Abstract:
A container for dispensing dosages of multiple medications over time. The present invention includes a container which has a plurality of compartments each configured to contain a plurality of dosages of a different medication. A rotatable lid is attached on top of the container such that an opening in the lid may be selectively positioned in fluid communication with each of the plurality of compartments. A lid position detection device is provided for identifying which of the compartments the opening is presently addressing. A programmable computing device is provided to track dosages administered from each of the plurality of compartments. A display, controlled by the programmable computing device, conveys information regarding the medication contained within a selected compartment. The ability to transmit and receive information from an external device or the Internet, either by a data port or wirelessly, is provided for increased functionality of the device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation in part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/217,892 filed on Jul. 9, 2008. Both applications name the same inventor. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    This invention relates to the field of medication containers and dispensers. More specifically, the present invention comprises a container for dispensing dosages of multiple medications, an integrated display for transmitting information to the user, the ability to receive and transmit information from an external device, the ability to receive information from integrated function buttons and the ability to track dosages dispensed from the container. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0007]    Various containers are available for containing and dispensing medications. Most containers are designed to contain individual dosages in separate compartments. The most common versions of these containers utilize separate compartments to separate the dosages by the day of the week each dosage is to be administered. Each compartment is large enough to contain a daily dosage of one or more medications. In some cases, separate compartments are provided for morning dosages and afternoon dosages. In each of these cases, however, the user is first required to move the medication from a first container into the individual compartments of the dosing container. 
         [0008]    Dosing containers that separate dosages based on the time the dosage is to be dispensed are not space efficient. These containers typically occupy counter space in a user&#39;s kitchen or space on a bedside table. Although these containers are portable, they are inconvenient for carrying on a daily basis. When transported in a backpack or purse, the individual compartments can easily open, spilling the contents into the backpack or purse. These dosing containers also occupy a significant amount of space, adding significant bulk to the backpack or purse. 
         [0009]    The ability of the container to communicate with an external device provides a variety of benefits. This allows for a reduction in space required on the dosing container for programming buttons while also allowing for a high level of complexity in the instructions that the container can receive. Additionally, the external device can communicate with the dosing container to provide increased data tracking. The dosing container could be set to communicate with the Internet and provide data to family members or physicians about whether the owner of the dosing container was consuming prescribed medications at the appropriate times. 
         [0010]    As such, it would be desirable to provide a space efficient and easy to use container which is capable of containing and dispensing dosages of multiple medications. It would be further desirable to provide a medication dispensing container which can track dosages dispensed from the container and provide information to the user about when future dosages are to be consumed. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention is a container for dispensing dosages of multiple medications over time. The present invention includes a container which has a plurality of compartments each configured to contain a plurality of dosages of a different medication. A rotatable lid is attached on top of the container such that an opening in the lid may be selectively positioned over each of the plurality of compartments. A lid position detection device is provided for identifying which of the compartments the opening is presently addressing. A programmable computing device is provided to track dosages administered from each of the plurality of compartments. A display, controlled by the programmable computing device, conveys information regarding the medication contained within a selected compartment. The programmable computing device can be controlled by integrated function buttons on the device, instructions received by wireless communication with an external device, or instructions received by the data port. The programmable computing device has the ability to transmit information to the display and the ability to transmit or receive programming, diagnostics, data of an appropriate format, updates and other instructions from external devices. 
         [0012]    In the preferred embodiment, the lid position detection device comprises a pair of position contacts which rotate with the lid and a stationary circuit configured to offer a varying resistance depending upon where the position contacts contact the circuit. This feature allows for the programmable computing device to know the present location of the opening in the lid relative to each of the storage compartments of the container. 
         [0013]    The programmable computing device is programmed to know the dosage schedule for each medication contained within each compartment of the container. A push button is provided for allowing the user to input when a dosage is administered. The programmable computing device has an integrated timer and tracks when the user inputs that a dosage was administered. The lid position detection device is configured to identify which compartment the opening in the lid is addressing when the user presses the push button to acknowledge a dosage has been administered. The device is thus able to track which medication was dispensed and is able to track dosages administered from each compartment. This data can be uploaded wirelessly or by way of a data port to an external device, which could then be viewed by physicians, family members, or the user. 
         [0014]    The medication dispensing container is thus able to be configured to perform various notification functions. For example, the dispensing container may emit an audible alarm or provide a visual notification when it is time to administer a particular medication. The medication dispensing container may also display information regarding when and how many previous dosages were administered and how many dosages are remaining for the day or when a prescription needs to be refilled. The container could also transmit a reminder to an external device, such as a user&#39;s computer or smartphone. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view, illustrating the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view, illustrating the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view, illustrating the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view, illustrating components of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view, illustrating components of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view, illustrating components of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view, illustrating components of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view, illustrating components of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view, illustrating components of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view, illustrating components of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view, illustrating components of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view, illustrating components of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view, illustrating communications of the present invention with a smartphone. 
       
    
    
       [0028]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 dispensing container 
                 12 
                 bottle 
               
               
                 14 
                 lid 
                 16 
                 button 
               
               
                 18 
                 button 
                 20 
                 display 
               
               
                 22 
                 cap 
                 24 
                 data port 
               
               
                 26 
                 opening 
                 28 
                 compartments 
               
               
                 30 
                 grounding pivot 
                 32 
                 embedded circuit 
               
               
                 34 
                 terminals 
                 36 
                 resistors 
               
               
                 38 
                 ground 
                 40 
                 terminal 
               
               
                 42 
                 pivot wafer 
                 44 
                 slit 
               
               
                 46 
                 port 
                 50 
                 speaker 
               
               
                 52 
                 contact pins 
                 54 
                 display opening 
               
               
                 56 
                 display cover 
                 58 
                 display unit 
               
               
                 60 
                 ground contact 
                 62 
                 flange 
               
               
                 64 
                 smartphone display 
                 R 
                 container wireless signal 
               
               
                 R′ 
                 smartphone wireless signal 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    The present invention, dispensing container  10 , is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Dispensing container  10  may be used to dispense dosages of multiple medications over time. In the preferred embodiment, dispensing container  10  is configured to dispense six different medications and contain enough dosages of each medication to last the user at least one week. It should be noted that dispensing container  10  may be just as easily configured to dispense more or fewer medications as may be required by an individual consumer. 
         [0030]    Dispensing container  10  includes lid  14  which is attached to bottle  12 . Lid  14  is configured to rotate angularly on top of bottle  12  for reasons that will be described in greater detail subsequently. Display  20  is viewable in the center of lid  14 . Buttons  16  and  18  are provided for interacting with the internal computer which is contained within lid  14 . Turning to  FIG. 2 , the reader will note that data port  24  is provided on the side of lid  14 . Data port  24  is an input/output port which allows the internal computer to interface with another computing device such as a programming computer. Data port  24  may also be used to charge an internal battery. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates lid  14  with cap  22  opened to expose opening  26 . When removed as shown, opening  26  is fluidly connected with one of the storage compartments of bottle  12 . The user simply inverts dispensing container  10  to pour out a dosage of the medication contained in the compartment. Although a removable cap is employed in the presently illustrated embodiment, it should be noted that other devices may be used to open and close opening  26 . For example, a mechanically actuated shutter may be used to open and close opening  26 . 
         [0032]    Display  20  provides dosage information regarding one of the medications contained within dispensing container  10 . In general, display  20  displays dosage information regarding the medication contained in the compartment opening  26  is presently addressing. A lid position detection device is provided for identifying which of the compartments the opening is presently addressing. In the current example, display  20  displays the name of the medication (“Medicine A”), the quantity of dosages to be taken daily (two times daily), and the quantity of dosages remaining for the day (one). 
         [0033]    One or more buttons may be provided for inputting information into the internal computer. In the present example, button  16  is used to turn on and off display  20 . In another embodiment, display  20  may be configured to turn on or off automatically when lid  14  is rotated to a new position. Button  18  is used to input when a dosage has been taken. If a mechanical shutter is used to open opening  26 , button  18  may also be used to open the shutter to dispense the dosage of medication. Because the lid position detection device “knows” the current position of opening  26  relative to the compartments of bottle  12 , the internal computer “knows” which medication has been dispensed when button  18  is pressed and can track the dosages, comparing the dispensed dosages with a programmed dosing schedule. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 4 through 9  illustrate dispensing container  10  in various stages of assembly.  FIG. 4  illustrates bottle  12  in greater detail. Bottle  12  includes a plurality of compartments  28 . In the present example a total of six compartments are provided for dispensing six different medications. Each medication is deposited in one of compartments  28 . Although six compartments are shown, different embodiments of the invention may have either more or less than 6 compartments. Grounding pivot  30  is provided in the center of bottle  12  at the top. Grounding pivot  30  defines a center axis of rotation for lid  14  and an electrical “ground” connection for the lid position detection device. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embedded circuit used as part of the lid position detection device. Embedded circuit  32  is attached to the top of bottle  12 . Embedded circuit  32  is a rheostat type circuit configured to offer a varying resistance depending upon where the contact pins of the lid position detection device contact the circuit. Terminals  34  extend in a radial direction along the top of the walls separating compartments  28 . Resistors  36  extend around the perimeter of the bottle between each terminal  28 . The reader will note that final terminal  40  is connected to ground  38  through six resistors in the present embodiment. Terminals  34  provide a contact surface for the contact pins of the lid position detection device. Those that are skilled in the art will appreciate that embedded circuit  32  is configured to provide a varying resistance to current flow depending upon which two adjacent terminals  34  are contacted by the lid position detection device. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , pivot wafer  42  rests on top of the embedded circuit and rotated angularly about grounding pivot  30 . Pivot wafer  42  covers the individual storage compartments to prevent unwanted contaminants (such as moisture, dust and dirt) from entering the storage compartments. Pivot wafer  42  also prevents the contaminants from contacting the electronics. Port  46  passes through pivot wafer  42 , allowing dosages to be dispensed from a selected storage compartment. Slits  44  lie on either side of port  46 . Slits  44  are located and dimensioned such that adjacent terminals  34  are visible through slits  44  when port  46  is positioned above one of the storage compartments. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the display unit lies on the opposite side of pivot wafer relative to the storage compartments of bottle  12 . The term “display unit” as used herein refers collectively to the electronic components of the presently illustrated embodiment, including display  20 , data port  24 , speaker  50 , contact pins  52 , the integrated programmable computing device, the internal battery, buttons  16  and  18 , and the electrical conductors connecting each of the aforementioned components. The integrated programmable computer device receives inputs from data port  24 , buttons  16  and  18 , and contact pins  52 . The integrated programmable computer device outputs to display  20  and speaker  50 . The integrated programmable device includes an internal clock or timer and notifies the user by audible alarm through speaker  40  or visible notification from display  20  (or additional LED) when a dosage is to be administered. Speaker  50  may optionally be used to play a recorded message regarding the medication or dosage instructions. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 7A , the integrated programmable computing device will also have an antenna for receiving and broadcasting signals, R, whose frequencies are compatible with standard wireless signal technology utilized by the computer industry, such as products that are based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers&#39; 802.11 standards. 
         [0039]    As shown most clearly in  FIG. 7B , contact pins  52  extend outwardly from the display unit and pass through slits  44  in pivot wafer  42  where they contact two adjacent terminals  34  of embedded circuit  32 . The internal programmable computer is able to discern the position of contact pins  52  (and thus lid  14 ) based upon the amount of resistance offered by embedded circuit. 
         [0040]    Turning to  FIG. 8 , lid  14  is shown attached to the top of bottle  12 . Display  20  is visible through display opening  54  of lid  14 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , glass display cover  56  may be provided in display opening  54  to prevent display  48  from being damaged. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate dispensing container  10  in exploded states. The reader will appreciate that dispensing container  10  is generally formed by stacking and attaching together lid  14 , display unit  58 , pivot wafer  42 , embedded circuit  32  and bottle  12 . Pivot wafer  42 , display unit  58 , and lid  14  together form a “lid assembly” and rotate in unison about the grounding pivot on top of embedded circuit  32  and bottle  12 . Various fasteners may be used to attach the lid assembly to bottle  12  in such a manner that the lid assembly is free to rotate relative to bottle  12 . For example, lid  14  may include snap tabs which clamp lid  14  to flange  62 . 
         [0042]    Turning to  FIG. 11 , the reader will note that ground contact  60  is provided on the back of display unit  58 . This provides a contact surface for grounding pivot  30  which is electrically connected to ground  38  of embedded circuit  32 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 12  depicts one embodiment,  66 , of an external device with which the present invention could communicate. The user would utilize the smartphone display,  64 , to interface with the present invention, either through a direct connection to the invention or through an intermediary website hosted on the Internet. Connection would be established via the external device&#39;s wireless signal, R′. 
         [0044]    With the various components of the present invention now described, the reader will appreciate how the present invention works to dispense and track dosages of multiple medications over time. As mentioned previously, the programmable computing device is programmed to know the dosage schedule for each medication contained within each compartment of the container. The dosage schedule may be transferred through data port  24 , by a signal sent from an external device which is received by R, or by a programming sub-routine accessible by pressing buttons  16  and  18  in a defined sequence. Programming via data port  24  may be performed by a pharmacist when filling the user&#39;s prescription or may be performed by the user using a separate computing device. In the example where a signal is received by R or where buttons  16  and  18  are utilized, software may be provided with dispensing container  10  for loading onto the user&#39;s personal computer or smartphone. An easy-to-use interface may be provided for the user to manually enter his or her medication and dosage information, including the dosage schedule. 
         [0045]    To dispense medication, the user simply turns lid  14  to align opening  26  with a selected medication. Display  20  will inform the user which medication opening  26  is presently addressing and how many dosages are remaining for the day. When the user dispenses a dosage, the user presses button  16  or  18 . The programmable computing device has an integrated timer and tracks when the user inputs that a dosage was administered. Because the lid position detection device identifies which compartment the opening in the lid is presently addressing when the user presses the button, the programmable computing device knows which medication was dispensed and is able to track dosages administered from each compartment. 
         [0046]    The medication dispensing container is thus able to be configured to perform various notification functions. For example, the dispensing container may emit an audible alarm or provide a visual notification when it is time to administer a particular medication. The medication dispensing container may also display information regarding when and how many previous dosages were administered and how many dosages are remaining for the day or when a prescription needs to be refilled. 
         [0047]    The preceding description contains significant detail regarding the novel aspects of the present invention. It should not be construed, however, as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be fixed by the following claims, rather than by the examples given.