Patent Publication Number: US-11645883-B1

Title: Pill storage and dispensing systems and methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/985,738, filed Mar. 5, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for storing and dispensing pills for treating a disease or illness, relieving pain or other condition, providing nourishment, or for providing another chosen biologically effective result. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A prescription drug is a pharmaceutical preparation that legally requires a medical prescription to be dispensed to a patient. A prescription is a direction, usually written, by a physician to the pharmacist for the preparation and use of a medicine or remedy, which is required for a patient to purchase a prescription drug from a pharmacist. The use of prescription drugs has steadily increased since the 1960s. In the U.S., for example, nearly 90% of older adults 62-85 years of age use at least one prescription drug, while nearly 40% take at least five prescription medicines concurrently. 
     In the field of prescription drugs, medical adherence or patient compliance mean the adherence of a patient to a prescribed medicine routine, namely, the taking of a prescription drug at the right dose, at the right time, and in the right way and frequency. Non-adherence or patient non-compliance, the failure of a patient to take their medicine as prescribed, can cause chronic disease treatment failure and, in some instances, death. In the United States, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 20-30 percent of new prescriptions are never filled at a pharmacy, that medicine is not taken as prescribed approximately 50 percent of the time, that after six months the majority of patients prescribed medicines for chronic diseases take less medicine than prescribed or stop taking the medicine altogether, and that only about 50 percent of patients who take medicines for high blood pressure continue taking their medicine during long-term treatment. 
     Given these and other deficiencies inherent in the art, there is a continuing and ongoing need for a cost-effective and practicable way for easily and efficiently supplying a user/patient with pills of a chosen substance, for enabling a user/patient to take the pills at the right dose, at the right time, and in the right way and frequency, for enabling a physician, health care professional, or other authorized party to track and monitor user/patient compliance in taking the pills, and which is simple in structure, low in cost, and that exploits an Internet. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention, a pill-dispensing system includes a base including a first processor and a storage, a container for pills carried by the base, and a dispenser mechanism. A data store includes an authorization code and instructions. A second processor is coupled to the data store, is in communication with the first processor, and is programmed to receive from the first processor a code associated with the container, compare the code to the authorization code, and serve the instructions to the first processor upon the code matching the authorization code thereby verifying the container and its pills. The first processor is programmed, upon receiving the instructions from the second processor, to download to the storage the instructions that when executed by the first processor cause the first processor to effectuate a dispensing of pills from the container by the dispenser mechanism. The second processor is in communication with the first processor through an Internet. In an exemplary embodiment, the code is carried by the container, a reader is carried by the base and is operatively coupled to the first processor, and the first processor is programmed to read the code on the container by the reader and issue the code to the second processor. In a particular embodiment, the reader includes an RFID reader, the code is housed as digital data on an RFID tag carried by the container, and the RFID tag transmits the digital data to the RFID reader upon the RFID tag being triggered by an electromagnetic interrogation pulse from the RFID reader. The storage is a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The dispensing is a regimented dispensing in an illustrative embodiment. 
     According to the invention, a pill-dispensing system includes a container for pills, and a base configured to receive the container. The base includes a first processor and a storage. Additionally included is a data store including an authorization code and instructions, and a second processor. The second processor is coupled to the data store, is in communication with the first processor, and is programmed to receive from the first processor a code associated with the container upon the base receiving the container, compare the code to the authorization code, and serve the instructions to the first processor upon the code matching the authorization code thereby verifying the container and its pills. The first processor is programmed, upon receiving the instructions from the second processor, to download to the storage the instructions that when executed by the first processor cause the first processor to effectuate a dispensing of pills from the container by a dispenser mechanism operatively coupled to the container. The second processor is in communication with the first processor through an Internet. In an illustrative embodiment, the code is carried by the container, a reader carried by the base is operatively coupled to the first processor, and the first processor is programmed to read the code on the container by the reader and issue the code to the second processor upon the base receiving the container. In a particular embodiment, the reader is an RFID reader, the code is housed as digital data on an RFID tag carried by the container, and the RFID tag transmits the digital data to the RFID reader upon the RFID tag being triggered by an electromagnetic interrogation pulse from the RFID reader. The storage is a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The dispensing is a regimented dispensing in an illustrative embodiment. 
     According to the invention, a method includes establishing a base including a first processor and a storage, a container for pills carried by the base, and a dispenser mechanism, establishing a data store including an authorization code and instructions, and a second processor coupled to the data store and in communication with the first processor, the second processor receiving from the first processor a code associated with the container, comparing the code to the authorization code, and serving the instructions to the first processor upon the code matching the authorization code thereby verifying the container and its pills, and the first processor, upon receiving the instructions from the second processor, downloading to the storage the instructions that when executed by the first processor cause the first processor to effectuate a dispensing of pills from the container by the dispenser mechanism. The second processor is in communication with the first processor through an Internet. The code is carried by the container, a reader is carried by the base and is operatively coupled to the first processor, and the method additionally includes the first processor reading the code on the container by the reader and issuing the code to the second processor before the step of the second processor receiving from the first processor the code. The reader is an RFID reader, the code is housed as digital data on an RFID tag carried by the container, and the step of the first processor reading the code additionally includes the RFID reader issuing an electromagnetic interrogation pulse to the RFID tag and the RFID tag transmitting the digital data to the RFID reader in response. The storage is a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The dispensing is a regimented dispensing in an illustrative embodiment. 
     According to the invention, a method includes establishing a container for pills, and base including a first processor and a storage, establishing a data store including an authorization code and instructions, and a second processor coupled to the data store and in communication with the first processor, the second processor, upon assembling the container and the base, receiving from the first processor a code associated with the container, comparing the code to the authorization code, and serving the instructions to the first processor upon the code matching the authorization code thereby verifying the container and its pills, and the first processor, upon receiving the instructions from the second processor, downloading to the storage the instructions that when executed by the first processor cause the first processor to effectuate a dispensing of pills from the container by the dispenser mechanism. The second processor is in communication with the first processor through an Internet. The code is carried by the container, a reader is carried by the base and is operatively coupled to the first processor, and the method additionally includes the first processor reading the code on the container by the reader and issuing the code to the second processor upon the step of assembling the container and the base before the step of the second processor receiving from the first processor the code. The reader is an RFID reader, the code is housed as digital data on an RFID tag carried by the container, and the step of the first processor reading the code additionally includes the RFID reader issuing an electromagnetic interrogation pulse to the RFID tag and the RFID tag transmitting the digital data to the RFID reader in response. The storage is a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The dispensing is a regimented dispensing in an illustrative embodiment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Specific objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1 - 5    are perspective views of a container for pills constructed and arranged in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIGS.  6  and  7    are perspective views of a base constructed and arranged in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG.  8    is a view similar to  FIG.  7    illustrating the base as it would appear with an attached pill-collection receptacle; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of the base of  FIG.  8    and the container for pills of  FIGS.  1 - 5    shown as they would appear assembled; 
         FIGS.  10  and  11    are perspective views corresponding to  FIG.  9    with portions of dispensing unit removed for illustrative purposes; 
         FIG.  12    is an enlarged, fragmentary view corresponding to  FIGS.  10  and  11    illustrating an operative coupling of a motor to a dispenser mechanism for dispensing pills from the container; 
         FIG.  13    depicts a hardware and software architecture implementing the invention; 
         FIG.  14    is a schematic representation of the embodiment of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  15    illustrates the embodiment of  FIG.  9    configured with a measurement device for determining a presence or an extent of a presence of a condition or a substance in a biological sample; and 
         FIG.  16    illustrates the embodiment of  FIG.  9    configured with an alternate embodiment of a measurement device for determining a presence or an extent of a presence of a condition or a substance in a biological sample. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Improved pill storage and dispensing systems and methods are disclosed. 
     Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to  FIGS.  1 - 5    illustrating perspective views of a cartridge or container  20  to receive and store pills. Container  20  is configured to be sealed for sealing pills stored therein. The pills are each a small globular or rounded mass of one or more substances, used, for example, in treating a disease or illness, relieving pain or other condition, providing nourishment, or providing another chosen biologically effective result, that is to be swallowed whole. Referring in relevant part to  FIGS.  1 - 5   , container  20  is portable, being easily carried or conveyed by hand, and is fashioned of plastic, metal, or other material or combination of materials having inherently strong, rugged, impact-resistant, resilient and food-grade material characteristics. Container  20  includes continuous sidewall  21  having outer surface  22 , inner surface  23 , lower end  24 , and upper end  25 . Continuous sidewall  21  extends upright from lower end  24  to upper end  25 . Horizontal bottom  30  is affixed to lower end  24 . Horizontal top  31  is affixed to upper end  25 , which is formed with an attached lid  32 . Bottom  30  and top  31  cooperate with inner surface  23  to form volume  35  in  FIG.  1   . In  FIG.  4   , container  20  is configured with hollow column  40  structured to receive and store pills in container  20 . Hollow column  40 , a pill-containment structure, is affixed to bottom  30  and top  31 , and extends upright through volume  35  ( FIG.  1   ) from lower opening  41  through bottom  30  to upper opening  42  through top  31 .  FIG.  5    illustrates lid  32  of  FIG.  1    removed revealing upper opening  42  through top  31  and hollow column  40  depending downwardly therefrom. Lid  32  in  FIG.  1    is tamper-proof for deterring unauthorized access to hollow column  40  and its contents when it is applied to top  31 . Hollow column  40  is configured to receive and store pills therein stacked one atop the other between lower opening  41  and upper opening  42 . A pin  37  is affixed to and depends downwardly from bottom  30  at one side thereof proximate to continuous sidewall  21 . 
     Container  20  is equipped with a dispenser mechanism denoted generally at  45 . Dispenser mechanism  45  is configured to selectively dispense pills from container  20  and, more specifically, from hollow column  40  of container  20  in the illustrative example. In this example, dispenser mechanism  45  includes an attached shuttle  50 . Shuttle  50  is of the same material as container  20  or other chosen material or combination of materials having similar inherent material characteristics and is operatively associated with lower opening  41 . Shuttle  50 , a flat, plate-like member, is formed with only one pill-receiving opening  51  therethrough. Shuttle  50  is under, and parallel to, bottom  30 , and is mounted to bottom  30  for movement relative to lower opening  41  between an unloading position of pill-receiving opening  51  in  FIG.  3    and a loading position of pill-receiving opening  51  in  FIG.  4   . 
     In this example, shuttle  50  is mounted to bottom  30  for movement between the unloading position of pill-receiving opening  51  in  FIG.  3    and the loading position of pill-receiving opening  51  in  FIG.  4    with pin  55 . Pin  55  is journaled to bottom  30  and is affixed to shuttle  50 , in this example in hole  56  in shuttle  50  in  FIG.  4   . Shuttle  50  and pin are enabled to concurrently rotate about axis X of pin  55  between the unloading position of pill-receiving opening  51  in  FIG.  3    and a loading position of pill-receiving opening  51  in  FIG.  4   . Shuttle  50  is free to rotate into the loading position of pill-receiving opening  51  in  FIG.  4    from the unloading position of pill-receiving opening  51  in  FIG.  3   , and is free to rotate out of the loading position of pill-receiving opening  51  in  FIG.  4    to the unloading position of pill-receiving opening in  FIG.  3   . Pill-receiving opening  51  is displaced away from lower opening  41  and lower opening  41  is closed by shuttle  50  when shuttle  50  is in the unloading position of pill-receiving opening  51  in  FIG.  3   . Pill-receiving opening  51  is axially aligned with lower opening  41  for receiving a pill therein by gravity from hollow column  40  when shuttle  50  is in the loading position of pill-receiving opening  51  in  FIG.  4   . Pin  27 , a stop, disables shuttle  50  from moving beyond the unloading position of pill-receiving opening  51  as shown in  FIG.  3   . 
     Shuttle  50  is initially set to the unloading position of pill-receiving opening thereby closing lower opening  41  in bottom  30 , hollow column  40  is charged with pills, top  31  is sealed with lid  32  thereby sealing the contents of hollow column  40  of container  20 , and the charged and sealed container  20  is provided to the user/patient in need of or prescribed the pills of container  20 . This is all carried out by a pharmacist, physician, or other authorized or substance-controlling party, especially when pills are of a physician-prescribed substance. Column  40  relates to the pills it receives and stores, which enables it to consolidate the pills placed therein in a column stacked one atop the other from a lowermost one of the pills in lower opening  41  and against shuttle  50  to an uppermost one of the pills proximate to upper opening  42  closed by attached lid  32 . 
     Base  60  in  FIGS.  6  and  7    is portable, fashioned of the same material as container  20 , and configured to receive/accept container  20  and operate dispenser mechanism  45  to selectively dispense the pill contents of container  20 . The assembly of base  60  and container  20  form a pill-dispensing apparatus. Base  60  is also configured to initiate a pill/container verification procedure before base  60  can operate dispenser mechanism  45  to dispense the contents of container  20 . According to the invention, base  60  is configured to read/scan a code of container  20 , such as upon base  60  receiving container  20 , connect to a remote server, and serve the code to the remote server. The remote server is, in turn, configured to receive the code from base  60 , verify the code, and retrieve and serve to base  20  dispensing instructions corresponding to the pills of container  20  upon verification of the code. Base  60  is, in turn, configured to receive the dispensing instructions from the remote server, and download and install the dispensing instructions to an onboard storage/memory of base  60  that programs an onboard processor of base  60  to effectuate the dispensing of the pill contents of container  20  by dispenser mechanism under the control of the onboard processor of base  60 . 
     Referring in relevant part to  FIGS.  6 - 8   , base  60  includes housing assembly  70  including continuous sidewall  71  having outer surface  72 , opposed inner surface  73 , lower end  74 , and upper end  75 . Continuous sidewall  71  extends upright from lower end  74  to upper end  75 . In  FIG.  8   , horizontal bottom  80 , formed with opening  81  therethrough, is affixed to lower end  74 . Opening  81  registers with the previously-described lower opening  41  of bottom  30  of container  20 , and pill-receiving opening  51  of shuttle  50  when shuttle  50  is in the unloading position of pill-receiving opening  51 , when container  20  is received by base  60  described below. Horizontal top  85  is affixed to upper end  75 . Bottom  80  and top  85  cooperate with inner surface  73  to form volume  87  in  FIG.  6   . Receiver  90  depends into volume  87  from annular seat  91  formed in top  85 . Annular seat  91  encircles opening  92  through top to receiver  90 , which is configured to accept container  20  therein through opening  92  as shown in  FIG.  9    in the assembly of base  60  and container  20  to form the pill-dispensing apparatus. Lower end  74  is configured to releasably receive collection receptacle  95  in  FIGS.  8  and  9    for collecting pills that fall therein from opening  81  in bottom  80  as they are dispensed from container  20  by dispenser mechanism  45  one after the other. 
     Referring in relevant part to  FIGS.  10  and  12   , base  60  additionally includes control unit  100  operatively coupled to reader/scanner  110 , display/touch screen  111 , and at least one biometric device  112 , such as a fingerprint or facial recognition device, for enabling user access to base  60  via a biometric interrogation in accordance with known techniques. Referring to  FIG.  13   , control unit  100  incorporates processor  101 , transmitter  102 , motor/actuator  103 , storage  104 , and power source  105 . Processor  101 , transmitter  102 , motor  103 , storage  104 , reader  110 , display screen  111 , and biometric device  112  are concurrently powered by an onboard power source  105  of base  60  and are operatively and electrically connected via conventional electrical circuitry/wiring well known to the skilled electrician. Control unit  100  is housed in housing assembly  70  and is mounted atop bottom  80 . Reader  110 , display screen  111 , operable for displaying useful information about the operation of base  60  and for receiving user inputs by touching, and biometric device  112  are carried by continuous sidewall  71  between lower end  74  and upper end  75 . Power source  105  is a conventional and long-lasting rechargeable battery or battery pack. Base  60  is web- or networked-enabled via transmitter  102  according to known techniques. Base  60  can include a keypad or other form of user interface for suitably enabling user interaction with base  60 . 
     The electrical components of base  60  operate in a DC-powered environment, and power source  105  is an onboard DC power source consisting of one or more conventional rechargeable batteries, which can be periodically recharged in accordance with known techniques. The conventional electric circuitry/wiring of base  60  can be configured to enable base  60  to run off the power of a dedicated power source when base  60  is plugged into a dedicated power source via a power cord, while at the same time enabling the recharging of the base  60  onboard power source  105 . Those having ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that any suitable form of battery power source, including any desired or suitable number of batteries, including one or more rechargeable batteries, may be provided and utilized for the power source onboard base  60 . 
     Base  60  is electrically connected via transmitter  102  to a content provider  120  in  FIG.  13    by an electronic network, Internet I in this example. Provider  120  includes computer server  121  including at least one processor  122  electronically and operatively coupled to a computer data store  125 , a digital computer database of provider  120 , which houses dispensing instructions  126  and an authorization code  127  related to the contents of container  20 , memory  130  that maintains a standard operating system  131 , and a storage medium or memory  140 . For clarity, processor  122  can be referred to as a central processor. Dispensing instructions  126  when executed by processor  101  of base  60  cause processor  101  to effectuate a dispensing of the contents from container  20  by the operation of dispenser mechanism  45  under the control of processor  101 . The dispensing is a regimented dispensing according to dispensing instructions  126  in an illustrative embodiment for effecting a predetermined regimented dispensing of container  20  contents via dispenser mechanism  45  under the control of processor  101  at the right dose, at the right time, and in the right way and frequency. 
     The hardware of provider  120  operates under the control of operating system  131  maintained by memory  130  enabling processor  122  to execute instructions  141  maintained by memory  140  to effectuate the operations of processor  122  according to this disclosure. Server  121  can be a cloud server that is built, hosted and delivered through a cloud computing platform over Internet I, and thereby being accessible from one or more authorized visiting computers for creating and managing data store  125  and its contents. Dispensing instructions  126  specifically relate to the contents of the container  20 , i.e. the substance/material of pills of container  20 , and are entered into data store  125 , preferably by an authorized individual/party, from a user computer, workstation, or other input device in communication with content provider  120 . A webpage interface can be implemented as a portal or gateway for inputting data/information/instructions into data store from the chosen input device. Accordingly, dispensing instructions  126  when executed by processor  101  of base  60  cause processor  101  to effectuate a dispensing of the container  20  contents via dispenser mechanism  45 . In an illustrative embodiment, the dispensing is a regimented dispensing according to dispensing instructions  126  for effecting a predetermined regimented dispensing of container  20  contents via dispenser mechanism  45  under the control of processor  101  at the right dose, at the right time, and in the right way and frequency. The dispensing regimen is chosen for the specific substance embodied in the pills of container  20 , and can vary from substance to substance, e.g. from medication to medication. 
     Storage medium or memory  140  includes executable instructions  141  stored thereon that when executed by processor  122  in response to inputs from processor  101  of base  60  interacting with provider  120  through Internet I cause processor  122  to effectuate the operations of provider  120 . Instructions  141  program processor  122  to enable processor  122  effectuate its described operations of provider  120  disclosed herein. Medium  140  can take on a variety of forms. For instance, medium  140  may take the form of program code (i.e., instructions  141 ) embodied in concrete, tangible, storage media having a concrete, tangible, physical structure. Examples of tangible storage media include floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, DVDs, hard drives, or any other tangible machine-readable storage medium (computer-readable storage medium). Thus, computer-readable storage medium  140  is non-transitory, is not a signal, is not a transient signal, and is not a propagating signal. Medium  140  described herein is an article of manufacture. The hardware of provider  120  operates under the control of operating system  131  maintained by memory  130  enabling processor  122  to execute instructions  141  to effectuate the operations of provider  120  described with particularity in this disclosure. 
     Processor  122  of provider  120  is coupled to data store  125  and is in communication with processor  101  of base  60  through Internet I. Processor  122  is programmed to receive from processor  101  of base  60  a code associated with container  20 , compare the code to authorization code  127 , and retrieve and serve instructions  126  to processor  101  of base  60  through Internet I upon the code matching authorization code  127  thereby verifying container  20  and its contents. The code of container  20  and the authorization code are chosen by an authorized party, and are identical. In addition to instructions  126 , additional information housed by data store  125  and related to the substance of the pills of container  20  can accompany instructions  126 , such as the user&#39;s/patients name, address, insurance carrier, caregiver, prescribing physician, etc., and an identification of the pills and related prescription information. This information is accessible at data store  125  by a pharmacist or other authorized party through Internet I from a visitor computer for enabling the pharmacist or chosen authorized party to charge container  20  with the appropriate contents in advance. 
     Processor  101  of base  60  is programmed to receive instructions  126  from processor  122  of provider  120  and, upon receiving instructions  126  from processor  122  of provider  120 , to download instructions  126  to memory  104  of base  60  and execute instructions  126  to effectuate the dispensing of the contents from container  20  by dispenser mechanism  45  operatively associated with container  20 . When additional information related to the substance of the pills of container  20  accompanies instructions  126 , that information is additionally downloaded to memory  104 . The actions of processors  101  and  122  as described above and throughout this disclosure all preferably occur automatically without the need for user inputs or other user intercessions unless otherwise noted or qualified. 
     Instructions  126  are executable/program instructions. Storage medium or memory  104  includes executable instructions  126 , when downloaded thereon, that when executed by processor  101  of base  60  cause processor  101  to effectuate the operations of base  60 . Instructions  126  program processor  101  to enable processor  101  to effectuate its described operations of base  60  disclosed herein. Medium  104  can take on a variety of forms. For instance, medium  104  may take the form of program code (i.e., instructions  126 ) embodied in concrete, tangible, storage media having a concrete, tangible, physical structure. Examples of tangible storage media include floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, DVDs, hard drives, or any other tangible machine-readable storage medium (computer-readable storage medium). Thus, computer-readable storage medium  104  is non-transitory, is not a signal, is not a transient signal, and is not a propagating signal. Medium  104  described herein is an article of manufacture. The hardware of base  60  operates under the control of an onboard operating system maintained by memory  104  or other memory of base  60  enabling processor  101  to execute instructions  126  to effectuate the operations of base  60  as described herein. 
     Receiver  90  of housing assembly  70  shown in  FIG.  6    is configured to accept container  20  therein as shown in  FIG.  9    in the assembly of base  60  and container  20  to form the pill-dispensing apparatus  145 . Container  20 , and its appurtenances and charge of contents, is installed shuttle  50  first into receiver  90  through opening  92 . Top  31  occupies opening  92  and fits in annular seat  91  formed in top  85  of housing assembly  70  and shuttle  50  operatively connects to motor  103  of base  60 , upon installation of container  20  in receiver  90  of base  60 . Actuation of motor  103  imparts corresponding movement of shuttle  50  between the unloading position of pill-receiving opening  51  and the loading position of pill-receiving opening  51 . If desired, a locking mechanism can be provided for locking container  20  in place to base  60  upon assembling container  20  and base  60 . This mechanism can be a detent, a mechanism that temporarily holds container  20  to base  60 . Pin  27  can form a part of such a detent. 
     In  FIGS.  10  and  11   , a cup-shaped cap  150  is applied over shuttle  50  (not shown in  FIG.  10   ) and lower end  24  (not shown) of container  20 . Cap  150  encloses shuttle  50 . Cap  150  can be removably attached, such as by being fitted frictionally over lower end  24  of container  20  or threaded over lower end  24  of container  20  for example, or permanently affixed to lower end  24  of container  20 , such as by welding, heat-bonding, by adhering cap  150  to container  20  by a permanent adhesive, or the like. Shuttle  50  is free to translate between the loading unloading positions of pill-receiving opening  51  without interference from cap  150 . Upon installation of container  20  in receiver  90  of base  60 , drive shaft  103 A of motor  103  passes through an appropriate opening through the bottom of cap  150  and, as shown in  FIG.  12   , keys into counterbore  56 A of hole  56  thereby operatively coupling/connecting motor  103  to shuttle  50 , wherein actuation of motor  103  rotates shaft  103 A in opposite directions thereby imparting rotation of shuttle  50  between the unloading and loading positions of pill-receiving opening  51 . Counterbore  56 A, an engagement element, and drive shaft  103 A, a complemental engagement element, join in the assembly of container  20  and base  60  to form a transmission operatively coupling motor  103  to shuttle  50 . In alternate embodiments, other forms of engagement and complemental engagement elements suitable for operatively connecting motor  103  to shuttle  50  in the assembly of container  20  and base  60  can be used to form a transmission for transferring power from motor  103  to shuttle  50 , such as complementing gears, gearing assemblies, complementing male and female engagement pairs, or the like. 
     In the operation of base  60 , shuttle  120  is initially set to the unloading position of pill-receiving opening  51  away from lower opening  41  of hollow column  40  charged with pills P stacked one atop the other between lower opening  41  and upper opening  42  in  FIG.  14   . Pills P are stacked one atop the other in hollow column  40 , again from a lowermost one of pills P′ in lower opening  41  and against shuttle  50  to an uppermost one of pills P″ proximate to upper opening  42  closed by attached lid  32 . The lowermost pill P′ of the column of pills P in lower opening  41  atop shuttle  50  is the first pill to be loaded. Shuttle  50  and bottom  30  are sufficiently juxtaposed to disable the lowermost pill from discharging from lower opening  41 , thereby effectively closing lower opening  41  with the lowermost pill applied therein. The remainder of pills P of the column of pills P extend upwardly through hollow column  40  from the lowermost pill p′. Upon movement of shuttle  50  by motor  103  from the unloading position of pill-receiving opening  50  to the loading position of pill-receiving opening  50  registered with lower opening  41 , the column of pills P drops under its inherent weight and the lowermost pill P′ drops from lower opening  41  into pill-receiving opening  51  of shuttle and onto cap  150  and the next pill P in the column of pills P enters lower opening  41 . Upon movement of shuttle  50  by motor  103  from the loading position of pill-receiving opening  50 , now loaded with pill P′, to the unloading position of pill-receiving opening  50 , shuttle  50  drags the pill P′ loaded in pill-receiving opening  50  across the bottom of cap  150  to discharge opening  151  through the bottom of cap  150  thereby axially aligning pill-receiving opening  51  and the pill applied therein with discharge opening  151  of cap  150  and opening  81  through bottom  80  of housing assembly  70 , whereby the pill P′ drops under its inherent weight through discharge opening  141  from pill-receiving opening  51  and into collection receptacle  95  through opening  81  in bottom  80 . At the same time, shuttle  50  closes lower opening  41  and the next lowermost pill P of the column of pills P in lower opening  41  rests on shuttle  50 , is the next pill to be loaded, and the other pills P forming the remainder of the column of pills P extend upwardly through hollow column  40  from the lowermost pill P. Collection receptacle  95  is withdrawn from housing assembly  70 , the pill P′ therein in this example is removed and ingested, and the collection receptacle  95  is reattached. This pill-dispensing cycle is repeated for each pill P at each pill-dispensing session until the pills P are depleted. Container  20  can be removed from base  60  and refilled as needed. 
     According to the invention, processor  122  in  FIG.  13    is coupled to data store  125  and is in communication with processor  101  through Internet I. Processor  122  is programmed by instructions  141  to receive from processor  101  a code associated with container  20 , compare the code to authorization code  127 , and retrieve and serve instructions  126  to processor  101  upon processor  122  matching code with authorization code  127  thereby authenticating/verifying container  20  and its charge of pills P. Processor  101  is programmed by the onboard operating system to receive instructions  126  from processor  122 , download instructions  126  to storage  104  upon processor  101  receiving instructions  126  from processor  122 , and execute instructions  126  to effectuate the dispensing of the pills from container  20  at predetermined times by motor  103  operating dispenser mechanism  45  at the control of processor  101 . Each pill-dispensing session can initiate automatically under the control of processor  101  executing instructions  126 , or in response to inputs from a patient interacting with base  60 . User interaction with base  60  can require an authentication event, such as entry of a key code via display/touch screen  111 , and or at least one biometric interrogation by biometric device  112 , or the like, to ensure the user/patient is authorized to take the pills dispensed from container  20 . 
     Processor  101  is configured to read/scan a code of container  20  by reader  110 , such as upon base  60  receiving container  20 , connect to processor  122  of server  121 , and serve the code to processor  122  of server  121 . Processor  122  of server  121  is, in turn, configured to receive the code from base  60 , verify the code, and retrieve and serve to base  20  dispensing instructions  126  corresponding to pills P of container  20  upon verification of the code. Processor  101  of base  60  is, in turn, configured to receive dispensing instructions  126  from processor  122  of server  121 , and download and install instructions  126  to storage  104  of base  60  that programs processor  101  to effectuate the dispensing of the pill contents of container  20  by dispenser mechanism  45  under the control of processor  101 , whether automatically or in response to user inputs/commands. This characterizes a code interrogation and processor  101  programming operation according to the invention. 
     The code corresponding to container  20  is carried by container  20 , and processor  101  operatively coupled to reader  110  is programmed to read the code on container  20  by reader  110  and issue the code via transmitter  102  through Internet I to processor  122 . More specifically, processor  101  is programmed by the onboard operating system to read the code on container  20  by reader  110  proximate to or upon assembling container  20  and base  60 , connect through Internet I via transmitter  102  to processor  122 , and issue the code to processor  122 . In an exemplary embodiment, processor  101  is programmed by the onboard operating system to automatically read the code on container  20  by reader  110  proximate to or upon assembling container  20  and base  60 , automatically connect through Internet I via transmitter  102  to processor  122 , and automatically issue the code to processor  122  without the need for user inputs or commands. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, reader  110  is an RFID reader, and the code is housed as digital data on an RFID tag  160  carried by container  20  as shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  2 ,  5 , and  10   . In this embodiment, RFID tag  160  transmits its digital data to RFID reader  110  upon RFID tag  160  being triggered by an electromagnetic interrogation pulse from RFID reader  110 , and processor  101  issues the code to processor  122  via transmitter  102  through Internet I. Preferably, RFID reader  110  under the control of processor  101  automatically issues its electromagnetic pulse proximate to or upon assembling container  20  and base  60  when RFID reader  110  and RFID tag  160  are juxtaposed in proximity to one another, RFID tag  160  automatically transmits its digital data to RFID reader  110  upon RFID tag  160  being triggered by the electromagnetic interrogation pulse from RFID reader  110 , and processor  101  automatically issues the code to processor  122  via transmitter  102  through Internet I. 
     RFID tag  160  and RFID reader  110  are sufficiently juxtaposed or otherwise in proximity to one another upon assembling container  20  and base  60  to enable RFID reader  110  to automatically detect RFID tag  160  and to cause processor  101  to issue the electromagnetic interrogation pulse by RFID reader  110  in response. In this example, RFID reader  110  is carried by continuous sidewall  71  between lower end  74  and upper end  75  of housing assembly  70 , and RFID tag  160  is carried by continuous sidewall  21  between lower end and upper end  25 , whereby RFID reader  110  and RFID tag  160  are operatively juxtaposed upon assembly of container  20  and base  60 . RFID tag  160  and RFID reader  110  can be positioned elsewhere consist with the teachings herein. 
     In accordance with known techniques, processor  101  is programmed to record the operations of base  60  in storage  104 . The operations of base  60  recorded in storage  104  document/record the user&#39;s/patient&#39;s compliance or non-compliance in taking the pills P. Processor  101  can be programmed to automatically transmit the information electronically via transmitter  102  through Internet I from storage  104  to processor  122  that can be programmed to automatically store the information into the user&#39;s/patient&#39;s electronic record housed in data store  125 . The electronic record can be accessed by an authorized party, the user&#39;s/patient&#39;s physician or caregiver, through Internet I from a visitor computer to monitor the operations of the pill-dispensing system for tracking and monitoring patient compliance. 
     By way of example, provider  120  is configured with one data store  125  including instructions  126  and authorization code  127  related to the chosen contents of container  20  and a user/patient in need of the chosen contents of container  20 . Data store  125  relates to a specific user/patient intended to take the pills of container  20  and the specific substance of pills. Data store  125  can be configured with instructions and authorization codes for a plurality of pill substances for a given user/patient, such as medicinal substances, vitamin substances, pain-reliever substances, etc. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, the substance of the pills of container  20  is chosen to treat a disease or illness, relieve pain or other condition, provide nourishment, or provide another chosen biologically effective result in the use/patient as disclosed herein. The effectiveness of the substance of the pills in a user is often determined by a presence or an extent of a presence of a condition of or substance in a biological sample of the user, such as a sample of the user&#39;s blood, urine, breath, spittle, blood pressure, etc. Depending on the presence or extent of a presence of a given condition of or substance in a biological sample of the user, user compliance in taking the pills of container  20  and/or the biological effectiveness of the substance of the pills of container  20  can be determined. 
     As a matter of example, diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by a high blood sugar level over a period of time. Medications used to treat diabetes act by lowering blood sugar levels. A glucose meter is a measurement device used to measure the approximate concentration of glucose in a blood sample for indicating the effectiveness of a medication used to treat diabetes. In another example, hypertension is a long-term medical condition characterized by a persistent elevation of blood pressure. A sphygmomanometer is a measurement device used to measure blood pressure of an artery for indicating the effectiveness of a medication used to treat blood pressure, in which the blood pressure of the chosen artery is a biological sample. Other measurable conditions treatable by medication will readily occur to the skilled medical practitioner. 
     In an illustrative embodiment,  FIG.  15    shows base  60  of pill-dispensing apparatus  145  configured with a measurement device  170 . Measurement device  170  relates to the pills of container  20 . Measurement device  170  is powered by an onboard power source and/or by power source  105  of base  60 , and is operatively connected to processor  101  wirelessly or via conventional electrical circuitry/wiring or a power cord well known to the skilled electrician. Measurement device  170  is attached to and carried by continuous sidewall  71  of base  60  and extends outwardly from outer surface  72 . Measurement device  170  can be permanently attached to or integrated with base  60 , or releasably attached, such as by a cradle or other releasable coupling. Measurement device  170  can also be separate and operatively coupled to base  60  simply with a power cord or wirelessly as intimated above. 
     Measurement device  170  is configured to accept and interact with a biological sample to determine a presence or an extent of a presence of a condition of or substance in the biological sample. In this embodiment, processor  101  is programmed by the onboard operating system of base  60  or instructions  126  to receive a reading from measurement device  170  upon measurement device  170  taking a reading of a presence or an extent of a presence of a condition of or a substance in the biological sample of the user of the pills of container  20 , connect to processor  122  of server  121 , and serve the reading to processor  122  of server  121 . Processor  122  is, in turn, programmed to receive from processor  101  of base  60  the reading of measurement device  170 , compare the reading to a normal reading or normal reading range housed in data store  125 , and, if desired, automatically store the reading and the comparison into the user&#39;s electronic record housed in data store  125 . In an illustrative embodiment, processor  122  can be programmed to issue an alert or message, such as email message, text message, and/or voice message, to an authorized email address and/or phone number to alert the intended recipient of the reading, user non-compliance and/or the comparison. Upon receiving the alert, the intended recipient can contact the user to address user non-compliance and/or a possible biological ineffectiveness of the pills in the user, and/or instruct the user to have container  20  refilled with replacement pills designed to provide or improve the intended biologically-effective result in the user. The dispensing information  126  can also be accessed at data store  125  by the recipient of the alert or other authorized individual or party from a visitor computer to change/update instructions  126  as appropriate. 
     In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG.  15   , the substance of pills of container  20  of pill-dispensing apparatus  145  is diabetes medication for lowering blood sugar levels, and measurement device  170  is a conventional glucose meter  170 A used to measure the approximate concentration of glucose in a blood sample for indicating the effectiveness of the medication of the pills of container  20 . Use of the glucose meter  170 A illustrated in  FIG.  15    is conventional and well known and is therefore not discussed herein. Any standard or chosen glucose meter can be used. 
     In another example, the substance of pills of container  20  of pill-dispensing apparatus  145  is medication for lowering blood pressure, and measurement device  170  is a conventional sphygmomanometer  170 B in  FIG.  16    used to measure blood pressure of an artery for indicating the effectiveness of the medication of the pills of container  20 . Use of the sphygmomanometer  170 B illustrated in  FIG.  16    is conventional and well known and is therefore not discussed herein. In this embodiment, sphygmomanometer  170 B is operatively connected to base  60  by a conventional power cord  180 . A wireless connection can be used if so desired. Any standard or chosen sphygmomanometer can be used. 
     Those having regard for the art will readily appreciate that the measurement device can be chosen for determining a presence or an extent of a presence of a condition or a substance in any chosen biological sample of the user depending on the substance of the pills of container  20  and the condition the substance of the pills of container  20  is intended to address. 
     The invention is described above with reference to illustrative embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made in the described embodiments without departing from the nature and scope of the invention. For instance, container  20  and base  60  can take on any desired form or design consistent with this disclosure. Further, dispenser mechanism  45  disclosed herein is suitable in that it is efficient, simple in structure, and inexpensive. Other suitable dispenser mechanisms can be used to dispense pills from container  20  in alternate embodiments without departing from the invention. In the illustrative embodiment disclosed herein, reader  110  is an RFID reader and the code is embodied as digital data on RFID tag  160 . Other forms of readers/scanners and tags/barcodes can be used without departing from the invention according to the teachings of this disclosure. For instance, the code can be a barcode carried by container  20 , and reader  110  can be a corresponding barcode reader. In another embodiment, the code can be a biometric code, such a fingerprint or iris-scan of the user/patient assigned to the contents of container  20 , and reader  110  can be a corresponding fingerprint or iris-scan reader. Any suitable form of code and corresponding reader can be implemented with the invention. Additionally, the various appurtenances of a base constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention can be selectively multiplied to enable the base to accommodate and operate multiple containers of pills of the same or different substances. 
     Various further changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.