Patent Publication Number: US-2018028406-A1

Title: Secure Controlled Substance Pill Dispensing Device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to and claims the benefit of United States Patent Application No. 2014/704,475, filed May 5, 2015, and United States Patent Application No. 2014/704,570, filed May 5, 2015, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to the field of medication packaging and particularly to the dispensing of pills. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The health industry is faced with a multibillion dollar problem of prescription controlled drug abuse. Patients often either inadvertently or intentionally take their medication too frequently or outside the guidance of their treating physician. This problem is exacerbated when unauthorized persons attempt to utilize pills or other prescribed medication from an authorized patient&#39;s pill supply. Accordingly, there is a need for a secure pill dispensing device that will ensure that patients do not take their medication more frequently than prescribed and that unauthorized persons are unable to access the medication. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A pill dispensing device preferably includes a container and a lid. The container preferably includes a first cylinder, a second cylinder, a bottom, a top ring, a dispensing assembly and a tamper resistance mechanism. The first and second cylinders connect with the bottom of the container, and thereby form a space containing a conductive solution. Any tampering with the device will likely result in a rupture to that space, such that the conductive solution will escape. Alternatively, the conductive solution could be replaced with other substances that can be configured to conduct electricity. Such substances are configured such that any disruption to the integrity of the substance will result in a detectable change in the electrical current. The dispensing assembly preferably includes a hopper, a first trap door, a first chute, a first sensor, a second trap door, a second chute, a second sensor, and a tray. The hopper is configured to accept a plurality of pills, which can then be dispensed through the first chute and the second chute into the tray. The lid engages the container&#39;s top ring and preferably includes an RFID reader and a display. The processing unit monitors the conductive solution (or other conductive substance) to ensure that the pill dispensing device has not been tampered with, and when necessary, activates the tamper resistance mechanism to render the plurality of pills unusable. 
     A preferred second embodiment of the pill dispensing device includes alternative lid and container. The lid engages a top portion of the container. The container includes a hopper assembly and a dispensing assembly. The hopper assembly includes a hopper, a hopper carousel, a carousel shaft, and a tamper resistance mechanism. The hopper carousel is attached to the hopper shaft. The hopper shaft is engaged by a carousel, which functions to rotate the hopper carousel. The tamper resistance mechanism, which includes tamper resistance fluid and jets, is positioned within the hopper. The tamper resistance fluid renders the pills unusable when it is dispensed from the through the jets. The dispensing assembly includes a first dispensing assembly subassembly, a second dispensing assembly subassembly, a third dispensing assembly subassembly, a fourth dispensing assembly subassembly, and a plate driving assembly. The first dispensing assembly subassembly includes a first plate that has a first release, a first chute funnel, a hopper escape slide, and a first chute. The second dispensing subassembly includes a second plate that has a second release, a second chute, a second chute funnel, and a first sensor. The third dispensing subassembly includes a third plate that has a third release, a third chute, a third chute funnel, and a second sensor. The fourth dispensing subassembly includes a fourth plate that has a fourth release, a fourth chute, and a third sensor. The plate driving assembly includes a dispensing assembly motor, a dispensing assembly motor shaft, a first gear, a second gear, a third gear, and a fourth gear. The container attaches to tray, which has a window. The device is capable of releasing pills upon certain parameters being met, and rendering pills unusable if the device is tampered with. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side cross-sectional view of the secure controlled substance pill dispenser. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the lid of the secure controlled substance pill dispenser. 
         FIG. 3  is a top cross-sectional view of the secure controlled substance pill dispenser container and lid. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the components of the processing module. 
         FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a pill dispensing device. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the lid of the alternative embodiment of the pill dispensing device. 
         FIG. 7  is a side cross sectional view of the alternative embodiment of the pill dispensing device. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a hopper. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the alternative embodiment of the hopper. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     To remedy the issues present in the health industry related to the misuse of pills, two embodiments of a secure pill dispensing device  10 ,  410  are disclosed below. 
     In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 1  shows a cross-sectional side view of a pill dispensing device  10 . The pill dispensing device  10  includes a container  100 , a lid  200 , and a processing unit  300 . As shown, the container  100  includes a top ring  116  that engages the lid  200 . In the first embodiment, the processing unit  300  is displaced within a recess in the lid  200 , but it will be understood that numerous placements of the processing unit  300  are possible without any restriction in the utility of the pill dispensing device  10 . 
     In the first embodiment, the container  100  is preferably cylindrical and includes a first cylinder  110 , a second cylinder  112 , a bottom  114 , a top ring  116 , a dispensing mechanism  120  and a tamper resistance mechanism  130 . The first cylinder  110  and second cylinder  112  are formed so that the diameter of the first cylinder  110  is greater than the diameter of the second cylinder  112 . Both the first cylinder  110  and second cylinder  120  engage the bottom  114 . It is understood that the positioning of the first cylinder  110  and the second cylinder  112  forms a space  113  between the first cylinder  110  and second cylinder  112 . This space  113  is filled with a conductive liquid  115  capable of conducting an electric current. The space  113  may otherwise be filled with a material capable of producing electric current, such as wiring, a pad, foam, or a screen. The material capable of producing electric current may be attached to the inside of the container  100  by an adhesive, instead of occupying the space  113 . It will be understood in such embodiments that the second cylinder  112  is optional. 
     The dispensing assembly  120  is positioned within the second cylinder  112  of the container  100 , and includes a hopper  121 , a first trap door  122 , a first chute  123 , a first sensor  124  a second trap door  125 , a second chute  126 , a second sensor  127  and a tray  128 . The hopper  121  is configured to hold pills (pills are marked as P in  FIGS. 1, 7, and 9 ). The first trap door  122  engages the hopper  121  in a manner that permits the first trap door  122  to selectively open and close. Notably,  FIG. 1  depicts the first trap door  122  in an open position. The first trap door  122  also engages with the first chute  123  such that when the first trap door is open, pills can move from the hopper  121  into the first chute  123 . The first sensor  124  is positioned alongside the first chute  123  so that it can detect the presence of a pill in the first chute  123 . The second trap door  125  is positioned between the first chute  123  and the second chute  126 . The second trap door  125  can selectively be in an open or closed position. In a closed position, the second trap door  125  prevents pills from moving from the first chute  123  to the second chute  126 . Notably, in  FIG. 1 , the second trap door  125  is depicted in a closed position. The second sensor  127  is positioned alongside the second chute  126  so that it can detect the passage of a pill in the second chute  126 . The second chute  126  also engages the tray  128  such that a pill passing through the second chute  126  will be delivered into the tray  128 . 
     In the first embodiment, the tamper resistance mechanism  130  is positioned within the hopper  121  and includes a fluid vessel  132 , a tamper resistance fluid  133 , and a rupture device  134 . The tamper resistance fluid  133  is contained within the tamper resistance vessel  132 , and may consist of a variety of fluids that would spoil or otherwise damage the pills upon exposure. Such fluids are known in the art, and include without limitation saline, food dye, black dye, and syrup of ipecac. It will be understood that the particular makeup of the tamper resistance fluid  133  may depend upon the particular makeup of the pills being used in the embodiment of the pill dispensing device  10 . The fluid vessel  132  has a first surface  135  that engages the rupture device  134 . The rupture device  134  is capable of rupturing the first surface  135  such that the tamper resistance fluid  133  will spill out of the fluid vessel  132  and engage the pills within the hopper  121 , rendering such pills less functional or alternatively unusable. It will be understood that while  FIG. 1  depicts the tamper resistance mechanism  130  engaged with the hopper  121 , other configurations are possible. In an alternative embodiment, the tamper resistance mechanism  130  is attached to an underside  202  of the lid  200 . Alternative tamper resistance mechanisms may include the use of heating elements or any other destructive means. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the lid  200  of the pill dispensing device  10  includes a display  220 , an RFID reader  230 , a locking mechanism  240 , a first wire  250  and a second wire  252 . The display  220  is connected to the processing unit  300  and displays relevant information which may include the number of pills in the pill dispensing device  10 , the amount of time left until a new pill can be dispensed, and other general information which may include the contact information regarding the pharmacy where the pill dispensing device  10  was obtained and/or personal information regarding the user of the pill dispensing device  10 . It will be understood that the RFID reader  230  is also connected to the processing unit  300  and is configured to communicate with an RFID fob or other similar device. 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 , depicted therein is a cross-sectional view of the interface between the container  100  and the lid  200  that particularly shows the locking mechanism  240  of the lid  200 . As shown, the locking mechanism  240  includes a servo motor  242 , and a locking pin  244 . In the first embodiment, the servo motor  242  is centrally located on the bottom of the lid  200  and is connected to the processing unit  300  (not depicted in  FIG. 3 ) and the locking pin  244 . The locking pin  244  is selectively capable of being extended and retracted by the servo motor  242 . When extended, the locking pin  244  fits into a recess  118  that is formed into the top ring  116  of the container  100 . Notably,  FIG. 3  shows the locking pin  244  in the extended position. In this position, the locking pin  244  prevents the disengagement of the lid  200  with the container  100 , effectively locking the pill dispensing device  10 , and preventing the extraction of pills from the container  100 . It will be understood that alternative embodiments of the locking mechanism  240  are possible. In one alternative embodiment, the locking mechanism  240  includes of a plurality of locking pins  240 , each of which fits in each of a plurality of recesses  118  formed into the top ring  116 . 
     Turning back to  FIG. 1 , the first wire  250  and second wire  252  extend from the lid  200  into the space  113  between the first wall  112  and the second wall  113  of the container  100 . The first wire  250  and second wire  252  are both configured to engage the conductive liquid  115 . In the first embodiment show in  FIG. 1 , the first wire  250  is shorter than second wire  252 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 4 , depicted therein is a schematic of the processing unit  300 , which includes a CPU  310 , a data store  320 , and may include a communication module  330 . It will be understood that these components can be either combined or divided into different physical components as desired. For example, the functions of the CPU  310  and the data store  320  could be combined into a single physical component, or the functions of the communications module  330  could be divided into several different physical components. 
     In the first embodiment, the communications module  330  is a universal serial bus port that will accepts a standard USB cable and is configured to communicate with a personal computer. It will be understood, however, that the communications module  330  may also support other communications protocols including wifi, bluetooth, etc., so long as the communications module  330  can communicate with a personal computer. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the processing unit  300  is connected to the dispensing assembly  120 , the tamper resistance mechanism  130 , the display  220 , the RFID reader  230 , the locking mechanism  240 , the first wire  250  and the second wire  252 . In operation, the processing module  300  manages the various functions of the components of the pill dispensing device  10 . 
     In a preferred second embodiment,  FIG. 5  shows a side view of a pill dispensing device  410 . The pill dispensing device  410  includes a lid  420  and a container  560 . The lid  420  engages the container  560 , via a servo lock, or alternatively the lid  420  and container  560  may be threadably engaged. The container  560  includes a locking mechanism  430 , which allows the user to enter a code and receive a pill if certain parameters are met, and a label  530 . As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the locking mechanism  430  uses a letter combination, but it will be understood that color or number combinations could replace the letter combination. While  FIG. 5  depicts the label  530  as a metal-type material adhered to the side of the container  560 , it will be understood that the label  530  may be made of any other type of material known in the art that is disposable and can be adhered to the side of the container  560 . Such materials include, but are not limited to, paper and plastic. Alternatively, the label may be electronic, allowing the pharmacist to enter the desired information, such as user name, type of pills, the pharmacy name, the amount and timing pills may be dispensed, or other information regularly placed on the labels of pill bottles. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the lid  420  includes a lid screen  421 , a first button  422 , a second button  423 , a plurality of LEDs  424 , and LED ring  427 . While the lid screen  421  in  FIG. 6  displays the parameters of the time remaining until next dose and the number of pills remaining, the first button  422  and the second button  423  are configured to allow the user to toggle between different parameters and information, which will be displayed on the lid screen  421 . The parameters and information may be different if the user is accessing the pill dispensing device  410  or if the pharmacist is accessing the pill dispensing device  410 . The LEDs  424  are configured to display the power level of the rechargeable batteries of the pill dispensing device  410 . The LEDs  424  may change colors or one or more LEDs  424  may shut off or turn on to indicate more or less battery life for the pill dispensing device  410 . The LED ring  427  is configured to display all colors. Such color displays may indicate certain conditions with the pill dispensing device  410 . For instance, a red LED ring  427  may indicate the pills have been destroyed by one of the methods described herein, or a green LED ring  427  may indicate that a pill is ready to be dispensed. 
     Turning to  FIG. 7 , shown therein is a side cross-sectional view of the pill dispensing device  410 , which depicts the preferred internal structure of the container  560 . The container  560  includes a hopper assembly  519  and a dispensing assembly  450 . The hopper assembly  519  can hold a plurality of pills, which can be selectively released into the dispensing assembly  450 , as further described below. 
     The hopper assembly  519  includes a hopper  520 , a hopper carousel  521 , a retention slot cover  470 , a carousel motor  490 , a carousel shaft  492 , and a tamper resistance mechanism  435 . As previously discussed, the hopper  520  is configured to hold a plurality of pills of varying shapes and sizes. The hopper  520  connects with the hopper carousel  521 , as depicted in  FIGS. 7-9 . It will be understood that the hopper carousel  521  can have different shapes, such as a deep angle as shown in  FIG. 7  or a more shallow angle as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . A pill retention slot  471  is disposed within the hopper carousel  521 . The precise shape and dimensions of the pill retention slot  471  will be determined based on the size and shape of the pills used in any given embodiment. It will be understood that the hopper carousels  521  can be removed and replaced with other hopper carousels  521  to accommodate the different sizes and shapes of pills. To help facilitate the movement of pills, the hopper carousel  521  engages the carousel shaft  492  which connects to the carousel motor  490 . 
     Turning back to  FIG. 7 , the tamper resistance mechanism  435  is positioned within the hopper  520 , and includes a tamper resistance fluid  433  and one or more jets  510 . The tamper resistance fluid  433  is any type of fluid known in the art, which is capable of rendering the pills unusable. Such fluids include, but are not limited to, saline, food dye, black dye, and syrup of ipecac. While the current embodiment illustrates two tamper resistance mechanisms  435 , in alternative embodiments one or more tamper resistance mechanisms  435  may be present. The one or more jets  510  are configured to release the tamper resistance fluid  433  from the tamper resistance mechanism  435  as described below. Alternative tamper resistance mechanisms  435  may include the use of heating elements or any means to render pills unusable. 
     The dispensing assembly  450  includes a first dispensing subassembly  610 , a second dispensing subassembly  620 , a third dispensing subassembly  630 , a fourth dispensing subassembly  640 , and a plate driving assembly  690 . The first dispensing subassembly  610  includes a first plate  650  that has a first release  455 , a hopper escape slide  472 , a first chute  451 , and a first chute funnel  615 . The hopper escape slide  472  is configured facilitate the movement of pills from the pill retention slot  471  to the first chute  455 . The first chute funnel  615  funnels the pill towards the first release  455 . Upon certain parameters being met, the pill to move through the first release  455  of the first plate  650 , as described below. A sensor can be added to the first dispensing subassembly  610  to detect the presence of a pill in the first chute  451 . 
     The second dispensing subassembly  620  includes a second plate  660  that has a second release  456 , a second chute  452 , a second chute funnel  616 , and a first sensor  461 . The first sensor  461  is configured to determine if a pill is present in the second chute  452 . If a pill is present in the second chute  452 , and certain parameters are met, the pill may move through the second release  456  of the second plate  660 , as described below. The second chute funnel  616  is configured to funnel the pill toward the second release  456  to help facilitate the movement of the pill. 
     The third dispensing subassembly  630  includes a third plate  670  that has a third release  457 , a third chute  453 , and a second sensor  462 . The second sensor  462  is configured to determine if a pill is present in the third chute  453 . If a pill is present in the third chute  453 , and certain parameters are met, the pill may move through the third release  457  of the third plate  670 , as described below. The third chute funnel  617  is configured to funnel the pill toward the third release  456  to help facilitate the movement of the pill. 
     The fourth dispensing subassembly  640  includes a fourth plate  680  that has a fourth release  458 , a fourth chute  454 , a third sensor  463 , and a tray  550 . The third sensor  463  is configured to determine if a pill is present in the fourth chute  454 . If a pill is present in the fourth chute  453 , and certain parameters are met, the pill may move through the fourth release  458  of the fourth plate  680  and into the tray  550  where the user can access the pill through window  540 , as described below. It will be understood that the fourth plate  680  may be replaced by a gate, a wiper type attachment, a servo arm, or any other mechanism known in the art to allow that is capable of retaining a pill within the fourth chute  454  and then moving to release such pill, or the fourth plate  680  may be replaced by an aperture (if a fourth gear  484 , as described below is not needed when the fourth plate  680  is replaced, it will be understood that fourth gear will be removed). 
     The plate driving assembly  690  includes a dispensing assembly motor  480 , a dispensing assembly motor shaft  691 , a first gear  481 , a second gear  482 , a third gear  483 , and the fourth gear  484 . The dispensing assembly motor  480  engages the dispensing motor shaft  691 , which in turn rotates the first gear  481 , the second gear  482 , the third gear  483 , and the fourth gear  484 , as described below. 
       FIG. 8  shows the hopper assembly  519 . The hopper assembly  519  includes a retention slot cover  470 , a hopper  520 , a hopper shaft  492 , and a hopper carousel  521  that has a pill retention slot  471 . The hopper carousel  521  is removable, allowing for hopper carousels  521  with different sized and shaped pill retention slots  471  to be inserted into the pill dispensing device  410 , which allows the pill dispensing device  410  to accommodate all sizes and shapes of pills. 
       FIG. 9  shows the hopper  520 . The hopper  520  includes retention a slot cover  470 , a hopper shaft  492 , a hopper  520 , and a hopper carousel  521  that has a pill retention slot  471 . As shown, a pill is leaving the hopper  520  through the pill retention slot  471 , which is above the hopper escape slide  472  of the pill dispensing assembly  450 . 
     It will be understood that a pharmacist must first setup the pill dispensing device  10  before it can be used by a patient. In the first embodiment the pharmacist must first open the pill dispensing device  10  by bringing an authorized RFID fob in proximity with the RFID reader  230 . The RFID reader then signals the processing unit  300  that an authorized RFID fob has been used. The processing unit  300  will then signal the locking mechanism  240  to selectively change the position of the locking pin  244 , which thereby either locks or unlocks the lid  200  from the container  100 . 
     Turning back to the first embodiment, the pharmacist opens the pill dispensing  10  by plugging a USB cable into the communications module  330  thereby connecting with the personal computer. So long as the USB cable is plugged into the communications module  330 , the locking mechanism  240  will maintain the locking pin  244  in an open position. As soon as the USB cable is removed from the communications module  330 , the locking mechanism  240  will change the position of the locking pin  244  into a closed position. In a further aspect of this alternative embodiment, once the USB cable is connected to the communication module  330 , an authentication code specific to the pharmacist&#39;s pharmacy is stored by the processing unit  300 . Thereafter, the locking mechanism  240  cannot be disengaged unless the authentication code specific to the pharmacist&#39;s pharmacy is transmitted by the pharmacist over the USB cable to the communication module  330 . It will be understood that this functionally “pairs” the pill dispensing device  10  with the pharmacists&#39; pharmacy thereby preventing the user from using that pill dispensing device  10  with at a different pharmacy. Optionally, the pill dispensing device  10  can be configured to use encrypted code to allow only a particular computer at a pharmacy to open the pill dispensing device  10 . 
     Once the lid  200  is removed from the container  100 , the pharmacist fills the hopper  121  with the desired type and number of pills. The pharmacist then uses a personal computer to communicate with the processing unit  300  via the communications module  330 . In particular, the pharmacist will indicate how often a pill can be dispensed, how many pills were loaded into the hopper  121 , and a code identifying a patient RFID fob. In alternative embodiments, the pharmacist may indicate what type of pills were loaded into the hopper  121 , whether any refills will be allowed, the patient&#39;s name and other related personal information. Such information is stored on the data store  320  as needed. Once the pharmacist has indicated all of the desired information, the lid  200  is engaged back onto the top ring  116  of the container  100 , which is then locked by the locking mechanism  240 , and the pill dispensing device  10  is given to the patient for use. 
     A patient operates the pill dispensing device  10  by placing a personal RFID fob in close proximity with the RFID reader  230 . After detecting the patient&#39;s RFID fob, the RFID reader  230  will signal the processing unit  300  that the patient wishes to dispense one of the pills. The processing unit  300  will then evaluate the request against the information previously entered by the pharmacist. In particular, the processing unit  300  will determine if enough time has passed since the last pill was dispensed, and if this particular patient RFID fob is authorized. For example, if the pharmacist desires the particular type of pills in the pill dispensing device  10  to be used only once every 4 hours, then the processing unit  300  will determine whether 4 hours has passed since the last pill was dispensed. If 4 hours have not passed, then the processing unit  300  will signal the display  220  to display the amount of time left until a pill can be dispensed. 
     The first embodiment may also function through the processing unit  300  determining, based upon the information input by the pharmacist, that a pill can be dispensed, and then signaling the first trap door  122  to open so that a pill can move from the hopper  121  into the first chute  123 . When a pill moves from the hopper  121  past the first trap door  122  into the first chute  123 , the first sensor  124  signals the processing unit  300  that a pill is now in the first chute  123 . The processing unit  300  will then signal the first trap door  122  to close, and then signal the second trap door  125  to open, thus preventing any more pills from moving into the first chute  123  and permitting the pill in the first chute  123  to move through the second chute  126  into the tray  128 . As the pill passes through the second chute  126 , the second sensor  127  signals the processing unit  300  and indicates that a pill has been dispensed into the tray  128 . The processing unit  300  counts the number of pills of dispensed and stores that count in the data store  320 . The number of dispensed pills can then be later communicated to the pharmacist via the communications module  330 . After a pill is dispensed, the processing unit  300  then signals the second trap door  125  to close. The patient may then open the tray  128  and retrieve the dispensed pill. 
     It will therefore be understood that unauthorized users (those without an authorized patient RFID fob) are unable to dispense pills from the pill dispensing device  10 . It will also be understood that even authorized users (those with an authorized patient RFID fob) can only dispense pills in accordance with the schedule indicated by the pharmacist when the pill dispensing device  10  was setup. 
     The pill dispensing device  10  is further secured through the operation of the tamper resistance mechanism  130 . It will be understood that the processing unit  300  monitors the conductive liquid  113  by passing a current from the first wire  250  through the conductive liquid  113  to the second wire  252 . It will be further understood that if a user attempts to tamper with the pill dispensing device  10  by breaking through the first cylinder  110  of the container  100 , the conductive liquid  115  will spill through any rupture in the first wall  100  thus breaking the circuit between the first wire  250 , the conductive liquid  115  and the second wire  252 . Similarly, if a material capable of producing an electric current is used, a rupture in the first wall  100  will cause a detectable fluctuation in the electric current of the material. When the processing unit  300  detects that circuit break or fluctuation in the electric current, it signals the tamper resistance mechanism  130  to activate. As discussed above, activation of the tamper resistance mechanism  130  will result in rending the pills unusable. It will be understood that because the first wire  250  and second wire  252  are preferably of different lengths, the function of the tamper resistance mechanism  130  cannot be circumvented by tilting the pill dispensing device  10  upside down to ensure at the conductive liquid  115  maintains contact with the first wire  250  and second wire  252 . 
     Turning back to the second embodiment, the pharmacist or medical professional opens the pill dispensing device  410  by connecting a computer to the pill dispensing device  410 . If the pill dispensing device  410  recognizes the computer as a pharmacy computer through encrypted code, the servo lock will disengage, unlocking the lid  420 . It will be understood that if encrypted code is not used to assist the pill dispensing device  410  in recognizing the computer, some other means known in the art for a device recognizing a computer will be used or the pharmacist will enter some type of code to unlock the lid  420 , as described above. The pharmacist or medical professional can then remove the lid and put the number and type of pills desired in the pill dispensing device  410 . When a new user or a new plurality of pills is assigned the pill dispensing device  410 , the new information, such as the doctor that prescribed the pills, the number of pills, the type of pills, the schedule for taking pills, and/or the patient name can be entered onto label  530 . Additionally, parameters may be entered by a pharmacist or medical provider, such as the timing of when a pill should be released from pill dispensing device  410  and the number of pills inside of the pill dispensing device  410  by connecting the pill dispensing device to a computer, as described above. Once programmed with the parameters, the lid screen  421  of lid  420  will display certain parameters (as discussed above, the first button  422  and the second button  423  allow the user to toggle between different parameters). Many of the parameters will update each time such parameters are met. 
     After the parameters are set and the pill dispensing device  410  is locked, the pill dispensing device  410  will use the first sensor  461 , the second sensor  462 , and the third sensor  463  to determine if pills are present in the second chute  452 , the third chute  453 , or the fourth chute  454 . If pills are present and the pill dispensing device  410  has not taken any actions since being programmed, an error message will occur that requires the user to return to the location where the user received the pill dispensing device  410  to determine if the wrong pill is in a chute  452 ,  453 ,  454 , or if the pill dispensing device  410  needs to be reprogrammed or replaced. If the first sensor  461 , the second sensor  462 , or the third sensor  463  does not detect a pill in a chute  452 ,  453 ,  454 , then the pill dispensing device  410  will begin the process of placing a pill into chutes  461 ,  462 , and  463 . 
     The initial process of placing pills in the second chute  461 , the third chute  462 , and the fourth chute  463  occurs upon the first use of the pill dispensing device  410  by a user, or may be set to occur upon the pill dispensing device  410  being programmed by the pharmacist or medical provider. The pill dispensing device  410  will communicate, through a processing unit  300  (shown in  FIG. 4  and described above) within the pill dispensing device  410 , with the first sensor  461 , the second sensor  462 , and the third sensor  463 . When the sensors  461 ,  462 ,  463  indicate to the pill dispensing device  410  that the second chute  452 , the third chute  453 , and the fourth chute  454  do not contain pills, the second motor  490  rotates the hopper shaft  492 , which rotates the hopper carousel  521 . A pill retention slot  471  in the hopper carousel  521  (as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) either contains a pill that has fallen into the pill retention slot  471  or will receive a pill during the rotation of the hopper carousel  521 . The retention slot cover  470  may also assist with a pill moving into the pill retention slot  471  because the retention slot cover  470  stays in place during the movement of hopper carousel  521 , while the pill retention slot  471  rotates with the hopper carousel  521 . The retention slot cover  470  also keeps more than one pill from sliding down the hopper escape slide  472 . Once a pill moves into pill retention slot  471 , it will continue to rotate with the hopper carousel  521  until it reaches hopper escape slide  472 . Upon reaching the hopper escape slide  472  under the retention slot cover  470 , the pill slides down the hopper escape slide  472  and into the first chute  451 . The dispensing assembly motor  480  will then rotate the dispensing assembly motor shaft  691 , which rotates the first gear  481 , the second gear  482 , the third gear  483 , and the fourth gear  484  simultaneously, which will then respectively engage first plate  601 , second plate  602 , third plate  603 , and fourth plate  604 . The pill will then move through the first release  455  into the second chute  452 . In the second chute  452 , the first sensor  461  will detect the presence of the pill. 
     The pill dispensing device  410  will continue to detect through sensors  461 ,  462 ,  463  that the third chute  453  and the fourth chute  454  do not contain a pill. The second motor  490  then rotates the hopper shaft  492 , which rotates hopper carousel  521 . A pill retention slot  471  in the hopper carousel  521  (as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) either contains a pill that has fallen into the pill retention slot  471  or will receive a pill during the rotation of the hopper carousel  521 . The retention slot cover  470  may also assist with a pill moving into the pill retention slot  471  because the retention slot cover  470  remains stationary during the rotation of hopper carousel  521 , while the pill retention slot  471  rotates with the hopper carousel  521 . Once a pill moves into pill retention slot  471 , it will continue to move with the hopper carousel  521  until it reaches hopper escape slide  472  under the retention slot cover  470 . Upon reaching the hopper escape slide  472  under the retention slot cover  470 , the pill slides down the hopper escape slide  472  and moves into the first chute  451 . The dispensing assembly motor  480  will then rotate the dispensing assembly motor shaft  691 , which will move the first gear  481 , the second gear  482 , the third gear  483 , and the fourth gear  484  simultaneously, which will then respectively engage first plate  601 , second plate  602 , third plate  603 , and fourth plate  604 . The pill in the second chute  452  will then move through the second release  456  to the third chute  453 , while the pill that retention slot cover  470  came from the hopper  520  will move through the first release  455  into the second chute  452 . 
     The pill dispensing device  410  will continue to detect through sensors  461 ,  462 ,  463  that the fourth chute  454  does not contain a pill. The second motor  490  then rotates the hopper shaft  492 , which rotates the hopper carousel  521 . A pill retention slot  471  in the hopper carousel  521  (as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) either contains a pill that has fallen into the pill retention slot  471  or will receive a pill during the rotation of the hopper carousel  521 . The retention slot cover  470  may also assist with a pill moving into the pill retention slot  471  because the retention slot cover  470  stays in place during the movement of hopper carousel  521 , while the pill retention slot  471  moves with the hopper carousel  521 . Once a pill moves into pill retention slot  471 , it will continue to move with the hopper carousel  521  until it reaches retention slot cover  470 . Upon reaching retention slot cover  470 , the pill slides down the hopper escape slide  472  and falls into first chute  451 .The dispensing assembly motor  480  will then engage the dispensing assembly motor shaft  691 , which rotates the first gear  481 , the second gear  482 , the third gear  483 , and the fourth gear  484  simultaneously, which will then respectively engage first plate  601 , second plate  602 , third plate  603 , and fourth plate  604 . The pill in the third chute  453  will then move through the third release  457  into the fourth chute  454 , the pill in the second chute  452  will then move through the second release  456  to the third chute  453 , and the pill that retention slot cover  470  came from the hopper  520  will move through into the second chute  452 . 
     Now, the pill dispensing device  410  will communicate with the first sensor  461 , the second sensor  462 , and the third sensor  463  to determine that pills are in the second chute  452 , the third chute  453 , and the fourth chute  454 . Upon the time parameter being met, the second motor  490  engages hopper shaft gear  491 , which moves rotates the hopper shaft  492 , which causes the hopper carousel  521  to rotate. A pill retention slot  471  in the hopper carousel  521  (as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) either contains a pill that has fallen into the pill retention slot  471  or will receive a pill during the rotation of the hopper carousel  521 . The retention slot cover  470  may also assist with a pill moving into the pill retention slot  471  because the retention slot cover  470  stays in place during the movement of hopper carousel  521 , while the pill retention slot  471  moves with the hopper carousel  521 . Once a pill moves into pill retention slot  471 , it will continue to move with the hopper carousel  521  until it reaches retention slot cover  470 . Upon reaching retention slot cover  470 , the pill falls into first chute  451 . The dispensing assembly motor  480  will then rotate the dispensing assembly motor shaft  691 , which rotates the first gear  481 , the second gear  482 , the third gear  483 , and the fourth gear  484  simultaneously, which will then respectively engage first plate  601 , second plate  602 , third plate  603 , and fourth plate  604 . The pill in the fourth chute  484  will drop through the fourth release  458  into the tray  550 , the pill in the third chute  453  will then move through the third release  457  into the fourth chute  454 , the pill in the second chute  452  will then move through the second release  456  to the third chute  453 , and the pill that retention slot cover  470  came from the hopper  520  will move through into the second chute  452 . The user may now remove the pill from the tray  550  through window  540 . This process will continue until the pill dispensing device is out of pills, unless the pill dispensing device is tampered with. 
     If the pill dispensing device  410  is tampered with, the tamper resistance mechanism  435  is ruptured. Methods for puncturing a pouch filled with fluid are known in the art and understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. In this embodiment, the rupture occurs through heat being applied to the tamper resistance mechanism  435 . In an alternative embodiment, a servo and a blade may rupture the tamper resistance mechanism  435 . Upon the rupturing of the tamper resistance mechanism  435 , the tamper resistance fluid  433  is released onto the pills through jets  510  rendering the pills unusable, either through their destruction or through other known means that renders the pills inoperable for their intended purpose. 
     Should the hopper assembly  519  fail or experience a jam, the pills in chutes  452 ,  453 , and  454  will continue to be dispensed normally, allowing the user to receive medications until the pill dispensing device can be taken into the pharmacy for repair or replacement. 
     It is clear that the present invention is well adapted to carry out its objectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While two embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be understood that the elements and alternative elements of either embodiment may replace the elements of the other embodiment, or be used in conjunction with the other elements and alternative elements of the other embodiment. Additionally, certain embodiments of the invention have been described in varying detail for purposes of disclosure, but it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention disclosed, as defined in the written description and appended claims.