Abstract:
An audio device for a capped medication container to record and playback medication instructions has a housing which carrier a power supply, an input component (i.e., microphone or input jack), an audio output component (speaker), an electronic data and operating memory, and operating control buttons and may be adapted for releasable attachment to a capped upper end or a closed lower end of a medication carrier.

Description:
RELATED PATENTS 
     This patent application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,586, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to medication containers and, more particularly, to a device for recording and playing back audio messages and that attaches to a medication container. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Medication containers, particularly those for prescribed medications, require specific written instructions for a patient with regard to dosages and other special instructions to be printed on a label and affixed to the container, or to be packaged with the container. Instructions may be provided from the patient&#39;s physician, the drug manufacturer, or the distributor. 
     Written instructions that are provided with medications are subject to various shortcomings attributable to various factors including limited writing space, poor vision, low literacy level of the patient, primary spoken language of the patient, potential for physical damage to or smudging of written labels, and misplacing of enclosed instructions. For example, written instructions that are required to be fixed to the outside of the medication container on a label must be printed in letters large enough to be seen by the reader, yet small enough to enable the complete instructions to be printed on the label which is relatively limited in writing area. This may result in medication labels that are in print that are too small to be read by people with poor vision, without the need for magnifiers or other vision aids. In some situations it may be necessary for instructions to be written very concisely to fit on a label. This sometimes results in language being omitted for the sake of brevity thereby rendering the instructions deficient or difficult to comprehend. In other situations, where the label or instructions are written in a language that is not the native or first language of the patient, it may be difficult for the patient to understand the instructions. Labels fixed to medication containers are subject to wear, smudging, and moisture, which may result in damage to the label so that it cannot be read. Lastly, certain enclosed instructions and warnings that may have been enclosed in the manufacturer&#39;s packaging, but not printed on a label, may be misplaced or otherwise separated from the medication container. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a device associated with a medication container for delivering instructions and warnings to patients using a medication. It is a further object to provide such a device in a manner that overcomes the shortcomings discussed above with conventional printed labels and instruction enclosures. These objects and others are achieved by the present invention as will be described herein. 
     The present invention is directed to a device that attaches to a medication container and has a built-in audio recording and playback feature for recording and listening to instructions. The self-contained device has a power supply, an audio input component (i.e., microphone), an audio output component (speaker), audio recording storage in the form of electronic data memory, control buttons in communication with a microprocessor, and associated electronic circuitry. In one embodiment, the device is adapted to clip onto the cap of a medication container. In another embodiment, the device is adapted to slide over the lower end of a medication container. The aforementioned embodiments of the present invention are physically adapted to enable use of a conventional medication container cap in its ordinary fashion, without interfering with safe and proper operation thereof which is strictly regulated. 
     In operation, a physician and/or a pharmacist can verbally instruct a patient by recording a voice message into the device of the present invention. The device is attached to a medication container. A playback feature enables the patient, upon receiving the medication container and the device of the present invention, to playback the recording to receive verbal, audio instructions and warnings. This system can be used in lieu of or in association with conventional, written instructions and warnings on a printed label or printed enclosures. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional, cylindrical medication container having a rotatable cap and an adhesive label thereon. 
     FIG. 2 is a front, top perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a front, bottom perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic, partial, front, cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic, top view of a circuit board and related components of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a front, top perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention shown attached to a medication container. 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of a modified component of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a front, top perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic, partial, front, cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a schematic, partial, front, cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the present invention shown with a medication container received therein. 
     FIG. 11 is a front, top perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a schematic, block diagram of a fourth embodiment system according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional, side elevational view of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A conventional medication container ( 10 ) of the type used to dispense and store prescription medication comprises a cylindrical body ( 12 ) with an open top end ( 14 ) having threads (not shown) and a closed bottom end ( 16 ) is illustrated in FIG. 1. A rotatable cap ( 18 ) is provided to engage the threads on the body ( 12 ) of the container ( 10 ) to securely close the container ( 10 ). The cap ( 18 ) has a generally radially disposed annular lower surface ( 19 ), best shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, which encircles the container body ( 12 ) when the cap is releasably retained on the body. The cap may be of the type having child-proof or safety locking configurations. An adhesive label ( 20 ) of the type ordinarily used to display written instructions, warnings and patient and physician information is applied to the body ( 12 ) of the container ( 10 ). 
     A recording and playback device ( 22 ) according to a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 2-3. The device ( 22 ) has a hollow housing ( 23 ) and includes a cylindrical wall ( 24 ), a top surface ( 26 ), and a bottom end ( 28 ) defining a generally cylindrical opening ( 29 ) sized to receive the cap ( 18 ) therethrough. A set of speaker holes ( 30 ) are provided on the top surface ( 26 ) to accommodate an internal speaker (discussed below). Optionally, the speaker holes could be positioned on the cylindrical wall ( 24 ). A safety tie hook ( 32 ) is provided on the cylindrical wall ( 24 ) to accommodate safety means (discussed below) for securing the device ( 22 ) to a medication container. The cylindrical wall ( 24 ) includes a recessed portion ( 34 ) to accommodate a playback button ( 36 ) for playing back audio messages, as will be discussed below. A series of flexible teeth ( 38 ) are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the open bottom end ( 28 ) in order to flex upon contact with a medication container cap, to surround and engage the same. A recessed microphone hole ( 40 ) is provided for receiving sounds to be recorded, as will be discussed below. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, a schematic, cross-sectional view of the device ( 22 ) described in FIGS. 2-3 is provided. As shown, a horizontal, internal wall ( 42 ) is provided above and generally parallel to the open bottom end ( 28 ) of the device ( 22 ). The internal wall ( 42 ) is provided to serve to seal off the internal chamber ( 44 ) that houses the recording and playback components ( 46 ), shown schematically. The internal wall ( 42 ) also functions as a stop for engagement with a medication container cap to secure the cap and prevent it from damaging internal components ( 46 ). A set of internal tabs ( 48 ) can be provided to securely hold the internal wall ( 42 ) in place relative to the inner surface of the cylindrical wall ( 24 ). A record-command opening ( 50 ) is provided through the internal wall ( 42 ) to engage a recessed record button ( 52 ). The record button ( 52 ) is recessed so that it may be activated by pressing a pointed object, such as a ball point pen, into the record-command opening ( 50 ) in order to activate the record function, as discussed below, to record audible instructions. 
     The internal components ( 46 ) are now illustrated schematically in FIG. 5. A circuit board ( 48 ) adapted to be securely contained in the internal chamber ( 44 ) includes a switch contact element ( 51 ) for engagement with the playback button ( 36 ). The circuit board ( 48 ) may be fixed to the internal wall ( 42 ) or otherwise fixed in the internal chamber ( 44 ). The switch contact element ( 51 ) is in communication with a microcontroller ( 53 ) which includes a data storage element ( 54 ) for storing sound data. The microcontroller ( 53 ) may comprise one or more commercially available, programmable microchips. A power source, such as a battery ( 56 ), is provided to power operation of the electrical components. A microphone ( 58 ) and speaker ( 60 ) are also provided. 
     In operation, the device ( 22 ) is initialized by a physician or pharmacist. The physician or pharmacist grasps the device ( 22 ) and inserts a ball point pen or other pointed object into the record command opening ( 50 ) to press the record button ( 52 ). At the same time, the physician or pharmacist speaks into the microphone hole ( 40 ) to deliver an audible message containing instructions for the medication to which the device will be attached. When the message is completed, the physician or pharmacist releases the record button ( 52 ). 
     The audible message is received through the microphone ( 58 ) and transformed into digital signals by the microcontroller ( 53 ) and stored. A timer may be set to control the maximum allowable length of the audible message. If desired, the device ( 22 ) may be programmed to store and selectively play more than one audible message. For example, the microcontroller ( 53 ) may be programmed to operate a calendar function or a timer and an associated alarm system to automatically emit audible signals or messages to remind a patient when it is time to take a dosage of medication. After the audible messages are stored and, if applicable, any timer or calendar functions are programmed, the device ( 22 ) is ready to be attached to a medication container as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     The device ( 22 ) is press-fitted over the top of a medication container cap ( 18 ) by engaging the flexible teeth ( 38 ) of the bottom, open end ( 28 ) of the device ( 22 ) with the container cap ( 18 ). By applying downward force to the device ( 22 ), the flexible teeth ( 38 ) will flex and slip past the container cap ( 18 ), so that the container cap ( 18 ) resides in a secondary chamber ( 62 ) formed in the device ( 22 ) between the internal wall ( 42 ) and the flexible teeth ( 38 ). The internal wall ( 42 ) prevents the container cap ( 18 ) from penetrating into the internal chamber ( 44 ). As shown in FIG. 6, a tether ( 64 ) in the form of a flexible plastic rod or tie is attached at one end to the safety tie hook ( 32 ). The other end of the tether ( 64 ) is fixed to the medication container body ( 12 ) by adhesive tape ( 66 ) or other suitable means. The tether ( 64 ) prevents the device ( 22 ) from becoming separated from the medication container ( 10 ) when, for example, the device ( 22 ) is removed from the container cap ( 18 ) to allow the container cap ( 18 ) to be removed from the medication container ( 10 ). The housing ( 23 ) is preferably molded from a suitable plastic material, such as polyurethane, that is water-resistant and durable. If desired, the speaker ( 60 ) can be of the commercially available water-resistant type. 
     When a patient receives the medication container ( 10 ) having the attached device ( 22 ) according to the present invention, the patient can activate playback of the audio instructions by depressing the playback button ( 36 ). The audio message will be played by the controller ( 53 ) and associated electronic components, and emitted from the speaker holes ( 30 ). 
     As shown in FIG. 7, the device ( 22 ) may include a display screen ( 66 ), such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), and programming buttons ( 68 ) for displaying and inputting information relating to programming of optional modes and functions such as a calendar, a timer and alarm, and a clock display. 
     An alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 8-10. Referring to FIGS. 8-9, the second embodiment device ( 100 ) comprises a cylindrical wall ( 102 ), a bottom wall ( 104 ), an open top end ( 106 ), and an interior wall ( 108 ) with a record-command opening ( 109 ). An inner chamber ( 110 ) is adapted to receive a circuit board ( 48 ) having equivalent functional components as described with respect to FIG. 5. A playback button hole ( 112 ) is provided in the cylindrical wall ( 102 ) to accommodate a playback button ( 114 ). A set of speaker holes ( 116 ) is provided to accommodate an audible speaker of the type described with respect to FIG.  5 . The speaker holes ( 116 ) are preferably positioned on the cylindrical wall ( 102 ), though they could be positioned on the bottom surface of the bottom wall ( 104 ). A microphone hole ( 118 ), and an optional LCD display ( 120 ) and control buttons ( 122 ) are provided on the cylindrical wall ( 102 ). However, the present invention is not limited in this regard as the display  120  and buttons  122  can be positioned in other suitable areas, such as on the bottom surface of the cylindrical wall, without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. An optional safety tie hook ( 124 ) can be provided. The inner circumferential wall ( 126 ) decreases in diameter beginning from the top opening ( 106 ) and moving toward the interior wall ( 108 ). This provides a wedge-type fit around the bottom section of a medication container. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 10, a cylindrical medication container ( 10 ) is press-fitted into the device ( 100 ) in a downward direction, as shown by the arrow ( 128 ). The inner circumferential wall ( 126 ) has decreasing diameter in the downward direction such that it is slightly larger than the diameter of the medication container ( 10 ) at the top opening ( 106 ) and it is slightly smaller than the diameter of the medication container ( 10 ) at the interior wall ( 108 ). This causes the circumferential wall ( 126 ) and/or the wall of the medication container to flex slightly so that the device ( 100 ) grips the medication container ( 10 ) in a wedge-like manner with sufficient force to be retained therewith. The optional safety tie hook ( 124 ) may be tethered to the medication container ( 10 ) in a manner similar to that described with respect to FIG.  6 . 
     Operation of the device ( 100 ) is essentially the same as described above with respect to the first embodiment device ( 22 ) of the present invention. The primary difference is that the second embodiment device ( 100 ) is generally inverted, enabling it to remain fixed to and in place with respect to the medication container ( 10 ) even when the container cap ( 18 ) is being opened or closed. 
     A third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG.  11 . The present invention device ( 200 ) is essentially similar to that described with respect to FIG. 1, except that instead of having a microphone hole for directly delivering audible messages from the physician or pharmacist directly into the microphone element ( 58 ), an electrical input jack ( 202 ) is provided. The electrical jack ( 202 ) can receive a plug that is connected to a microphone, a recorded medium player, a data storage device, or similar means for delivering sound data into the circuitry of the device ( 200 ) for processing and delivery as an audible message through the speaker holes ( 204 ). Thus, in one instance, a physician or pharmacist may use a microphone that can be attached to the device ( 200 ) only when it is necessary to deliver verbal instructions. In another instance, a source of delivering an audible message, such as a machine or a person, may deliver verbal instructions into one recording machine in order to later transfer the message to a device ( 200 ) according to the present invention by using an electrical connector through the jack ( 202 ). In yet another instance, illustrated in FIG. 12, a sound source ( 300 ), such as a person or a machine, may remotely produce an audible message that is recorded by a machine ( 302 ) and subsequently transmitted to a remote location where it can be received by another machine ( 304 ) and input into a device ( 200 ) according to the present invention for use as described above. In this instance, the recorded message may be sent physically on a recording medium, or it may be sent electronically. For example, the recorded message may be converted to digital signals and sent to a remote location via modem or RF. 
     A fourth embodiment of the present invention is directed to a device ( 400 ) similar to that described with respect to the third embodiment, but including additional retaining means for retaining a medication container in the housing of the device ( 400 ). The retaining means are, preferably, in the form of a retaining spring ( 406 ) that may be a metallic spring in the form of a loop, or a rubber ring, or the like. The rubber ring and the housing in which it is contained may be dimensioned so that the ring is compressed between the housing and a medication container where the device is attached to the container. The device ( 400 ) may be constructed with separate internal wall components ( 402 ,  404 ) to form a channel ( 408 ) for entrapping and holding the spring ( 406 ) relative to the device ( 400 ). Alternatively, the channel ( 408 ) may be molded into the inner wall ( 412 ). When a medication container is received in the device ( 400 ), the outer circumferential wall of the container contacts the inner surface ( 410 ) of the spring ( 406 ) which protrudes past the inner wall ( 412 ), thereby causing the spring ( 406 ) to compress and exert a resilient retaining force on the container. In a manner similar to that described above with respect to the previous embodiments, various components ( 414 ) are stored in the device ( 400 ). 
     While the preferred embodiments have been herein described, it is acknowledged that variation and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the presently claimed invention.