Patent Publication Number: US-7719927-B1

Title: Medicine bottle and associated method

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/872,570, filed Dec. 4, 2006, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates to medicine bottles and, more particularly, to a medicine bottle for reminding a patient to take a dosage of medicine at a prescribed time. 
     2. Prior Art 
     The general purpose of an automated container is to improve patient compliance in taking the appropriate medication on schedule. While taking a particular medication on a regular schedule may seem a simple process, it is often difficult to accomplish, especially when the patient has been prescribed to take several medications. Dosing regimens that require the patient to take different doses of different medications at different times can be particularly confusing. Conventional medication containers designed for a patient&#39;s personal use on an out-patient basis do not assist the patient in taking the correct medication at the correct time, particularly when several medications have been prescribed. Based on the above mentioned needs, it would be advantageous to provide a means for assisting a user to verbally record intake instructions for medications. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,529,446 to de la Huerga discloses an interactive medication container or console that hold or otherwise organizes one or more medication vials or containers. Each vial has a memory strip containing medication and prescription information. Each vial can also include a reminder unit that is attached to and portable with the individual vials. The console or reminder unit reads the information strip of the vial and communicates this information to or interacts with a patient to remind them to take the medication. The medication container or reminder unit also gathers or tracks information such as consumption time, quantity remaining, patient feedback, and contraindication information. The medication container or reminder unit interacts with the patient by displaying questions or receiving and recording input from the patient before, during or after a dose of medication is taken. The patient input can be used to modify the dosing regimen for future doses of medication. The medication container reorders medication when the quantity remaining reaches a threshold level. Contraindication information in the memory strip is downloaded to a personal home computer or a hospital or nursing home computer. 
     Unfortunately, this prior art example is not designed to provide an audible reminder to tell a user to take their medication. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,845,064 to Hildebrandt discloses an improved device for timely medication administration that attaches to any original container cap and that measures and displays elapsed time in response to opening or closing of said original container cap is disclosed. Physical, chemical and labeled characteristics of the original medication vessel are thus preserved as dispensed. This device includes a timing unit, a compression reset switch and a thermoplastic housing for the above with a resilient, flexible, circumferential wall that permits operation of the enclosed compression reset switch. The thermoplastic housing also features a rigid lower lip that allows adhesive attachment to the original lid. Unfortunately, this prior art example is not designed to provide an audible reminder to tell a user to take their medication. 
     Accordingly, the present invention is discloses in order to overcome the above noted shortcomings. The present invention is convenient and easy to use, lightweight yet durable in design, and designed for reminding a patient to take a dosage of medicine at a prescribed time. The medicine bottle is simple to use, inexpensive, and designed for many years of repeated use. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for reminding a patient to take a dosage of medicine at a prescribed time. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are provided by a medicine bottle. 
     A medicine bottle for reminding a patient to take a dosage of medicine at a prescribed time includes a disposable bottle and a corresponding disposable cap permanently conjoined to the bottle in such a manner that the cap is selectively adaptable between open and closed positions with respect to the bottle while being prohibited from being displaced more than a maximum distance from the bottle so that the cap is not lost during open positions. Such a cap has a lock actuator attached thereto and the bottle respectively, and includes a flexible strap with opposed ends permanently connected to a bottom edge of the cap and a top edge of the bottle so that the cap is effectively prohibited from being permanently misplaced. The cap is further provided with a plurality of orifices formed along a top surface thereof for allowing an audio signal to emanate outwardly from a transducer and the cap respectively. 
     The system further includes a mechanism for recording and playing back instructions to take the medicine dosage at the prescribed time. Such a recording and playback mechanism includes an internal power source housed within the cap and an audio recording and playback device electrically coupled to the power source and mated to the cap respectively. The mechanism further includes an amplifier electrically coupled directly to the audio recording and playback device, and a transducer electrically coupled to the amplifier. The amplifier and the transducer are conveniently housed within the cap. 
     The system further includes a mechanism for selectively unlocking the lock actuator from a locked position when a present time is within a predetermined number of hours of the prescribed time. Such a selectively unlocking mechanism includes a logic gate housed within the cap and a timer electrically coupled to the user interface and the audio recording and playback device. Such a timer generates a time signal at a preprogrammed interval set by a pharmacist, and the logic gate generates and transmits a true output control signal to the lock actuator upon receiving the audio signal and the time signal within a predetermined time interval. The logic gate further advantageously generates and transmits a false output control signal when the time signal is not received within the predetermined time interval after receiving the audio signal, and the true output signal adapts the lock actuator to an unlocked position. 
     The system further includes a mechanism for effectively notifying the patient when a remaining quantity of the medicine has fallen below a minimum threshold quantity and a final one of the prescribed time has not occurred. Such a patient notifying mechanism includes a counter electrically coupled to the logic gate and an alarm electrically coupled to the timer. The pharmacists set the counter at an initial numerical value equal to an initial quantity of the medicine deposited within the bottle, and the logic gate further transmits the true logic output signal to the counter. The counter subtracts one unit value from the initial numerical value each time one of the true output control signals are received from the logic gate, and the counter generates and transmits an alarm signal to the alarm when the initial quantity of medicine drops below a minimum threshold level such that a user is notified when a remaining quantity of medicine is approaching zero. 
     The system further includes a user interface conveniently displayed on the cap and electrically mated to the recording and playback mechanism, the selectively unlocking mechanism, and the patient notifying mechanism respectively. 
     A method for reminding a patient to take a dosage of medicine at a prescribed time includes the steps of: providing a disposable bottle; providing a corresponding disposable cap permanently conjoined to the bottle in such a manner that the cap is selectively adaptable between open and closed positions with respect to the bottle while being prohibited from being displaced more than a maximum distance from the bottle so that the cap is not lost during open positions; selectively recording and playing back instructions to take the medicine dosage at the prescribed time; selectively unlocking the lock actuator from a locked position when a present time is within a predetermined number of hours of the prescribed time; and notifying the patient when a remaining quantity of the medicine has fallen below a minimum threshold quantity and a final one of the prescribed time has not occurred. 
     The method further includes the steps of: providing an internal power source housed within the cap; and providing an audio recording and playback device electrically coupled to the power source and mated to the cap respectively; providing an amplifier electrically coupled directly to the audio recording and playback device; and providing a transducer electrically coupled to the amplifier, the amplifier and the transducer being housed within the cap. 
     The method further includes the steps of: providing a logic gate housed within the cap; providing a timer electrically coupled to the user interface and the audio recording and playback device; the timer generating a time signal at a preprogrammed interval set by a pharmacist; the logic gate generating and transmitting a true output control signal to the lock actuator upon receiving the audio signal and the time signal within a predetermined time interval to thereby adapt the lock actuator to an unlocked position; and the logic gate generating and transmitting a false output control signal when the time signal is not received within the predetermined time interval after receiving the audio signal. 
     The method further includes the steps of: providing a counter electrically coupled to the logic gate; providing an alarm electrically coupled to the timer; a pharmacist setting the counter at an initial numerical value equal to an initial quantity of the medicine deposited within the bottle; the logic gate transmitting the true logic output signal to the counter; the counter subtracting one unit value from the initial numerical value each time one of the true output control signals are received from the logic gate; and the counter generating and transmitting an alarm signal to the alarm when the initial quantity of medicine drops below a minimum threshold level such that a user is notified when a remaining quantity of medicine is approaching zero. 
     The method further includes the step of: providing a flexible strap with opposed ends permanently connected to a bottom edge of the cap and a top edge of the bottle so that the cap is prohibited from is permanently misplaced; and forming a plurality of orifices within the cap for allowing an audio signal to emanate outwardly from the transducer and the cap respectively. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     It is noted the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is perspective view of a medicine bottle, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view, taken along line  2 - 2 , as seen in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top planar view of a medicine bottle, in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is schematic block diagram of a medicine bottle, in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, this embodiment is provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the true scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the figures. 
     The apparatus of this invention is referred to generally in  FIGS. 1-4  by the reference numeral  10  and is intended to protect a medicine bottle for reminding a patient to take a dosage of medicine at a prescribed time. It should be understood that the apparatus  10  may be used to protect many different types of bottles and should not be limited in use with only those types of bottles mentioned herein. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4 , a medicine bottle  10  for reminding a patient to take a dosage of medicine at a prescribed time includes a disposable bottle  20  and a corresponding disposable cap  21  permanently conjoined to the bottle  20  in such a manner that the cap  21  is selectively adaptable between open and closed positions with respect to the bottle  20  while being prohibited from being displaced more than a maximum distance from the bottle  20  so that the cap  21  is not lost during open positions. Such a cap  21  has a lock actuator  22  attached thereto and the bottle  20  respectively, and includes a flexible strap  23  with opposed ends  24  permanently connected to a bottom edge  25  of the cap  21  and a top edge  26  of the bottle  20  so that the cap  21  is prohibited from being permanently misplaced. The cap  21  is further provided with a plurality of orifices  27  formed along a top surface  28  thereof for allowing an audio signal to emanate outwardly from a transducer  29  and the cap  21  respectively. The bottle and cap  20 ,  21  are used to house standard prescription pills or capsules. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the system further includes a mechanism for recording and playing back instructions to take the medicine dosage at the prescribed time. Such a recording and playback mechanism includes an internal power source  30  housed within the cap  21  and an audio recording and playback device  31  electrically coupled to the power source  30  and mated to the cap  21  respectively. The mechanism further includes an amplifier  32  electrically coupled directly, without the use of intervening elements, to the audio recording and playback device  31 , and a transducer  29  electrically coupled to the amplifier  32 . The amplifier  32  and the transducer  29  are housed within the cap  21 . The recording and playback mechanism is designed for recording a message according to the directions of a prescription. Then, a user can play back the message in order to determine how a prescription should be imbibed. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4 , the system further includes a mechanism for selectively unlocking the lock actuator  22  from a locked position when a present time is within a predetermined number of hours of the prescribed time. Such a selectively unlocking mechanism includes a logic gate  33  housed within the cap  21  and a timer  34  electrically coupled to the user interface  35  and the audio recording and playback device  32 . Such a timer  34  generates a time signal at a preprogrammed interval set by a pharmacist, and the logic gate  33  generates and transmits a true output control signal to the lock actuator  22  upon receiving the audio signal and the time signal within a predetermined time interval. The logic gate  33  further generates and transmits a false output control signal when the time signal is not received within the predetermined time interval after receiving the audio signal, and the true output signal adapts the lock actuator  22  to an unlocked position. The selectively locking mechanism automatically unlocks the container when a predetermined amount of time has passed, thereby allowing a user to access their medication. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4 , the system further includes a mechanism for notifying the patient when a remaining quantity of the medicine has fallen below a minimum threshold quantity and a final one of the prescribed time has not occurred. Such a patient notifying mechanism includes a counter  36  electrically coupled to the logic gate  33  and an alarm  37  electrically coupled to the timer  34 . The pharmacists set the counter  36  at an initial numerical value equal to an initial quantity of the medicine deposited within the bottle  20 , and the logic gate  33  further transmits the true logic output signal to the counter  36 . The counter  36  subtracts one unit value from the initial numerical value each time one of the true output control signals are received from the logic gate  33 , and the counter  36  generates and transmits an alarm signal to the alarm  37  when the initial quantity of medicine drops below a minimum threshold level which is essential such that a user is notified when a remaining quantity of medicine is approaching zero. The notifying mechanism notifies a user that their medication is running low, thereby enabling the user to arrange a refill, if needed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the system further includes a user interface  35  displayed on the cap  21  and electrically mated to the recording and playback mechanism, the selectively unlocking mechanism, and the patient notifying mechanism respectively. The user interface  35  is provided for allowing a user to play back the recorded directions whenever needed. 
     The system includes a specially designed bottle and cap system that incorporates an electronic tracking device for advantageously recording and playing back intake instructions of medications. Such a system includes a standard prescription medication bottle, albeit with a plethora of enhancements. First, the cap is hinge mounted onto the bottle, as this is an essential component of the unit&#39;s circuitry. Internally contained within this device&#39;s durable plastic housing is the required electronic circuitry for operation, as well as a sophisticated computer chip in the cap itself, which is critical for recording medication data such as the name of a drug, number of pills taken, and dosage times of day for that particular medication regimen. Of course, such a bottle and cap can be formed from a variety of suitable materials and produced in a variety of shapes and sizes, as is obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     An additional interior component of the system is a smaller speaker, which is vital to provide an audible reminder at the times medications need to be taken. In addition, the system is advantageously equipped with an internal alarm that also serves as an audible reminder, as well as a counter that ticks off the number of pills taken according to the number of times the bottle is opened. The system is powered by a battery source such as the micro-alkaline or silver oxide cell batteries commonly found in wristwatches, as examples. Of course, such a system can be powered by a variety of suitable power sources, as is obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art. The cap of the system lights up for use by individuals who are hearing impaired. 
     In use, the electronic medication bottle and cap system is simple and straightforward to use. First, the user gathers all medications currently being taken. Next, following package instructions, the user (in this case, the pharmacist) voice-inputs all pertinent information from each medication label into the system database. By way of example, for a sufferer of strep throat, the pharmacist records “Penicillin,” to be taken as “1 tablet 4 times daily”. Reminder times for dosages are then set, such as “9 A.M., 1 P.M., 5 P.M., 9 P.M.” Information is inputted into the device in a similar fashion for any other medications that are being taken. Again following instructions, the pharmacist then disables the recording feature, leaving playback available. 
     Some of the bottles come prerecorded in order to save the pharmacist time. All the pharmacists need to say is, “This prescription is for John Doe,” and the rest of the information is already prerecorded. Now operational, the system emits an audible beeping sound at 9:00 AM to remind the recipient that a penicillin pill is to be taken. To be sure they have the right bottle the user presses the Playback button to determine the medication. Removing the pill from the bottle and completing the dosage, the user disables the alarm while enabling the system to count off that particular dosage. The system operates in a similar manner for all other medications, whether blood pressure pills, arthritis tablets, antibiotics, or even liquid medications, as examples. 
     The present invention, as claimed, provides the unexpected and unpredictable benefit of a system that is convenient and easy to use, is lightweight yet durable in design, and provides consumers with an electronic, efficient means of keeping track of medication information and dosage instructions. Eliminating the confusion often associated with taking multiple medications, the system effectively organizes each medicine and its directives in its cleverly configured database. Especially beneficial to elderly patients with multiple prescriptions and parents with sick children, the present invention provides an audible reminder of when and how much of a certain medicine is to be taken. Additionally, the database conveniently indicates that dosage instructions have been followed and completed. In this manner, users will not mistakenly miss a dose, or worse, take more than is needed. The system effectively eliminates the need to guess at hard-to-read instructions or to rely on others to read labels. The playback feature advantageously renders dosage instructions unmistakable for those who have difficulty seeing. 
     In use, a method for reminding a patient to take a dosage of medicine at a prescribed time includes the steps of: providing a disposable bottle  20 ; providing a corresponding disposable cap  21  permanently conjoined to the bottle  20  in such a manner that the cap  21  is selectively adaptable between open and closed positions with respect to the bottle  20  while being prohibited from being displaced more than a maximum distance from the bottle  20  so that the cap  21  is not lost during open positions; selectively recording and playing back instructions to take the medicine dosage at the prescribed time; selectively unlocking the lock actuator  22  from a locked position when a present time is within a predetermined number of hours of the prescribed time; and notifying the patient when a remaining quantity of the medicine has fallen below a minimum threshold quantity and a final one of the prescribed time has not occurred. 
     In use, the method further includes the steps of: providing an internal power source  30  housed within the cap  21 ; and providing an audio recording and playback device  31  electrically coupled to the power source  30  and mated to the cap  21  respectively; providing an amplifier  32  electrically coupled directly, without the use of intervening elements, to the audio recording and playback device  31 ; and providing a transducer  29  electrically coupled to the amplifier  32 , the amplifier  32  and the transducer  29  being housed within the cap  21 . 
     In use, the method further includes the steps of: providing a logic gate  33  housed within the cap  21 ; providing a timer  34  electrically coupled to the user interface  35  and the audio recording and playback device  31 ; the timer  34  generating a time signal at a preprogrammed interval set by a pharmacist; the logic gate  33  generating and transmitting a true output control signal to the lock actuator  22  upon receiving the audio signal and the time signal within a predetermined time interval to thereby adapt the lock actuator  22  to an unlocked position; and the logic gate  33  generating and transmitting a false output control signal when the time signal is not received within the predetermined time interval after receiving the audio signal. 
     In use, the method further includes the steps of: providing a counter electrically coupled to the logic gate  33 ; providing an alarm  27  electrically coupled to the timer  34 ; a pharmacist setting the counter at an initial numerical value equal to an initial quantity of the medicine deposited within the bottle  20 ; the logic gate  33  transmitting the true logic output signal to the counter  36 ; the counter  36  subtracting one unit value from the initial numerical value each time one of the true output control signals are received from the logic gate  33 ; and the counter  36  generating and transmitting an alarm signal to the alarm  27  when the initial quantity of medicine drops below a minimum threshold level such that a user is notified when a remaining quantity of medicine is approaching zero. 
     In use, the method further includes the step of: providing a flexible strap  23  with opposed ends  24  permanently connected to a bottom edge  25  of the cap  21  and a top edge  26  of the bottle  20  so that the cap  21  is prohibited from is permanently misplaced; and forming a plurality of orifices  27  within the cap  21  for allowing an audio signal to emanate outwardly from the transducer  29  and the cap respectively. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to a certain specific embodiment, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 
     In particular, with respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the present invention may include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation. The assembly and use of the present invention are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art.