may include one or more integrated accelerometers that may determine the movement (e.g., shaking) performed upon the mobile device  300 . The mobile device  300  and/or the sensing device, for example, may determine whether the user  304  performed an adequate shaking of the mobile device  300 , as the shaking simulates the movement required to prepare a medicament dispenser (e.g., inhaler). The mobile device  300  may provide feedback of the user&#39;s shaking of the mobile device  300 , e.g., by indicating whether the user  304  adequately shook the mobile device  300 . By permitting a user to simulate the shaking of the medicament dispenser  302 , via mobile device  300 , the user  304  can practice such action and be provided with immediate feedback of the action. Other user actions, e.g., tapping of the mobile device  300  to correspond with a button click on the corresponding medicament dispenser  302 , may be simulated on the mobile device  300 . 
         [0046]    An accelerometer may be used to determine the orientation of the mobile device  300  while the medicament dispenser  302  is being simulated, e.g., whether a user  304  is holding the mobile device  300  in a manner that would provide optimal medicament release from the simulated medicament dispenser  302 . A user  304  holding an actual medicament dispenser improperly, e.g., while inhaling from the device, may not receive a sufficient dosage of the medicament. The accelerometer may be configured to detect the orientation and/or movement of the mobile device when the user  304  is simulating taking the medicament. For example, the accelerometer may determine that the mobile device  300  is tilted too far to the right when the mobile device  300  is simulating inhaling medicament from an inhaler. The mobile device  300  may provide feedback to the user  304  that the mobile device  300  was tilted too far to the right, for example. The mobile device  300  may indicate to the user that the orientation of the mobile device  300  is optimal, sub-optimal, etc. The mobile device  300  may indicate suggestions to the user  304  for correcting the non-optimal orientation and/or movements performed upon the mobile device  300 . The accelerometer may be used in real time to provide an audio and/or visual indication of whether the user  304  is holding the mobile device  300  in a manner that corresponds to the optimal use of the medicament dispenser (e.g., inhaler). For example, the mobile device  300  may include a pleasant beeping sound when the user holds the mobile device  300  in an optimal position, and the mobile device  300  may present a buzzing sound when the user  304  is holding the mobile device  300  in an incorrect orientation. 
         [0047]    Monitoring of medicament dispensing data may be provided. Parameters monitored by the sensing device and/or the mobile device may effectively represent the properties (e.g., flow rate, breathing patterns, dosage, etc.) of a use of an actual medicament dispenser (e.g., an inhaler). Dispensing data may be representative of a technique with which a user may administer a medicament from a medicament dispenser. The dispensing data may include data representing a physical action executed by a user in operating the medicament dispenser; a fluid pressure; a spatial orientation of the medicament dispenser; an acceleration applied to the medicament dispenser; a quantity of medicament dispensed; and/or a rate at which medicament is dispensed. The user&#39;s technique may be captured by the sensing device and/or mobile device and/or recorded as dispensing data, e.g., by detecting and/or measuring data representing various physical properties. Obtaining a qualitative or quantitative measure of the user&#39;s technique may provide assessments and/or training. 
         [0048]    The mobile device may be configured to process the medicament dispensing data in accordance with predetermined data so as to generate assessed data. The predetermined data may include data representative of an optimal mode and/or an ideal usage technique and/or pattern in which a medicament dispenser may be operated by a user. The predetermined data may be downloaded data, and/or may have been prescribed by a medication provider or medical professional. For example, when the mode is adhered to by a user, it optimizes the effectiveness of the dispensed medicament. The mobile device may perform processes and/or computations performed by sophisticated electronic components found within a medicament dispenser. The mobile device may contain the requisite electronic components. This configuration may provide cost savings in the manufacturing of a medicament dispenser. 
         [0049]    As shown on  FIG. 4 , a user  404  may obtain medicament dispenser data by exhaling and/or inhaling  420  proximate to input device  410  (e.g., microphone) of mobile device  400 . The input device  410  (e.g., microphone) may be configured to detect the acoustic signal of a user  404  inhaling and/or exhaling  420 . The mobile device  400  may be configured to distinguish a user&#39;s  404  inhale from a user&#39;s exhale, and vice-versa. For example, software and/or hardware resident on the mobile device  400  may be used to determine that a user&#39;s  404  expelled breath is an exhale. The mobile device  400  may provide an indication to the user  404  (e.g., an indication via display  108 ) of whether the user&#39;s activity was an inhale and/or exhale. The mobile device  400  may provide an indication to the user  404  of whether the user&#39;s activity is the activity expected by the mobile device  400 . For example, the mobile device  400  may provide an indication to the user  404  that the user  404  inhaled when, for example, the user  404  was expected to exhale. The mobile device  400  may provide an indication to the user  404  that the user  404  exhaled when, for example, the user  404  was expected to inhale. The mobile device  400  may provide many and various indications of activity to the user  404  and/or may provide many and various indications of how the activity corresponded to the activity expected by the mobile device  400 . 
         [0050]    The mobile device  400  may detect a user&#39;s  404  inhalation and/or exhalation  420  upon the acoustic signal produced as a result of the user&#39;s  404  inhalation and/or exhalation  420 . The mobile device  400  may detect the user&#39;s  404  inhalation and/or exhalation  420  upon the mobile device  400  providing a cue to the user  404  to perform such activity. Upon receiving the acoustic signals representing a user&#39;s  404  exhalation and/or inhalation  420 , mobile device  400  and/or sensing device may convert the user&#39;s  404  exhalation and/or inhalation  420  (e.g., acoustic signals of the user&#39;s  404  exhalation and/or inhalation  420 ) into electronic signals. 
         [0051]    The duration and/or magnitude of a user&#39;s  404  inhalation and/or exhalation  420  may be determined by capturing the audio received by the microphone  410 , and/or by performing low-pass filtering to isolate the sound associated with the user&#39;s  404  breath. The resultant energy (i.e., RMS (root-mean-squared) values) may be sampled over the received audio to determine an airflow profile. Higher RMS values may correspond to stronger inhalation and/or exhalation. Likewise, lower RMS values may correspond to less strong inhalation and/or exhalation. A longer duration profile between normative RMS values, measured higher RMS values, and back to normative RMS values may correspond to a longer duration inhalation and/or exhalation. Likewise, a shorter duration profile between normative RMS values and the measured higher RMS values and back to normative may correspond to a shorter duration inhalation and/or exhalation. The particular RMS values and normative thresholds may be calibrated in accordance with the mobile device&#39;s  400  specific hardware and Operating System (OS) Application Programing Interface (API). For example, functionality available in the AVAudioRecorder class in the Apple iOS™ operating system for iPhone™ may be used to capture audio, filter, and/or measure the resultant energy. This calibration may be done to determine the profile values appropriate for adequate inhalation and/or exhaling when dispensing medicament from certain inhalers. 
         [0052]    The ways in which a user  404  may interact with the mobile device (e.g., for training purposes) may vary according to the medicament dispenser to be simulated. For example, while a user  404  of a simulated medicament dispenser in the form of an inhaler may allow a user  404  to breathe into the mobile device  400 , a user  404  of simulated medicament dispenser in the form of a pill bottle may allow a user  404  to view instructions for opening and/or closing the pill bottle. 
         [0053]    The mobile device and/or sensing device may be configured to process simulated dispensing data in accordance with predetermined data (e.g., a predetermined profile) so as to generate assessed data. The mobile device and/or sensing device may be configured to monitor an action performed upon the mobile device and/or sensing device by a user so as to generate the dispensing data. The mobile device and/or sensing device may be configured to monitor an action performed upon the mobile device and/or sensing device by a user that is analogous to, and/or representative of, an action forming part of a mode in which the simulated medicament dispenser may be operated by a user. The predetermined data and/or predetermined profile may include data representative of an optimal mode and/or an ideal usage technique and/or pattern in which a medicament dispenser may be operated by a user. The predetermined data and/or predetermined profile may be downloaded data, and/or may have been prescribed by a medication provider or medical professional. For example, when the technique is adhered to by a user it optimizes the effectiveness of the dispensed medicament. The generating of the assessed data may include evaluating a relationship between the dispensing data and/or the predetermined data. The mobile device and/or the sensing device, which may take the form of electronic components within the dispenser, may be configured to compare the user&#39;s technique, represented by the dispensing data, with the ideal profile in order to evaluate user performance and provide appropriate constructive feedback. 
         [0054]    The mobile device may be configured to present data (e.g., dispensed data, assessed data) and/or information including an evaluation of the monitored administering technique, to a user. The data may be presented by way of visual, audible, and/or haptic feedback. For example, the data may be presented via display. The assessed data may be presented by way of graphical representations, textual data, and/or numerical data. The data may be presented to users (e.g., doctors or other healthcare personnel, and/or parents of patients) other than patients, via electronic communications. The assessed data may be included in email, SMS, MMS, VOIP, and/or other electronic message or document formats and transmitted via the Internet or mobile communication networks. This sharing of feedback with patients and/or other parties may be advantageous to the providing of training. Data based upon the dispensing, predetermined, and/or assessed data may be stored in the sensing device. The mobile device and/or the sensing device may comprise a programmable memory for storing this information. 
         [0055]    The mobile device may comprise a communication device (e.g., communication device  104 ). The communication device may comprise electrical connectors, transmitters, and/or receivers capable of communicating via electromagnetic signals. The signals may be communicated via wire, and/or the signals may be communicated wirelessly. The communication device may comprise internal connections (e.g., between various electronic components) and/or external communication devices that allow the system to communicate data with external parties or devices. The communication device may provide evaluation results to user. Evaluation results may be provided to the user as visual, audio, etc. feedback. The feedback may be positive feedback, constructive feedback, and so forth. 
         [0056]    Pictorial, video, verbal, and/or textual guidance (e.g., guidance relating to administering the medicament) may be provided. As shown in  FIG. 4 , evaluation results may include a simple checkmark  415 , indicating proper usage. Evaluation results may include detailed instructions for use of the simulated medicament dispenser. For example, evaluation results may indicate how the user properly used the simulated medicament dispenser, how the user improperly used the mobile device (e.g., the user breathed at an incorrect angle, the user placed a finger over the microphone when breathing proximate to the microphone, etc.). The mobile device may provide suggested actions (e.g., the user should breathe at a right angle of the microphone, etc.) for optimally using the mobile device  400  simulating the simulated medicament device. The evaluation results may be presented to the user via a display. 
         [0057]    By monitoring a user&#39;s interactions with a medicament dispenser (e.g., the on-screen representation of a medicament dispenser (e.g., an inhaler)), correct techniques for using a dispenser may be provided. For example, the mobile device may be configured to present the user with information regarding differences between, and comparative advantages of, different types of dispenser devices. The mobile device may present the user with different techniques for different medicament dispensers. For example, the mobile device may indicate to a user that the activity performed upon a mobile device would be optimal for one medicament dispenser, but not for another medicament dispenser. This may allow a user to determine whether one medicament dispenser is better suited for the user&#39;s needs and/or abilities than another medicament dispenser. This information may be in the form of a video, instruction (e.g., step-by-step instructions), and so forth. Similar recording and/or evaluation of user actions with respect to predetermined data (e.g., data representing optimal and/or prescribed dispenser use) may be performed by the mobile device in response to various user actions. 
         [0058]      FIG. 5  illustrates a block diagram of a computing network system  500 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , a medicament dispenser  502  and/or a mobile device  500  may be provided. The computing network system  500  may include one or more mobile devices  500  that may be capable of communicating digital messages with one another, either directly or via the network  518 . The mobile device  500  may be a user device capable of logging into a session of an interactive computing environment and providing real-time interactive data via the network  518 . The network  518  may include a wired and/or wireless network. For example, the network  518  may include a Wi-Fi communication network, a Wi-MAX communication network, a cellular communication network (e.g., CDMA, HSPA+, LTE, etc.), and/or a television white space (TVWS) communication network. The network  518  may include one or more communication networks. 
         [0059]    The medicament dispenser  502  may include medicament, and/or the medicament dispenser  502  may not include medicament. The medicament dispenser  502  may be used for training purposes. For example, the medicament dispenser  502  not containing medicament may be provided to train a user how to use the device, without medicament being dispensed. This may be advantageous because it may allow a user to repeatedly practice the medicament dispensing activity, without medicament being released during each practice attempt. 
         [0060]    Digital messages may be communicated between medicament dispenser  502  (e.g., an inhaler) and mobile device  500 . The mobile device  500  and/or the medicament dispenser  502  may be capable of monitoring the administering (e.g., actual and/or simulated administration) of a medicament from medicament dispenser  502 . The mobile device  500  may monitor the user&#39;s operation of the medicament dispenser  502 . This may be achieved, for example, by attaching the dispenser  502  to the mobile device  500  and/or administering the medicament dispenser  502  in sufficiently close proximity to the mobile device  500  (e.g., for the mobile device&#39;s  500  optical, acoustic, and/or other sensors to monitor the use of the medicament dispenser  502 ). 
         [0061]    A sensing device  516  may be integrated into the medicament dispensing device  502 , and the sensing device  516  may be external to the medicament dispenser  502 . The sensing device  516  may be configured to monitor an action performed upon the medicament dispenser  502  by a user. The sensing device  516  may monitor a user&#39;s actions upon the medicament dispenser  502 . Such actions may include the sensing device  516  and/or medicament dispenser  502  being oriented in a particular manner; an acceleration being applied to the sensing device  516  and/or the medicament dispenser  502 ; a quantity of medicament being dispensed; and/or a rate at which medicament is being dispensed. The user&#39;s technique may be captured by the sensing device  516  and/or the medicament dispenser  502 , and the technique may be recorded as dispensing data. 
         [0062]    The sensing device  516  of the medicament dispenser  502  may be configured to transmit data, e.g., based upon the dispensing data, to the mobile device  500 . The sensing device  516  may be configured to perform this transmission via a communication device  520 . The communication device  520  may be integrated within sensing device  516 , and/or the communication device  520  may be external to sensing device  516 . The communication device  520  may include a wireless transmitter and/or receiver, and/or an electrical connector. This may allow the sensing device  516 , and/or the dispenser  502 , to upload or transmit user or dispensing data via being plugged into another mobile device and/or via wireless channels, e.g., depending upon the available hardware components and requirements. 
         [0063]    Communication between the medicament dispenser  502  and the mobile device  500  may be via any of several wireless standards of which smartphones are typically capable, such as Bluetooth®, Bluetooth® Low Energy, infrared, cellular data, or Wi-Fi. The dispenser may include an electrical connector capable of interfacing with a smartphone connector socket, e.g., to transmit data over a wired connection. The wireless transmission of dispensing data from the medicament dispenser  502  to the mobile device  500  may be direct and/or indirect (e.g., may include a server, such as a web server  506 ). The server  506  may receive, store, process, and/or transmit dispensing data between the medical dispenser  502  and the mobile device  500  via the Internet. The server  506  may be configured to handle data pertaining to multiple medicament dispensers  502 , mobile devices  500 , users, care providers, medical patient accounts, and the like. 
         [0064]    The medicament dispenser  502  may monitor and/or transmit the dispensing data to the mobile device  500  (e.g., in real time) so as to present to the user a live depiction of their inhaling technique and/or progress. The sensing device  516  of the medicament dispenser  502  may store the dispensing data and/or process or transmit the dispending data at a later time. Evaluation of the dispensing data may be performed by the mobile device  500  and/or the medicament dispenser  502 . The assessed data may be transmitted among the mobile device  500 , medicament dispenser  502 , and/or server  506 , and the assessed data may be presented to the user by one or more of those devices. 
         [0065]    The medicament dispenser  502  and/or the sensing device  516  may transmit recorded (e.g., raw recorded) and/or dispensing data (e.g., monitored dispensing data) to the mobile device  500  and/or via a computer (e.g., Internet) server  506 . The dispensing data may be formatted, refactored, compressed, and/or collated prior to transmission depending upon the physical capabilities of the system and/or the requirements of the specific application. 
         [0066]    The sensing device  516  may be configured to monitor the medicament dispensing device  502  in use. The dispensing data captured by the sensing device  516  may include, for example, acoustic, chronological, pressure, location, temperature, optical, acceleration, and/or chemical data. The selected types and configurations of the sensors in the dispenser  502  may vary with different dispensers  502  and/or applications (e.g., so as to be able to obtain information indicating whether the dispenser is being used correctly and/or effectively). 
         [0067]    The mobile device and/or medicament dispenser may be combined with an external sensor device. The external sensing device may be configured to be attachable to, and/or compatible with, the mobile device and/or the medicament dispenser. Electronic data may be exchanged between the devices via a communications interface. The external devices may provide functionality to the medicament dispenser, mobile device, and/or sensing device. The external devices may include a sensing device and/or components of the sensing device. For example, external sensors may be configured to monitor the use of the dispenser. One or more applications may be configured to receive data from the external and/or integrated sensors. 
         [0068]      FIG. 6  shows an example sensing device  616  that may be external from the mobile device  600 . The external sensing device  616  may comprise a communications interface (e.g., an interface in the form of an electrical connector  610 ), which may be configured to be compatible with the connector socket  612  of the mobile device  600 . Electronic data may be communicated between the mobile device  600  and the external sensing device  616 , e.g., when a connection is made between the mobile device  600  and the external sensing device  616 . 
         [0069]    The external sensing device  616  may include various types of sensors  606 . The sensors  606  may be configured to monitor user actions (e.g., user actions that recreate actions executed when operating a medicament dispenser). The attachment of the external sensing device  616  may allow the mobile device  600  and/or dispensing device to simulate additional medicament dispensers. For example, a mobile device  600  and/or dispensing device may not have pressure sensor functionality. An external sensing device  616  may comprise a pressure sensor  608 . The pressure sensor  608  may monitor and/or record the air pressure resulting from a user inhaling and exhaling into the external sensing device  616  and/or dispensing device. The monitoring of fluid pressure instead of, or in addition to, the sound resulting from a user&#39;s breathing may provide higher quality data and/or data that is more relevant and/or a more accurate representation of the user&#39;s operation of an inhaler. By attaching an external sensor device  616  having a pressure sensor  608  to the mobile device  600  and/or dispensing device, the mobile device  600  and/or dispensing device may be capable of simulating medicament dispensers having, and/or requiring a pressure sensor, e.g., for simulation purposes. 
         [0070]      FIG. 7A  shows an example system including a medicament dispenser  704  containing medicament, and a training medicament dispenser  702  not containing medicament. The medicament dispenser  704  may be used for distributing medicament to a user, and the training medicament dispenser  702  may be used for training purposes, e.g., to train a user in dispensing a medicament. The training medicament dispenser  702  may be used to train a user in the procedure of a medicament dispensing device, using a device having a housing that is the same, and/or similar, to medicament dispenser  704 . The training medicament dispenser  702  may communicate with a mobile device  700 , as described herein. 
         [0071]    The medicament dispenser  704  and the training medicament dispenser  702  may have the same, and/or different, housings. For example, both the medicament dispenser  704  and the training medicament dispenser  702  may have inhaler housings, such as a Spiromax housing, shown on  FIG. 7B . The medicament dispenser  704  may have a Spiromax housing, and the training medicament dispenser  702  may have an Easy-Breathe housing. The medicament dispenser  704  and the training medicament dispenser  702  may comprise the same, and/or different, electronics, sensing devices (e.g., sensing device  716 ), communication devices (e.g., communication device  720 ), and so forth. The medicament dispenser  704  and the training medicament dispenser  702  may comprise the same, and/or different medicament. The medicament dispenser  704  may comprise a medicament, and/or the training medicament dispenser  702  may not comprise a medicament. The training medicament dispenser  702  may substitute a medicament for a non-medicament substance. For example, training medicament dispenser  702  may substitute a medicament for a substance other than an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The medicament dispenser  704  and the training medicament dispenser  702  may comprise many, and various, components, housings, medicaments, non-medicaments, and the like. 
         [0072]    The mobile device may simulate actions performed upon the medicament dispenser by way of a computer application running on the mobile device, medicament dispenser, and/or sensing device. A computer application may include a user playing games (e.g., a series of mini-games). The games may be centered upon simulating the use of various medicament dispensers (e.g., respiratory devices, such as inhalers). Tasks such as shaking the dispenser, exhaling from the dispenser, and/or on-screen interactions with the application may be included. The tasks may be included to help the user gain a better knowledge of the medicament dispenser, and/or to exhibit differences between types of medicament dispensers. In-game achievements, scheduled reminders, and/or helpful feedback related to the user&#39;s performance may be provided. The in-game achievements, scheduled reminders, and/or helpful feedback may provide a user with incentives for repeated use and/or rewarding users for progress made. Monitored dispensing data and/or connectivity capability may provide tips and/or information to the user, e.g., so clear and comprehensible training information may be provided. 
         [0073]    The user may select to test themselves on the correct use of a device. For example, the mobile device and/or the medicament dispenser may enable the user to perform the actions they believe are correct for the device (e.g., by interacting with an onscreen simulation and/or with an actual dispenser). Once the challenge is complete, the mobile device and/or the medicament dispenser may present the user with a score, or other achievement feedback. The score may be based upon how many of the user&#39;s actions were performed correctly, which may be based upon the predetermined correct user profile data. 
         [0074]    Concepts drawn from psychology, software user experience, and/or the gaming industry may be provided, e.g., to improve the effectiveness with which feedback and/or training information may be presented to users and/or assimilated by users. Game playing may be provided to the user in accordance with the dispensing and/or assessed data. The game playing may be provided to encourage increased practice and/or training so as to increase user proficiency with dispensing devices. The mobile device may contain software configured to gamify various aspects of using the dispenser by including such elements. These aspects may include gaming features such as point-scoring, rewards, “unlockable” content, one or more achievement badges, levels of progression, progress bars, ratings, and/or rankings. These may be presented to the user in accordance with the monitored relationship between the dispensing data and/or predetermined data. 
         [0075]      FIGS. 8A-8E  illustrate example styles of presenting information to a user, e.g., based upon the dispensing or assessed data. The activity of dispensing medicament may be presented by the mobile device  800  as a game. For example, the activity of dispensing inhaler medicament may be visualized by the mobile device  800  as an on-screen representation of a user&#39;s progress in breathing. A user&#39;s breathing may be monitored by the mobile device  800 , and the breathing of the user may drive a visualized filling and/or inhalation of a target. For example, as shown in  FIG. 8A , the breathing of a user may be visualized as a blowing up and/or deflating of a blowfish  820 . As the user inhales and/or exhales about the medicament dispenser, the volume of the blowfish  820  may decrease and/or increase. As shown on  FIG. 8B , the visualized filling of a meter  822  (e.g., a thermometer) and/or inflation of a target may correlate with an administration of a medicament. The visualized filling of the meter  822  and/or inflation of an object may present a target for a user to obtain, e.g., to obtain optimal medicament dispensing. The visualization of data on the mobile device  800  and/or interaction with the medicament dispenser  802  may be incorporated into a wide variety of game mechanics. 
         [0076]      FIG. 8C  shows an example wherein a user may score points based on a use of the medicament dispenser  802 . For example, a score  824  of the user may increase and/or decrease, dependent on how the user is interacting with the medicament dispenser  802  and/or mobile device  800 . As the user continues to improve upon medicament dispensing activities, the user&#39;s score  824  in the game may increase. The score  824  may be used to provide comparisons to users of previous medicament dispensing activities, and/or may provide a goal for the user to strive toward. 
         [0077]      FIG. 8D  shows an example wherein the mobile device  800  is running an application and the medicament dispenser&#39;s  802  use is represented as a basketball game. As the user exhales, the mobile device  800  may display the basketball  860  being drawn back. Upon the patient&#39;s inhaling of the medicament, the ball  860  may be shot towards the hoop  862 . The degree to which the user exhales and/or inhales may correspond to ideal inhale and/or exhale. For example, the basketball  860  may reach its target if the user obtains optimal breathing techniques.  FIG. 8E  shows an example wherein the mobile device  800  is running an application and the medicament dispenser&#39;s  802  use is represented as flying balloons  880 . The traveling of the flying balloons  880  may depend on the quality of the patient&#39;s inhalation and/or exhalation. The distance that the balloons  880  travel and/or the heights that the balloons  880  reach may depend on the quality of the patient&#39;s inhalation and/or exhalation. For example, an inhalation that corresponds to an optimal inhalation may result in the balloons  880  traveling further and/or higher than a suboptimal inhalation. Information related to the dispensing of medicament (e.g., information related to the inhalation technique used for a particular inhaler) may be visualized in numerous ways, including, for example, by charts, tables, and/or other graphics. 
         [0078]    With reference to  FIG. 9 , the mobile device and/or medicament dispenser may provide the user with guidance  920 , assistance, and/or score information  922 . The guidance  922 , assistance, score information  922  may be visualized in the form of a message delivered by a medical professional avatar, for example. The guidance  920 , assistance, and/or score information  922  may be brief and/or detailed, depending on the needs of the user and/or the medical provider. Guidance may be generated in accordance with the user&#39;s past performance in the challenges and/or in accordance with the user&#39;s past performance in dispensing the medicament. The tips may, e.g., be presented in a manner to make the application have a personal touch to the individual user. The user may be presented with ratings according to the assessment of their actual or simulated dispenser use technique. 
         [0079]    Various achievements may be provided within the application so as to encourage continued and correct game play. Examples of achievements might include completing all of the tasks, scoring a number of points, and/or using the application a number of times. The user may be given a specific set of goals to achieve and may be encouraged to play through the game in its entirety. Schedules may be generated and/or location-based reminders may be provided for the user to practice their technique with respect to the medicament dispenser. These reminders may be presented to the user via the mobile device  900  and/or the medicament dispenser  904 . The occurrence of reminders may be based upon predetermined intervals, prescriptions or user-defined parameters. 
         [0080]    Data generated by the mobile device and/or the medicament dispenser may be shared with medical care providers, medication providers, and the like. The data may be shared in real time, and/or by collecting and analyzing the data over a configurable period. The impact of the medicament upon a user&#39;s health outcome may be examined, e.g., based upon the efficacy of the medicament and/or the level of technical adherence and compliance of the patient in using it. 
         [0081]      FIG. 10  is a simplified flow diagram depicting an example method for receiving feedback as a result of simulating a medicament dispensing activity. At  1002 , a signal may be received. The signal may be received by the mobile device, sensing device, and/or a medicament dispenser. The signal may represent a medicament dispensing activity. For example, the signal may be representative of a technique with which a user administers a medicament from a medicament dispenser. The dispensing data may include data representing a physical action executed by a user in operating the medicament dispenser; a spatial orientation of the medicament dispenser; an acceleration applied to the medicament dispenser; a quantity of medicament dispensed; and/or a rate at which medicament is dispensed. The user&#39;s technique may be captured by the mobile device, sensing device, and/or recorded as dispensing data by, e.g., detecting and/or measuring data representing various physical properties. 
         [0082]    At  1004 , the correctness of the medicament dispensing activity may be determined. The dispensing data may be processed with respect to predetermined data. The predetermined data may include data representative of an optimal mode, usage, and/or pattern in which a medicament dispenser may be operated by a user. The predetermined data may be downloaded data, and/or may have been prescribed by a medication provider or medical professional (e.g., when the technique is adhered to by a user it optimizes the effectiveness of the dispensed medicament). The dispensing data may be evaluated against the predetermined data, to determine assessed data. 
         [0083]    At  1006 , data (e.g., medicament dispensing data, assessed data, etc.) may be transmitted. The data may be transmitted to and/or from the mobile device, medicament dispenser, and/or sensing device. The transmitted data may include recorded (e.g., raw recorded) data and/or dispensing (e.g., monitored dispensing) data. The dispensing data may be formatted, refactored, compressed, and/or collated prior to transmission depending upon the physical capabilities of the system and/or the requirements of the specific application. 
         [0084]    At  1008 , evaluation information (e.g., evaluation information of the monitored administering technique) may be presented. The data and evaluation information may be presented to a user, e.g., via the mobile device and/or medicament dispenser. The data and/or information may be presented by way of visual, audible, and/or haptic feedback. For example, the data and/or information may be presented by way of graphical representations, textual data, and/or numerical data. The data may be presented to users (e.g., doctors or other healthcare personnel, and/or parents of patients) other than patients, via electronic communications. The assessed data may be included in email, SMS, MMS, VOIP, and/or other electronic message or document formats and transmitted via the Internet or mobile communication networks. 
         [0085]    The evaluation information may comprise tips, guidance, and/or assistance information. The tips, guidance, and/or other information may be visualized in the form of a message delivered by a medical professional avatar. The tips, guidance, and/or other information may be brief and/or detailed, depending on the needs of the user and/or the medical provider. The tips, guidance, and/or other information may, e.g., be presented in a manner to make the application have a personal touch to the individual user. The user may be presented with ratings according to the assessment of their actual or simulated dispenser use technique. The user may be given a specific set of goals to achieve and may be encouraged to play through the game in its entirety.