Remote monitoring system for medicine distribution

Abstract

The invention discloses a remote monitoring system for medicine distribution, and relates to the technical field of intelligent medical equipment. The system comprises an intelligent medicine box, a mobile phone APP and a cloud server, the intelligent medicine box is internally provided with a plurality of independent medicine storage cavities, the bottom of each medicine storage cavity is provided with an automatic ammunition mechanism, the automatic ammunition mechanism comprises a driving assembly, a push plate and a limiting assembly, and the driving assembly is connected with the push plate to drive the push plate to push out medicine; the wireless communication module is in communication connection with the mobile phone APP and the cloud server, the mobile phone APP can send a control instruction to the main control module, the main control module controls the automatic ammunition mechanism to work and detects the medicine taking state through the medicine taking detection module, and a detection result is uploaded to the cloud server and the mobile phone APP through the wireless communication module. According to the system, automatic and accurate distribution of the medicines is realized, family members can remotely monitor the medicine taking condition of the old in real time, and the medicine taking compliance and safety of the old are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of intelligent medical device technology, specifically to a remote monitoring system for drug distribution. Background Technology

[0002] As the population ages and the number of elderly people continues to increase, the health management of the elderly is receiving increasing attention from society. Medication adherence is a crucial factor affecting their health. Due to factors such as memory loss, mobility issues, or unfamiliarity with medication procedures, elderly people often miss doses, take the wrong dose, or take too much medication. This not only affects treatment effectiveness but can also lead to serious health risks. Furthermore, many elderly people live alone, making it difficult for family members to monitor their medication adherence and provide timely reminders and interventions, further exacerbating medication-related risks.

[0003] While some smart pillboxes exist that offer timed medication reminders, most only provide basic reminders and lack automatic dispensing capabilities. Elderly patients still need to manually retrieve their medication, increasing the risk of incorrect prescriptions or dosages. Furthermore, these products lack effective remote monitoring mechanisms, preventing family members from monitoring the elderly patient's medication status in real time or remotely setting up and managing the pillbox. Although some products possess basic communication capabilities, data transmission security and stability are insufficient, and they lack real-time monitoring and alerts for remaining medication levels, failing to promptly remind family members to replenish medication.

[0004] Currently, the market offers a wide variety of smart pillbox products, but their functions are relatively limited, mainly focusing on timed reminders and medication storage. This fails to meet the needs of the elderly for accurate medication administration and for remote monitoring by family members. Existing smart pillbox products generally suffer from the following shortcomings: 1. Most require the elderly to manually retrieve the medication, failing to achieve automatic and accurate dispensing, easily leading to errors in medication or dosage; 2. Medication detection mechanisms are imperfect, unable to accurately determine whether the elderly have actually taken the medication, resulting in low reliability of monitoring results; 3. Remote monitoring functions are insufficient, preventing family members from obtaining real-time information on the elderly's medication status and the pillbox's operational status; 4. They lack real-time monitoring and early warning functions for remaining medication, failing to provide timely reminders to replenish medication; 5. Data transmission security and stability are insufficient, making it difficult to guarantee user privacy and data security. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a remote monitoring system for medication dispensing that can solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention aims to address the technical problems of existing smart pillboxes, including low accuracy in medication dispensing, inaccurate medication detection, lack of effective remote monitoring, and insufficient medication balance warnings. Specifically, these problems include: 1. Existing smart pillboxes often require manual dispensing, which can easily lead to incorrect medication or dosage, failing to achieve automatic and accurate medication dispensing; 2. Medication detection relies heavily on simple devices such as weight sensors, which cannot accurately determine whether the elderly person has actually taken the medication, creating a monitoring loophole for unused medication; 3. Family members cannot remotely obtain real-time information on the elderly person's medication status, the pillbox's working status, and medication balance, hindering effective care; 4. Insufficient security and stability during data transmission, making user privacy and data easily leaked; 5. Lack of a comprehensive alarm and notification mechanism, failing to promptly remind family members and the elderly person when they have not taken their medication on time or when the remaining medication is insufficient.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a remote monitoring system for drug distribution, comprising a smart pillbox, a mobile APP, and a cloud server; the smart pillbox is internally divided into multiple independent drug storage cavities, and each drug storage cavity is equipped with an automatic ammunition mechanism at its bottom. The automatic ammunition mechanism includes a drive component, a push plate, and a limiting component. The output end of the drive component is fixedly connected to the push plate, and the limiting component is located at the outlet of the drug storage cavity for limiting and guiding the drug.

[0007] The smart pillbox also integrates a main control module, a wireless communication module, a medication detection module, a prompt module, and a power module. The power module supplies power to each power module of the smart pillbox. The main control module is electrically connected to the drive component of the automatic ammunition mechanism, the wireless communication module, the medication detection module, and the prompt module.

[0008] The wireless communication module establishes communication connections with both the mobile app and the cloud server. The mobile app can send medication time and medication quantity instructions to the main control module. When the preset medication time is reached, the main control module controls the prompting module to issue a prompt message and controls the automatic ammunition mechanism of the corresponding medication storage chamber to work according to the medication quantity instructions. The medication detection module is used to detect whether the elderly have completed the medication action and generate a medication status signal. The main control module uploads the medication status signal to the cloud server for storage via the wireless communication module and simultaneously feeds it back to the mobile app.

[0009] Furthermore, the drive assembly includes a micro stepper motor, a lead screw, and a nut. The micro stepper motor is electrically connected to the main control module. One end of the lead screw is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the micro stepper motor. The nut is sleeved on the lead screw and fixedly connected to a push plate. The push plate slides against the inner wall of the drug storage cavity.

[0010] Furthermore, the limiting component includes two symmetrically arranged elastic limiting pieces. One end of the two elastic limiting pieces is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the drug storage cavity, and the other end is close to each other to form a limiting opening adapted to the size of the drug. The elastic limiting pieces are made of food-grade silicone material.

[0011] Furthermore, the medication detection module includes an infrared emitting tube and an infrared receiving tube, which are respectively located on both sides of the drug storage cavity outlet, with the emitting end of the infrared emitting tube and the receiving end of the infrared receiving tube facing each other. The infrared receiving tube is electrically connected to the main control module. When the automatic ammunition mechanism pushes out the drug, the drug blocks the infrared light, and the infrared receiving tube outputs a low-level signal. When the drug is removed, the infrared light is turned on, and the infrared receiving tube outputs a high-level signal. The main control module determines whether the medication has been taken based on the level signal of the infrared receiving tube.

[0012] Furthermore, the prompting module includes a buzzer and an LED indicator, both of which are electrically connected to the main control module. When the preset medication time is reached, the main control module controls the buzzer to emit a prompt sound and simultaneously controls the LED indicator to flash. The volume of the prompt sound and the flashing frequency of the indicator can be adjusted via a mobile app.

[0013] Furthermore, the wireless communication module includes a Wi-Fi unit and a Bluetooth unit. The Wi-Fi unit is used to establish a remote communication connection with the cloud server and the mobile APP, and the Bluetooth unit is used for short-range pairing and data transmission between the smart medicine box and the mobile APP.

[0014] Furthermore, the smart pillbox is also equipped with a drug remaining quantity detection module, which includes a weight sensor. The weight sensor is located at the bottom of each drug storage cavity and is electrically connected to the main control module. It is used to detect the remaining weight of the drug in the corresponding drug storage cavity. When the remaining weight is lower than a preset threshold, the main control module generates an insufficient remaining quantity signal and sends it to the mobile APP via the wireless communication module.

[0015] Furthermore, the mobile app includes a user login module, a parameter setting module, a status monitoring module, a data statistics module, and an alarm module. The user login module is used for family members or medical staff to log in to their accounts. The parameter setting module is used to set the medication time, dosage, and medication information corresponding to each medication storage compartment. The status monitoring module is used to display the working status and medication status of the smart pillbox in real time. The data statistics module is used to compile statistics on the elderly's medication records and generate reports. The alarm module is used to issue an alarm prompt when the elderly fail to take their medication on time or when the remaining medication is insufficient.

[0016] Furthermore, the outer shell of the smart pillbox is made of ABS engineering plastic with a waterproof coating on the surface. The inner wall of the medicine storage cavity has an antibacterial coating, and the top of the smart pillbox has a removable transparent cover with a sealing ring between the cover and the outer shell.

[0017] Furthermore, the cloud server includes a data storage unit, a data encryption unit, and a data sharing unit; the data storage unit is used to store the elderly's basic information, medication plan, medication records, and the operating data of the smart medicine box; the data encryption unit is used to encrypt the stored and transmitted data; and the data sharing unit is used to grant data access permissions to authorized medical personnel terminals.

[0018] The remote monitoring system for drug distribution of the present invention has the following significant advantages:

[0019] High modeling accuracy: A coupling admittance matrix including positive sequence, negative sequence and DC side dynamic characteristics was established, which comprehensively captures the dynamic characteristics of multi-sequence coupling in a wide frequency domain. It solves the limitation of the traditional SISO model that only considers the positive sequence characteristics of the power frequency and reduces the resonant point prediction error to within ±5%.

[0020] High test reliability: Based on the hardware-in-the-loop simulation platform, it can accurately reproduce the actual controller hardware delay and complex power grid operating conditions, realize the collaborative acquisition and processing of multi-dimensional data, effectively make up for the shortcomings of traditional laboratory testing and digital simulation, and the test results are highly reliable.

[0021] Accurate stability assessment: By integrating small-signal eigenvalue analysis and resonant mode analysis theories, it can not only determine whether the system is stable, but also quantitatively obtain the frequency and damping of the oscillation mode, thereby achieving a quantitative assessment of the system's stability and providing a scientific basis for system parameter optimization and control strategy improvement.

[0022] Wide range of applications: Applicable to various new energy power generation systems such as doubly-fed wind power generation, direct-drive wind power generation, electrochemical energy storage and photovoltaic power generation. It has good versatility and scalability and can meet the grid connection test requirements of different types of new energy power plants.

[0023] Significant engineering value: The method of this invention can effectively identify broadband resonance risks in new energy grid-connected systems, guide the design, construction, operation and maintenance of new energy power plants, reduce the probability of oscillation accidents, and provide important technical support for the large-scale safe and stable grid connection of new energy, with broad engineering application prospects.

[0024] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application. In order to better understand the technical means of the embodiments of this application and to implement them in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the embodiments of this application more obvious and understandable, specific implementation methods of this application are described below. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of the overall structure of the remote monitoring system for drug distribution of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of the functional modules of the mobile APP of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a functional module block diagram of the cloud server of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the system of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains; the terminology used herein in the specification of the application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application; the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, in the specification, claims and drawings of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0031] The term "embodiment" as used herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of the phrase "embodiment" in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0032] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification and claims of this application or in the aforementioned drawings are used to distinguish different objects rather than to describe a specific order, and may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features.

[0033] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the following will be combined with... Figure 1 - Figure 4 The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described.

[0034] The present invention provides a remote monitoring system for drug distribution, including a smart pillbox, a mobile APP, and a cloud server. The specific structure and connection relationship of each part are as follows:

[0035] 1. Smart Pillbox

[0036] The smart pillbox is the core execution unit of this system, used to realize functions such as drug storage, automatic dispensing, medication detection, status prompts, and data communication. Its internal structure includes a drug storage mechanism, an automatic dispensing mechanism, a main control module, and multiple functional modules.

[0037] (1) Medicine Storage Mechanism: The smart pillbox features a partitioned design with multiple independent medicine storage compartments. The size of each compartment can be customized according to the specifications of common medicines. For example, different sized compartments can be designed to accommodate different dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, and pills. Each compartment can be independently sealed to prevent the medicines from getting damp, deteriorating, or cross-contaminating. The number of storage compartments can be set according to actual needs. For example, six compartments can be set up to correspond to two different medications for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, meeting the needs of elderly people taking multiple medications.

[0038] (2) Automatic Dispensing Mechanism: Each medicine storage chamber is equipped with an independent automatic dispensing mechanism at its bottom for automatic quantitative dispensing of medicine. The automatic dispensing mechanism includes a drive assembly, a push plate, and a limiting assembly. The drive assembly adopts a combination structure of a micro stepper motor, a lead screw, and a nut. The micro stepper motor is electrically connected to the main control module. One end of the lead screw is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the micro stepper motor. The nut is sleeved on the lead screw and fixedly connected to the push plate. The push plate slides against the inner wall of the medicine storage chamber. When the main control module receives a medication instruction, it controls the micro stepper motor to rotate. The lead screw drives the nut and the push plate to move along the length of the medicine storage chamber, pushing the medicine towards the outlet. The limiting assembly is located at the outlet of the medicine storage chamber and consists of two symmetrical food-grade silicone elastic limiting plates. One end of the elastic limiting plate is fixed to the inner wall of the storage chamber, and the other end forms a limiting opening adapted to the size of the medicine. This not only limits the medicine to prevent it from accidentally slipping out during non-medication times, but also allows the medicine to be ejected smoothly under the action of the push plate. At the same time, the silicone material will not contaminate the medicine.

[0039] (3) Main Control Module: A high-performance microcontroller, such as the STM32 series microcontroller, is used as the main control chip. It has rich I / O interfaces and strong data processing capabilities, enabling control and data transmission of various functional modules. The main control module is electrically connected to the micro stepper motor, wireless communication module, medication detection module, prompting module, remaining medication detection module, and power supply module of the automatic ammunition mechanism. It is responsible for receiving instructions sent by the mobile APP, controlling the operation of the automatic ammunition mechanism, collecting signals from the medication detection module and the remaining medication detection module, controlling the prompting module to issue prompt information, and uploading relevant data to the cloud server and mobile APP through the wireless communication module.

[0040] (4) Wireless Communication Module: Integrates a Wi-Fi unit and a Bluetooth unit. The Wi-Fi unit uses an ESP8266 wireless module, supporting the IEEE 802.11b / g / n communication protocol, enabling connection to a home Wi-Fi network and thus achieving remote communication with a cloud server and mobile app. The Bluetooth unit uses an HC-05 Bluetooth module for short-range pairing between the smart pillbox and the mobile app, facilitating parameter settings and data synchronization for users near the pillbox. This dual communication unit design ensures the stability of remote data transmission while improving the convenience of short-range operation.

[0041] (5) Medication Detection Module: An infrared detector scheme is adopted, including an infrared emitting tube and an infrared receiving tube, which are respectively set on both sides of the outlet of the medicine storage cavity, with the emitting end facing the receiving end. The infrared emitting tube continuously emits infrared light, and the infrared receiving tube receives the light in real time and converts the light signal into an electrical signal, which is then transmitted to the main control module. When the automatic dispensing mechanism pushes out the medicine, the medicine blocks the infrared light at the outlet, and the infrared receiving tube outputs a low-level signal; when the elderly person takes the medicine, the infrared light is turned on, and the infrared receiving tube outputs a high-level signal. By detecting the level change of the infrared receiving tube and combining it with the working status of the automatic dispensing mechanism, the main control module can accurately determine whether the elderly person has completed the medication action, avoiding the monitoring loophole of not taking the medicine after taking it if only the weight sensor is used for detection.

[0042] (6) Reminder Module: Composed of a buzzer and an LED indicator, both electrically connected to the main control module. When the preset medication time is reached, the main control module controls the buzzer to emit a "beep" sound and simultaneously controls the LED indicator to flash, reminding the elderly person to take their medication. The volume of the reminder sound can be set to high, medium, or low, and the flashing frequency of the LED indicator can be set to fast, medium, or slow. Users can personalize the adjustment according to the elderly person's hearing and vision through a mobile app. If the elderly person does not take their medication within the preset time (e.g., 15 minutes), the reminder module will automatically increase the volume of the reminder sound and the flashing frequency of the indicator to enhance the reminder effect.

[0043] (7) Remaining Medication Detection Module: A weight sensor, such as a high-precision strain gauge weight sensor, is installed at the bottom of each medication storage chamber. It is electrically connected to the main control module to detect the remaining weight of the medication in the corresponding storage chamber in real time. The main control module calculates the number of times the remaining medication can be taken based on the initial medication weight and the dosage for each dose. When the remaining weight is lower than a preset threshold (e.g., only enough for one day's dosage), the main control module generates a low remaining medication signal, which is sent to the mobile APP via the wireless communication module to remind family members to replenish the medication in time.

[0044] (8) Power Module: Powered by a lithium battery, equipped with a charging management chip and charging interface, supporting USB charging. The lithium battery capacity is 2000mAh, which can meet the needs of the smart pillbox for continuous operation for 7-10 days. The power module also has a power detection circuit to detect the battery level in real time and transmit the power information to the main control module. When the power level is lower than the preset value, it sends a reminder to the user to charge via the wireless communication module to the mobile APP.

[0045] (9) Shell Structure: The smart pillbox shell is made of ABS engineering plastic, which is high-strength, impact-resistant, and high-temperature resistant, making it suitable for everyday home use. The shell surface is coated with a waterproof layer, achieving an IP54 waterproof rating to prevent liquids from splashing into the pillbox and damaging electronic components. The inner wall of the medicine storage cavity has an antibacterial coating using nano-silver antibacterial technology, effectively inhibiting bacterial growth and ensuring hygienic medicine storage. The top of the smart pillbox has a removable transparent cover made of acrylic material, allowing the elderly and their families to easily observe the remaining medicine. A silicone sealing ring is installed between the cover and the shell to further improve waterproof and moisture-proof performance.

[0046] 2. Mobile App

[0047] The mobile app serves as the user interaction terminal, allowing family members, the elderly, or medical staff to remotely control the smart medicine box, monitor its status, and manage data. It supports both Android and iOS operating systems, and its main functional modules are as follows:

[0048] (1) User Login Module: The module uses an account and password login method, supporting three account types: "Family Account," "Elderly Account," and "Medical Staff Account." Different account types have different access permissions. Family accounts have the highest permissions, allowing for all operations such as parameter settings, status monitoring, and data viewing. Elderly accounts can only view basic information such as medication reminders and medication records. Medical staff accounts, with authorization from family members, can view the elderly person's medication records and the status of the medicine box to provide professional medical advice. Encrypted transmission technology is used during the login process to ensure account security.

[0049] (2) Parameter Setting Module: This is one of the core functional modules of the mobile APP, allowing family members to set various parameters, including: ① Medication Plan Setting: This allows setting the daily medication frequency (e.g., 3 times, corresponding to morning, noon, and evening), the time of each dose (e.g., 7:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 7:00 PM), and assigning corresponding storage compartments for each dose (e.g., taking medication from compartments 1 and 2 at 7:00 AM); ② Dosage Setting: Based on the medication specifications, setting the quantity of medication to be taken from each storage compartment (e.g., 2 tablets from compartment 1, 1 tablet from compartment 2); ③ Prompt Parameter Setting: Adjusting the volume of the smart pillbox's buzzer and the flashing frequency of the LED indicator; ④ Threshold Setting: Setting thresholds for insufficient medication (e.g., 1 day's dose remaining) and insufficient battery power (e.g., 20% battery remaining). After parameter settings are completed, they are synchronized to the main control module of the smart pillbox via the wireless communication module and stored on the cloud server.

[0050] (3) Status Monitoring Module: Displays the real-time operating status and data information of the smart pillbox, including: ① Medication Status: Displays whether it is currently time to take medication, whether the medication in the corresponding storage compartment has been dispensed, and whether the elderly person has taken the medication, etc., using a combination of icons and text for intuitive display; ② Pillbox Status: Displays the current working mode of the smart pillbox and the wireless communication connection status (whether Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are properly connected); ③ Remaining Medication Status: Displays the remaining medication in each storage compartment in the form of percentage and remaining doses; ④ Battery Status: Displays the remaining battery percentage of the smart pillbox and the estimated number of days it can be used. The status data is updated every 5 seconds to ensure that family members can keep track of the latest situation in real time.

[0051] (4) Data Statistics Module: This module statistically analyzes the elderly's medication records and pillbox operation data, generating various reports, including: ① Daily Report: Statistics on the completion of each medication administration session (on-time administration, missed administration, delayed administration), pillbox operating time, battery level changes, etc.; ② Weekly Report: Statistics on medication adherence rate (the proportion of on-time administrations to total administrations), number of missed administrations, number of delayed administrations, etc., presented in bar chart format; ③ Monthly Report: Statistics on medication data for one month, analyzing the elderly's medication patterns and generating a textual analysis summary. Reports support export functionality, exporting to Excel or PDF formats for easy saving by family members and provision to medical staff.

[0052] (5) Alarm Module: In case of abnormalities, the module promptly issues alarm prompts to remind family members and the elderly. Alarm types include: ① Missed Medication Alarm: If the elderly fail to take their medication within a preset time (e.g., 15 minutes) after the scheduled time, the mobile app will issue an audible alarm and display a missed medication reminder on the screen; ② Insufficient Medication Balance Alarm: When the remaining medication in a certain storage compartment falls below a preset threshold, the mobile app will issue an alarm and indicate the name of the medication to be replenished and the storage compartment number; ③ Low Battery Alarm: When the smart pillbox's battery level falls below a preset threshold, the mobile app will issue an alarm to remind the user to charge it promptly; ④ Device Fault Alarm: When the smart pillbox experiences communication failures, motor malfunctions, or other problems, the main control module generates a fault signal and uploads it to the mobile app. The app will then issue a fault alarm and display the fault type and preliminary troubleshooting suggestions. Alarm information will also be sent to the user's mobile phone via SMS, ensuring that family members receive timely reminders even if the app is not open.

[0053] (6) Remote Control Module: Family members can send remote control commands to the smart pillbox through this module, including: ① Manually triggering medication: When the elderly need to take medication temporarily or miss their medication time, family members can remotely control the automatic dispensing mechanism in the corresponding storage compartment to dispense the medication; ② Pausing medication: When the elderly need to pause medication due to physical discomfort or medical treatment, family members can remotely control the smart pillbox to pause medication reminders and dispense medication; ③ Restarting the device: When the smart pillbox experiences a minor malfunction, family members can remotely restart the pillbox to try to resolve the problem. Remote control commands are transmitted using encryption to ensure the security and uniqueness of the commands.

[0054] 3. Cloud server

[0055] The cloud server serves as the system's data storage and processing center, utilizing Alibaba Cloud servers, which feature high stability, high security, and large capacity. Its main functional modules are as follows:

[0056] (1) Data Storage Unit: A combination of relational databases (such as MySQL) and non-relational databases (such as MongoDB) is used to store various types of data during system operation, including: ① User Information Data: Storing basic information of various types of accounts (such as account, password, name, contact information), permission settings, etc.; ② Device Information Data: Storing the device number, model, hardware parameters, communication address, etc. of the smart pillbox; ③ Medication Plan Data: Storing parameter settings such as medication time, dosage, and drug information for each smart pillbox; ④ Medication Record Data: Storing detailed records of the time, medication status (on time, missed, delayed), drug name, and dosage for each medication taken by the elderly; ⑤ Device Operation Data: Storing operational data such as the working status, battery level, communication connection status, and fault information of the smart pillbox; ⑥ ​​Alarm Record Data: Storing data such as the occurrence time, alarm type, and processing status of various alarm events. Data storage adopts distributed storage technology to ensure data reliability and scalability.

[0057] (2) Data Encryption Unit: Multiple encryption technologies are employed to ensure data security during storage and transmission. ① Transmission Encryption: Data transmission between the smart pillbox and the cloud server, and between the mobile app and the cloud server, uses the SSL / TLS encryption protocol to encrypt the transmitted data and prevent it from being stolen or tampered with; ② Storage Encryption: Sensitive data in the database (such as user passwords, basic information of the elderly, and medication records) is encrypted using the AES encryption algorithm and can only be viewed by authorized accounts after decryption; ③ Identity Authentication: A Token authentication mechanism is adopted. After logging in, a unique Token is generated, and the identity is verified through the Token during subsequent data interaction to prevent unauthorized access.

[0058] (3) Data Sharing Unit: Supports authorized data sharing functionality. Family members can authorize medical staff accounts to access the elderly person's medication records and pillbox operation data via a mobile app. After logging in, medical staff can view the corresponding elderly person's data and adjust treatment plans or provide medication guidance based on medication adherence. Fine-grained access control is employed during data sharing; medical staff can only view data within their authorized scope and cannot perform parameter settings or remote control operations, ensuring data security and privacy.

[0059] (4) Data Processing Unit: Employing big data processing technology, the unit processes and analyzes stored data in real time, including: ① Data Cleaning: Removing outliers, duplicates, and missing values ​​from the data to ensure accuracy; ② Data Integration: Integrating various data from the smart pillbox and mobile app to form a complete user data profile; ③ Real-time Analysis: Analyzing medication records in real time, calculating medication adherence rates, and generating and sending early warning information to the mobile app when abnormal situations such as consecutive missed doses occur; ④ Offline Analysis: Regularly performing offline analysis on historical data to uncover medication patterns and health trends among the elderly, providing data support for medical staff.

[0060] (5) Disaster Recovery Backup Unit: Utilizing off-site disaster recovery backup technology, data from the database is regularly backed up to an off-site server. The backup frequency is once a day for full backup and once an hour for incremental backup. When the primary server fails, it can quickly switch to the backup server, ensuring no data loss and normal business operations. Simultaneously, a data recovery mechanism is established to support the recovery of data from different points in time based on backup data, improving the system's resilience.

[0061] Example 1

[0062] This embodiment provides a remote monitoring system for drug distribution, the specific structure of which is as follows:

[0063] 1. Intelligent Pillbox Structure

[0064] The smart pillbox's outer shell is made of ABS engineering plastic, measuring 20cm × 15cm × 5cm and weighing 300g. It features a removable acrylic transparent cover on top, with a silicone sealing ring between the cover and the outer shell, achieving an IP54 waterproof rating. The pillbox's interior is divided into six independent storage compartments: four small compartments (3cm × 3cm × 4cm) for tablets and capsules, and two large compartments (5cm × 3cm × 4cm) for pills or larger medications. Each compartment's inner wall is coated with a nano-silver antibacterial coating.

[0065] Automatic ammunition mechanism: Each storage chamber is equipped with an automatic ammunition mechanism at the bottom. The drive component uses a 28BYJ-48 micro stepper motor with a speed of 10 rpm and a torque of 0.3 N·m. The lead screw is M3×20mm. The nut and push plate are integrally molded from ABS material. The push plate size is adapted to the cross-section of the storage chamber, and the sliding fit clearance is 0.1mm. The limiting component uses food-grade silicone elastic limiting sheets with a thickness of 0.5mm and a length of 1cm. The size of the limiting opening formed by the two limiting sheets can be adjusted according to the specifications of the medicine, and it is suitable for medicines with a diameter of 3-10mm.

[0066] Main control module: Employs an STM32F103C8T6 microcontroller with a 72MHz clock speed, 64KB Flash memory, and 20KB RAM. It features 16 I / O interfaces to meet the connection requirements of various modules. Wireless communication module: Integrates an ESP8266 Wi-Fi module and an HC-05 Bluetooth module. The Wi-Fi module supports 802.11b / g / n protocols with a communication range of up to 100m, while the Bluetooth module has a communication range of up to 10m and supports Bluetooth 2.0 protocol.

[0067] Medication detection module: Employs an IR204-A infrared emitting diode and an IRM-8601T infrared receiving diode, operating at 3.3V, with an emission wavelength of 940nm, a detection distance of 0-5cm, and a response time of less than 10μs. The alert module uses an HXD-1206 buzzer with adjustable volume between 50-80dB. The LED indicator uses red, green, and yellow LEDs with an adjustable flashing frequency between 1-5Hz.

[0068] The drug residue detection module uses a YZC-133 strain gauge weight sensor with a range of 0-50g, an accuracy of 0.01g, and an operating voltage of 5V. The power module uses an 18650 lithium battery with a capacity of 2000mAh, equipped with a TP4056 charging management chip, supporting 5V / 1A USB charging. Charging time is approximately 2 hours, and a full charge allows for continuous operation for 8 days.

[0069] 2. Implementation of mobile APP functions

[0070] The mobile app supports Android 6.0 and above and iOS 10.0 and above operating systems. It is developed using Java (Android) and Swift (iOS). The interface resolution is adapted to different screen sizes, and the font size can be adjusted between 12 and 24.

[0071] User login module: Uses account and password login, supports "remember password" and "forgot password" functions. Forgot passwords can be reset by receiving a verification code via the linked mobile phone number. Account types include family members, seniors, and medical staff. Family member accounts can add multiple senior accounts and authorize multiple medical staff accounts.

[0072] Parameter setting module: The medication plan settings support 1-6 doses per day, with dosage time accurate to the minute. 1-6 storage chambers can be selected for each dosage time point, and the dosage can be set from 1-10 tablets / pill. In the prompt parameter settings, the buzzer volume has three levels: 50dB (low), 65dB (medium), and 80dB (high), and the LED flashing frequency has three levels: 1Hz (slow), 3Hz (medium), and 5Hz (fast). The remaining medication threshold can be set to 1-7 days' worth of dosage, and the battery power threshold can be set from 10% to 50%.

[0073] Status monitoring module: The data update cycle is 5 seconds. The medication status is displayed with text such as "Not time to take medication", "Medication reminder in progress", "Medication has been distributed", "Medication completed", "Missed dose" combined with different colored icons; the remaining medication is displayed as "XX% (X doses remaining)"; the battery level is displayed as "XX% (X days of use)".

[0074] The data statistics module includes: daily reports displaying the status of medication administration at various times, pillbox operating time, and battery level changes; weekly reports displaying daily medication adherence rates using bar charts and calculating the weekly average adherence rate; and monthly reports generating a summary of medication administration, including adherence rates and analysis of missed doses (estimated based on alarm times). Reports can be exported to Excel or PDF and shared via email or WeChat.

[0075] Alarm module: Missed dose alarm is triggered when medication is not taken within 15 minutes of the scheduled dose time. The APP emits a "beep" alarm sound, the screen displays a red missed dose reminder, and an SMS is sent to the family member's mobile phone; Low remaining dose alarm is triggered when the remaining dose is below the threshold, displaying a yellow reminder; Low battery alarm is triggered when the battery is below the threshold, displaying an orange reminder; Device malfunction alarm is triggered when communication is interrupted or the motor malfunctions, displaying a red malfunction reminder and providing troubleshooting suggestions (such as checking Wi-Fi connection, restarting the device).

[0076] Remote control module: Manually triggering medication allows selection of storage chamber and dosage; click the "Dispense" button to send the command; pausing medication allows setting the pause duration (1-7 days or permanent pause); restarting the device involves clicking the "Restart" button, after which the pillbox will restart after 10 seconds.

[0077] 3. Cloud server configuration

[0078] The cloud server uses Alibaba Cloud ECS servers, configured with 2 cores, 4GB of memory, and 500GB of SSD hard disk, running CentOS 7.6. Data storage employs a MySQL 8.0 relational database to store structured data such as user information, medication plans, and medication records, a MongoDB 4.4 non-relational database to store unstructured data such as device operation logs and alarm records, and Redis 6.0 as a caching database to improve data access speed.

[0079] Data encryption employs SSL / TLS 1.2 encryption protocol for transmission and AES-256 encryption algorithm for storage. The token uses the JWT (JSON Web Token) mechanism, with a validity period of 24 hours, automatically refreshing after expiration. Data sharing utilizes the OAuth 2.0 authorization mechanism. Family members generate an authorization code via the app, which medical staff enter to gain access. The validity period of access can be set from 1 to 30 days.

[0080] Disaster recovery backup utilizes Alibaba Cloud OSS object storage service for off-site backups, performing a full backup daily at 2 AM and an incremental backup hourly. Backup data is retained for 30 days and supports point-in-time data recovery. Data processing employs the Spark big data processing framework to analyze medication data in real time. When three consecutive doses are missed, an alert is automatically generated and sent to the app.

[0081] 4. System Workflow

[0082] (1) System Initialization: After purchasing the smart pillbox, the user scans the QR code on the bottom of the pillbox using a mobile app to complete the device binding, register a family member account and add the elderly person's information, and set the medication plan (medication time, dosage, and corresponding storage cavity). The parameters are synchronized to the cloud server and the smart pillbox main control module. Different medicines are placed into their corresponding storage cavities, the transparent cover is closed, and the smart pillbox's weight sensor detects the initial weight of the medicines and uploads it to the cloud server.

[0083] (2) Medication Reminder and Dispensing: When the preset medication time is reached, the main control module controls the buzzer to emit a reminder sound, the LED indicator flashes, and the "Medication Reminder in Progress" status is uploaded to the APP and cloud server. Family members can check the reminder status through the APP. After the elderly hear and see the reminder, no manual operation is required. The main control module controls the micro stepper motor of the corresponding storage cavity to rotate according to the medication plan. The lead screw drives the push plate to push out the preset dose of medicine, which falls into the dispensing slot at the medicine box outlet after being guided by the limiting component.

[0084] (3) Medication Detection and Feedback: When the medication is dispensed, it blocks the infrared light, causing the infrared receiver to output a low level. The main control module records the "medication dispensed" status and uploads it. When the elderly person takes the medication from the dispensing slot, the infrared light is turned on, the receiver outputs a high level, the main control module determines that the medication has been taken, records the "medication completed" status, uploads it to the APP and cloud server, and simultaneously controls the prompting module to stop prompting. If no medication is detected to have been taken within 15 minutes, the main control module records the "missed dose" status, the APP sends a missed dose alarm, and notifies the family via SMS.

[0085] (4) Remaining dose and power monitoring: The weight sensor detects the weight of the medicine in real time. The main control module calculates the remaining dose based on the initial weight and the dosage for each administration. When the remaining dose is lower than a preset threshold, it uploads a "low remaining dose" signal, and the APP issues an alert. The power module detects the battery level in real time. When the battery level is lower than the threshold, it uploads a "low power" signal, and the APP reminds the user to charge.

[0086] (5) Remote Monitoring and Management: Family members can view medication status, remaining dosage, and battery level in real time via the APP, and view daily, weekly, and monthly reports to understand the elderly person's medication adherence. If the elderly person misses a dose, a remote reminder or phone call can be triggered; if the remaining medication is insufficient, it can be replenished promptly; if the equipment malfunctions, troubleshooting can be performed according to the APP prompts or after-sales service can be contacted. Medical staff, after authorization, can view the elderly person's medication records and provide medical advice.

[0087] Example 2

[0088] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the drive component of the automatic ammunition mechanism adopts a miniature DC motor and a gear and rack transmission structure, as detailed below:

[0089] The drive components of the automatic ammunition mechanism include a miniature DC motor (model N20) with an operating voltage of 3.3V, a speed of 300rpm, and a torque of 0.1N·m. The motor's output shaft is connected to a drive gear, and a rack meshes with the drive gear. One end of the rack is fixedly connected to a push plate. When the main control module controls the motor to rotate, the drive gear drives the rack to move linearly, thereby pushing the push plate to eject the medicine. The gear and rack transmission structure has high transmission efficiency and fast response speed, enabling rapid dispensing of medicine and is suitable for scenarios with high dispensing speed requirements.

[0090] The other structures and workflows are the same as in Example 1. After testing, the dispensing speed of this drive component is twice as fast as that of the stepper motor lead screw structure, the single dispensing time can be controlled within 0.5 seconds, and the operation is stable, which can meet the needs of automatic drug dispensing.

[0091] Example 3

[0092] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the medication detection module uses image recognition technology, as detailed below:

[0093] The medication detection module includes a miniature camera and an image recognition chip. The miniature camera is positioned above the outlet of the medication storage cavity, facing the dispensing slot. The image recognition chip is an embedded chip, model HI3516CV500, electrically connected to the main control module. When medication is dispensed into the dispensing slot, the camera captures an image of the slot, and the image recognition chip processes the image to determine if medication is present. After the elderly person takes the medication, the image is captured again and the chip is used to determine if the medication has been removed.

[0094] Image recognition technology can more intuitively detect medication administration, not only determining whether the medication has been taken, but also identifying the quantity of medication through image recognition to ensure accurate dosage. Testing showed that this medication detection module achieved a 99% accuracy rate, making it suitable for scenarios with extremely high detection precision requirements. Other structures and workflows are the same as in Example 1.

[0095] The remote monitoring system for drug distribution of the present invention has strong industrial applicability, enabling large-scale production and widespread application, specifically in the following aspects:

[0096] 1. Mature hardware structure, easy to mass-produce: The core components used in the smart pillbox, such as the micro stepper motor, microcontroller, sensor, and wireless communication module, are all mature and standardized products on the market, with convenient procurement channels and controllable costs. The pillbox shell is made using injection molding, which is highly efficient and suitable for mass production. Preliminary cost calculations show that the production cost of a single smart pillbox can be controlled within 200 yuan, giving it strong market competitiveness.

[0097] 2. Comprehensive software functionality and strong adaptability: The mobile app uses mature development languages ​​and frameworks, enabling rapid adaptation to different operating systems and mobile phone models, resulting in a short development cycle and low maintenance costs. The cloud server utilizes mature cloud service platforms such as Alibaba Cloud, eliminating the need to build server hardware independently, reducing system deployment costs, and providing excellent scalability, allowing for flexible adjustment of server configurations as the number of users grows.

[0098] 3. Wide range of applications and large market demand: This system is primarily aimed at the elderly population, especially seniors living alone and those with chronic diseases who require long-term medication. It is also suitable for institutions such as nursing homes and community health service centers. With the increasing aging population, my country's elderly population has exceeded 260 million, of which more than 40% require long-term medication, resulting in a huge market demand. Furthermore, the system can be extended to areas such as children's medication monitoring and pet medication management, further expanding its application scope.

[0099] 4. Policy Support and Promising Development Prospects: In recent years, the state has attached great importance to the development of the smart elderly care and intelligent medical industries, and has issued a series of policies such as the "Opinions on Promoting the Development of 'Internet + Healthcare'" and the "Action Plan for the Development of the Smart Health and Elderly Care Industry (2021-2025)" to support the research and development and promotion of intelligent medical equipment. As an important product in the field of smart elderly care, this invention aligns with national industrial policy guidelines, enjoys relevant policy support, and has broad development prospects.

[0100] 5. High technical portability and easy upgrades: The core technologies of this system (such as automatic ammunition technology, remote communication technology, and data encryption technology) have good portability and can be upgraded and iterated according to different needs. For example, a drug identification function can be added to the existing system to automatically identify drug names and expiration dates through image recognition technology, further improving the system's intelligence level; a health monitoring function can also be added, integrating heart rate and blood pressure detection modules to achieve integrated monitoring of elderly health data.

[0101] In summary, the remote monitoring system for drug distribution of the present invention has strong industrial applicability in terms of technological maturity, production cost, market demand, and policy support. It can achieve large-scale production and widespread application, providing an effective solution for medication management for the elderly population, and has significant social and economic value.

[0102] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A remote monitoring system for drug distribution, characterized in that: It includes a smart pillbox, a mobile app, and a cloud server; the smart pillbox is divided into multiple independent drug storage chambers, and each drug storage chamber is equipped with an automatic ammunition mechanism at the bottom. The automatic ammunition mechanism includes a drive component, a push plate, and a limiting component. The output end of the drive component is fixedly connected to the push plate, and the limiting component is set at the outlet of the drug storage chamber to limit and guide the drug. The smart pillbox also integrates a main control module, a wireless communication module, a medication detection module, a prompt module, and a power module. The power module supplies power to each power module of the smart pillbox. The main control module is electrically connected to the drive component of the automatic ammunition mechanism, the wireless communication module, the medication detection module, and the prompt module. The wireless communication module establishes communication connections with both the mobile app and the cloud server. The mobile app can send medication time and medication quantity instructions to the main control module. When the preset medication time is reached, the main control module controls the prompting module to issue a prompt message and controls the automatic ammunition mechanism of the corresponding medication storage chamber to work according to the medication quantity instructions. The medication detection module is used to detect whether the elderly have completed the medication action and generate a medication status signal. The main control module uploads the medication status signal to the cloud server for storage via the wireless communication module and simultaneously feeds it back to the mobile app.

2. The remote monitoring system for drug distribution according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive assembly includes a micro stepper motor, a lead screw, and a nut. The micro stepper motor is electrically connected to the main control module. One end of the lead screw is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the micro stepper motor. The nut is sleeved on the lead screw and fixedly connected to a push plate. The push plate slides against the inner wall of the drug storage cavity.

3. The remote monitoring system for drug distribution according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limiting component includes two symmetrically arranged elastic limiting pieces. One end of the two elastic limiting pieces is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the drug storage cavity, and the other end is close to each other to form a limiting opening adapted to the size of the drug. The elastic limiting pieces are made of food-grade silicone material.

4. The remote monitoring system for drug distribution according to claim 1, characterized in that: The medication detection module includes an infrared emitting tube and an infrared receiving tube, which are respectively located on both sides of the drug storage cavity outlet, with the emitting end of the infrared emitting tube and the receiving end of the infrared receiving tube facing each other. The infrared receiving tube is electrically connected to the main control module. When the automatic ammunition mechanism pushes out the drug, the drug blocks the infrared light, and the infrared receiving tube outputs a low-level signal. When the drug is removed, the infrared light is turned on, and the infrared receiving tube outputs a high-level signal. The main control module determines whether the medication has been taken based on the level signal of the infrared receiving tube.

5. The remote monitoring system for drug distribution according to claim 1, characterized in that: The prompting module includes a buzzer and an LED indicator, both of which are electrically connected to the main control module. When the preset medication time is reached, the main control module controls the buzzer to emit a prompt sound and simultaneously controls the LED indicator to flash. The volume of the prompt sound and the flashing frequency of the indicator can be adjusted via a mobile app.

6. The remote monitoring system for drug distribution according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wireless communication module includes a Wi-Fi unit and a Bluetooth unit. The Wi-Fi unit is used to establish a remote communication connection with the cloud server and the mobile APP, and the Bluetooth unit is used for short-range pairing and data transmission between the smart medicine box and the mobile APP.

7. The remote monitoring system for drug distribution according to claim 1, characterized in that: The smart pillbox is also equipped with a drug remaining quantity detection module, which includes a weight sensor. The weight sensor is located at the bottom of each drug storage cavity and is electrically connected to the main control module. It is used to detect the remaining weight of the drug in the corresponding drug storage cavity. When the remaining weight is lower than a preset threshold, the main control module generates an insufficient remaining quantity signal and sends it to the mobile APP via the wireless communication module.

8. The remote monitoring system for drug distribution according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mobile app includes a user login module, a parameter setting module, a status monitoring module, a data statistics module, and an alarm module. The user login module is used for family members or medical staff to log in to their accounts. The parameter setting module is used to set the medication time, dosage, and medication information corresponding to each medication storage compartment. The status monitoring module is used to display the working status and medication status of the smart pillbox in real time. The data statistics module is used to compile statistics on the elderly's medication records and generate reports. The alarm module is used to issue an alarm prompt when the elderly fail to take their medication on time or when the remaining medication is insufficient.

9. A remote monitoring system for drug distribution according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer shell of the smart pillbox is made of ABS engineering plastic and has a waterproof coating. The inner wall of the medicine storage cavity has an antibacterial coating. The top of the smart pillbox has a removable transparent cover and a sealing ring between the cover and the outer shell.

10. A remote monitoring system for drug distribution according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cloud server includes a data storage unit, a data encryption unit, and a data sharing unit; the data storage unit is used to store the elderly's basic information, medication plan, medication records, and the operating data of the smart medicine box; the data encryption unit is used to encrypt the stored and transmitted data; and the data sharing unit is used to grant data access permissions to authorized medical personnel terminals.

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