Abstract:
Aspects of the present invention relate to a container for selective dispensing of a contained substance. Some aspects relate to wireless communication connections for communicating container programming data and notifications to a user or third parties. Some aspects relate to selective operation related to the proximity of a wearable component or related to a user&#39;s physiological parameters.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/138,870 filed on Mar. 26, 2015. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for connected dispensing and storage of substances such as medications, dietary supplements, food products and many other substances. 
       2. Background and Related Art 
       [0003]    Currently, a patient or product consumer receives a prescription or recommendation from a doctor or health professional to consume a medication or dietary supplement in a prescribed dosage and frequency for a specified period of time. The patient or consumer then takes the prescription or recommendation to a pharmacist or vendor who dispenses the product, typically in a disposable plastic bottle with a textual description of the contents and the prescribed dosage, frequency and time period. 
         [0004]    Under this current scenario, the doctor or health professional and the pharmacist or vendor have no real-time feedback and often no feedback at all related to the efficacy of the prescribed treatment and any adverse reactions of the patient or consumer. Furthermore, health professionals have no way to determine whether the patient or consumer has even consumed the medication or substance in the prescribed quantity or at all. 
         [0005]    If a patient or consumer has an allergy or adverse reaction to a medication or substance, an instantaneous response from a health professional can be the difference between life and death. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, patients or consumers are often at least partially incapacitated during a treatment scenario. In this condition, they are often not capable of reporting their consumption performance or the effects of the consumed substance on their physiology. 
         [0007]    What is needed is a connected, automated container that can communicate with a patient or consumer, communicate with a prescription or recommended consumption database, communicate with health professionals, selectively dispense substances and monitor patient/consumer information. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A method and apparatus are provided for a connected, automated container with functions comprising communication with a patient or consumer, communication with a prescription or recommended consumption database, communication with health professionals, controlled access and monitoring of consumer physiological and other information. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary general-purpose computer system; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a representative networked system configuration related to embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a connected container component of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in the form of a connected medication bottle; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a connected wearable component of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprising a direct communication between a mobile device and interested third parties; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprising a direct communication between a wearable component and interested third parties; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprising direct communication between a connected container and interested third parties. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may take many other forms and shapes, hence the following disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not limiting, and the scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the appended claims. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  and the corresponding discussion are intended to provide a general description of a suitable operating environment in which embodiments of the invention may be implemented. One skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the invention may be practiced by one or more computing devices and in a variety of system configurations, including in a networked configuration. However, while the methods and processes of the present invention have proven to be particularly useful in association with a system comprising a general purpose computer, embodiments of the present invention include utilization of the methods and processes in a variety of environments, including embedded systems with general purpose processing units, digital/media signal processors (DSP/MSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), stand alone electronic devices, and other such electronic environments. 
         [0019]    Embodiments of the present invention embrace one or more computer-readable media, wherein each medium may be configured to include or includes thereon data or computer executable instructions for manipulating data. The computer executable instructions include data structures, objects, programs, routines, or other program modules that may be accessed by a processing system, such as one associated with a general-purpose computer capable of performing various different functions or one associated with a special-purpose computer capable of performing a limited number of functions. Computer executable instructions cause the processing system to perform a particular function or group of functions and are examples of program code means for implementing steps for methods disclosed herein. Furthermore, a particular sequence of the executable instructions provides an example of corresponding acts that may be used to implement such steps. Examples of computer-readable media include random-access memory (“RAM”), read-only memory (“ROM”), programmable read-only memory (“PROM”), erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM”), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), compact disk read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), or any other device or component that is capable of providing data or executable instructions that may be accessed by a processing system. While embodiments of the invention embrace the use of all types of computer-readable media, certain embodiments as recited in the claims may be limited to the use of tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media, and the phrases “tangible computer-readable medium” and “non-transitory computer-readable medium” (or plural variations) used herein are intended to exclude transitory propagating signals per se. 
         [0020]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a representative system for implementing embodiments of the invention includes computer device  10 , which may be a general-purpose or special-purpose computer or any of a variety of consumer electronic devices. For example, computer device  10  may be a personal computer, a notebook or laptop computer, a netbook, a personal digital assistant (“PDA”) or other hand-held device, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a workstation, a minicomputer, a mainframe, a supercomputer, a multi-processor system, a network computer, a processor-based consumer electronic device, a computer device integrated into another device or vehicle, or the like. 
         [0021]    Computer device  10  includes system bus  12 , which may be configured to connect various components thereof and enables data to be exchanged between two or more components. System bus  12  may include one of a variety of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, or a local bus that uses any of a variety of bus architectures. Typical components connected by system bus  12  include processing system  14  and memory  16 . Other components may include one or more mass storage device interfaces  18 , input interfaces  20 , output interfaces  22 , and/or network interfaces  24 , each of which will be discussed below. 
         [0022]    Processing system  14  includes one or more processors, such as a central processor and optionally one or more other processors designed to perform a particular function or task. It is typically processing system  14  that executes the instructions provided on computer-readable media, such as on memory  16 , a magnetic hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a magnetic cassette, an optical disk, or from a communication connection, which may also be viewed as a computer-readable medium. 
         [0023]    Memory  16  includes one or more computer-readable media that may be configured to include or includes thereon data or instructions for manipulating data, and may be accessed by processing system  14  through system bus  12 . Memory  16  may include, for example, ROM  28 , used to permanently store information, and/or RAM  30 , used to temporarily store information. ROM  28  may include a basic input/output system (“BIOS”) having one or more routines that are used to establish communication, such as during start-up of computer device  10 . RAM  30  may include one or more program modules, such as one or more operating systems, application programs, and/or program data. 
         [0024]    One or more mass storage device interfaces  18  may be used to connect one or more mass storage devices  26  to system bus  12 . The mass storage devices  26  may be incorporated into or may be peripheral to computer device  10  and allow computer device  10  to retain large amounts of data. Optionally, one or more of the mass storage devices  26  may be removable from computer device  10 . Examples of mass storage devices include hard disk drives, magnetic disk drives, tape drives and optical disk drives. A mass storage device  26  may read from and/or write to a magnetic hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a magnetic cassette, an optical disk, or another computer-readable medium. Mass storage devices  26  and their corresponding computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage of data and/or executable instructions that may include one or more program modules such as an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, or program data. Such executable instructions are examples of program code means for implementing steps for methods disclosed herein. 
         [0025]    One or more input interfaces  20  may be employed to enable a user to enter data and/or instructions to computer device  10  through one or more corresponding input devices  32 . Examples of such input devices include a keyboard and alternate input devices, such as a mouse, trackball, light pen, stylus, or other pointing device, a microphone, a joystick, a game pad, a satellite dish, a scanner, a camcorder, a digital camera, and the like. Similarly, examples of input interfaces  20  that may be used to connect the input devices  32  to the system bus  12  include a serial port, a parallel port, a game port, a universal serial bus (“USB”), an integrated circuit, a fire wire (IEEE 1394), or another interface. For example, in some embodiments input interface  20  includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that is designed for a particular application. In a further embodiment, the ASIC is embedded and connects existing circuit building blocks. 
         [0026]    One or more output interfaces  22  may be employed to connect one or more corresponding output devices  34  to system bus  12 . Examples of output devices include a monitor or display screen, a speaker, a printer, a multi-functional peripheral, and the like. A particular output device  34  may be integrated with or peripheral to computer device  10 . Examples of output interfaces include a video adapter, an audio adapter, a parallel port, and the like. 
         [0027]    One or more network interfaces  24  enable computer device  10  to exchange information with one or more other local or remote computer devices, illustrated as computer devices  36 , via a network  38  that may include hardwired and/or wireless links. Examples of network interfaces include a network adapter for connection to a local area network (“LAN”) or a modem, wireless link, or other adapter for connection to a wide area network (“WAN”), such as the Internet. The network interface  24  may be incorporated with or peripheral to computer device  10 . In a networked system, accessible program modules or portions thereof may be stored in a remote memory storage device. Furthermore, in a networked system computer device  10  may participate in a distributed computing environment, where functions or tasks are performed by a plurality of networked computer devices. 
         [0028]    Thus, while those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced in a variety of different environments with many types of system configurations,  FIG. 2  provides a representative networked system configuration that may be used in association with embodiments of the present invention. The representative system of  FIG. 2  includes a computer device, illustrated as client  40 , which is connected to one or more other computer devices (illustrated as client  42  and client  44 ) and one or more peripheral devices (illustrated as multifunctional peripheral (MFP) MFP  46 ) across network  38 . While  FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment that includes a client  40 , two additional clients, client  42  and client  44 , one peripheral device, MFP  46 , and optionally a server  48 , connected to network  38 , alternative embodiments include more or fewer clients, more than one peripheral device, no peripheral devices, no server  48 , and/or more than one server  48  connected to network  38 . Other embodiments of the present invention include local, networked, or peer-to-peer environments where one or more computer devices may be connected to one or more local or remote peripheral devices. Moreover, embodiments in accordance with the present invention also embrace a single electronic consumer device, wireless networked environments, and/or wide area networked environments, such as the Internet. 
         [0029]    Similarly, embodiments of the invention embrace cloud-based architectures where one or more computer functions are performed by remote computer systems and devices at the request of a local computer device. Thus, returning to  FIG. 2 , the client  40  may be a computer device having a limited set of hardware and/or software resources. Because the client  40  is connected to the network  38 , it may be able to access hardware and/or software resources provided across the network  38  by other computer devices and resources, such as client  42 , client  44 , server  48 , or any other resources. The client  40  may access these resources through an access program, such as a web browser, and the results of any computer functions or resources may be delivered through the access program to the user of the client  40 . In such configurations, the client  40  may be any type of computer device or electronic device discussed above or known to the world of cloud computing, including traditional desktop and laptop computers, smart phones and other smart devices, tablet computers, or any other device able to provide access to remote computing resources through an access program such as a browser. 
         [0030]    To minimize the need to download and/or install programs on users&#39; computers, embodiments of the invention utilize existing web browser technology. Many browser programs currently exist or are under development, and it would be impossible to name all such browser programs, but examples of such programs include Microsoft&#39;s Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Opera Software&#39;s Opera browser, as well as myriad browsers specifically configured for specific devices, such as Internet-connected smart phones and the like. The exact display of each browser can vary from browser to browser and most are moderately to highly configurable so as to vary the exact display, 
         [0031]    Many currently-available browser programs permit the installation of additional features, such as through what are commonly known as “browser extensions.” Browser extensions are becoming more and more common in today&#39;s browser programs, and have become one of if not the standard for extending the functionality of the browser programs. For browsers that do not currently support browser extensions, other mechanisms and installed programs are often available to provide similar functionality. 
         [0032]    Embodiments of the invention may utilize a browser extension or similar format to provide functions in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The use and installation of a browser extension is typically significantly less involved and less computer-intensive than the use and installation of a stand-alone program. In many instances, the installation of the browser extension occurs essentially without the computer&#39;s operating system being made aware of any additional installation. Instead, the browser program itself handles the browser extension and any demands made by the browser extension. 
         [0033]    An embodiment of a connected container component of some embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to  FIG. 3 . These embodiments comprise a connected container  50  comprising a container wall  52  encompassing a storage volume  51  that may be sealed with a lid  54 , such as a screw-top lid or snap-on lid, which may also comprise a lid locking mechanism  53  for selectively locking lid  54  to prevent access to the contents of storage volume  51 . Lid locking mechanism  53  may be electronically activated as described below. 
         [0034]    Connected container  50  may comprise one or more electronic circuits  70 , which may comprise a microprocessor, memory, network communication circuit and other circuits for controlling the functions of connected container  50 . The circuits of connected container  50  may be powered by a power source  60  such as a battery. Connected container  50  may further comprise an antenna  72 , which may be a patch antenna or another form of antenna and may be located almost anywhere on connected container  50  or lid  54 . A communication circuit  70 , such as a wireless network controller device may connect electronically and communicatively to antenna  72  for the purpose of wireless communication with a wearable device  80  and or other individuals and devices as described below. 
         [0035]    Connected container  50  may also comprise various sensors  76 ,  58  and emitters  68 ,  74  for determining the current mass, volume, temperature, orientation and/or chemical composition of the content of storage volume  51 . Sensors  58 ,  76  and emitters  68 ,  74  may also comprise motion sensors for determining the motion of connected container  50  for the purposes of determining whether connected container  50  has been used in a content dispensing action, has been damaged or has been used to perform an access or ID gesture as described below. 
         [0036]    Embodiments of connected container  50  may also comprise an electrical connection  62 , such as one or more conductive wires, between the circuits  70  and components  58 ,  60 ,  68  of storage volume  51  and lid  54 . However, some embodiments may comprise only passive sensors in lid  54 , which do not require a direct electrical connection. 
         [0037]    A portion of storage volume  51  may be enclosed by a dispensing mechanism  65  comprising a dispensing port  64  and one or more selective dispensing gates  66  for dispensing a pre-determined quantity of the contents of storage volume  51 . Dispensing mechanism  65  may comprise further components such as mechanical linkages, gears, rods, gates, springs, shaped orifices, tubes, helical screw drives and other apparatus for selecting and dispensing a specified quantity or volume of pills, capsules, caplets, powdered substances, liquids, gels or other forms of substances. Dispensing mechanism  65  may also comprise electronic circuits, solenoids, servo-motors, electromagnets and other electronic and electrical devices for measuring and dispensing the content of storage volume  51 . 
         [0038]    Some embodiments of connected container  50  may also comprise a biometric well  75 . Biometric well  75  may comprise a depression or orifice for receiving an appendage of a user, such as a finger tip or toe. Biometric well  75  may further comprise sensors, scanners and emitters for measuring biometric or physiological data. Some embodiments of biometric well  75  may comprise a scanner for measuring fingerprint data. Some embodiments of biometric well  75  may comprise a blood oximeter, blood glucose meter or other physiological attribute sensor. 
         [0039]    It should be noted that some embodiments of the present invention may comprise all or a majority of the electronic and mechanical components of connected container  50  within the lid  54  as the locations shown in  FIG. 3  are merely illustrative. 
         [0040]    A wearable component of some embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to  FIG. 4 . Wearable component  80  may comprise a wristband, anklet, finger ring, toe ring, belt, necklace, chest strap, arm band, garter, shirt, pants, underwear, bra, headband, shoe clip, wrap, strap, band, adhesive strip, bandage or other clothing or device worn or affixed on a part of the human body. 
         [0041]    Some embodiments of wearable component  80  may comprise an adjustable closure  84  for fitting and securing the wearable component  80  to a part of the human body, such as a wrist or ankle. Wearable component  80  may further comprise circuitry  88 ,  90 , which may comprise a microprocessor, memory, motion sensors, other sensors, emitters, antennas, power sources and other circuitry. In an exemplary embodiment, wearable component  80  may comprise motion sensors for detecting  3 -dimensional motion of wearable component  80 . Some embodiments may also comprise a blood oximeter for detecting blood oxygen levels of a wearer. Some embodiments may comprise an emitter  90  and opposing sensor  88  for emitting a form of radiation, for example red and/or infrared light, and measuring one or more changes in that radiation as it passes through an appendage of the wearer. Some embodiments of wearable component  80  may comprise a pulse sensor. Some embodiments of wearable component  80  may measure detailed heartbeat data for determining heartbeat profiles and volumetric blood flow data. 
         [0042]    Some embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . In these embodiments, an embodiment of connected container  50  is in wireless communication with an embodiment of wearable component  80  via a container-to-wearable wireless communication connection (C/W connection)  102 . In some embodiments, there is wireless communication between wearable component  80  and a mobile communication device  100  via a wearable-to-mobile wireless communication connection (W/M connection)  104 . In some embodiments, there is wireless communication connection between connected container  50  and a mobile communication device  100  via a container-to-mobile wireless communication connection (C/M connection)  103 . In some embodiments, the C/M connection  103  between connected container  50  and mobile communication device  100  may be omitted and data may be passed from connected container  50  through wearable component  80  to mobile device  100  via the C/W and W/M connections  102  and  104 . In some embodiments, the W/M connection  104  between wearable component  80  and mobile communication device  100  may be omitted and data may be passed from wearable component  80  through connected container  50  to mobile device  100  via the C/W and C/M connections  102  and  103 . 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, some processing can be performed at connected container  50  and wearable component  80 . However, in some embodiments, processing at wearable component  80  and connected container  50  are minimized and raw data is sent directly  103 ,  104  to a mobile communication device  100  for processing. 
         [0044]    Mobile device  100  may communicate wirelessly with a pharmacist or product vendor  106  via a mobile-to-vendor wireless communication connection (M/V connection)  110 . Mobile device  100  may also communicate wirelessly with a doctor or health professional  108  using a mobile-to-professional wireless communication connection (M/P connection)  112 . 
         [0045]    Wireless communication connections  102 ,  103 ,  104 ,  110  and  112  may be accomplished using IEEE 802.11 (b), (g), (n); Bluetooth, infrared, laser, cell phone or any other standard, protocol or method that allows wireless communication between electronic devices. In some embodiments connections  102 ,  103  and  104  are accomplished with Bluetooth connections while connections  110  and  112  are performed using a cell phone network. 
         [0046]    Some embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to  FIG. 6 . In these embodiments, a wearable component  80  may establish a wearable-to-vendor wireless communication connection (W/V connection)  116  to communicate with a product vendor or pharmacist  106  directly from the wearable component  80 . Some embodiments may comprise a wearable-to-professional wireless communication connection (W/P connection)  114  in order to communicate directly between wearable component  80  and health professional  108 . 
         [0047]    Some embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to  FIG. 7 . In these embodiments, a connected container  50  may establish a container-to-vendor wireless communication connection (C/V connection)  120  to communicate with a product vendor or pharmacist  106  directly from the connected container  50 . Some embodiments may comprise a container-to-professional wireless communication connection (C/P connection)  114  in order to communicate directly between connected container  50  and health professional  108 . 
         [0048]    Some functions of embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to  FIGS. 3-7 . These embodiments may be used to determine whether a substance has been consumed and whether it has been consumed in a specified quantity as well as physiological monitoring and data reporting. In these embodiments, the lid  54  may be removed and a substance, such as a prescription medication in the form of tablets, may be placed in storage volume  51 . This operation may be performed by a pharmacist or vendor  106  depending on the type of substance in use. For substances with a high level of control, the pharmacist/vendor  106  may lock the lid  53  after filling the connected container  50 . Once filled, connected container  50  may be programmed to dispense the substance stored inside. 
         [0049]    This programming may be performed by a user, a pharmacist/vendor  106 , a doctor/health professional  108  or another individual with a connection to connected container  50 . In an exemplary prescription drug embodiment, a patient/user receives a prescription from a doctor  108 . The prescription may be a hard copy given to the patient or it may be an electronic prescription stored on the patient&#39;s mobile device  100 , wearable component  80  or connected container  50 . 
         [0050]    Alternatively, the prescription may be sent electronically to a pharmacist/vendor  106  directly from the doctor  108  (connection not shown). In some scenarios, the patient may have acquired a connected container  50  prior to the doctor&#39;s appointment and may have brought it to the doctor for direct programming, in other scenarios, the connected container  50  may be acquired from the pharmacist  106  when filling the prescription. 
         [0051]    Connected container  50  may be programmed with a specific prescription or other dosage data. The dosage or prescription programming may be received by direct input at an input device (not shown) on the connected container  50  or preferably by a wireless connection, such as an M/C connection  103 , a W/C connection  102 , a V/C connection  120 , a P/C connection  118  or another wireless connection (not shown). In a typical prescription scenario, a doctor  108  or pharmacist could program the connected container  50  directly over a P/C or V/C connection  118 ,  120 . 
         [0052]    Programming data for a connected container  50  may comprise consumption frequency, dosage quantity, consumption start date, consumption termination date, missed consumption protocols (such as double the next dose or extend termination for one consumption period), lock down protocols, alarms, approved supervisory personnel (may be identified by wearables), automated dispensing instructions and other data and/or instructions. 
         [0053]    Once a connected container  50  is filled and programmed, the program may be initiated and automated processed may begin. In some embodiments and scenarios, the programming will comprise automated dispensing instructions that instruct connected container  50  to dispense, via dispensing mechanism  65 , a prescribed amount of content at intervals identified in the programming data. In some embodiments, dispensing will not occur unless the presence of the patient is verified by the proximity of a wearable component  80  to the connected container  50 . In some embodiments, dispensing will not occur unless the presence of approved supervisory personnel is verified by the proximity of a wearable component  80  to the connected container  50 . 
         [0054]    When dispensing occurs, programming instructs the dispensing mechanism  65  to dispense a specified amount of the substance stored in storage volume  51 . For example, 2 tablets, twice a day. In some embodiments, consumption must take place in coordination with meal consumption or other events. In these cases, a patient/user may trigger a dispensing action with a user input, however, programming will control dispensing actions of the dispensing mechanism  65  such that they occur within specified parameters (e.g., twice a day after meals). 
         [0055]    In less controlled scenarios or lower cost embodiments without a dispensing mechanism  65 , a connected container  50  or wearable component  80  comprising a motion sensor (e.g., 3-D motion sensor) or accelerometer may identify a dispensing activity by its motion signature. For example, when a connected container  50  is in close proximity to a wearable component (e.g., wristband) and the container  50  goes through a dispensing motion while the lid  54  is removed; such as, but not limited to a thrust in a direction axial to the container  50  while the container is substantially horizontal, the container  50  or wearable  80  may record a dispensing action. In some embodiments, the sensor(s) may be located in the container  50  or, alternatively, in the wearable component  80 . 
         [0056]    In some embodiments, the patient/user can record dispensing action movement while taking doses and store this record for reference by the system. When subsequent dispensing actions occur, the system can identify a dispensing action and record or report that it has occurred at a correct or incorrect interval. United States Patent Application Number 20130282324, Matching System for Correlating Accelerometer Data to Known Movements, by Abraham Carter et al. is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0057]    In some embodiments, a dispensing action can be detected by the container  50  through the use of sensors other than accelerometers. In some embodiments, the quantity of substance stored in storage volume  51  can be monitored and recorded substantially continuously or at intervals. These embodiments, may comprise weight sensors, impedance sensors and other sensors and emitters for measuring the mass, volume, volumetric impedance or other characteristics of the content of storage volume  51 . When a reduction in the content of storage volume  51  is detected, the container  50  may record or report the change and may interpret the change as a dispensing action. 
         [0058]    In some embodiments, a dispensing action or substance consumption can be verified by a biological response to the consumption as measured by physiological sensors in container  50  or wearable  80 . Accordingly, a dispensing action or consumption may be reported or recorded only after verification of a biological response as detected through physiological data capture from container sensors or wearable sensors and interpretation of such data. 
         [0059]    Embodiments of the present invention may monitor physiological data with reference to an action, such as a dispensing action or the content of container  50 . In particular, changes in a user&#39;s physiological data during or immediately after consumption of a medication can be detected, recorded and reported. Physiological data can be monitored using sensors on container  50 , such as biometric well  75  and other sensors. Physiological data can also be monitored with wearable component  80  and the sensors  88 ,  90  therein. In this manner, a patient&#39;s response to medication can be monitored remotely and immediate reporting can occur. In some scenarios, an adverse reaction to container content can be automatically reported immediately to a doctor  108  or pharmacist  106  and, if the reaction is severe, emergency response personnel can be contacted automatically and immediately via a connection to mobile device  100  or another connection. 
         [0060]    Longer term physiological data can also be used to determine whether sustained use of the content of container  50  has a positive or negative effect on the health of the user. Any changes in physiological data over the term of use of a substance can be recorded and reported with embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, these physiological data changes can be reported to a doctor or health professional  108  who may use the data to modify a prescription. In some embodiments, a modified prescription and associated container programming can be sent from the doctor  108  directly to a container  50  over a P/C connection  118 , via a wearable  80  over a W/P connection  114 , via a mobile device  100  over an M/P connection  112  or by some other connection. In this manner a prescription dosage can be modified in real time based on physiological data feedback from a container  50  or wearable  80  that is reported to a pharmacist/vendor  106  or health care professional  106 . 
         [0061]    Likewise, some embodiments of the present invention can provide messages and other communication to pharmacists, vendors  106 , doctors, health professionals  108 , caretakers, supervisors, parents, prison personnel, court-appointed monitoring personnel and anyone else interested in a subject person&#39;s consumption of a substance. Similarly, the physiological reaction to the substance consumption can be recorded and reported to the same parties. In some embodiments, the time of consumption and amount consumed can be recorded, compared to prescribed timing and amounts, and reported. In some embodiments, a lack of prescribed consumption can be recorded and/or reported. 
         [0062]    In some embodiments, a patient-specific physiological model can be used to determine whether a substance is being abused or has an adverse effect on a patient. 
         [0063]    In some embodiments of the present invention, lid locking mechanism  53  may be selectively operated in response to the proximity of wearable component  80 , positive ID of a user from biometric data measured in biometric well  75 , proximity to mobile device  100  or some other user ID scheme. 
         [0064]    Lid locking mechanism  53  may also be selectively operated in response to a motion gesture as detected by wearable component  80  and/or container  50 . In these embodiments, container  50  may be locked using lid locking mechanism  53 , which may be programmed to open only when a user performs a specified motion sequence as detected by motion sensors in container  50  or wearable  80 . In some embodiments, the proximity of wearable  80  to container  50  may be required during performance of the motion sequence. For example, lid locking mechanism would allow removal of lid  54  thereby providing access to the content of storage volume  51  only within 10 seconds of performing a prerecorded figure eight motion sequence while wearable  80  is within one foot of container  50 . These embodiments can provide child-proof and tamper-proof protection while allowing arthritic or otherwise physically-challenged users to easily remove lid  54  after the unlocking sequence without having to forcefully unscrew a tightened cap as with traditional child-proof caps. 
         [0065]    Lid locking mechanism  53  may also be selectively operated based on a time of day, date, physiological condition or other parameters. In some embodiments, lid locking mechanism  53  may only allow access to the contents of storage volume  51  at specific times, dates and/or physiological conditions identified by prescription program data. For example, lid locking mechanism  53  may unlock lid  54  only at specific times of the day when a prescription is to be consumed. Additionally, lid locking mechanism  53  may provide access to contents only when a patient has a specific physiological condition, such as a low blood glucose level, low blood oxygen level, low heart rate or some other physiological condition as identified by sensors in wearable  80  and/or container  50 . 
         [0066]    Some embodiments of the present invention may comprise visual, audio or tactile alarm indicators (not shown) such as LED lights, ringers, speakers, vibrators or other devices. These embodiments can be programmed with prescription or consumption data to remind a user to consume the content of container  50  at a specified time or time period. Some embodiments may also inform other parties  106 ,  108  by messaging over one or more wireless connections  102 ,  103 ,  104 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120  that an alarm has been triggered by non-consumption of content. In some embodiments, multiple alarm scenarios may be used to give a user several chances to respond before other parties are notified. 
         [0067]    Some embodiments of the present invention may be used to dispense items such as alcohol, food products, jewelry, prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, car keys and other products. 
         [0068]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.