Medicine box and medicine taking reminding system

Abstract

The invention provides a medicine box and a medicine taking reminding system. And the medicine box and the reminding system are in data transmission communication with each other. The system may also include a global positioning system, an accelerometer, or both. The cartridge compartment is configured to contain a medicament. The medicine box is provided with a sensor or a sensor array used for detecting the number of medicine in the medicine box. The cartridge processor is configured to generate a data signal related to an amount of medication within the cartridge. The system may generate a medication reminder, such as a reminder regarding supplementation of prescription medication or medication with food. The medicine box can comprise or be connected with a smart phone protection shell, and can also be integrated into a smart watch.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 077,848, filed on December 8, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention generally relates to a medication reminder system and a drug container. Background Art

[0004] For many dialysis patients, it is very important to take medications such as binders in their diet. The optimal time to take the medications may be before, during, or after a meal. Therefore, there is a need to provide a medication reminder system that associates reminder issuance with the meal schedule and habits. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a medication reminder system that issues a medication reminder based on sensed activities.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a medication reminder system that issues a medication reminder based on eating activities or activities related to a sensed eating event.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a medication reminder system that issues a medication reminder based on location, movement, or both.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a medication reminder system that issues a medication reminder based on a certain time of day.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a medication reminder system that issues a reminder for drug replenishment and / or refilling of a prescription drug.

[0010] According to the present invention, the above and other objects are achieved by a medicine box and a medication reminder system. The medicine box and the medication reminder system include a medicine box, a reminder system for data transmission communication with the medicine box, and a global positioning system for data transmission communication with the reminder system. The medicine box may include compartments configured to be able to hold medications. The medicine box may include sensors configured to be able to detect the amount of medications in the medicine box. The medicine box may include a medicine box processor configured to be able to generate data signals related to the amount of medications in the medicine box. The medicine box may include a medicine box transmitter configured to be able to transmit the data signals to the reminder system. The medicine box may include a hard shell, a flip cover, a soft bag, a waist bag, a wallet, etc. The medicine box may include one or more features enabling the medicine box to communicate with the user. The medicine box may include one or more of a screen, a touch screen, a speaker, a vibration generator, a light, a flash light, an LED light, a user interface, etc. The medicine box may be configured to be able to send text messages to the user. The medicine box may include traceable or detectable components so that the medicine box can be located, for example, by using a "find my phone" application or similar finding technologies. Cellular tower signal triangulation can be used to find the medicine box. Bluetooth technology provided by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG, Inc.) of Kirkland, Washington can be used to find the medicine box. Bluetooth is a registered trademark of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group in the United States of America, Kirkland, Washington. Cellular tower signal triangulation and Bluetooth technology can be used in combination to find the medicine box. Cellular tower signal triangulation can be used for long-distance finding of the medicine box, while Bluetooth technology can be used for short-distance finding of the medicine box. Technologies such as AIR TAG provided by Apple (Apple, Cupertino, California) or TILE TRACKER provided by Tile (Tile, San Mateo, California) can be used to find the medicine box, and the tracking device can be integrated into or added to the medicine box. The medicine box may include pairing technology so that it can be paired with a smart phone, a smart watch, a smart tablet or other types of reminder systems. Bluetooth technology can be used.

[0011] The global positioning system may include a global positioning signal receiver, a positioning processor, and a positioning transmitter. The global positioning signal receiver may be configured to be capable of receiving global positioning signals. The positioning processor may be configured to be capable of generating a position signal based on the received global positioning signals. The position signal may be a position coordinate signal, a position ordinate signal, a position three - coordinate signal, etc. The positioning transmitter may be configured to be capable of transmitting the position coordinate signal to the reminder system. The global positioning system may be integrated into a smart phone or a smart watch, or may be separate and independent from the medicine box, the reminder system, or both, or not separate and independent from them. The global positioning system may enable the medicine box and the reminder system to create a dynamic ecosystem that provides functions such as environmental awareness, spatial correlation, lost component tracking and finding, etc.

[0012] The reminder system may include at least one receiver and a system processor. The at least one receiver may be configured to be capable of receiving a data signal from the medicine box transmitter and a position signal from the global positioning system. The system processor may be programmed to be capable of generating a drug - related alert based on the data signal and the position signal.

[0013] The present invention also provides a medicine box and a medication reminder system, which includes a medicine box, a reminder system that conducts data transmission and communication with the medicine box, and an accelerometer that conducts data transmission and communication with the reminder system. The accelerometer may include an acceleration sensor, an accelerometer processor, and an accelerometer transmitter. The acceleration sensor may be configured to be capable of sensing the motion acceleration of the reminder system. The accelerometer processor may be configured to be capable of generating an acceleration signal based on the sensed motion acceleration. The accelerometer transmitter may be configured to be capable of transmitting the acceleration signal to the reminder system. The receiver and the processor of the reminder system may be configured to be capable of receiving a data signal from the medicine box transmitter and an acceleration signal from the accelerometer. The processor of the reminder system may be programmed to be capable of generating a drug - related alert based on the data signal and the acceleration signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The present invention can be more comprehensively understood in conjunction with the drawings that form a part of the present disclosure. The drawings are intended to illustrate rather than limit the present invention.

[0015] Figure 1A is a perspective view of a smart medicine box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 1B is Figure 1A an exploded perspective view of the shown smart medicine box.

[0017] Figure 1C and Figure 1D is a view showing Figure 1A and Figure 1BView of the usage state of the intelligent medicine box shown

[0018] Figure 1E It includes Figures 1A - 1D Schematic diagram of a cellular / Bluetooth global area network of the schematic diagram of the intelligent medicine box shown

[0019] Figure 2 Exploded perspective view of an intelligent medicine box according to another embodiment of the present invention

[0020] Figure 3A Perspective view of the combination of a smartphone case and an intelligent medicine box according to various embodiments of the present invention

[0021] Figure 3B It is Figure 3A Side view of the combination shown

[0022] Figure 4 Perspective view of the combination of another smartphone case and an intelligent medicine box according to various embodiments of the present invention

[0023] Figure 5 Side view of the combination of another smartphone case and an intelligent medicine box according to various embodiments of the present invention

[0024] Figure 6 Perspective view of the assembled combination of a smartphone case and an intelligent medicine box according to various embodiments of the present invention

[0025] Figure 7 Perspective view of the assembled combination of another smartphone case and an intelligent medicine box according to various embodiments of the present invention

[0026] Figure 8A Perspective view of the assembled combination of another smartphone case and an intelligent medicine box according to various embodiments of the present invention

[0027] Figure 8B It is Figure 8A Perspective view of the assembled combination shown, but the compartment door of the intelligent medicine box is in the open state

[0028] Figure 9 Perspective view of an intelligent medicine box in the form of a smartwatch according to various embodiments of the present invention

[0029] Figure 10A Perspective view of an intelligent medicine box in the form of a smartwatch module according to other various embodiments of the present invention

[0030] Figure 10B It is Figure 10A Perspective view of the smartwatch module shown tethered by a lanyard

[0031] Figure 10C It is Figure 10AA perspective view of the smartwatch module fixed to the strap is shown. Detailed implementation manners

[0032] According to various embodiments of the present invention, a medicine box and a medication reminder system are provided. The system includes a medicine box, a reminder system that performs data transmission and communication with the medicine box, and a global positioning system that performs data transmission and communication with the reminder system. The medicine box may include a compartment configured to be able to hold medicines, such as tablets. The medicine box may have a sensor configured to be able to detect the amount of medicine in the medicine box, such as the number of tablets in the medicine box. The sensor may include a sensor array, a sensor matrix, a sensor pattern, a combination thereof, etc. A tablet counting system may be included. A medicine box processor may be included inside the medicine box, disposed on the medicine box, or connected to the medicine box. The medicine box processor may be configured to be able to generate a data signal related to the amount of medicine in the medicine box. The medicine box processor may be configured to be able to generate a display indicating the amount of medicine in the medicine box. A medicine box transmitter may also be included inside the medicine box, disposed on the medicine box, or connected to the medicine box, and may be configured to be able to transmit the data signal to the reminder system. The medicine box may include a phone case for a smartphone or a watch case for a smartwatch, or may be integrated into a smartphone or a smartwatch. The medicine box may be integrated into a strap connected to a smartwatch. The medicine box may include a display. The display may additionally or alternatively include a display screen built into glasses, such as a smart glasses display or a smart goggles display. The medicine box may include an augmented reality display, such as a computer-generated projection or image or icon of the medicine box contents, an icon indicating the level of the amount of medicine in the medicine box, a "need to replenish" icon, etc. In addition to or as an alternative to the display, an auditory reminder, an alarm, a suggestion, etc. may be generated, such as through a medicine box speaker, a smartphone speaker, headphones, or a combination thereof.

[0033] The global positioning system may include a global positioning signal receiver, a positioning processor, and a positioning transmitter. The global positioning signal receiver may be configured to be able to receive, for example, global positioning signals from global positioning satellites. The positioning processor may be configured to be able to generate position coordinate signals based on the received global positioning signals. The positioning transmitter may be configured to be able to transmit the position coordinate signals to the reminder system. The global positioning system may be used to determine the proximity of the user to a certain location, such as a pharmacy or a restaurant. The global positioning system may be used to determine a proximity vector, such as notifying the user when the user is getting closer to a target or potential target location. Time and proximity vector data may be combined to determine whether an alarm should be generated. Artificial intelligence may be used to analyze data such as a certain time of day and a proximity vector, compare the data with identified patterns and behaviors, and determine whether an alarm should be generated or a report should be sent.

[0034] The reminder system may include at least one receiver and a system processor. The at least one receiver may be configured to be able to receive a data signal from a medicine box transmitter and a position coordinate signal from a global positioning system. The system processor may be programmed to be able to generate a drug-related alert based on the data signal and the position coordinate signal. The reminder system may include a software program stored on a smart phone, a smart watch, a computer tablet, a computer, etc. For example, the reminder system may include an application program stored on a smart phone. The reminder system may include an independent unit independent of a smart phone or a smart watch. The independent unit may have an integrated medicine box or may be separable from the medicine box. The independent unit may be clipped to a belt, a strap, or clothing. The size, shape, and / or footprint of the independent unit may be similar to or the same as that of a pager or a pocket watch. The reminder system may communicate with a pharmacist, a doctor, a nurse, a caregiver, a dietitian, etc. Reports may be generated, stored, and forwarded. For example, a report may be sent to a dietitian to inform the user whether the medicine has been taken correctly and in a timely manner. Cloud computing may be used. The reminder system, the medicine box, or both may communicate with a pharmacist, a doctor, a nurse, a caregiver, a dietitian, etc. via cloud computing. Reports may be generated, stored, and forwarded via cloud computing. By tracking the user's behavior (including, for example, the user's medication regimen), a digital twin or model of the user may be generated, saved, and forwarded or reported to a care team, a digital nurse, etc.

[0035] The system processor of the reminder system may be configured to be able to generate a low stock alert when the amount of medicine in the medicine box is below a predetermined level. The positioning processor may be configured to be able to compare the position coordinate signal with a map database and determine the proximity of the global positioning system to the following locations: (1) a restaurant or a dining area, (2) a pharmacy or a drugstore, or (3) both a restaurant or a dining area and a pharmacy or a drugstore. The system processor may be configured to be able to generate a medication reminder alert when the position coordinate signal indicates that the global positioning system is within a certain predetermined and / or preset distance, such as 3000 feet, 2000 feet, 1000 feet, 500 feet, 250 feet, etc., of a restaurant or a dining area. The system processor may be configured to be able to generate a medication reminder alert when the position coordinate signal indicates that the global positioning system is within a restaurant.

[0036] The system processor can be configured to be able to generate a low - stock alert when a data signal related to the amount of drug in the cartridge indicates that the amount of drug in the cartridge is below a predetermined level and the position coordinate signal indicates that the global positioning system is within a certain predetermined and / or preset distance, such as within 5000 feet, 3000 feet, 2000 feet, 1000 feet, 500 feet, etc. of a pharmacy or drugstore. The system processor can be configured to be able to generate a low - stock alert when a data signal related to the amount of drug in the cartridge indicates that the amount of drug in the cartridge is below a predetermined level and the position coordinate signal indicates that the global positioning system is within a pharmacy or drugstore.

[0037] The cartridge and medication reminder system may further include a timer for generating a timing signal. The timer can be incorporated into the cartridge, the reminder system, the global positioning system, or a combination thereof. Multiple timers may be included. The system processor can be configured or programmed to be able to generate an alert based on the timing signal or also based on the timing signal. The cartridge and medication reminder system may further include a memory storing a range of meal times, and the system processor can be programmed to be able to generate a medication reminder alert when the timing signal and the position coordinate signal indicate that the reminder system is in a moving state within the meal time range.

[0038] The reminder system may further include a timer, and the cartridge processor can be configured to be able to generate a timing signal related to the time when a certain amount of drug is taken out of the cartridge. The system processor can be configured to be able to generate a first medication reminder alert at a first time of the day. The reminder system can be configured to be able to cancel the first medication reminder alert when the timing signal indicates that the drug has been taken in a timely manner before the first time of the day. Multiple time alerts during the day can be programmed or otherwise set, and these alerts can be appropriately cancelled when the cartridge processor timely generates a timing signal that the drug is taken out of the cartridge when approaching each time alert time.

[0039] According to various other embodiments of the present invention, a medicine box and a medication reminder system are provided, which include a medicine box, a reminder system, and an accelerometer. The reminder system can perform data transmission communication with the medicine box. The accelerometer can perform data transmission communication with the reminder system. The medicine box can include a compartment for containing medicine (such as tablets) and a sensor for detecting the amount of medicine in the medicine box. A tablet counting system may be included. The medicine box can include a medicine box processor configured to be able to generate a data signal related to the amount of medicine in the medicine box. The medicine box can include a medicine box transmitter configured to be able to transmit the data signal to the reminder system. The medicine box can include a display. The display can additionally or alternatively include a display screen built into glasses, such as a smart glasses display or a smart goggles display. The medicine box can include an augmented reality display, such as a display that generates a computer-generated projection or image or icon of the medicine box contents, an icon indicating the level of the amount of medicine in the medicine box, a "need to replenish" icon, etc.

[0040] The accelerometer can include an acceleration sensor, an accelerometer processor, and an accelerometer transmitter. The acceleration sensor can be configured to be able to sense the motion acceleration of the reminder system. The accelerometer processor can be configured to be able to generate an acceleration signal based on the sensed motion acceleration. The accelerometer transmitter can be configured to be able to transmit the acceleration signal to the reminder system.

[0041] The reminder system can include at least one receiver and a system processor. The at least one receiver can be configured to be able to receive the data signal from the medicine box transmitter and the acceleration signal from the accelerometer. The system processor can be programmed to be able to generate a medicine-related alarm based on the data signal and the acceleration signal. The medicine box can include a medicine container separate and independent of the accelerometer.

[0042] The system processor can be configured to be able to generate a medication reminder alarm when the acceleration signal indicates that the reminder system, the accelerometer, or both are moving in a manner indicating an eating motion (referred to herein as an eating gesture). When the medicine box and the reminder system determine based on the acceleration signal that the user is eating, a reminder alarm can be sent as appropriate, such as reminding the user that the medicine should be taken with food, the medicine should be taken before, during, or after eating, combinations thereof, etc.

[0043] The cartridge processor can be configured to be capable of generating a display indicating the amount of medicine in the cartridge. A cartridge transmitter can also be included within the cartridge, disposed on the cartridge, or connected to the cartridge, and can be configured to be capable of transmitting the data signal to the reminder system. The cartridge can include a phone case for a smartphone or a watch case for a smartwatch, or can be integrated into a smartphone or a smartwatch. The cartridge can be integrated into a watch band connected to a smartwatch. The cartridge can include a display. The cartridge can include an augmented reality display, such as a computer-generated projection or image or icon of the cartridge contents, an icon indicating the level of the amount of medicine in the cartridge, a "need to refill" icon, etc. The cartridge and the reminder system can include software enabling the augmented reality display. The augmented reality display can display the relative spatial positioning of system components and the user, icons, images, layered images, layered icons, which can enhance real-time photos and videos through virtual aspects. The augmented reality display can be provided separately from the cartridge, such as as part of the reminder system, or integrated in smart goggles or smart glasses.

[0044] The reminder system can include a software program stored on a smartphone, a smartwatch, a computer tablet, a computer, etc. For example, the reminder system can include an application program stored on a smartphone. The cartridge and the reminder system can include a display and can be configured to be capable of displaying system information on the display, such as the amount of medicine in the cartridge, the amount of acceleration movement or activity, the alert time, the total daily medicine intake, combinations thereof, etc. The system processor can be configured to be capable of generating a low stock alert when the amount of medicine in the cartridge is below a predetermined level.

[0045] According to various embodiments of the present invention, the cartridge and the medicine reminder system include both an accelerometer and a global positioning system as described above. The global positioning system can include a positioning processor configured to be capable of comparing position coordinate signals with a map database. The comparison can be used by the global positioning system to determine the proximity of the global positioning system to the following locations: (1) a restaurant or a dining area, (2) a pharmacy or a drugstore, (3) a residence, or any combination thereof. The system processor can be configured to be capable of generating a medicine reminder alert when the position coordinate signals indicate that the global positioning system is within a certain distance, such as 3000 feet, 2000 feet, 1000 feet, 500 feet, etc., of a restaurant or a dining area.

[0046] The system processor can be shared by an accelerometer, a global positioning system, a medicine box, or a combination thereof. The system processor can be configured to be capable of generating a medication reminder alert when the acceleration signal indicates that the reminder system, the accelerometer, or both are moving in a manner indicative of an eating gesture. When the medicine box and the reminder system determine that the user is eating based on the acceleration signal, a reminder alert can be sent as appropriate, such as reminding the user that the medicine should be taken with food, before, during, or after eating, combinations thereof, etc.

[0047] The system processor can be configured to be capable of generating a low - stock alert when a data signal related to the amount of medicine in the medicine box indicates that the amount of medicine in the medicine box is below a predetermined level and the position coordinate signal indicates that the global positioning system is within a certain predetermined and / or preset distance, such as 500 feet, 2500 feet, 1000 feet, 500 feet, etc., of a pharmacy or drugstore.

[0048] The medicine box with an accelerometer and the medication reminder system can further include a timer for generating a timing signal. The system processor can be programmed to be capable of generating an alert based on the timing signal or also based on the timing signal. The medicine box and the medication reminder system can further include a memory storing meal time ranges. The memory can be included in the medicine box, the accelerometer, the reminder system, or a combination thereof. A cloud - based memory can be used. The system processor can be programmed to be capable of generating a medication reminder alert when the timing signal and the acceleration signal indicate that the reminder system is in a transportation movement state, making an eating gesture, or both are present within the meal time range.

[0049] The reminder system can further include a timer, and the medicine box processor can be further configured to be capable of generating a timing signal related to the time when a certain amount of medicine is taken out of the medicine box. The system processor can be configured to be capable of generating a first medication reminder alert at different times of the day (such as a first time). The reminder system can be configured to be capable of canceling the first medication reminder alert when the timing signal indicates that the medicine has been taken in a timely manner before the first time of the day.

[0050] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, the present embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as limited to the description set forth herein. Accordingly, the embodiments are described only by reference to the drawings to explain aspects of the present description.

[0051] Referring to the accompanying drawings, an intelligent medicine box according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Figure 1A is a perspective view of an intelligent medicine box 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1B is Figure 1A an exploded perspective view of the illustrated intelligent medicine box 50.Figure 1C and Figure 1D are views showing Figure 1A and Figure 1B the usage status of the smart medicine box 50 shown.

[0052] As shown in Figure 1A and Figure 1B shown, the smart medicine box 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The smart medicine box 50 can be used to notify a user whether the correct dose of medicine or dietary supplement is carried with the user, whether the medicine or dietary supplement has been taken at a predetermined time, whether more medicine needs to be obtained and / or whether it is time to take medicine. The smart medicine box can be used to ensure that the user can have and take the correct dose of medicine or dietary supplement at the appropriate time of the day. The smart medicine box 50 includes a main housing 1, a medicine box 2, a circuit board 3, and a top cover 4. The smart medicine box 50 can be configured to be able to send text messages to the user, such as reminders, suggestions, tips, alerts, etc.

[0053] As shown in Figure 1B shown, the main housing 1 includes an accommodation space 10 provided inside the housing and having an openable top for storing components therein. The medicine box 2 is arranged in the accommodation space 10 of the main housing 1 and includes medicine compartments for accommodating substances to be taken (such as adhesives, other medicines, dietary supplements, etc.). The plurality of medicine compartments of the medicine box 2 are separated to respectively accommodate various types of medicines and respectively include light-transmitting holes 21 through which light propagates. The light-transmitting holes 21 propagate light and are selectively opened and closed according to whether the substance to be taken is placed in the medicine compartment, so as to be able to selectively block the light propagation path.

[0054] The circuit board 3 is configured to be able to mount components for monitoring whether the substance to be taken is accommodated in the medicine compartments of the medicine box 2 or whether the correct dose of the substance in the medicine compartments has been taken at a predetermined time, and as shown in Figure 1B shown, it is arranged between the medicine box 2 and the main housing 1.

[0055] As an example, an optical sensor 31 can be provided at a position corresponding to each light-transmitting hole 21, and a communication device (not shown) can be configured to be able to transmit the signal sensed by the optical sensor 31 to a mobile terminal such as a smart phone. The optical sensor 31 can be mounted on the circuit board 3.

[0056] Alternatively or additionally, the medicament may be pre-packaged in an electronically monitorable blister packaging device, such as the electronic monitoring device or components thereof described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2015 / 0274402A1 to Elliott, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. For example, a blister packaging having a tray with one or more discrete chambers for receiving a consumer product, and a seal adhered to the tray to seal the one or more discrete chambers, may be used. The seal may be provided with a conductive trace pattern that defines a circuit for each chamber. The smart medicine box itself may include a holder for supporting the blister packaging in use, and an electronic module for monitoring the circuit integrity for purposes such as dose compliance, safety, tamper detection, inventory control, event advisement, timing related to events such as eating and sleeping, etc. The electronic module may be provided as part of the smart medicine box 50, as a separate additional component, as a layer of the smart medicine box 50, as an extension of the smart medicine box 50, etc.

[0057] The optical sensor 31 may be configured to be able to project an electromagnetic wave, such as infrared rays, through the light-transmitting hole 21 of the medicine compartment, and sense different values according to whether the light-transmitting hole 21 is closed by a substance contained in the medicine compartment. The communication device transmits the sensed values to a mobile terminal (such as a smart device or a smart phone), thereby allowing the user to monitor whether the correct dose of medicine is contained in the medicine compartment or whether the medicine contained in the medicine compartment has been taken at a predetermined time by using the smart device. The communication device may include a communication device that utilizes a short-range communication network (such as Bluetooth), so that the user's smart phone can be used.

[0058] The top cover 4 is rotatably coupled to the main housing 1 to selectively open and close the medicine compartment of the medicine box 2 by a rotational movement. As Figure 1C shown, the smart medicine box can be used to prevent the user from taking the same medicine repeatedly, because the smart medicine box unit has a medicine box structure that is easy to carry, which includes a plurality of medicine compartments that are separated to respectively contain different substances to be taken (such as medicines or dietary supplements). The advantage of the smart medicine box 50 is that it allows the user to monitor whether there is the correct dose of the substance to be taken in the medicine box, whether it is time to take the substance, and whether the smart medicine box needs to be replenished or the prescription medicine to be contained in the smart medicine box 50 needs to be replenished, by using a smart phone. The smart medicine box 50 is configured to be able to sense whether the substance to be taken is properly contained in each medicine compartment by the optical sensor 31, and whether the correct dose of the substance has been taken at the time when it should be taken. The smart medicine box 50 is also configured to be able to transmit the sensed values to a smart device, for example, by transmitting through a Bluetooth communication network, as Figure 1D and Figure 1E shown.

[0059] As Figure 1BAs shown in the enlarged portion, the smart medicine box 50 unit includes a Hall sensor 32, a magnet 41, and a magnetic body 5 to sense whether the medicine box 2 is open or closed through the rotational movement of the top cover 4. As shown, the Hall sensor 32 can be installed on the circuit board 3 at a position corresponding to the magnet 41 to perform sensing using the Hall effect, where a voltage is generated in a direction perpendicular to the current and the magnetic field when a magnetic field is applied to a conductor through which current flows. The magnet 41 is arranged at a position in the top cover 4 corresponding to the Hall sensor 32 to form a magnetic field that generates the Hall effect.

[0060] The magnet 41 and the Hall sensor 32 are respectively arranged on the top cover 4 and the circuit board 3. Therefore, even when the top cover 4 is in the position of closing the medicine box 2, they are structurally separated from each other. Due to structural problems, it may be difficult to achieve sensing using the Hall effect. To overcome this problem, the smart medicine box 50 may include a magnetic body 5 arranged between the Hall sensor 32 and the magnet 41. In other words, the magnetic body 5 can be arranged between the Hall sensor 32 and the magnet 41 to allow the magnetic force of the magnet 41 to reach the Hall sensor 32.

[0061] The smart medicine box 50 can be configured to be able to provide information related to the number of times the medicine box 2 is opened. This information can be obtained by using a smart device to sense whether the top cover 4 is open or closed. The smart medicine box 50 also has the advantage of preventing false recording. In this regard, even when taking or supplementing substances to be taken (such as drugs or dietary supplements), data related to the substances contained in the medicine compartment is stored. Then, only when the medicine box 2 is opened and then closed through the rotational movement of the top cover 4, the stored data is transmitted to the smart device. If the medicine box 2 is only opened but not closed, storing data can be prevented.

[0062] The smart medicine box 50 further includes a sub - housing 6 accommodated in the accommodation space 10 of the main housing 1 and separated from the medicine box 2. The sub - housing 6 can be arranged between the circuit board 3 and the medicine box 2 and can have a single undivided space different from that of the main housing 1. The sub - housing 6 may include a plurality of light - transmissive holes 61 formed at positions corresponding to the light - transmissive holes 21 of the medicine box 2.

[0063] The sub - housing 6 can be used together with the medicine box 2, as Figure 1B shown. However, as Figure 2 shown in the embodiment of, if the medicine box 2 is separated from the rest of the smart medicine box 50, a relatively large amount of medicine can be accommodated in the smart medicine box 50. In other words, the medicine box 2 has as Figure 2The multiple separated medicine compartments shown, so the size of the medicine or dietary supplement contained in each medicine compartment may be limited. However, the sub-shell 6 has a single unseparated space, so it can contain medicines that are usually sold in pharmacies in the form of tablet packs or blister packs, rather than single tablets, thus being able to contain a relatively large amount of medicine.

[0064] The intelligent medicine box 50 including the sub-shell 5 may also include a sensing device configured to be able to sense whether the medicine box 2 is separated so as to only use the sub-shell 6, for example, by separating the medicine box 2 from the sub-shell 6. In other words, the sensing device may include a Hall sensor 33 mounted on the circuit board 3 and a magnet (not shown) provided at a position corresponding to the Hall sensor 33 in the medicine box 2. Given that the separation of the medicine box 2 will affect the Hall effect generated by the Hall sensor 33 and the magnet, the sensing device can smoothly sense whether the medicine box 2 has been separated from the intelligent medicine box 50.

[0065] The present invention also provides an intelligent monitoring method for taking medicine. This method includes using the intelligent medicine box 50 to monitor whether the user has taken the medicine. As Figure 1C and Figure 1D shown, the advantage of this method is to promote the health of the user, because the intelligent monitoring method is configured to be able to sense whether a tablet is placed on the light-transmitting hole 21 of the medicine compartment of the medicine box 2 through the optical sensor 31. This method may include transmitting the sensing result to the user's mobile terminal through a communication device. This result may be transmitted to a display, a display device of the mobile terminal, etc. An image or message corresponding to the sensing result may be displayed, and the image or message may, for example, indicate whether the user is carrying a substance to be taken such as medicine or dietary supplement, and whether the correct dose of this substance has been taken at an appropriate and / or predetermined time. This method may be configured to be able to notify the user of the sensing result through vibration, sound, flashlight, LED indicator, etc.

[0066] Figure 1E shows including Figures 1A - 1D the intelligent medicine box 50 shown, wherein, Figure 1D shows the intelligent device 30 and the cloud or network host 1111, 2400. The reference hub and radio tags may also be part of the system, although not shown in Figure 1E shown. Figure 1E The intelligent medicine box 50 schematically shown in may be part of a reminder system, for example, for generating medicine-taking reminders and collecting sensor data from the network.

[0067] Both the intelligent medicine box 50 and the intelligent device 30 have a Bluetooth (BT) radio and a cellular modem. The radio tags and the reference hub (if included in the system) in the intelligent medicine box 50 may have a BT radio. In addition to the BT radio, the intelligent device 30 may have a WiFi connection or a serial USB connection, allowing data sharing with the network hosts 1111 or 2400.

[0068] The radio tags in the intelligent medicine box 50 transmit BT radio signals that can be received by the intelligent device 30 or the reference hub (if included in the system). The radio tags can be configured to be able to join a piconet with the Bluetooth intelligent device 30 or other Bluetooth devices, but can also be configured not to directly form a radio link to the cloud server 1111 or the cloud portal 2400.

[0069] The intelligent medicine box 50 includes a cellular and a BT radio, as well as a microcontroller or a processor. Due to the presence of the cellular modem, the intelligent medicine box 50 can be connected to the cloud host 1111 (shown here as having a virtual private gateway 2400) through the cellular radio. This connection is marked as 1 in Figure 1E which is defined as "CALL HOME" 1, but for power saving, the cellular modem is used less in tracking, positioning, and uplink data.

[0070] The data exchange with the cloud usually occurs through the cellular connection, but can also be routed through the reference hub via the BT connection or through the WLAN radio link. Similarly, the data exchange between the intelligent medicine box 50 and the cloud can be routed through the intelligent device 30. In other cases, the data received from the Bluetooth piconet or other Internet of Things sensor devices through the wireless connection or link 9 can be aggregated in the memory of the intelligent medicine box 50 or the reference hub. The data can be shared through the BT radio link (e.g., through link 9), and then uplinked to the cloud host 1111 through (i) a wired connection from the reference hub, (ii) a BT connection with the intelligent device 30 and then to the cloud host 1111, or (iii) a direct cellular radio connection between the intelligent medicine box 50 and, for example, the cloud server 2400. As used herein, the cloud server 2400 represents a class of cloud hosts called "virtual private gateways".

[0071] The intelligent device 30 can be configured to be able to uplink the BT radio layer to the cloud layer, and if a reference hub is included in the network, the reference hub can also be so configured. In addition to the BTLE5.0+ standard, BT data is usually transmitted through frequency shift keying, so it cannot be directly injected into the IP packet data environment through which most cloud and intelligent device traffic passes.

[0072] The CALL HOME from the smart pillbox 50 need not be a voice call. CALL HOME can be used to refresh the network connection, obtain a location fix from the network, or update the system with the current location and status of the smart pillbox 50. If desired, CALL HOME can generate notifications to the user or subscriber 11 or the system administrator. The notifications can be programmed through rule-based logic in the smart pillbox 50 or the system host and depend on some aspect of the current state or location of the smart pillbox 50. Thus, the emergency attributes of a hybrid lost-and-found network that combines BT and cellular devices in a 5G or LTE packet network environment can be used. Logic controls can be defined to limit the usage time of the cellular modem and to implement a power-saving state for cellular radio usage to reduce battery consumption while enabling "on-demand" cellular network connectivity. Advantageously, although BT connections are unstable in many areas, cellular connections are more reliable and structured over large areas of the globe once authenticated to the network, which is a key consideration in designing a global lost-and-found or tracking system for the smart pillbox 50.

[0073] Figure 1E The exemplary connections shown may include link 9 as a BT signal, link 1 as a cellular connection, and link 8 can be a cloud link routed through a 5G or LTE cellular network data packet environment, through an Ethernet connection, through WiFi, or through other wireless or digital networks. Link 8 can be a link from the smart device 30 to the cloud host 1111 through a packet data network and can be wired, wireless, or a combination of both. The smart pillbox 50 can be connected to the smart device 30 through a cellular link and can be connected to the cloud host 2400 through link 1, for example, through a cellular or WiFi wireless link. Cellular links typically involve one or more cellular towers, base stations, and other elements of the cellular phone infrastructure (not shown). WiFi links typically involve local and base station routers using IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ah / ax and / or 802.15.4a / g WPAN radio technologies.

[0074] The BT link to the smart pillbox 50 can be optimized using dynamic gain. In response to a qualified incoming BT signal, the smart pillbox 50 will evaluate the RSSI (or other apparent "path loss" metrics such as RCPI or PER) of the incoming Bluetooth signal, and if the incoming signal is weak or intermittent, it can increase the transmit power (broadcast power). Conversely, if the incoming BT signal from the link transmitter is strong, the smart pillbox 50 can reduce the transmit power to save battery. For example, a BT transducer operating at a nominal 0 dBm in dynamic mode can increase its transmit power to +4 dBm or +8 dBm if the signal received from the link transmitter is weak, and can reduce its transmit power to -4 dBm or even -12 dBm if the signal received is strong. In field use, the BT receiver may experience intermittent signal loss when the RSSI drops to a threshold of approximately -100 dBm or lower, but to restore the BT link or overcome edge effects, the BT transceiver can temporarily increase the transmit power and send a message including TX POWER as a field in the packet payload. The receiving device can calculate the path loss based on the transmit power minus the received signal power and can increase its transmit power as needed to compensate. Apple iBeacon, Eddystone, and other beacon formats include a native field with 8 bits for transmitting TX POWER, where TX POWER is defined as the nominal received power at 0 meters (in dBm), and the value ranges from -100 dBm to +20 dBm with a resolution of 1 dBm. This value is a signed 8-bit integer for the TXPOWER LEVEL characteristic specified in the BT SEC specification. For example, the output measured at a distance of 1 meter can be said to correspond to the transmit power minus 41 dBm. Dynamic gain can be implemented in the BT beacon using a software development kit (SDK) to reduce energy consumption. The toolkit can include libraries or tables for path loss and distance calculations based on known factors such as smart device type and environment (such as indoor vs. outdoor), through which dynamic allocation of gain can be achieved to improve connection quality while minimizing unnecessary power consumption.

[0075] The cloud service is provided by cloud host 1111, optionally in cooperation with virtual private gateway 2400. The cloud service can be accessed via the cellular radio from the smart pillbox 50, via the smart device 30 (represented as a smartphone in Figure 1E ), or via a wired service. For example, the cloud host can serve as a repository for sensor data and user profiles and can have greater analytical resources than a portable device.

[0076] If the network includes a reference hub, the reference hub can communicate with the cloud, for example, via WiFi, and the smart device 30 can be conventionally connected to the IP packet data environment of the World Wide Web (referred to herein as the Global Area Network (GAN)) via cellular and WiFi. Smart phone connections via GSM, LTE-M, and 5G networks are ubiquitous and enable the deployment of personal and in-community nodes with cellular and BT network links.

[0077] A signal received on the BT radio of the smart pillbox 50 can activate the cellular modem when the context indicates a need to CALL HOME, such as to establish location positioning, convey status to the cloud hosts 1111, 2400, or generate a notification to the smart device 30.

[0078] The cellular radio is encapsulated as a modem that stores cellular network connection and synchronization data, including IMEI and ISMI data. By combining two radios in one device, the major drawback of the cellular power-saving mode (i.e., the radio is unresponsive in the sleep mode) is overcome because the BT radio has a "blinking" standby mode that "always listens" to radio traffic at low power even when the rest of the smart pillbox 50 is in deep sleep. The latency of the system is adjustable but can be satisfactorily balanced by switching between passive listening and standby in a continuous repeating cycle in milliseconds and only increasing the active power of one or more device components when relevant radio traffic is intercepted. More details on suitable system requirements and configurations can be found in U.S. Patent No. US11,450,196B2 to Daoura et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0079] The hybrid radio network enabled by the community deployment of the smart pillbox 50 and the smart device 30 gives rise to other emergent properties of the network. For example, the virtual geofence formed around the reference hub can be fixed and can be a radio tether: a repeated broadcast that defines a fixed radio geofence. The signal quality of the repeated broadcast received by the radio tag in the smart pillbox 50 that requires location monitoring indicates the integrity of the radio tether: for example, poor signal quality can indicate the deterioration or breakage of the radio tether, such as if the smart pillbox 50 leaves the secure area within the radio geofence. This enables the owner to implement location services, such as monitoring the location of the smart pillbox, monitoring the distance or proximity to the smart pillbox, etc. This also provides a community resource for creating a BT radio map of the community (the "lighthouse" effect of BT radio beacons).

[0080] As a basic tracking system for finding a lost smart medicine box including a radio tag, the system aspects that can be provided include: (i) BT radio proximity sensing function and Bluetooth proximity locator service toolkit; (ii) radio contact data collection, data entry, and mapping function; (iii) a web server with relational database function and a certain degree of machine learning; (iv) open access to the global IP packet data network; and (v) cellular remote locator service toolkit. The system may also include one or more dedicated IP networks for providing virtual private gateway (VPN) function. The synergy is embodied in the combination of a very specific local network of BT radios that can self-organize piconets, micro-nets, and local area networks with a cellular network that can span 2 miles or 20,000 miles, for example, via undersea cables and orbiting satellites.

[0081] More specifically, when a BT signal from a reference hub is used to define a radio security area, the loss or attenuation (as measured by RSSI) of the BT radio envelope around the mobile radio-tagged smart medicine box 50 indicates an increasing distance, and if the BT radio signal is lost, the smart medicine box 50 can be configured to be able to initiate a CALL HOME. The data reported to the cloud 1111 or the virtual private gateway 2400 can be used to evaluate the position of the smart medicine box 50 and, when the position relative to the geofence does not conform to the rules programmed by the owner / subscriber, to notify the owner of the tagged asset or to perform other interventions. BT radio alone is not sufficient to establish position location in the absence of local BT radio traffic. GPS radio is inconveniently installed in a BT radio tag because the process of calculating the GPS position is very power-consuming. Therefore, the ability to perform network-assisted cellular position location is advantageous for the smart medicine box of this embodiment.

[0082] The reference hub can be included in the network and can act as a mobile or fixed radio geofence. The hub can include means for monitoring radio signals from the smart medicine box 50 or vice versa, and can also monitor signals from, for example, the smart device 30. The hub, the smart medicine box 50, and the smart device 30 can be configured to be able to transmit notifications, commands, and data to compatible radio devices (including the hub, the smart medicine box 50, and the smart device 30). In various embodiments, the system can be configured such that detecting a signal from the smart medicine box 50 outside a designated "geofence" area will result in an alert or notification being sent to the responsible party. If the smart medicine box 50 loses the signal from the reference hub, the smart medicine box 50 can be triggered to CALL HOME and independently obtain its position using its cellular radio. The relative proximity of the smart medicine box 50 and the smart device 30 can be estimated based on the strength of the BT radio signal between the devices. The rough position can be refined by BT signal triangulation between the smart device 30, the smart medicine box 50, and, for example, the reference hub.

[0083] If the smart medicine cabinet 50 leaves the safe area, a beneficial capability is to be able to turn on the cellular modem when needed to locate or track lost assets. Logic can be used to minimize any power consumption by eliminating unnecessary cellular radio traffic, but acquire or reactivate a cellular network connection if the radio tag in the smart medicine cabinet 50 is outside the safe area. In an example, the owner of the smart medicine cabinet 50 and their smart device 30 may be traveling in a first direction, while the smart medicine cabinet 50 may be traveling in a second different direction, such as if the smart medicine cabinet 50 is left on a bus that departs from a bus stop. In another example, the owner of the smart medicine cabinet 50 and their smart device 30 may be traveling in a first direction (e.g., leaving home), while the smart medicine cabinet 50 may not be traveling at all because it is left at home. Ideally, the radio tag of the smart medicine cabinet 50 will know that the smart medicine cabinet 50 is relatively lost relative to the owner before the owner knows, and the smart medicine cabinet 50 will initiate a CALL HOME and cause an alert to be sent to the owner's smart device 30. Thus, the system can exhibit environmental awareness regarding its component parts and their relationships to each other. The system can define an ecosystem and can analyze and maintain the environmental awareness of all components of the ecosystem. Artificial intelligence can be implemented to enable the system to learn the behavior of the system users. Artificial intelligence can be implemented to enable the system to predict the actions and activities of the system users. Artificial intelligence can be implemented to generate alerts based on the expected location and the spatial relationship of the user to the system components. Artificial intelligence can be implemented to generate alerts based on identified patterns, based on proximity vectors, based on combinations thereof, etc. Artificial intelligence can be implemented to generate alerts based on events, consequences, repetitive actions, learned behaviors, or combinations thereof.

[0084] In various embodiments, the reference hub can be a conversation hub, such as a smart home hub sold as Google Assistant, Echo Plus, Bixby, Siri, or Alexa. The computing resources of the cloud can be connected to the reference hub having a speaker and a microphone and a voice-cloud interface for asking simple questions. These plug-in devices have a BT radio and can be used to monitor radio proximity and interact with radio tags such as the radio tag inside the smart medicine cabinet 50.

[0085] The intelligent medicine box 50 can be used in combination with a BT radio tag to track items. By itself, an autonomous self-organizing Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) network is unique for several reasons: (i) because BTLE devices are small and can be easily embedded in wearable devices, items, or even organisms; (ii) because they are digital radios capable of energy-efficient radio communication at 0 dBm or lower power; and (iii) because the radio devices in the network are true peer-to-peer (P2P) network tools, where one device can act as a master in one or more networks while acting as a slave in multiple other networks, and the roles are interchangeable. Although initially developed for pairing accessories with mobile phones (Ericsson Mobile, Stockholm), BT piconets and scatternets have been found to have surprisingly useful emergency properties because they require no base stations and access points and spontaneously form autonomous frequency-hopping code division multiple access (FH-CDMA) peer-to-peer (P2P) mesh networks. There is no single point in the network transmissions that can be disrupted. By mixing the BT network with the XCB network, another level of emergency properties can be achieved.

[0086] BT radios are completely self-sufficient digital radios that can receive BTLE transmissions from up to 1500 feet away. Cellular radios are inherent in cellular networks and can quickly locate anywhere in the world. Having both of these radios in the intelligent medicine box can significantly improve the search granularity. The cellular radio provides a general location, while the BT radio allows the owner of the lost item to activate a Bluetooth proximity locator service toolkit to locate the lost item visually, audibly, or tactilely, as described below, and even display a detailed map with the location of the lost radio tag on a paired smartphone.

[0087] To achieve user programmability, the system may include applications installable on the smart device 30. The lost and found service is implemented by using one or more radio devices (such as radio tags in the smart medicine box 50) in combination with software installed by the user on the smart device 30. The associated tracking function is enhanced by the participation of the cloud host 1111, but in many cases, only the radio tags within the smart medicine box 50 and the activity hub are required to monitor the location of assets within the radio perimeter. In some cases, the smart device 30 can act as a hub. The software provided to the user, when installed on the smart device 30, can be used, for example, to relay sensor data and radio contact reports to the cloud host. The software can also be used to receive notifications sent to the smart device 30 and provide a user interface for setting and customizing network features. A web page can be accessed using the smart device 30, which includes programmable features for browsing, managing, and customizing Bluetooth or dual-radio smart medicine boxes, as well as management tools for selecting notification instructions and preferences, entering user information, updating or upgrading cloud service subscriptions, etc. The smart device does not have to be in the user's possession to be accessed via radio, and many functions of the smartphone can be accessed in the background while it remains in the user's pocket.

[0088] The application typically supports a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to be able to monitor, track, or assist in locating the smart medicine box with radio tags. The smart medicine box 50 can also be configured to be able to operate independently to track the smart device 30. Synergy immediately becomes apparent as the smart medicine box 50 can include sensor functions, such as for detecting and alerting the user of the smart medicine box if they fall. The smart medicine box 10 can also establish a mobile security zone when placed in a vehicle where WiFi is not accessible.

[0089] The cloud can be able to control the smart medicine box 50 after obtaining permission, for example, by putting the smart medicine box 50 into an alert state as a convenience when it is lost or misplaced. But the reverse can also be true, such that the smart medicine box 50 can be configured to control the functions of the smart device 30. Functions such as taking pictures, replying to emails, sending hugs to loved ones, indirectly or directly controlling remote machines (such as opening the garage door on the way home, starting the coffee pot from bed, turning off the alarm without getting out of bed, checking if all the doors in the house are closed and locked) can be programmed into the system, where the smart medicine box 50 serves as both a sensor and an actuator at the same time. In some cases, the XCB radio tag can be embedded in an effector or a remote machine.

[0090] As Figures 1A - 1EAs shown, the smart medicine box 50 may include a hard shell, such as a flip structure. The battery access port may be provided on the lower surface of the housing, or in various embodiments, the smart medicine box 50 may be sealed and inductively charged. A USB port for charging and data transmission may be provided, such as at the lower rear end of the device or along the side of the device. A battery or mobile power source and support circuitry may be included within or connected to the smart medicine box 50. The housing may include a loop or slot for receiving a lanyard or chain. An actuator or switch may be formed on the upper surface of the housing and may act as a "find home button" to cause the device to CALL HOME when the switch is pressed.

[0091] The smart medicine box may include a cellular and BT radio modem with a multi-band antenna in a sealed package. Inductive charging may be provided and achieved through a Qi or NFC antenna at the bottom of the device. In addition to the center activation switch at the top of the housing, RGB-LEDs may be embedded in the walls of the housing and extend in a strip along an arc of approximately 180 degrees opposite the loop. The RGB-LEDs may be segmented and may operate in a pulsating or specific function mode to provide feedback during user settings and interactions. A speaker and microphone with a resonant speaker may also be included. The battery life may vary from weeks to months, depending on the frequency of the cellular network uplink and the latency of the BT scan mode. The smart medicine box may include a user interface, which in turn may include, for example, button switches, LEDs, and a buzzer or speaker. The smart medicine box may operate using battery power and may include a battery access port. Optionally, the smart medicine box may include a USB charging port or an inductive charging circuit.

[0092] The smart medicine box may include a sealed housing with potted internal components for weather protection. The device may include multifunctional capacitive or diaphragm button switches. In various embodiments, the button switch may be used to trigger CALL HOME when pressed. For example, a passerby who finds a lost smart medicine box may press the button to activate a notification to the owner, which may include the location. In some cases, a system that monitors radio signals from the device may provide other asset management services. Similar applications are obvious in managing lost children and assets.

[0093] The smart medicine box may include edge-mounted touch capacitive switches and a translucent body for viewing the activity of the RGB LED components within the sealed case. For example, an NFC antenna or a "Qi" charging antenna is provided along with a 2400 mAh LiPo battery. The case serves as a resonant diaphragm with an internal speaker and microphone, and the microphone is in a noise-canceling array. A dual-band antenna configuration is for 2.4 and 5 GHz BT and WiFi, and a multi-band LTE antenna is connected to the BT, WLAN, and cellular radio modems, under the common control of the BT modem and the microprocessor. A battery, SIM card, and micro SSD card slots may be included and accessible, for example, in a threaded gate on the underside of the device. The device connects to the user's smart device to access a more detailed user interface. The device may also be configured to be able to respond to voice queries and make voice notifications.

[0094] The Bluetooth radio in the smart medicine box may monitor the local radio traffic and report to the system host periodically. The device may learn the familiar radio environment and issue a notification when the radio environment exhibits characteristics of an unfamiliar or strange location or the unexpected presence of a stranger. Voice SMS messages may be enabled by pressing the switch once to receive a voice message and twice to record and send a message. Each voice SMS message may be recorded as a digital file, transmitted, and the message may be unpacked for replay on the receiving device. For example, the location of the device may be remotely monitored by subscribing to periodic actuation using cell network-assisted AGPS and the location and direction are reported to the parent smart device on a map.

[0095] As described above, Figure 6 Figure C is a network schematic showing the smart medicine box 50 and the cloud host in a combined BT and cellular network 1110. The global area network (GAN, 1110) is constructed from a cellular network, a Bluetooth network, and a cloud host network 1111. For simplicity, a single smart medicine box 50 and a single smart device 30 are shown, but each layer of the network may include multiple radio units and computers.

[0096] Broadly speaking, the cloud host 1111 is a virtual network and may also include one or more virtual private gateways (VPG, 2400) with dedicated IP addresses. In a preferred embodiment, CALL HOME traffic is addressed to the dedicated IP address of the VPG. Using the dedicated IP address in combination with the VPG 2400 may reduce any security issues such as remote location tracking of the smart medicine box 50, and also reduce the battery power loss rate due to negligence, unauthorized access, and network incidental messages.

[0097] In various embodiments, the cloud management host 1111 accesses the smart pillbox 50 using an IP address via a BT radio modem 680 or a cellular radio modem 682, depending on which radio is active. For security, the smart pillbox 50 can operate as a cellular device and can be accessed via an IP address on the VPG 2400 to find and track the device's whereabouts through a dedicated and secure 5G private network or gateway VPG.

[0098] Data uplink and downlink occur in a packet data network and can conform to the TCP / IP or UDP protocols. Data transmission via SMS messages is also enabled. The data can include embedded AT commands to the cellular modem 682 (e.g., with cellular radio 683), or a qualified BT or cellular signal can cause the processor 670 to generate an AT command to the cellular modem. Packets include headers and payloads known in the art.

[0099] Location data is of particular interest in the medication reminder application. The smart pillbox 50 can include one or more logical triggers that cause a cellular network connection request (directly or indirectly) and data uplink (referred to herein as CALL HOME). The trigger can be sensor data (e.g., acceleration measurements or button data), a timer, or can be a trigger inherent in the physical network topology. For example, when the cellular modem 682 executes or responds to a paging window call, or when the BT radio 680 receives a cellular connection request via a BT radio signal, the location data can be directly uplinked to the cloud host 1111 or VPG 2400 upon request by the network or the smart pillbox 50. Indirect uplink of data can be performed via a BT radio link when there is a BT connection to a piconet (where the smart pillbox 50 with cellular capabilities is in the piconet). Generally, the smart device 30 will forward the data to the cloud host via the network connection 8.

[0100] In various embodiments, the SIM module 684 can be used to establish a dedicated IP address for the smart pillbox 50. The VPG network 2400 can periodically collect location information from the cellular modem 682 to create a "waypoint track" for tracking the location of the smart pillbox 50.

[0101] The cloud host also adds an artificial intelligence layer. Dynamic control of cellular radio activity in the smart pillbox 50 is achieved by providing and aggregating data from a sensor network consisting of the smart pillbox 50 and the smart device 30 (with or without other devices such as reference hubs). As a node between the cellular and BT mesh networks, the smart pillbox 50 can play an important role in bridging connections over a larger area while still retaining the proximity and openness of the BT radio. The cloud host can be used to store data and preferences, find device identifiers, send notifications over the Internet, make long-distance connections, and aggregate large amounts of sensor data.

[0102] The cloud host server 1111 may include, for example, a REST API 613. Once authenticated, the cellular modem 682 with radio 683 can upload data to the cloud host 1111 and receive commands and data. Using the API 613, the cloud host parses sensor data, radio contact records, extracts relevant information, and combines this information to generate executable commands that can take the form of medication reminders, notifications, warnings, or interventions. User programmable commands (depending on sensor data, location, time, or other inputs) can be stored in the user profile in the database 616 and accessed at the management engine 612. Any notifications or executable commands are processed by the network engine 614 and can involve one or more smart devices 30 or other remote machines as intermediaries, or can be directly delivered to the smart pillbox 50 during a paging opportunity (when the cellular modem 682 is receiving), or directly to the smart pillbox 50 via a BT signal through the BT radio 680.

[0103] The cellular modem 682 includes a cellular radio 683 that is connected to an antenna 683a. The modem 682 can be, for example, a Monarch LTE GMOIQ (LTE-M / NB-IoT, such as SQN66430SiP) or an NB01Q (NB-IoT) LGA module with an integrated SIM platform for machine data exchange (Sequans, Paris, France). A Monarch SOC such as SQN3330 typically includes an integrated cellular RF front end but does not include a BT radio. Sequans modules generally support various LTE bands for global connectivity, consume less than 1 pA of power in PSM and eDRX modes, and provide bulk data transmission in centimeter-level combinations.

[0104] Generally, the information used for authentication to the cellular network is stored in the SIM unit 684 that is part of the cellular modem 682 and can also be used for higher-quality encryption of data. The cellular network is a closed network, and the connection is subject to higher authentication security by network management. As is known in the art, all cellular radio devices are authenticated through the IMEI and IMSI information contained in the SIM module. Dedicated control frequencies are used to coordinate the connection of the user equipment (UE) to the network.

[0105] The GPS chip 688 is shown with a separate antenna 688a. The antenna 680a is tuned for BT spread-spectrum transmission and reception. Notifications can be received via the BT radio 680 or the cellular radio 683 (with antenna 683a) and can cause, for example, the activation of the speaker 621 through the acoustic driver 622. Optionally, a microphone 620 is included so that a response to the notification can be sent. Both the BT radio and the cellular radio are capable of transmitting and receiving voice signals.

[0106] The processor 670 can be programmed or otherwise configured using software residing in a ROM, such as the EEPROM 650, or as firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The processor or MCU 670 includes a BT radio die as the SOC 680, which is configured to transfer data and commands with the processor. The BT radio can control the power modes and sleep cycles of the processor and the cellular modem. Exemplary BT chip sets for the BT radio include the Nordic nRF52840 (Nordic Semiconductor, Portland, Oregon) with an M-4 processor, the Dialog DA 1468X series (Dialog Semiconductor, Reading, UK), or the Texas Instruments CC1640r2F (Texas Instruments, Dallas, Texas) with a low-power sensor controller for Internet of Things applications. Other BT chip set manufacturers include STMicroelectronics, ON Semiconductor, U-Blox, Silicon Labs, Toshiba, Ankya, RDA, and Cypress (Infineon). CSR (Qualcomm), Broadcom (Belkin), and MediaTek can provide BT chips for smartphones.

[0107] In various embodiments, a multi-band antenna can be used. Fractal and diversity antennas are becoming familiar technologies and are both inexpensive and compact. Ceramic antennas can be used. The antenna design can include the entire circuit board, the housing, the battery, and any NFC or Qi antennas, so that the mobile edge radio can benefit from software-defined radio and software-defined antennas. In various embodiments, field effect transistor (FET) gate arrays are used for impedance matching of multiple bands. These packages are included in small radio tags suitable for smart pillboxes, for example, embedded in assets.

[0108] The RAM 640 is used to store volatile data, such as data records for sensor data. The sensor package 660 can include a single sensor or a combination of various sensors as a package. In some cases, one or more sensors are integrated into the processor. The sensors can include an accelerometer 623.

[0109] The size of the RAM memory 640 depends on the size of the memory requirements of the data. The stored data can include data from the sensors 660 and the switch 633. Data from throw and button press switches are considered data. The stored data can also include radio contact records. The memory can be provided as a cache memory in the processor, or can include an external RAM if the data recording function requires it.

[0110] The working memory may also include dedicated registers for processing packet assembly and disassembly, encryption keys, etc. The BT and cellular radio signal buffers may be gated by the processor and may include registers for parsing commands and command parameters from the data stream. This memory is typically different from the non-volatile read-only memory 650 that stores processor instructions. EEPROM memory registers may be provided, or in some cases, firmware or a combination of EEPROM and firmware may be used.

[0111] To save power, the cellular modem 682 and the processor 670 may default to a power-saving mode and may be tasked to start various higher-function routines that wake up the smart pillbox 50 circuitry by a BT radio signal containing a qualified wake-up signal (received on antenna 680a and transmitted by the BT radio 680 to the processor).

[0112] These higher functions may include initiating an uplink or tracking area update (TAU) through the cellular modem 682. In an illustrative embodiment, the cloud host sends a signal to the BT radio 680 via the BT radio of an intermediary device such as the smart device 30, which will cause the cellular modem 682 to initiate a CALL HOME, optionally bypassing the smart device 30, for example. In this way, the cellular modem can remain in a dormant or semi-dormant state most of the time but retain the ability to report to the network and respond to network commands with reduced latency to execute coverage commands. The cellular modem can minimize or at least manage the types of energy requirements.

[0113] The blue cellular radio tag can be used as a radio tag for the smart pillbox 50. Blue cellular tracking devices and methods can be used, including, for example, those described in U.S. Patent No. US11,184,858B2 to Daoura et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The radio tag can be enabled to receive a cellular power management mode override signal (or related power management parameters) in a BT radio signal transmitted through a piconet or through link 8 to a compatible smart device 30 and thus through 9 for connectionless or connection data transfer to the BT radio 680. Alternatively, during a CALL HOME, the cellular network can modify the default cellular power-saving mode.

[0114] Sleep management may include a restricted schedule of cellular activity, such as in DRX or eDRX mode (extended discontinuous reception cycle), where the network management node and the user equipment pre-arrange discrete time intervals during which paging will be transmitted. The receiving device wakes up to monitor paging events (physical downlink control channel) at the discrete intervals.

[0115] During an eDRX event, the cellular receiver is active and linked to the network to receive paging. The reception is an active process and may involve propagation signal quality responses or command acknowledgments. The configurable parameters of eDRX include the paging time window (PTW), HSFN (system hyperframe number), and the eDRX cycle length duration. eDRX updates the clock synchronization. In the paging window, new commands can be received as downlink, but generally eDRX passes through without data uplink in the paging opportunity. In modified eDRX, the initial paging window becomes a connection for data uplink so that cellular location positioning by the network PoLTE service or equivalent service can be completed. Then, the device returns to the sleep or idle mode unless other paging instructions are sent. The eDRX parameters are established in the initial connection request during ATTACH and TAU data transfer or in subsequent updates of TAU. Through these adaptations, eDRX can become a routine process for acquiring and storing a series of locations or waypoints, each with a timestamp.

[0116] The wake-up in eDRX can be modified in response to a PDCCH paging with an RCC-compatible location assistance request. The network location assistance request (LAR) involves sending signal fragments captured from multiple cellular base stations back to the network (usually about 30 kilobytes in length) and receiving a location positioning with latitude and longitude from the network. In this way, network location positioning can be obtained every two minutes, 5 minutes, or 10 minutes, and TAU can be performed once an hour or three times an hour as needed to maintain network synchronization and balance the network load.

[0117] During a tracking area update (TAU), for example, if the smart pillbox 50 has moved out of the cellular tower coverage area, the cellular modem will lock onto a new tower with a stronger signal for authentication and update its network connection at the new tower. The location data is updated during this "handover" process and will be stored in the memory of the host device or the network database. If the smart pillbox 50 is reassigned from one cell to another while moving, the cloud host 1111 can be notified. Since this may occur during cell traffic balancing (i.e., by transferring users from a congested cell base station to a less-loaded adjacent base station), the cloud host can monitor the base station carrier channels in the network path to distinguish location changes driven by traffic load from those initiated because the cellular radio 683 and antenna 683a detect a stronger signal from an adjacent base station and choose to initiate a handover to the new system transmitter.

[0118] Once the cellular radio is turned on and authenticated to the network, network-assisted location positioning of its propagation can be automatically performed. When requested by the network, the smart pillbox 50 can provide GPS coordinates or data to assist AGPS. The device may optionally include a satellite navigation radio 688 and an antenna 688a, as well as a dedicated processing module for calculating the position from the timing signals of low Earth orbit satellites. Some cellular radio chips 683 provide an accessory GPS radio integrated into the die. If needed, a network location assistance request (LAR) can seed the satellite navigation positioning calculation through the on-board GPS chip to reduce the time and energy for performing the calculation. The device energy budget can be used to balance the relative requirements of satellite navigation positioning calculations and network-assisted LAR location data, and can be configured according to user specifications or dynamically modified by commands sent by the network. The network can use PoLTE or AGPS to assist the device in location calculation, measurement, reporting, and identification of local landmarks, as well as the distance and direction to local landmarks.

[0119] BT wireless beacons or hubs with known fixed positions can also be used to refine the location, especially in indoor environments. Google provides Eddystone and Proximity Beacon REST APIs that allow users to register beacons with a location (latitude / longitude) and indoor floor level, for example, which are used wireline to geotag commercial establishments and places of interest as a physical network. Reference hubs can be configured to act as "lighthouse wireless beacons", broadcasting fixed position coordinates.

[0120] The upload of location data stored in the memory 640 can be performed from time to time. A direct upload can also be requested by the network or the device when the cellular modem 682 performs a paging window call, or when the BT radio 680 receives a cellular connection request. During a BT connection to a piconet (where there are cellular-capable devices in the piconet), an indirect upload of data can be performed through the BT channel. By combining the Cellular Remote Positioner Service Kit and the Bluetooth Proximity Positioner Service Kit, a powerful set of tools for location-oriented network services has emerged.

[0121] The smart pillbox 50 can be charged from an optional power source 694. The battery 699 can be disposable or rechargeable through a circuit 690. Other energy harvesting devices known in the art can be used to extend the operating life of the device beyond that provided by a single full battery charge. A switching regulator can be used to manage the power supply to the processor and the radio.

[0122] Figure 3AIs a perspective view of a combination of a smartphone case 102 and a smart medicine box 104 according to various embodiments of the present invention. The smartphone case 102 has a connector 110 including interlocking protrusions 130. The interlocking protrusions 130 are complementary such that they can be received in interlocking recesses 132 forming part of a receiver 112 of the smart medicine box 104. Figure 3B Is Figure 3A A side view of the combination shown, where the smartphone case 102 and the smart medicine box 104 are separated from each other.

[0123] Figure 4 Is a perspective view of another combination of a smartphone case 102 and a smart medicine box 104 according to various embodiments of the present invention. Although the reference numerals shown are the same as those used to describe Figure 3A And 3B The same, but Figure 4 The smartphone case 102 and the smart medicine box 104 shown are different from Figure 3A And 3B Those shown. In Figure 4 The smartphone case 102 has a connector 110 in the form of a magnetic component (such as a permanent magnet). The permanent magnet 110 has a shape complementary to the shape of the magnetic recess receiver 112 of the smart medicine box 104.

[0124] Figure 5 Is a side view of another combination of a smartphone case 102 and a smart medicine box 104 according to other various embodiments of the present invention. The smartphone case 102 includes a receiver 112 having an interlocking recess 116 for receiving a protrusion 114 of a coupler 110 of the smart medicine box 104. The smart medicine box 104 includes a data transfer port 142 that can be used for data transfer, charging, inventory management, etc.

[0125] Figure 6 Is a perspective view of an assembled combination of two components (i.e., different smartphone cases 102 and different smart medicine boxes 104) according to other various embodiments of the present invention. By the engagement of protrusions and complementary recesses, the connector of one of the two components can be engaged with and disengaged from the receiver of the other component to lock and unlock the two components together. In some embodiments, each component may have a coupling feature and a receiving feature.

[0126] Figure 7 Is a perspective view of a smartphone case 102 having an integrated smart medicine box 104 according to various embodiments of the present invention. As with other embodiments described herein, the smart medicine box 104 can include any smart medicine box described herein. In Figure 7 The integrated smart medicine box 104 can be opened by pivoting about a pivot pin 108 at a hinge 106 so as to swing away from the smartphone case 102.

[0127] Figure 8A and 8B is a perspective view of a combination of another smartphone case 102 and an integrated smart pillbox 104 according to various embodiments of the present invention. As with other embodiments described herein, the smart pillbox 104 can include any of the smart pillboxes described herein. As shown, the smart pillbox 104 includes a door 120 that can be pivoted open about a pivot pin 150 so as to swing open away from the smartphone case 102.

[0128] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a smart pillbox in the form of a smartwatch according to various embodiments of the present invention. The smartwatch 900 includes a watch unit 904 and an integrated pillbox 908 that are hinged together at a hinge 920. The pillbox 908 includes four separate pill chambers 910 that are separated from each other by dividers. A latch 916 is provided on an outer surface of the pillbox 908 and can be activated to open the pillbox 908 by pivoting the watch unit 904 away from the pillbox 908 at the hinge 920. A plurality of sensors 912 are mounted on a lower side of the watch unit 904 and are directed at the contents of the pill chambers 910.

[0129] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a smart pillbox in the form of a smartwatch according to various embodiments of the present invention. The smartwatch 900 includes a watch body unit 904 and an integrated pillbox 908 that are hinged together by a hinge 920. The pillbox 908 includes four separate medication compartments 910 that are separated from each other by partitions. A latch 916 is provided on an outer surface of the pillbox 908, and activating the latch can open the pillbox 908 by pivoting the watch body unit 904 away from the pillbox 908 at the hinge 920. A plurality of sensors 912 are mounted on a lower side of the watch body unit 904 and are directed at the contents of the medication compartments 910. In the illustrated embodiment, one sensor is provided for each respective medication compartment to sense the contents of the corresponding compartment. Any number of medication compartments and sensors can be provided, and four are shown in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. The sensors can be optical sensors, weight sensors, proximity sensors, light propagation sensors, acoustic sensors, combinations thereof, etc. For example, the sensor 912 can be Figures 1A - 1D of the type described in the illustrated smart pillbox.

[0130] The smartwatch 900 also has an accelerometer 924 built in. The accelerometer 924 can be configured to sense the movement of the smartwatch 900 and generate an acceleration signal indicative of the movement. The body unit 904 can be configured with a processor, logic, and circuitry that receives the acceleration signal, analyzes the acceleration signal, and determines whether the acceleration signal is consistent with the signal received when the wearer is eating (i.e., performing an eating gesture movement). If the smartwatch processor determines that the smartwatch is performing an eating gesture movement, the smartwatch 900 can generate a medication reminder to alert the wearer that the medication should be taken before, during, or after eating, or at a combination of these times.

[0131] Figure 10A is a perspective view of a smart medicine box in the form of a smartwatch module according to various other embodiments of the present invention. Figure 10B is Figure 10A a perspective view of the illustrated smartwatch module tethered by a lanyard. Figure 10C is Figure 10A a perspective view of the illustrated smartwatch module secured to a watch band.

[0132] Although Figure 9 the illustrated smartwatch 900 may include an accelerometer 924, additional or alternative motion sensors can alternatively be used. For example, an electronic heading sensor can be incorporated, such as a solid-state device that combines a three-axis magnetometer with a three-axis accelerometer and a rate gyroscope. Such a sensor can be integrated with a processor to establish a magnetic heading even when the magnetometer is not flush with the horizontal plane. The heading sensor can also be configured to report turns and tilts.

[0133] MEMS-based motion sensors can be used, which include accelerometers and gyroscopes. Accelerometers can be used to measure linear acceleration. The physical mechanisms of MEMS-based accelerometers include capacitive, piezoresistive, electromagnetic, piezoelectric, ferroelectric, optical, and tunneling. A MEMS-based accelerometer can be a simple device that includes a cantilever beam with a predetermined test mass (also known as a sensing mass or inertial mass). Under the influence of an external acceleration, the mass deflects from its equilibrium position. This deflection is measured in analog or digital form. Typically, the capacitance between a set of fixed beams and a set of beams attached to the sensing mass is measured. MEMS-based accelerometers typically operate in a plane, i.e., they are designed to be sensitive only to directions in the plane of the chip. By vertically integrating two devices on a single chip, a biaxial accelerometer can be made. By adding additional out-of-plane devices, three axes can be measured. An accelerometer with integrated electronics provides readout electronics and self-test capabilities.

[0134] A compass can be used to determine direction relative to the Earth's magnetic poles. It consists of a magnetized needle that can freely align with the Earth's magnetic field. A microcompass typically consists of two or three magnetic field sensors (such as Hall sensors), which provide data to a microprocessor. Trigonometric functions are used to calculate the correct heading relative to the compass. Typically, a microcompass is a discrete component that outputs a digital or analog signal proportional to the orientation. This signal is interpreted by a controller or microprocessor. A compass can use highly calibrated internal electronics to measure the response of the compass needle to the Earth's magnetic field. Examples of microcompasses available on the market include the HMC1051Z single-axis and HMC1052 dual-axis magnetoresistive sensors sold by Honeywell International Inc., the AK8973 three-axis electronic compass sold by Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation, and the AMI201 (dual-axis) and AMI302 (three-axis) electronic compass modules sold by Aichi Micro Intelligent Corporation of Japan.

[0135] A gyroscope can be incorporated, which measures or maintains orientation based on the principle of conservation of angular momentum. MEMS-based gyroscopes use vibrating proof masses. These proof masses typically vibrate at a high frequency. When the sensor housing rotates in inertial space, the Coriolis force acts on the proof masses. The Coriolis force causes vibration in an orthogonal plane, and the amplitude of the orthogonal motion can be measured. This type of device is also called a Coriolis vibratory gyroscope because when the plane of oscillation rotates, the response detected by the transducer results from the Coriolis term ("Coriolis force") in its equation of motion. A vibrating structure gyroscope can be implemented using MEMS technology as a tuning fork resonator, a vibrating wheel, or a wine glass-shaped resonator.

[0136] Accelerometers, compasses, and gyroscopes can be used to detect motion when the direction or speed of motion changes, and are more generally classified as "motion sensors" or "heading sensors" to distinguish them from more limited motion sensors that rely strictly on acceleration measurements.

[0137] Other sensors that can be used in conjunction with the smartwatches and other smart pillboxes described herein include radio devices designed to detect radio traffic, such as "pings" from neighboring radio devices. Such sensors can detect the received radio signal strength. Other sensors that can be used include GPS sensors with real-time positioning capabilities, which can be combined with other data (e.g., by recording radio contacts) to generate sensor data with time and geographic stamps. The sensor or location data can be sent in real time (without a timestamp) by the transmitting device, or recorded in memory with a timestamp for subsequent transmission. The sensor data can be stored in a rolling sensor data log.

[0138] Figure 10A and 10B Illustrated is a smart pillbox 3400 that includes an OLED display for video graphics, shown here as a color OLED screen with sufficient pixel resolution to display QR codes, emojis, icons, faces, and simplified text. The body includes a housing surrounding a hollow core for the electronics. The smart pillbox 3400 includes an OLED screen display 3402, a micro port for USB-A charging 3403, and optionally may include accessory USB-C or HDMI ports. The front includes a pressure-sensitive pad for button press commands.

[0139] For setup, the smart pillbox 3400 can have a peel-off sticker with a QR code on the OLED screen. The initial setup can be relatively simple. Each smart pillbox can provide a QR code label on the housing. Scanning the code with a companion smartphone or smart device (after installing the software) causes a folder to be created on the smartphone display and guides the user to a menu for assigning the smart pillbox to a specific person (e.g., a patient) and entering any background information, such as a profile, a list of medications, a medication reminder calendar, a regular destination schedule, a time range for each destination, etc. Once programmed, the smart pillbox is electronically tethered to the smartphone via a virtual private gateway (VPG). The smartphone can send text messages to the smart pillbox or even call the smart pillbox using the VOW cellular service. After setup is complete, the smart device can also immediately display a map showing the current location of the smart pillbox and any direction of movement (if the circuitry in the device includes, for example, an accelerometer).

[0140] The transparent QR sticker may include a static first QR code, and when the device is powered on, other details of the QR code can be added, so that a smartphone used to read the QR code can see the first authentication code before power-on and the second authentication code after power-on, as a way to prevent forgery. There is a SIM card inside the device and a QR sticker outside. The initial pairing can be done via the BT radio of the user's smartphone. The QR code guides the user's smartphone to a cloud host, which will identify the new SIM IMSI and perform activation settings, where BT commands are sent to the device processor via the BT radio. Subscribing to cellular network access can be extremely low-cost and support a dedicated virtual gateway (VPG), where network access is controlled by a dedicated IP address and all packet data is routed to a dedicated server.

[0141] The battery of the smart medicine box 3400 can be, for example, a 2400 mAh battery. The NFC antenna can be installed on the lower side of the battery, and the battery can be a LiPo foil bag battery. The NFC antenna can be used for, for example, "tap-to-touch pairing" and using direct contact to exchange keys to ensure no eavesdropping.

[0142] The outside of the housing supports ports for the speaker 3404 and the microphone 3406. "Yes" and "No" button switches and radio display LEDs are also installed in the housing. The housing may include an internal speaker that causes the housing to resonate for voice and buzzer applications. Multiple antennas can be embedded in the housing, including, for example, one for Bluetooth and another for the cellular radio. There can be multiple cellular radio antennas for different frequency bands, or the antenna can be designed to allow operation at multiple frequencies for reception and transmission.

[0143] As Figure 10B shown, the smart medicine box 3400 ( Figure 10A ) has been tethered by a lanyard to form the device 3401. In this regard, the smart medicine box 3400 is perforated with slots for the lanyard or belt 3412. Other means of attaching the smart medicine box 3400 to an asset are known in the art. The attachment hardware can be adapted to attach the device to a belt, wallet strap, pocket, etc. The device includes a buckle for the lanyard and an OLED display 3402 with a microphone and speaker for audio-visual communication and data recording.

[0144] Figure 10C is a view of the smart medicine box 3500, which is similar to Figure 10AThe intelligent medicine box 3400 shown, but the intelligent medicine box 3500 includes a wristband 3512 and can be used as a location and wayfinding monitor and a message center. The device has voice and display capabilities for cellular and BT voice and data networks, and integrates a speaker 3503 and a display 3502. The circuit includes a microphone, a voice encoder for voice propagation, and tactile buttons as part of the voice and touch user interface. An independent audio codec is provided for higher quality. The chipset may include a Monarch controller (Sequans, Paris, France) with an integrated LTE modem. The RAM memory for data recording is adapted as a buffer for audio / video propagation, or an independent memory and buffer are provided. Options may include a satellite navigation positioning module and a charging circuit with an external power source, which may include a connector such as a USB power cord. The device may also include a DSP for identifying voice patterns, but the voice recognition interface may be provided as a system service and implemented at the system level, rather than necessarily being supported by additional hardware on the device board. In an exemplary embodiment, a CEVA (Mountain View, California) Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) or Bluetooth Dual Mode (BTDM) radio frequency front end is combined with a Monarch (Sequans, Paris, France) cellular modem, where the BT radio controls the power states of the two chips through the processor. In another example, an AeroFONE single-chip core from NPX Semiconductor may be combined with the BT radio. The USB ports 3504, 3506 can be configured for power connection, data connection, or both.

[0145] A display 3502 on a device such as the smart medicine box 3500 enables mixed media communication on a small screen. By also including a camera (not shown), higher functions can be enabled, such as QR code recognition, biometric security features, and taking photos or videos. Even in a smaller smart medicine box, the energy and buffering required for broadband capture, storage, or image dissemination can be provided. Devices without a camera can be simplified to operate on a lower energy budget but still provide a powerful tool for communicating with the user and providing reminders. The types of data that can be sent to a device with a display include, for example, QR codes readable by a remote machine, text messages, machine-readable icons, pictures of faces, statistical data, biographical information, biometric data, emojis accompanied by voice messages, maps, directions, instructions in graphical form, animations, drawings, charts, decorative images, etc., any of which can be presented on the display screen without a camera and the associated processing capabilities. The NFC antenna on the lower side increases the ability of "Tap-to-Pay" and "Tap-to-Connect". Qi charging can also be implemented. Such devices are further described in U.S. Patent No. US11,450,196B2 to Daoura et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. An augmented reality system can be integrated into the device or other locations in the system to add features to the display, such as a virtual image or projection of a pharmacy, a virtual image of the medicine box or its contents, etc. The display can additionally or alternatively include a display screen built into glasses, such as a smart glasses display or a smart goggles display.

[0146] The present invention may include any combination of the various features and embodiments described herein. Any combination of the features disclosed herein is considered part of the present invention, and no limitation is intended as to the features that may be combined.

[0147] The applicant expressly incorporates herein by reference the entire contents of all references cited in this disclosure. In addition, when a quantity, concentration, or other value or parameter is given as a list of ranges, preferred ranges, or upper preferred values and lower preferred values, it is to be understood that all ranges formed by any pair of an upper range limitation or preferred value and any lower range limitation or preferred value are specifically disclosed, whether or not the ranges are separately disclosed. When a numerical range is recited herein, unless otherwise stated, the range is intended to include its endpoints, as well as all integers and fractions within the range. In defining a range, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the specifically recited values.

[0148] Other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A medicine box and a medication reminder system, comprising a medicine box, a reminder system for communicating with the medicine box for data transmission, and a global positioning system for communicating with the reminder system for data transmission, wherein: The medicine box includes: a compartment configured to accommodate a medicine, a sensor configured to detect an amount of the medicine in the medicine box, a medicine box processor configured to generate a data signal related to the amount of the medicine in the medicine box, and a medicine box transmitter configured to transmit the data signal to the reminder system; The global positioning system includes: a global positioning signal receiver, a positioning processor, and a positioning transmitter, wherein the global positioning signal receiver is configured to receive a global positioning signal, the positioning processor is configured to generate a position coordinate signal based on the received global positioning signal, and the positioning transmitter is configured to transmit the position coordinate signal to the reminder system; and The reminder system includes at least one receiver and a system processor, wherein the at least one receiver is configured to receive a data signal from the medicine box transmitter and a location coordinate signal from the global positioning system, and the system processor is programmed to generate an alarm related to the medicine based on the data signal and the location coordinate signal.

2. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 1, wherein, The reminder system includes a software program stored on a smartphone.

3. The medicine box and the medication reminder system according to claim 2, wherein, The medicine box includes a mobile phone case for the smart phone.

4. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 1, wherein, The reminder system includes a software program stored on a smart watch.

5. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 4, wherein, The medicine box is integrated into the smart watch.

6. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 4, wherein, The medicine box is integrated into a watch strap connected to the smart watch.

7. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 1, wherein: The system processor is configured to generate a low stock alarm when the amount of medication within the medication cartridge falls below a predetermined level.

8. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 1, wherein: The positioning processor is further configured to compare the location coordinate signal with a map database and determine the proximity of the global positioning system to: (1) a restaurant or dining area, (2) a drug store or pharmacy, or (3) both (1) and (2).

9. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 8, wherein, The system processor is configured to generate a medication reminder alert when the location coordinate signal indicates that the global positioning system is within 1,000 feet of a restaurant or dining area.

10. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 8, wherein, The system processor is configured to generate a medication reminder alert when the location coordinate signal indicates that the global positioning system is located within a restaurant.

11. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 8, wherein, The system processor is configured to generate a low stock alert when the data signal associated with the amount of medication in the cartridge indicates that the amount of medication in the cartridge is below a predetermined level and the location coordinate signal indicates that the global positioning system is within 2,500 feet of a pharmacy or drugstore.

12. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 1, wherein, The system processor is configured to generate a low stock alert when the data signal associated with the amount of medication in the cartridge indicates that the amount of medication in the cartridge is below a predetermined level and the location coordinate signal indicates that the global positioning system is located within a drug store or pharmacy.

13. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 1, wherein, The medicine box and medication reminder system further includes a timer configured to generate a timing signal, wherein the system processor is programmed to also generate an alarm based on the timing signal.

14. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 13, wherein, The medicine box and the medication reminder system further include a memory storing a dining time range. Wherein, the system processor is programmed to be capable of generating a medication reminder alarm when the timing signal and the position coordinate signal indicate that the reminder system is in a moving state within the dining time range.

15. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 1, wherein, The reminder system further includes a timer. The medicine box processor is further configured to be capable of generating a timing signal related to the time when a certain amount of medicine is taken out of the medicine box. The system processor is configured to be capable of generating a first medication reminder alarm at the first time of the day. The reminder system is configured to be capable of canceling the first medication reminder alarm when the timing signal indicates that the medicine has been taken in time before the first time of the day.

16. A medicine box and a medication reminder system, comprising a medicine box, a reminder system for data transmission communication with the medicine box, and an accelerometer for data transmission communication with the reminder system, wherein: The medicine box includes: a compartment configured to be capable of accommodating medicine, a sensor configured to be capable of detecting the amount of medicine in the medicine box, a medicine box processor configured to be capable of generating a data signal related to the amount of medicine in the medicine box, and a medicine box transmitter configured to be capable of transmitting the data signal to the reminder system; The accelerometer includes: an acceleration sensor, an accelerometer processor, and an accelerometer transmitter. The acceleration sensor is configured to be capable of sensing the motion acceleration of the reminder system. The accelerometer processor is configured to be capable of generating an acceleration signal based on the sensed motion acceleration. The accelerometer transmitter is configured to be capable of transmitting the acceleration signal to the reminder system; and The reminder system includes at least one receiver and a system processor. The at least one receiver is configured to be capable of receiving the data signal from the medicine box transmitter and the acceleration signal from the accelerometer. The system processor is programmed to be capable of generating a medicine-related alarm based on the data signal and the acceleration signal.

17. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 16, wherein, The reminder system includes a software program stored on a smart phone.

18. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 17, wherein: The medicine box includes a phone case for the smart phone.

19. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 16, wherein: The reminder system includes a software program stored on a smart watch.

20. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 19, wherein, The medicine box is integrated into the smart watch.

21. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 19, wherein, The medicine box is integrated into a watch band connected to the smart watch.

22. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 16, wherein: The system processor is configured to be capable of generating a low stock alarm when the amount of medicine in the medicine box is lower than a predetermined level.

23. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 16, wherein, The medicine box and the medication reminder system further include a global positioning system. The global positioning system includes a positioning processor. Wherein, the positioning processor is configured to be capable of comparing the position coordinate signal with a map database and determining the proximity of the global positioning system to the following locations: (1): a restaurant or a dining area, (2): a pharmacy or a drugstore, (3): a residence, or (4): a combination of (1), (2), or (3).

24. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 23, wherein, The system processor is configured to be capable of generating a medication reminder alarm when the position coordinate signal indicates that the global positioning system is within 1000 feet of a restaurant or a dining area.

25. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 23, wherein, The system processor is configured to generate a medication reminder alert when the acceleration signal indicates that the reminder system, the accelerometer, or both are performing an eating gesture motion.

26. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 23, wherein, The system processor is configured to generate a low stock alert when the data signal associated with the amount of medication in the cartridge indicates that the amount of medication in the cartridge is below a predetermined level and the location coordinate signal indicates that the global positioning system is within 2,500 feet of a pharmacy or drugstore.

27. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 16, wherein, The system processor is configured to generate a medication reminder alert when the acceleration signal indicates that the reminder system, the accelerometer, or both are performing an eating gesture motion.

28. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 16, wherein: The kit includes a medication container that is separate and independent from the accelerometer.

29. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 16, wherein, The medicine box and medication reminder system further includes a timer configured to generate a timing signal, wherein the system processor is programmed to also generate the alarm based on the timing signal.

30. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 29, wherein: The medicine box and medication reminder system also includes a memory storing a meal time range, wherein the system processor is programmed to generate a medication reminder alarm when the timing signal and the acceleration signal indicate that the reminder system is in a transport movement state or performing an eating gesture movement within the meal time range.

31. The medicine box and medication reminder system according to claim 16, wherein, The reminder system also includes a timer, and the medicine box processor is further configured to generate a timing signal related to the time when a certain amount of medicine is taken out of the medicine box, the system processor is configured to generate a first medication reminder alarm at a first time of the day, and the reminder system is configured to cancel the first medication reminder alarm when the timing signal indicates that the medicine has been taken in time before the first time of the day.

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