Medication reminder apparatus

A medication reminder apparatus, comprising a parallelepiped case with an electric clock, a processor within the case communicating with the clock, an electronic punch card reader within the case communicating with the processor, a punch card with columns, each column comprising a medication identification and a corresponding number of punch holes, each punch hole read by the punch card reader, reminder tabs caused to release by a motor controlled by the processor whereby a user is reminded what medications to take when.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It can be quite difficult to remember which medicine to take and when, especially when an individual is faced with taking many medications. Some medications are taken only once daily while some are taken four times per day, as example. What is needed is a basically designed mechanism that is clock driven, a mechanism which holds medication reminders and reminds a user which medications to take and when. The ideal apparatus should be designed to also accommodate the blind, so that one without sight can identify medication schedules also. The present invention fulfills these needs.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to medication scheduling and dosages and more specifically to a medication reminder apparatus which reminds a user which meds to take, how many, and when to take them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the medication reminder apparatus, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a medication reminder apparatus which has many novel features that result in an improved medication reminder apparatus which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by prior art, either alone or in combination thereof.

To accomplish this, the invention comprises a medication reminder apparatus, comprising a parallelepiped case with an electric clock. The clock is disposed in a side of the case and visible therein. A processor is within the case in communication with the clock. An electronic punch card reader is within the case. The punch card reader is fed by a card slot in the top of the case. The punch card reader communicates with the processor. Each punch card is comprised of columns. Each column comprises a medication number and a corresponding number of punch holes. Each punch hole is read by the punch card reader. The reminder tabs are mechanically caused to release by a motor controlled by the processor. The motor drives a camshaft which drives lobe cam outputs. Each lobe cam output is associated with a reminder tab. The single cam lobe output drives the release of the 1 daily labeled reminder tab. The dual cam lobe output drives the release of the 2 daily labeled reminder tab. The triple cam lobe output drives the release of the 3 daily labeled reminder tab. Likewise, the quadruple cam lobe output drives the release of the 4 daily reminder tab. As the pivotal release of the reminder tab is actuated, the tab pivots downward to reveal the dosage instruction reminder. Bottle of pills are conveniently held atop the case. Reservoirs of reminders are disposed within the case above each appropriate reminder tab so that each reminder tab is associated with the correct reminder count for meds for which a user is reminded. A refillable reservoir holds reminders for dispensing. The reminders are offered in various examples and include marbles, pill-like reminders, and other such appropriate single objects. The reminders are dispensed from the front of the case of the invention as per the commands of the clock, card reader, and related components. Those taking medications are thereby reminded what to take and how many times per day to take the medication by the reminders. The invention is offered in various examples which provide for holding and scheduling various numbers of medications. A basic example schedules and holds up to four medications. An example of a more complete version of the invention is capable of holding and scheduling up to 12 medications. A thumb print recognition pad is provided for security measures, as well as to prevent confusion if more than one person utilizes the invention in an environment. The thumb print recognition pad communicates with the processor to identify the user, such that individualization is possible, in a secure mode.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the medication reminder apparatus will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, examples of the medication reminder apparatus when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current examples of the medication reminder apparatus in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. The invention is capable of other examples and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Objects of the medication reminder apparatus, along with various novel features that characterize the invention are particularly pointed out in the claims forming a part of this disclosure. For better understanding of the medication reminder apparatus, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, refer to the accompanying drawings and description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference now to the drawings, and in particularFIGS. 1 through 5thereof, example of the medication reminder apparatus employing the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference number10will be described.

Referring toFIG. 1, the invention10comprises a parallelepiped case12. A 24 hour labeled electric clock14is disposed within the case12. The clock14is visible from the exterior of the case12. A card slot20is disposed within the exterior of the case12. A thumb print recognition pad94is disposed proximal to the card slot20. The pad94provides for secure use of the invention10, especially in an environment where others may be often present. The recognition pad communicates with the processor50for proper identification of a user. A punch card24is prepared for insertion within the slot20. The punch card24displayed has four vertical columns27. Each column27comprises a medication number25. The numbers25comprise one, two, three, and four, respectively, in each of the four columns27. Punch holes26in each column27are below each number25. As example, one punch hole26is in the one column27. Two punch holes26are in the two column27. Four punch holes26are in the a column27. Punch holes26are dictated by the card27print out. Four reminder tabs30are disposed on the exterior side of the case12. The reminder tabs30remind a user which medications102to take by folding out for display of the tab label46(FIG. 3). Each medication102is disposed within a pill bottle100. Each pill bottle100is removably disposed within a bottle well22. Four spaced apart bottle wells22are disposed on the top of the case12. The bottle wells22are in line with and above each corresponding reminder tab30. Each reminder tab30has a tab label46(FIG. 3). Each tab label46is on the tab face36of the reminder tab30. Each catch arm34removably fits into a catch arm orifice42from which timely release occurs by virtue of the invention10function. Each drop slot29then releases a medication reminder1024(FIG. 4). Reminders104are held within the reservoirs21. Reservoirs21are refillable by fill holes28(FIG. 2). Shelves23prevent pill bottles100from entering reservoirs21. Troughs29deliver reminders104to the exterior of the case12. Each alignment tab38removably fits into an alignment slot40of the case12. Each tab30is pivotally mounted to the case12via the tab pivot44. Each label46corresponds to a medication number25on the punch card24. Each reminder tab30further comprises an alignment knob38on the distal end of the reminder tab30. The alignment knob38corresponds with the alignment slot40in the side of the case12. One tab30is in the upward, un-pivoted position. The outlet plug18provides power to the power cord16which powers the invention10. The thumb print recognition pad94is disposed on the top of the case12. The thumb print recognition pad94provides security in the use and programming of the invention10.

Referring toFIG. 2, the card slot20is adjacent to the card reader52within the case12. The card reader52communicates with the processor50within the case12(FIG. 3). Bottle wells22removably hold bottles100.

Shelves23support the bottles100. The fill hole28is below each bottle100such that the reservoirs21can be filled with reminders104(FIG. 4). The processor50communicates with the clock14and the motor54. The motor54drives the rack60. The rack60drives the camshafts56. The camshafts56are geared to appropriately release reminders104through troughs29(FIG. 1). The camshaft56for reminder tabs30is also driven by the rack60.

Referring toFIGS. 3,4, and5, the cam lobes58cause the release of the reminder tabs30. The exemplary camshaft56comprises a single cam lobe58. Multiple cam lobe outputs (not shown) operate in exactly the same fashion. The single cam lobe58drives the 1 daily reminder tab30. Multiple cam lobes drive multiple daily reminders such as are indicated by tab labels46. The reminder tab30is medially joined with the right angle32. The end of the right angle32is joined with the catch arm34. The catch arm34is controlled by the arm lock84of the cam lever80. The cam lever80pivots about the lever pivot86which is supported by the pivot post92. The cam lever80extends upwardly from the pivot to bend into the lever loop82. The lever loop82terminates in the arm lock84. The compression spring88rests on spring rest90and presses against the lower end of the cam lever80. As a cam lobe58such as the single cam lobe58is rotatably cycled, the inside of the cam lever80is acted upon. The arm lock84thereby releases the catch arm34, triggering the downward pivot of the reminder tab30. After the cycle, a user pushes the reminder tab30back into position with the cam lever80.

The compression spring88causes the cam lever80to retain the reminder tab30until the camshaft56again triggers the release of the reminder tab30.

Each reminder tab40pivots downwardly when dictated by the punch card24via the processor50and the motor54, thereby reminding a user of which medications are to be taken when. The camshafts56for the reminder104delivery are geared to open the reservoirs21to the troughs29so that reminders104can be delivered as per each medication's102daily dosage schedule. Camshaft supports59support the reminder tab30camshafts56. The flat shaped reminders104fall from each trough29upon the reminder tabs30. Where other shaped reminders104are utilized, in other examples of the invention10, reminder tabs30are shaped to contain the reminders104.