Abstract:
A signal device is attachable to a medication container to provide periodic signals of times for a user to take medication. The device has its electronic circuitry enclosed in a casing compressible by the user to activate the circuitry.

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The medication signal alarm device of the present invention is contained within a unitary casing attached, as by adhesive, to a container of medication, such as pills. The battery-powered timing and signal system components are contained in the casing. The casing is preferably attached atop a lid of a container, or on a bottom of the container, as by appropriate adhesive. The casing and device may preferably be provided on a container provided by a pharmacist or physician. A particular device is being provided according to the time intervals or periods for the taking of medications by a user. The devices of the invention may typically be provided in a plurality of preset time intervals between, with a device selected for being used for a particular user.  
           [0002]    The casing is manually compressible for activation of circuitry to effect operation of the signal device to provide the periodic signals for a user. The device may be adapted to be inexpensive and discardable after utilization by a user of a supply of medication or pills in the container to which it is attached.  
           [0003]    The signal device of the invention is attachable to a container or the cap thereof to alert a user of the periodic times for taking medication. A casing attachable to the container or its cap contains electrical circuitry which is activated by the manual compressing of the casing. The casing is manually compressible to activate the circuitry to provide the periodic signals.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]    [0004]FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of a signal device according to the invention and a container of medication to which it is attachable;  
         [0005]    [0005]FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the device of the invention mounted on a lid of the container;  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing components of the signal device of the invention;  
         [0007]    [0007]FIGS. 3 and 4 are illustrations in block diagram form of circuitry of the signal device according to the invention; and  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustration of the sequence of operation of the components of the device of the invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0009]    Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1A, 1B and  2  show a signal device according to the invention in relation to a container  12  of pills or other medication. FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a signal device  10  of the invention in relation to a cover  12  of a container  12 A. The exploded perspective view of FIG. 2 shows the device of the invention as comprising a cover member  14 , a circuit board  16 , a buzzer or signal device  18 , and a bottom wall member  20 . An outwardly extending tab member  22  engages the circuit board for a purpose hereinafter described.  
         [0010]    The signal device  10  is preferably or a generally circular configuration, as shown, and is formed of an elastic-memory material, preferrably an inexpensive, tough polymer such as polypropylene. Such material enables the manual pressing or squeezing of the casing to effect electrical contact between components to energize and initiate operation of the circuitry within the casing.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the circuitry arrangement of the invention in block diagram form.  
         [0012]    The electronic components utilized with the invention are known to those versed in the relevant arts, and therefore are not illustrated and described herein in detail. Such components are available on the market, and certain thereof are commonly utilized in timekeeping devices. The circuitry and its components may preferably be provided in integrated printed circuitry.  
         [0013]    The circuitry comprises a power source or battery  30 . A tab  22  is manually operable to activate the circuitry by connecting components separated by the tab during storage, shipping, etc., to prevent loss of battery power.  
         [0014]    The battery or power source  30  is connected with a microprocessor/time module  34  which is actuated by a pressure-sensitive button  32  operable to activate the microprocessor/time module  34 , the pressure sensitive button being operable by manual compression of the outer casing of signal device  10 . The microprocessor/time module is connected with an audio amplifier  38  which is connected to signal device or buzzer  18 . The power source is connected at power interface  44  (FIG. 4), and the pressure-sensitive button is connected to button interface  42 . A button controller  43  for resetting and silencing the system is interconnected between button interface  42  and an alarm controller  54 .  
         [0015]    A crystal-controlled oscillator  46  is connected to a clock counter  48  controlled by a reset  50  which is also connected to control a preset hour comparitor  52 , as shown in FIG. 4. The clock counter may preferrably be non-programmable and preset by manufacturer of the system. The preset hour comparitor  52  is connected to an alarm controller  54  to receive input from a tone generator  55  which provides input to an audio signal device  56  which provides input to an audio interface  58  for an output signal.  
         [0016]    The oscillator and clock counter or timer means comprise integrated microprosessor circuitry for the storing of information on time intervals between spaced-apart periodic signal output. The oscillator may typically have a frequency of 60 cycles per minute and is connected to the clock counter  48  which counts-down second-by-second. As an example, with the clock counter set for 8 hours between periodic output signals and the counter set for 28,800 cycles, a signal alarm from audio signal device  56  is set off by the counter, and the counter starts going back from “zero” cycles.  
         [0017]    An audible sound signal is provided by an audio amplifier  38 , because the audio signal from the tone generator is typically a weak signal.  
         [0018]    The circuitry utilized with the present invention thus provides preset time intervals in accordance with the appropriate or prescribed intervals for a particular user.  
         [0019]    In utilizing the signal device of the invention, a user exerts manual pressure on the casing, typically at the center thereof, to compress the flexible casing to direct operation of the pressure-sensitive button  34  to effect electrical connection, the user maintaining pressure on the casing for typically three seconds to activate circuitry. The electronic circuitry is thus set to “zero” to commence the time interval for next time for taking medication. The time interval can vary widely for different persons, in accordance with a preset medication schedule. Such intervals may typically be 2, 4, 6 and 8 hrs.  
         [0020]    At the expiration of the time interval, the audio output signal, as from a buzzer, continues to provide signals until the user resets it by pressing the reset by compressing the casing. The user thus presses the casing of the device to reset it to provide a signal upon the expiration of the next time interval for the taking of the medication.  
         [0021]    The flow chart of FIG. 5 shows the steps and utilization of the device of the invention. The signal or alarm device is attached to the pill or medication container by self-adhesive tape. The button is pushed by the user and is held, by compressing the casing, for three seconds, whereupon three quick beeps signal the commencement of an alarm cycle. If necessary, the signal device may be reset by again compressing the casing. If there is no reset, the timer is activated for a period of, say, four hours after which the alarm system sounds. The alarm is deactivated by pressing the casing, if the last period for taking medication for a particular day has occurred or the alarm is not activated.  
         [0022]    In utilizing the device of the invention, the user must first read and understand the instructions for utilizing the device of the invention. The user attaches the signal device or alarm to the pill container, typically onto the lid or cover of the container, although attachment may be elsewhere on a container. The user takes the medication or pills, and activates the system to begin a first cycle of device operation. The device is thus activated by compression of the casing, and maintaining pressure for three seconds, thus to set the system for a first periodic taking of medication.  
         [0023]    It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made from the preferred embodiments discussed above without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is established by the following claims and equivalents thereof.