Abstract:
The present invention is a medication reminder system and method for use with blister packs containing medications to be taken by a patient wherein the system alerts the patient when to take the medication contained in a particular blister. An audible alarm and a light indicate which blister is to be opened to remove the medication. The system comprises a case large enough to enclose a blister pack and has top and bottom halves that are releasably connected together. A circuit board comprising the electronics that operate the system is placed on top of the blister pack and is enclosed in the case along with the blister pack. Both the circuit board and the top case half have openings that allow the blisters of the pack to pass through. Openings on the bottom case half permit the medications in the blisters to be removed. The circuit board is programmable to set the time of an internal clock and to set up to four alarms a day when medications are to be taken. The alarms consist of an audible alarm along with a light flashing by the blister to be expressed by the patient. When the blister pack is depleted, it can be replaced with a new pack without reprogramming the alarm times unless the patient&#39;s medical regimen has changed requiring medication to be taken at different times.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to medication dispensing reminder systems, in particular, reminder systems that work with medications dispensed in blister packs. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Medications are often dispensed by pharmacies for patients in blister packs which are prepackaged cards of up to 28 blisters, typically in four column by seven row configuration. Each row represents a day a week whereas each column represents a time during the day “e.g. breakfast, lunch, supper, bedtime” when medication is to be taken. Accordingly, each blister pack represents a week&#39;s worth of medication for a patient. Each blister is, typically, a clear plastic bubble projecting from the blister pack. The pack will have a foil or paper backing whereby depressing the blister from the top will cause the medication to puncture through the rear foil or paper so that the medication is freed from the pack to be taken by the patient. 
   Some patients are forgetful, however, and will lose track of time and not take the appropriate medication at the appropriate time. It is, therefore, desirable to provide a blister pack medication reminder system to alert the patient to take their medication from the appropriate blister at the appropriate time of day. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is a medication reminder system and method for use with blister packs containing medications to be taken by a patient. The system includes a case, preferably made of plastic, large enough to enclose a blister pack. The case has top and bottom halves that are releasably connectable together. The top case half has openings, one for each blister on a blister pack to pass through when a blister pack is sandwiched between the top and bottom cases. The system further comprises a circuit board having a microprocessor, a memory, interaction means and alarm means. The circuit board also comprises openings for each blister on a blister pack to pass through and is designed to be placed on top of the blister pack when sandwiched between the top and bottom case halves. A battery cell mounted on the circuit board provides power to the electronics contained thereupon. 
   The memory contains a program code segment operatively connected to the microprocessor whereby the combination of the memory, the program code segment and the microprocessor is adapted to be programmed using the interaction means to set at least one alarm that will indicate when a predetermined blister is to be opened at a predetermined time. As a blister pack will contain up to 28 doses of medication to be taken over a one week period, the system can be programmed to provide up to four alarms a day to alert a patient to take those medications over the one week period. The present invention is programmable such that each of the four alarms can be turned on or off. The time for when each alarm is to be sounded can be programmed. 
   Interaction means are operatively connected to the microprocessor and consists of a display for providing messages to the patient. The interaction means also comprises a series of button-operated switch contacts used to provide input commands for setting the time of an internal clock and for programming the alarm times. 
   The alarm means comprises a speaker used for providing an audible alarm. The alarm means also comprises a light emitting device for each blister on the blister pack. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each light emitting device is a light emitting diode (“LED”). Each LED is placed on the circuit board near the blister it is associated with. When it is time to take medication, the LED near the blister to be opened will light visually indicating which blister needs to be opened. The alarm means are operatively connected to the microprocessor and controlled by the microprocessor. 
   To accommodate the interaction means and the alarm means, the top case comprises further openings to allow the display, the buttons and the LEDs to pass through when the system is assembled together so that they are accessible and visible to the patient. 
   The bottom case half is designed to have a plurality of openings, one opening positioned under each blister of the blister pack. These openings permit the removal of medication from the blister by depressing the blister from the top thereby causing the medication to puncture through the rear foil of the blister pack and fall through the opening. 
   When the blister pack has been depleted, the case can be opened to remove the used blister pack and insert a new blister pack. No alarms or settings need to be changed at this time unless the patient&#39;s medication regime has changed. 
   It is an object of the present invention to alert a patient when to take medication from a predetermined blister or a blister pack at a predetermined time. 
   Broadly stated, one aspect of the present invention is a blister pack medication reminder system, comprising a top case having a plurality of openings for allowing a plurality of blisters of a blister pack to pass through, each blister adapted to contain a dose of medication, a bottom case adapted to releasably connect to said top case, said top and bottom cases adapted to receive said blister pack therebetween, a circuit board adapted to be positioned between said top case and said blister pack when said top and bottom cases are releasably connected together, said circuit board comprising a microprocessor and a memory, said memory adapted to contain a program code segment to operate said microprocessor, interaction means for interacting with said reminder system, said interaction means mounted on top of said circuit board and operatively connected to said microprocessor, alarm means for producing an alarm when medication in a predetermined blister is to be taken at a predetermined time, said alarm means operatively connected to said microprocessor, a program code segment operatively contained in said memory, said program code having instructions adapted to operate said microprocessor, the combination of said program code segment, said memory and said microprocessor adapted to be programmed to produce at least one alarm at a predetermined time and to operate said alarm means when said at least one alarm is produced at said predetermined time, and power means for powering said circuit board. 
   Broadly stated, another aspect of the present invention is a method for reminding a user when to take medication from a blister in a blister pack, the method comprising the steps of providing a blister pack medication reminder system, said reminder system adapted to be programmed to provide an alarm indicating when the medication in a predetermined blister is to be taken by said user at a predetermined time, programming said reminder system to produce at least one alarm at a predetermined time, said at least one alarm indicating a predetermined blister of said blister pack to be opened in order to remove the medication contained therein, producing said at least one alarm at said predetermined time, providing an audible alarm when said at least one alarm is produced at said predetermined time, and visually identifying said predetermined blister when said at least one alarm is produced at said predetermined time. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view of the present invention with a blister pack inserted. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective exploded view of the present invention showing the top case ( 2 ), the circuit board ( 3 ), a blister pack ( 4 ) and the bottom case ( 5 ). 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart describing the logic for setting the current time on the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart describing the sub-procedure logic used for setting the current time on the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart describing the sub-procedure logic used for setting the minutes for both the current time and alarm time on the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart describing the sub-procedure logic used for setting the day of the week for the current time on the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart describing the logic used for setting the alarms to on or off and setting the alarm time on the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart describing the sub-procedure logic used for setting each of the four alarms to on or off and setting the alarm time for each of the four alarms on the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart describing the sub-procedure logic used for setting the alarm time on the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart describing the logic used for the present invention to check the alarm times against the current time and activate the alarm if the condition is true. 
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart describing the logic used for resetting the alarm once the alarm has become activated on the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , Blister Pack Medication Reminder System ( 1 ) is comprised of top case ( 2 ), circuit board ( 3 ), blister pack ( 4 ), and bottom case ( 5 ). Blisters ( 6 ) of blister pack ( 4 ) will insert into spaces ( 7 ) of top case ( 2 ). Display ( 8 ) shows the current time and cues when programming. Speaker ( 9 ) has loud/soft switch ( 10 ) and beeps when the alarm time matches the current time when the system is in operational mode. Light Emitting Diodes ( 11 ) centered above each space ( 7 ) in system ( 1 ) which flash when the alarm time matches the current time to indicate which blister ( 6 ) is to be opened. Blister ( 6 ) is depressed causing the medication therein to pierce through the rear foil of blister pack ( 4 ) and fall through cavity ( 12 ) of bottom case ( 5 ) in order to retrieve the medication. Located below display ( 8 ) are the four buttons: Mode ( 13 ), Set ( 14 ), Adjust ( 15 ) and ON/OFF ( 16 ). 
   These buttons are used to set the current time, turn alarms on or off, set alarm times and to turn off an alarm when System ( 1 ) is in operation. 
   Setting Time 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , the instructions to set the time are set out in Set_Time Main Program ( 300 ). The instructions are as follows:
         a) Press and hold the “ADJUST” button ( 15 ) for a few second until the hours begin to flash.   b) Press “SET” button ( 14 ) until proper hour is flashing.   c) Press “MODE” button ( 13 ) to move to minutes.   d) Press “SET” button ( 14 ) until proper minute is flashing.   e) Press “MODE” button ( 13 ) to set the day of the week.   f) Press “SET” button ( 14 ) until proper day of week indicator is flashing.   g) Press “ADJUST” button ( 15 ) to end procedure.       

   If Adjust button ( 15 ) is pressed for more than 3 seconds (step  308 ), then a listener is activated (step  310 ). According to this listener, while no other buttons are pressed in a consecutive 20 second time frame (step  312 ), all attempted setting since the listener was activated will be cancelled (step  332 ) and display ( 8 ) will return to normal running mode showing the current time (step  336 ). Otherwise, the user will continue to the Set_Time sub-procedure (step  316 ). Once returning from the Set_Time sub-procedure and the user presses Adjust button ( 15 ) (step  320 ), the changes will be saved (step  324 ) and display ( 8 ) will show the new current time (step  328 ). However, should Adjust button ( 15 ) not be pressed within 20 seconds, all attempted settings will be cancelled (step  332 ) and display ( 8 ) will return to normal running mode showing the current time (step  336 ). 
   When the user is sent to the Set_Time Sub-Procedure ( 400 ), illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the Hours on display ( 8 ) will flash (step  408 ) indicating to the user that this setting can now be changed. For every press of Set button ( 14 ) (step  412 ), the hours will increase by one (step  416 ). Once the hours are set, the user must press Mode button ( 13 ) (step  420 ) to continue to Set_Minutes sub-procedure (step  424 ). Once the minutes are set, the user must press Mode button ( 13 ) (step  428 ) to continue to Set_Day_of_Week sub-procedure (step  432 ). Once the day of the week is set, the user will be returned to Setting Time Main Program (step  444 ). If the user does not press Mode button ( 13 ) (step  420 ) (step  428 ) within 20 seconds, all attempted settings will be cancelled (step  332 ) and display ( 8 ) will return to normal running mode showing the current time (step  336 ). Once the time is set, the user will be returned (step  444 ) to the Set Time Main Program ( 300 ). 
   When the user is sent to the Set_Minutes Sub-Procedure ( 500 ), illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the Minutes on display ( 8 ) will flash ( 508 ) indicating to the user that this setting can now be changed. For every press of Set button ( 14 ) (step  512 ), the minutes will increase by one (step  516 ). Once the minutes are set, the user will be retuned (step  520 ) to the Set Time Sub-Procedure ( 400 ). 
   When the user is sent to the Set_Day_of_Week Sub-Procedure ( 600 ), illustrated in  FIG. 6 , Light Emitting Diode ( 11 ) in first column on the day of week of the current setting will flash (step  608 ) indicating to the user that this setting can now be changed. For every press of Set button ( 14 ) (step  612 ), Light Emitting Diode ( 11 ) will flash on the row representing the next day of the week (step  616 ). Once the day of the week is set, the user will be returned (step  620 ) to the Set Time Sub-Procedure ( 400 ). 
   Setting Alarms 
   The procedure for setting alarms on System ( 1 ) are as follows:
         a) Press and hold “MODE” button ( 13 ) until “AL  1 ” (Alarm  1 ) shows in display ( 8 ) alternately with status “SEL” (Select) or “OFF”.   b) Press “ON/OFF” button ( 16 ) to turn alarm on or off.   c) Press “MODE” button ( 13 ) and repeat procedure for “AL  2 ” (Alarm  2 ), “AL  3 ” (Alarm  3 ) and “AL  4 ” (Alarm  4 ).   d) When “AL  4 ” (Alarm  4 ) is displayed, press the “MODE” button ( 13 ) to end the procedure.       

   During Setting Alarm Main Procedure ( 700 ), illustrated in  FIG. 7 , if Mode button ( 13 ) is pressed for more than  3  seconds (step  708 ), then a listener is activated (step  710 ). According to this listener, while no other buttons are pressed in a consecutive 20 second time frame (step  712 ), all attempted setting since the listener was activated will be cancelled (step  728 ) and display ( 8 ) will return to normal running mode showing the current time (step  724 ). Otherwise, the user will continue to Alarm_Adjust Sub-Procedure (step  716 ). When the user return from Alarm_Adjust Sub-Procedure  800 , illustrated in  FIG. 8 , then the changes are saved (step  720 ), and display ( 8 ) will return to normal running mode showing the current time (step  724 ). 
   When the user is sent to Alarm_Adjust Sub-Procedure ( 800 ), for each of the alarms starting with Alarm  1  (AL 1 ) (step  808 ), display ( 8 ) will show the current alarm being adjusted alternatively with its&#39; status (SEL or OFF) (step  812 ). If the current alarm&#39;s status is SEL (ON) (step  816 ), then the alarm time will also be displayed alternately (step  820 ) with the value of the current alarm and its&#39; status. If ON/OFF button ( 16 ) is pressed (step  824 ), then if the current alarm&#39;s status is OFF (step  828 ), it will change it to ON (step  832 ) and alternately display that alarms&#39; time (step  836 ), else, it will change it to OFF and alternately display the Alarm number and Status only. If the user is just turning the alarms ON or OFF, then the user needs only to press Mode button ( 13 ) (step  856 ) and increase the alarm by one (step  860 ). If the Alarm number is no longer in the range from Alarm  1  to Alarm  4  (step  808 ), then the user is returned (step  868 ) to Setting Alarms Main Procedure ( 700 ). 
   Setting Alarm Times 
   Setting the alarm times on System ( 1 ) is accomplished as follows:
         a) Press “MODE” button ( 13 ) until “AL  1 ” (Alarm  1 ) shows in display ( 8 ) alternately with status “SEL” (Select) or “OFF”.   b) Alarm must be in “SEL” (Select) mode to set the alarm time.   c) Press the ON/OFF button ( 16 ) to change display ( 8 ) to “SEL” (Select) if needed.   d) Press and hold the “ADJUST” button ( 15 ) for a few seconds until the hours begin to flash.   e) Press “SET” button ( 14 ) until proper hour is flashing.   f) Press “MODE” button ( 13 ) to move minutes.   g) Press “SET” button ( 14 ) until proper minute is flashing.   h) Press “ADJUST” button ( 15 ) when proper time is selected.   i) Repeat process for alarms “AL  2 ” (Alarm  2 ). “AL  3 ” (Alarm  3 ) and “AL  4 ” (Alarm  4 ) as needed.       

   When setting the Alarm time, if Mode button ( 13 ) is pressed for more than 3 seconds (step  708 ), then a listener is activated (step  710 ). According to this listener, while no other buttons are pressed in a consecutive 20 second time frame (step  712 ), all attempted settings since the listener was activated will be cancelled (step  728 ) and display ( 8 ) will return to normal running mode showing the current time (step  724 ). Otherwise, the user will continue to the Alarm_Adjust Sub-Procedure (step  716 ). When the user returns from the Alarm_Adjust Sub-Procedure ( 800 ), then the changes are saved (step  720 ), and display ( 8 ) will return to normal running mode showing the current time (step  724 ). 
   When the user is sent to the Alarm_Adjust Sub-Procedure ( 800 ), for each of the alarms starting with Alarm  1  (AL 1 ) (step  808 ), display ( 8 ) will show the current alarm being adjusted alternately with its&#39; status (SEL or OFF) (step  812 ). If the current alarm&#39;s status is SEL (ON) (step  816 ), then the alarm time will also be displayed alternately (step  820 ) with the value of the current alarm and its&#39; status. If ON/OFF button ( 16 ) is pressed (step  824 ), then if the current alarm&#39;s status is OFF (step  828 ), it will change it to ON (step  832 ) and alternately display that alarms&#39; time (step  836 ), else, it will change it to OFF and alternately display the Alarm number and Status only. If the Adjust button is pressed for more than 3 seconds, and the Status is equal to ON (step  848 ), then the user will go through the steps outlined in the Set_Alarm_Time sub-procedure (step  852 ). If Mode button ( 13 ) (step  856 ) is pressed, then the alarm is increased by one (step  860 ). If the Alarm number is no longer in the range from Alarm  1  to Alarm  4  (step  808 ), then the user is returned (step  868 ) to the setting Alarms Main Procedure ( 700 ). 
   When the user is sent to the Set_Alarm_Time Sub-Procedure ( 900 ), illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the Hours on display ( 8 ) will flash (step  908 ) indicating to the user that this setting can now be changed. For every press of Set button ( 14 ) (step  912 ), the hours will increase by one (step  916 ). Once the hours are set, the user must press Mode button ( 13 ) (step  920 ) to continue to the Set_Minutes sub-procedure (step  924 ). Once the minutes are set, and the user presses Adjust button ( 15 ) (step  928 ), the user will be returned (step  940 ) to the Alarm Adjust Sub-Procedure ( 800 ). 
   Every minute, the system will check if the current time is equal to an alarm time and activate the alarm accordingly as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . A variable called Number is assigned a numeric value from 1 to 4 (step  1008 ). It will then use this number to check if the current time is equal to one of the 4 alarm times. If an alarm time equals the current time (step  1012 ), then a flag is set to True and the column value is set to the value of the variable Number (1, 2, 3 or 4) (step  1016 ). The variable Number is then increased by one (step  1020 ). Once the variable Number is greater than 4 (step  1008 ) then the Flag is checked (step  1024 ). If the flag is True (step  1024 ), then the flag is reset to False (step  1028 ), the audible alarm is turned on (step  1032 ) and Light Emitting Diode ( 11 ) at the intersection of the column and the day of the week is set to flash (step  1036 ). 
   Resetting Alarm when System is in Operational Mode 
   To reset the alarm when System  1  is in operational mode, ON/OFF button ( 16 ) is pressed to turn alarm off. 
   Once an alarm is activated, the user will be able to deactivate the alarm, or over a period of time, the alarm will sequentially deactivate itself as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . If the alarm is activated (step  1108 ), then if the user the presses ON/OFF button ( 16 ) (step  1112 ), audible alarm ( 9 ) and Light Emitting Diode ( 11 ) are turned off (step  1116 ) (step  1120 ). If ON/OFF button ( 16 ) is not pressed (step  1112 ), then after one minute of the alarm being active (step  1124 ), audible alarm ( 9 ) will be turned off by the system (step  1128 ). If after an hour of the alarm being active (step  1132 ), then the Light Emitting Diode ( 11 ) will be turned off by the system (step  1136 ). 
   The rows of spaces ( 7 ) reflect the days of the week, (Sunday through Saturday), and the columns of spaces ( 7 ) reflect the time of day, (breakfast, lunch, supper, and bedtime). The software program containing the logistics will determine which Light Emitting Diode ( 11 ) at the intersection of the row and column will be emitted at the specified alarm time indication which blister is to be expressed into cavities ( 12 ) of the bottom case. 
   Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The terms and expressions used in the preceding specification have been used herein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized at the scope of the invention as defined and limited only by the claims that follow.