Monitoring circuit

Abstract

In an example, a monitoring circuit includes first and second couplers to electrically connect the monitoring circuit to a monitored circuit having a resistance. The resistance of the monitored circuit can indicate a state, and the monitored circuit can be connected in series between the first coupler and the second coupler. The first coupler includes a plurality of galvanically separated connection elements, which are used to form an electrical connection with a common connection element of the monitored circuit. The monitoring circuit further includes a monitoring device to determine the resistance of the monitored circuit through the first coupler and the second coupler. The monitoring device is used to obtain a plurality of electrical values ​​and use the plurality of electrical values ​​to determine the value of the resistance of the monitored circuit.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Monitoring circuits can be used to monitor the state of monitored circuits. For example, monitoring circuits can be used in conjunction with "smart packaging." Smart packaging is packaging that is able to perform functions other than containing a product. For example, they can include security features, or provide verification of the origin of a product, etc. In some examples, smart packaging can be monitored to determine whether the interior of a storage space has been accessed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Examples will now be described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0003] Figure 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of an exemplary monitoring circuit;

[0004] Figures 2 to 4 is a simplified schematic diagram of an example of a monitoring circuit;

[0005] Figure 5 is a flow chart of an example of a method of determining the resistance of a monitored circuit;

[0006] Figure 6 is a simplified schematic diagram of an exemplary blister package monitor;

[0007] Figure 7 is a simplified schematic diagram of an exemplary blister package. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] In the drawings, the same numbers are used to designate the same components for clarity.

[0009] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary monitoring circuit 100, which includes a first coupler 102 and a second coupler 104, which electrically connect the monitoring circuit 100 to a monitored circuit 106 (shown in dashed lines) having a resistance R, such that there is a substantially continuous electrical connection formed therebetween. The resistance R of the monitored circuit 106 is an indication of a state, and the monitored circuit 106 is to be connected in series between the first coupler 102 and the second coupler 104.

[0010] For example, the monitored circuit 106 may include conductive traces provided (e.g., printed using conductive ink) on the package. The traces may be broken when accessing the interior of the package. In a specific example, the package may include a blister package for dispensing medications and may provide multiple traces, one trace associated with each "blister". When the blister is broken to dispense pills, etc., the traces (which may be printed on a fragile substrate such as paper, etc.) may be broken and the resistance associated with the circuit may increase (in some examples, become very high). In some examples, the monitored circuit 106 may include multiple such traces, which are interconnected to form the monitored circuit 106 and breaking one trace may change the resistance of the monitored circuit 106. In other examples, the resistance of each trace of multiple traces may be monitored. Other packaging types may also include monitored storage spaces, such as traces that may extend over the cover of a box or bag type container and break when the cover is opened.

[0011] At least one of the first coupler 102 and the second coupler 104 (and Figure 1 In the example of the monitoring circuit 100, both of them include at least two connecting elements 102a, 102b, 104a, 104b, wherein the connecting elements 102a, 102b, 104a, 104b of the couplers 102, 104 are used to form an electrical connection with a common connecting element 108 of the monitored circuit 106. The connecting elements 102a, 102b, 104a, 104b of the couplers 102, 104 are galvanically separated from each other, in the sense that no continuous circuit is formed between the connecting elements 102a, 102b, 104a, 104b in the monitoring circuit 100. However, as can be seen from the following description, the connecting elements 102a, 102b, 104a, 104b can be electrically connected in use, for example via the common connecting element 108 of the monitored circuit 106.

[0012] The monitoring circuit 100 also includes a monitoring device 110 to determine the resistance of the monitored circuit 106 through the couplers 102, 104. The monitoring device 110 is used to obtain a plurality of electrical values ​​and use the plurality of electrical values ​​to determine the value of the resistance R of the monitored circuit 106.

[0013] The resistance of the circuit including both monitored circuit 106 and monitoring circuit 100 does not actually include only resistance R, but also includes the resistance of the electrical connection between couplers 102, 104 and their respective common connection elements 108. This "coupling resistance" may vary based on how much surface area the electrical connectors are in contact or how much the contacts are corroded or contaminated, etc. Determining or otherwise taking into account the coupling resistance may allow the resistance R of the monitored circuit to be determined more accurately than, for example, assuming that the coupling resistance is zero or a constant value.

[0014] In some examples herein, the monitoring device 110 acquires a plurality of electrical values ​​and uses the plurality of electrical values ​​to determine a value of the resistance R of the monitored circuit 106 that is at least substantially independent of the resistance of the electrical connection between the monitored circuit 106 and the monitoring circuit 100. This can increase the accuracy with which the resistance of some or all of the broken trace can be determined. In some examples (e.g., see below Figure 7 ), where multiple such traces are interconnected, this can allow for smaller resistance differences to be determined, which in turn can increase the number or number of options for interconnecting traces. Even in examples where each trace is monitored individually, the resistance of the trace can be high when the trace is intact (i.e., not broken) in order to reduce energy consumption (i.e., keep current low). In such examples, the resistance difference between an intact trace and a broken or partially broken trace can be small, and thus increasing the accuracy with which resistance can be determined can help distinguish an intact trace from a broken (or partially broken) trace.

[0015] In some examples, the monitoring device 110 can determine a plurality of resistance values ​​associated with each of a plurality of connections between the monitoring circuit 100 and the monitored circuit 106 (e.g., a plurality of "coupling resistances" associated with different connection elements 102a, 102b, 104a, 104b). In some examples, the monitoring device 110 can apply a current to the monitored circuit through a first connection and determine a voltage across the monitored circuit 106 through a second connection. The monitoring device 110 can, for example, include processing circuitry such as at least one processor. In some examples, the monitoring device 110 can include at least one of an ammeter for measuring current and a voltmeter for measuring voltage.

[0016] In the example of the figures, the common connection element 108 comprises a pad covering a spatial area. For example, the common connection element 108 may comprise an area of ​​the substrate printed with conductive ink. Figure 1 In the example of , each connection element 102a, 102b, 104a, 104b is also a contact pad and they together have an area substantially similar to the surface area of ​​the connection element 108. However, this is not necessarily the case. For example, although the couplers 102, 104 and the common connection element 108 are shown as circular, this is purely schematic and they can have any shape or form. Further, although the size of the connection elements 102a, 102b, 104a, 104b is shown as similar, their size, shape or form can be different, and in other examples, an area similar to the size or shape of the common connection element 108 may not be provided cumulatively.

[0017] Although common connection element 108 is shown here as a continuous pad, this is not necessarily the case. In some examples, common connection element 108 may include multiple discrete connection points (e.g., points corresponding to each connection element 102a, 102b, 104a, 104b of couplers 102, 104, and the connection points may be galvanically connected at points in monitored circuit 106 in addition to coupling between monitored circuit 106 and monitoring circuit 100, so that a single current path is provided across the measured resistance R of the circuit regardless of which connection point is coupled to connection elements 102a, 102b, 104a, 104b. In such an example, connection The common connection element 108 provides a common connection to the resistor under test, and the common connection element provides a current path between the connection elements 102a, 102b, 104a, 104b of the couplers 102, 104. The common connection element 108 can have any form that allows each connection element 102a, 102b, 104a, 104b to form an electrical connection with the resistor R and provide a current path between the connection elements 102a, 102b, 104a, 104b of the couplers 102, 104 when the monitored circuit 106 is coupled to the monitoring circuit 100.

[0018] exist Figure 1 In the example of , when in use, the galvanically separated connecting elements 102a, 102b, 104a, 104b of the monitoring circuit 100 are intentionally designed to be in at least partial physical contact with the common connecting element 108. Even in the case where the connecting elements 102a, 102b, 104a, 104b of the monitoring circuit 100 are in good contact with the respective common connecting element 108, there may be a coupling resistance. In the example where the monitoring circuit 100 is to be used in conjunction with a package, for example, the monitoring circuit may be clamped or fastened to the package, but there may be at least some possibility of movement, or at least one of the connecting elements 102a, 102b, 104a, 104b, 108 may be corroded, contaminated or deformed, etc. Therefore, although the resistance between the connecting elements 102a, 102b, 104a, 104b of the monitoring circuit 100 and the common connecting element 108 may be low in some cases, it may not be a case where the resistance can be assumed to be at least approximately zero.

[0019] Figure 2 An example of a monitoring circuit 200 is shown, in which the first coupler 102 and the second coupler 104 each include a galvanically separated first connecting element 202a, a second connecting element 202b and a third connecting element 202c.

[0020] The connection elements 202 a - c are to be connected to the common connection element 108 of the monitored circuit 106 .

[0021] Each connection element 202a-c has its own coupling resistance to the common connection element 108. In this example, the coupling resistance between the first connection element 202a and the common connection element 108 is R1, the coupling resistance between the second connection element 202b and the common connection element 108 is R2, and the coupling resistance between the third connection element 202c and the common connection element 108 is R3.

[0022] In this example, the monitoring device 110 can determine these coupling resistances. In some examples, the monitoring device 110 can include at least one energy source (e.g., a battery, etc.) and can connect the energy source to cause current to flow through each of the three circuits. The resistance of each of these circuits can be determined, for example, using measurements of voltage and current. In the first circuit, the first connection element 202a and the second connection element 202b are connected via the common connection element 108. Assuming that the resistance in the common connection element 108 is the smallest, this provides a resistance for the circuit (i.e., the resistance between the first connection element and the second connection element via the common connection element): R 12 =R1+R2.

[0023] A similar circuit may be formed between the second connection element 202b and the third connection element 202c to find the resistance between the second connection element and the third connection element via the common connection element 108: R 23 =R2+R3.

[0024] A similar circuit may be formed between the first connection element 202a and the third connection element 202c to find the resistance between the first connection element and the third connection element via the common connection element 108: R 13 =R1+R3.

[0025] From R 12 ,R 23 ,R 13 R1, R2, and R3 can be calculated:

[0026] R3=(R 23 +R 13 –R 12 ) / 2

[0027] R2=R 23 –R3

[0028] R1=R 13 –R3.

[0029] Because the coupling resistance can be determined for any or all connections to the monitored circuit 106, this allows the resistance R of the monitored circuit 106 to be determined with greater accuracy because any deviation between the nominal coupling resistance and the actual coupling resistance, which can be, for example, zero, is quantified. In other words, the monitoring circuit 100 can be calibrated to account for the resistance of the electrical connection between the monitoring circuit 100 and the monitored circuit 106 in this example. R can then be determined by measurements made using any or all of the connection elements 202a-c, 204a-c.

[0030] It should be noted that determining the coupling resistance for both couplers 102, 104 will increase accuracy, and therefore in some examples the resistance of one coupler 102, 104 may be determined. This may be the case, for example, if one of the couplers 102, 104 can be assumed to be of lower resistance, for example due to its physical structure. However, in other examples, the coupling resistance of both couplers 102, 104 may be determined.

[0031] Figure 3 Another example is shown, in which each of the first coupler 102 and the second coupler 104 comprises two galvanically separated connecting elements 302a, 302b, 304a, 304b.

[0032] The connection element 302 a , 302 b , 304 a , 304 b of each coupler 102 , 104 is to be connected to the common connection element 108 of the monitored circuit 106 .

[0033] In this example, the monitoring device 110 is used to obtain (e.g., by measuring current and voltage values) electrical values, including:

[0034] A first resistor (R) is formed between the first connection element 302a and the second connection element 302b of the first coupler 102 via the common connection element 108. 11-21 ), the first connecting element 302a and the second connecting element 302b are connected to the common connecting element 108;

[0035] A second resistor (R) is connected between the first connection element 304a and the second connection element 304b of the second coupler 104 via the common connection element 108. 12-22 ), the first connecting element 304a and the second connecting element 304b are connected to the common connecting element 108;

[0036] A third resistor (R 11-12 );

[0037] A fourth resistor (R 21-22 );

[0038] A fifth resistor (R ) is connected between the first connecting element 302 a of the first coupler 102 and the second connecting element 304 b of the second coupler via the monitored circuit 106. 11-22 );as well as

[0039] A sixth resistor (R ) is connected between the second connecting element 302 b of the first coupler 102 and the first connecting element 304 a of the second coupler via the monitored circuit 106. 21-12 ).

[0040] Assuming that the first connection element 302a and the second connection element 302b of the first coupler 102 have coupling resistances of R1 and R2, respectively, in their connection to the monitored circuit 106, and the first connection element 304a and the second connection element 304b of the second coupler 104 have coupling resistances of R3 and R4, respectively, in their connection to the monitored circuit 106 (and the resistance in each common connection element 108 is negligibly small):

[0041] R 11-21 =R1+R2

[0042] R 12-22 =R3+R4

[0043] R 11-12 =R1+R3+R

[0044] R 21-22 =R2+R4+R

[0045] R 11-22 =R1+R4+R

[0046] R 21-12 =R2+R3+R

[0047] These relationships allow the resistance R of the monitored circuit 106 to be calculated as:

[0048] R=((R 11-12 +R 11-22 +R 21-12 +R 21-22 ) / 2–(R 11-21 +R 12-22 )) / 2

[0049] This therefore discounts or cancels out any effect of the connecting resistances R1-R4 on determining R.

[0050] Figure 4An example is shown in which each of the first coupler 102 and the second coupler 104 comprises two galvanically separated connection elements 402a, 402b, 404a, 404b. The monitoring circuit 100 comprises a current source 406 to pass a current having a predetermined current value through the monitored circuit 106 via the first connection element 402a of the first coupler 102 and the first connection element 404a of the second coupler 104.

[0051] The monitoring device 110 further includes a device for determining voltage, such as a voltmeter 408. The monitoring device 110 acquires electrical values ​​including a predetermined current value and a voltage (in this example, measured by the voltmeter 408) across the second connection element 402b of the first coupler 102 and the second connection element 404b of the second coupler 104. It should be noted that in some examples, the current value may not be measured directly, but a value provided to the current source may be used instead.

[0052] The resistance R is determined by dividing the measured voltage by the current of the current source 406. This will provide a measurement of R on which the coupling resistance has a small (in some examples, minimal or negligible) effect. The voltmeter has a high resistance (e.g., in the megohm or sometimes gigaohm range), which can be assumed to be higher than the coupling resistance. Since the voltage measurement is made while consuming very low current (because the resistance of the voltmeter 408 is high), the proportion of the voltage measurement attributable to the connection resistance between the second connection element 402b of the first coupler 102 and the common connection element 108, and between the second connection element 404b of the second coupler 104 and the common connection element 108 is minimal, and the coupling resistance has a small effect on the determined R value.

[0053] Figure 5 is a flow chart of a method, the method comprising, in block 502, providing an electrical connection between a monitoring circuit and a monitored circuit having a resistance. In block 504, determining the resistance of the monitored circuit; wherein determining the resistance comprises determining a resistance value at least substantially independent of the resistance of the electrical connection.

[0054] In some examples, block 504 may include determining at least one electrical connection resistance (ie, coupling resistance) and compensating for the effect of the resistance deviation from the determined resistance of the monitored circuit. For example, this may be as described with reference to Figure 2 or Figure 3 Determined as described.

[0055] In some examples, block 504 may include, for example, referring to Figure 4 The providing of current and measuring the resistance across different connection elements reduces the influence of at least one electrical connection resistance.

[0056] Figure 6A blister package monitor 600 is shown, which includes a fixing element 602 (in this example, a notch providing a substantially interference fit) for fixing a blister package 604 including at least one (in this example, ten) storage spaces 606, and at least one (in this example, ten) monitored traces 608, which are interrupted to provide access to the interior of the storage spaces 606. For example, each storage space 606 can initially accommodate a pill or tablet and be surrounded by a frangible cover such as paper or paper-like. The cover of each storage space 606 can bear a portion of the conductive monitored trace 608 (which can be printed thereon using conductive ink in some examples), which in the example of the accompanying drawings has a serpentine configuration to increase the likelihood of it being broken when accessing the pills, although this is not necessarily the case in all examples. In other examples, the fixing element 602 can include a clamp or clip or the like to fix the blister package 604 with a clamping force, which can be applied and removed in some examples. In other examples, the securing element 602 may include, for example, an adhesive or a coupling fabric such as a "hook and loop" fabric coupling, with a corresponding feature provided on the blister pack 604. In other examples, the blister pack 604 may include features such as ridges or holes that interact with or receive at least a portion of the securing element 602. Other examples of securing elements 602 may be provided.

[0057] The blister pack monitor 600 in this example further includes eleven couplers 610 that provide electrical connections to the monitored traces 608 of the secured blister pack 604. It should be noted that a first coupler 610 is associated with each trace 608 (i.e., ten such couplers are provided), while a second coupler 610 is shared and can be used to interrogate each trace 608. Although not shown to avoid overly complicating the drawing, each coupler 610 includes a reference to Figures 1 to 4 A plurality of galvanically isolated connecting elements as described above.

[0058] The blister pack monitor 600 further includes an electronic monitoring device 612 to determine the status of the monitored trace 608 , wherein the electronic monitoring device 612 is used to counteract the effects of the resistance of the electrical connection between the monitor 600 and the blister pack 604 .

[0059] Some, but not all, of the storage spaces 606, traces 608, and couplers 610 are labeled to avoid overly complicating the drawing.

[0060] The electronic monitoring device 612 can determine the status of each of the plurality of monitored traces 608 (i.e., whether the trace is complete or interrupted), each trace 608 being associated with a different storage space 606. An interrupted trace can indicate that a pill has been dispensed. For example, the electronic monitoring device 612 can perform Figure 5 method, or you can refer to Figures 1 to 4 The method may then be performed with respect to each trace 608 .

[0061] In an example, the blister pack monitor 600 may include at least one of a processing circuit, a voltmeter, and an ammeter, and may include other electronic circuits. The blister pack monitor 600 may include additional components, such as a communication port or device to allow the state of the trace 608 to be transmitted, for example, by wireless or wired communication. The blister pack monitor 600 may also include an alarm device, such as an alarm (such as a sound or light) to warn the patient that a pill should be dispensed, and breaking the trace 608 may silence or terminate the alarm.

[0062] exist Figure 6 In the example of , blister pack 604 includes 10 traces 608 (actually, 10 monitored circuits) that are monitored using 11 couplers 610. In some examples, blister pack monitor 600 may include a plurality of couplers 610 to provide electrical connections to each of the plurality of monitored traces 608, and wherein the number of couplers 610 is less than the number of monitored traces 608.

[0063] In such an example, as shown in Figure 7 As shown, a blister package 700 can be provided with traces interconnected to form a network 702. For example, the trace has a relatively high resistance portion 704 associated with the storage space and a relatively low resistance portion 706 associated with the bonding section. For example, the trace can be printed with a conductive ink (such as an ink including carbon nanotubes), where narrower traces will exhibit higher resistance. Different resistance levels can be achieved, for example, by printing with either / both layers of different widths and different thicknesses (e.g., by printing multiple layers of conductive ink).

[0064] For example, relatively high resistance portion 704 may have a resistance of approximately 4KΩ and relatively low resistance portion 706 may have a resistance of approximately 0.5KΩ, as shown by equivalent circuit 708, illustrating three monitored traces (monitoring three storage spaces) that may be monitored within a single monitored circuit.

[0065] For these three storage spaces, there are 8 possible state combinations (ie, pill in or removed) with different characteristic resistance values. For example, a 0 is used to indicate that a storage space has been accessed (eg, a pill has been removed) and a 1 is used to indicate that the trace is intact and the pill remains in the storage space:

[0066]

[0067] It can be seen that if the resistance R can be determined accurately enough, it is possible to know how many of the three storage spaces have been accessed and even which storage space has been accessed using only two couplers. In short, it is possible to determine the value of the three storage spaces using only five couplers. Figure 7 The state of all 12 storage spaces of the blister pack 700 arranged as shown in FIG. 7 (one coupler is shared between the four network sections, which in effect provides the monitored circuit 708). Providing fewer couplers can reduce the complexity of the device, and because several traces can be queried in one query, the energy and / or time used to determine the state of the blister pack 700, etc. can be reduced. As in this example, the difference between the resistor values ​​is relatively small, according to Figure 7 The schematic shown in the package can be set up with reference Figures 1 to 6 The methods and principles described above are combined. However, in other examples, the resistance of the circuit may be determined in some other manner, which may not take into account the coupling resistance.

[0068] Examples in the present disclosure may be provided as methods, systems, or any combination of machine-readable instructions, such as software, hardware, firmware, etc. These machine-readable instructions may be included on a computer-readable storage medium (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) having a computer-readable program code therein or thereon.

[0069] The present disclosure is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices and systems according to the examples of the present disclosure. Although the flowcharts as described above show a specific execution order, the execution order may be different from that shown. It should be understood that the processes and / or boxes in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, and the combinations of the processes and / or diagrams in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams can be implemented by machine-readable instructions.

[0070] Machine readable instructions can be executed, for example, by a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to implement the functions described in the specification and the figure. In particular, a processor or a processing device can execute machine readable instructions. Therefore, the functional modules of the equipment and devices (such as elements in the monitoring device 110, 612) can be implemented by a processor that executes machine readable instructions stored in a memory or a processor that operates according to instructions embedded in a logic circuit. The term "processor" should be broadly interpreted as including a CPU, a processing unit, an ASIC, a logic unit, or a programmable gate array, etc. Methods and functional modules can all be executed by a single processor or divided among several processors.

[0071] Such machine-readable instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage device, which may guide a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific mode.

[0072] Such machine-readable instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that the computer or other programmable data processing device performs a series of operations to produce a computer-implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device implement the functions specified by the flow in the flowchart and / or the blocks in the block diagram.

[0073] Furthermore, the teachings herein may be implemented in the form of a computer software product that is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for causing a computer device to implement the method described in the examples of the present disclosure.

[0074] Although the methods, apparatus, and related aspects have been described with reference to certain examples, various modifications, changes, omissions, and substitutions may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. It is therefore intended that the methods, apparatus, and related aspects be limited only by the scope of the following claims and their equivalents. It should be noted that the above examples are illustrative rather than limiting of what is described herein, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative implementations without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Features described with reference to one example may be combined with features of another example.

[0075] The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements than those listed in a claim, "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality, and a single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several elements recited in the claims.

[0076] The features of any dependent claim may be combined with any features of the independent claim or other dependent claims.

Claims

1. A monitoring circuit, comprising: a first coupler and a second coupler for electrically connecting the monitoring circuit to a monitored circuit having a resistance, wherein the resistance of the monitored circuit indicates a state, and the monitored circuit is connected in series between the first coupler and the second coupler; wherein the first coupler comprises a plurality of galvanically separated connecting elements, wherein the galvanically separated connecting elements of the first coupler are used to form an electrical connection with a common connecting element of the monitored circuit, and a monitoring device for determining the resistance of the monitored circuit via the first coupler and the second coupler, wherein the monitoring device is configured to acquire a plurality of electrical values ​​between a plurality of galvanically separated connection elements of the first coupler and the second coupler and to use the plurality of electrical values ​​to determine a value of the resistance of the monitored circuit, The value of the resistance of the monitored circuit is at least independent of the resistance of the electrical connection between the monitored circuit and the monitoring circuit.

2. The monitoring circuit according to claim 1, wherein: The monitoring device is for determining a resistance of at least one electrical connection between the monitored circuit and the monitored circuit, and using the determined resistance of the electrical connection when determining the resistance of the monitored circuit.

3. The monitoring circuit according to claim 1, wherein: The first coupler comprises a first connection element, a second connection element and a third connection element, wherein the first connection element, the second connection element and the third connection element are galvanically isolated from each other, and wherein the first connection element, the second connection element and the third connection element of the first coupler are used to form an electrical connection with a common connection element of the monitored circuit.

4. The monitoring circuit according to claim 3, wherein: The monitoring device is used to obtain electrical values, and the electrical values ​​include: a first resistor between the first connection element and the second connection element of the first coupler via the common connection element, a second resistor between the second connection element and the third connection element of the first coupler via the common connection element, and a third resistor between the second connection element and the third connection element of the first coupler via the common connection element; and A connection resistance between at least one connection element of the first coupler and the common connection element of the monitored circuit is determined using the first resistance, the second resistance, and the third resistance.

5. The monitoring circuit according to claim 1, wherein: The first coupler and the second coupler each comprise a first connection element and a second connection element, wherein the first connection element and the second connection element of each coupler are galvanically separated from each other, and wherein the connection elements of the first coupler and the second coupler are used to form an electrical connection with a first common connection element and a second common connection element of the monitored circuit, respectively.

6. The monitoring circuit according to claim 5, wherein: The monitoring device is used to obtain electrical values, and the electrical values ​​include: a first resistor between the first connecting element of the first coupler and the second connecting element of the first coupler via the first common connecting element, a second resistor between the first connecting element of the second coupler and the second connecting element of the second coupler via the second common connecting element, a third resistor between the first connecting element of the first coupler and the first connecting element of the second coupler via the monitored circuit, a fourth resistor between the second connecting element of the first coupler and the second connecting element of the second coupler via the monitored circuit, a fifth resistor between the first connection element of the first coupler and the second connection element of the second coupler via the monitored circuit, and a sixth resistor between the second connection element of the first coupler and the first connection element of the second coupler via the monitored circuit; and The monitoring device is further configured to determine the value of the resistance of the monitored circuit based on the acquired electrical value.

7. The monitoring circuit according to claim 5, and further comprising: a current source for passing a current having a predetermined current value through a monitored circuit via the first connection element of the first coupler and the first connection element of the second coupler; as well as a voltmeter connected between the second connecting element of the first coupler and the second connecting element of the second coupler, And wherein the monitoring device is used to obtain electrical values ​​including the predetermined current value and the voltage measured by the voltmeter, and to determine the value of the resistance of the monitored circuit.

8. A method of determining the resistance of a monitored circuit, comprising: providing an electrical connection between a monitoring circuit having at least one electrical coupler and said monitored circuit having said resistance, wherein the resistance of said monitored circuit is indicative of a state, wherein said at least one electrical coupler comprises at least two galvanically separated connection elements, and wherein said galvanically separated connection elements of said at least one electrical coupler are adapted to form said electrical connection with a common connection element of said monitored circuit; as well as A plurality of electrical values ​​between the galvanically isolated connection elements of the at least one electrical coupling are acquired and a resistance of the monitored circuit is determined using the plurality of electrical values, wherein determining the resistance comprises determining a resistance value at least substantially independent of the resistance of the electrical connection.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein: The determining includes determining at least one electrical connection resistance and using the determined electrical connection resistance in determining the resistance of the monitored circuit.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein: Providing the electrical connection includes providing the at least one electrical coupler; measuring a plurality of resistances between the connection elements via the common connection element; and The electrical connection resistance between each connection element and the common connection element is determined.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein: Providing an electrical connection comprises connecting the monitored circuit to the monitoring circuit via a first electrical coupler and a second electrical coupler of the monitoring circuit, the first electrical coupler and the second electrical coupler each comprising a first connection element and a second connection element, wherein the connection element of the first electrical coupler is for connecting with a first common connection element of the monitored circuit and the connection element of the second electrical coupler is for connecting with a second common connection element of the monitored circuit; and Wherein determining the resistance of the monitored circuit comprises: measuring a first resistance between the first connecting element of the first electrical coupler and a second connecting element of the first electrical coupler via the first common connecting element; measuring a second resistance between the first connecting element of the second electrical coupler and a second connecting element of the second electrical coupler via the second common connecting element; measuring a third resistance between the first connection element of the first electrical coupler and the first connection element of the second electrical coupler via the monitored circuit; measuring a fourth resistance between the second connection element of the first electrical coupler and the second connection element of the second electrical coupler via the monitored circuit; measuring a fifth resistance between the first connection element of the first electrical coupler and the second connection element of the second electrical coupler via the monitored circuit; and measuring a sixth resistance between the second connection element of the first electrical coupler and the first connection element of the second electrical coupler via the monitored circuit; And using the measured resistance to determine a resistance of the monitored circuit independent of at least one connection resistance of the electrical coupling.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein: Providing an electrical connection includes connecting the monitored circuit to the monitoring circuit through a first electrical coupler and a second electrical coupler of the monitoring circuit, the first electrical coupler and the second electrical coupler each including at least two connection elements; wherein the connection elements of each coupler are galvanically isolated from each other and connected to a common connection element of the monitored circuit, and wherein determining the resistance of the monitored circuit comprises: passing a current having a predetermined current value through a monitored circuit via a first connection element of the first electrical coupler and a first connection element of the second electrical coupler; measuring a voltage across a second connection element of the first electrical coupler and a second connection element of the second electrical coupler; and The resistance of the monitored circuit is determined using the predetermined current value and the measured voltage.

13. A blister package monitor comprising: a fixing element for fixing a blister pack comprising at least one storage space and at least one monitored trace interrupted to provide internal access to said storage space; at least one coupler including a plurality of galvanically isolated connection elements for providing electrical connection to monitored traces of a secured blister pack; as well as An electronic monitoring device for acquiring a plurality of electrical values ​​between the plurality of galvanically isolated connection elements of the at least one coupler and using the plurality of electrical values ​​to determine the resistance of the at least one monitored trace, wherein the electronic monitoring device is used to cancel the effects of the resistance of the electrical connection.

14. The blister package monitor of claim 13, wherein: The electronic monitoring device is used to determine a status of each of a plurality of monitored traces, each of the monitored traces being associated with a different storage space.

15. The blister package monitor of claim 14, wherein: A number of couplers provide electrical connections to each of the plurality of monitored traces, and wherein the number of couplers is less than the number of monitored traces.

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