Eye drop storage device for assisting user to use eye drop and method for operating same

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, disclosed are an eye drop storage device for assisting a user to use an eye drop and a method for operating the eye drop storage device. The eye drop storage device may comprise: a body; an eye drop support unit connected to the body and accommodating an eye drop container; a detection sensor connected to the body and obtaining a user input for opening or closing a lid of the eye drop container; an eye drop opening and closing unit connected to the body; and at least one processor, wherein at least one processor opens or closes the lid of the eye drop container on the basis of the user input through the eye drop opening and closing unit.

Description

Eye drop storage device for assisting the user in using eye drops and its operating method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an eye drop storage device, and more particularly, to an eye drop storage device that assists a user in using eye drops and an operating method thereof.

[0002] Recently, various devices have been developed to help visually impaired people walk or read.

[0003] However, in the case of eye drops for the visually impaired, they are small in size and have similar shapes, making it difficult for the visually impaired to use them on their own.

[0004] Additionally, in the case of reusable eye drops, there is a problem that the eye drops may become contaminated and spoil if the eye drop outlet comes into contact with your hand or other objects.

[0005] There is a need to store eye drop containers containing eye drops for use by visually impaired people, and to provide devices to assist visually impaired people in using eye drops independently.

[0006] Additionally, a device is needed to provide information about eye drop containers stored in storage devices, which are difficult for visually impaired people to easily check, such as whether eye drops have been administered and whether there is a remaining amount of eye drops.

[0007] Additionally, there may be a need to provide devices with the above-described features not only for visually impaired users but also for users without visual impairments.

[0008] The problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0009] According to the present disclosure for achieving the above-described technical problem, an eye drop storage device that assists a user in using eye drops may be provided. The eye drop storage device may include a body. The eye drop storage device may include an eye drop holder connected to the body and configured to accommodate an eye drop container. The eye drop storage device may include a detection sensor connected to the body and configured to acquire a user input for opening or closing the lid of the eye drop container. The eye drop storage device may include an eye drop opening / closing unit connected to the body. The eye drop storage device may include at least one processor. The at least one processor may open or close the lid of the eye drop container based on a user input through the eye drop opening / closing unit.

[0010] In addition, according to the present disclosure, a method for operating an eye drop storage device that assists a user in using eye drops may be provided. The method for operating the eye drop storage device may include a step of acquiring a user input for opening or closing the cap of an eye drop container accommodated in an eye drop support unit connected to a body, through a detection sensor. The method for operating the eye drop storage device may include a step of opening or closing the cap of the eye drop container based on the user input, through an eye drop opening / closing unit connected to the body.

[0011] In addition, a computer-readable recording medium recording a computer program for executing a method for implementing the present disclosure may be further provided.

[0012] According to the aforementioned problem solving means of the present disclosure, an eye drop container can be received through an eye drop support, and the lid of the eye drop container can be opened or closed based on a user input for opening or closing the lid of the eye drop container.

[0013] Through this, not only visually impaired users but also users without visual impairments can open or close the lid of the eye drop container by providing input to the eye drop storage device without having to open or close the lid of the eye drop container directly.

[0014] In addition, the convenience of the user can be improved by providing notifications regarding information on the eye drop container stored through the eye drop storage device, the remaining amount of eye drops contained in the eye drop container, whether the lid of the eye drop container is open or closed, and the timing of eye drop application.

[0015] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining an eye drop storage device and an operating method of the eye drop storage device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining the configuration of an eye drop storage device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of an eye drop storage device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of an eye drop storage device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining the body and eye drop support of an eye drop storage device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining an eye drop opening / closing unit and a detection sensor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating an eye drop storage device including a plurality of modules according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining an eye drop storage device that accommodates a plurality of eye drop containers according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an operation of providing guide information to a user's electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Throughout this disclosure, the same reference numerals denote the same components. This disclosure does not describe all elements of the embodiments, and any content that is common in the technical field to which this disclosure pertains or that overlaps between embodiments is omitted. The terms "part, module, element, block" used in the specification may be implemented in software or hardware, and depending on the embodiments, multiple "parts, modules, elements, blocks" may be implemented as a single component, or a single "part, module, element, block" may include multiple components.

[0026] Additionally, when a part is said to "include" a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0027] The terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one component from another, and the components are not limited by the aforementioned terms.

[0028] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0029] The identification codes for each step are used for convenience of explanation and do not describe the order of each step. Each step may be performed in a different order than specified unless the context clearly indicates a specific order.

[0030] The operating principle and embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining an eye drop storage device and an operating method of the eye drop storage device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining the configuration of an eye drop storage device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one embodiment, an eye drop storage device (100) is illustrated in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the eye drop storage device (100) may include a body (110), an eye drop support (120), an eye drop opening / closing unit (130), a detection sensor (140), a head (150), a first camera (160), a second camera (170), a user input unit (180), a notification sensor (191), an interface unit (192), and at least one processor (193). The body (110), the eye drop support (120), the eye drop opening / closing unit (130), the detection sensor (140), the head (150), the first camera (160), the second camera (170), the notification sensor (191), the interface unit (192), and at least one processor (193) may each be electrically and / or physically connected to each other.

[0033] However, in some embodiments, the eye drop storage device (100) may include fewer or more components than those illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0034] In one embodiment, the eye drop storage device (100) can store eye drops through an eye drop support (120) that accommodates an eye drop container (200) and assist a user (220) in using eye drops. Specifically, the eye drop storage device (100) can obtain a user input of a user (220) to open or close a cap (210) of an eye drop container through a detection sensor (140), and can open or close the cap (210) of the eye drop container (200) accommodated in the eye drop support (120) through an eye drop opening / closing unit (130).

[0035] Through this, the user (220) can open or close the lid (210) of the eye drop container through the eye drop storage device (100) without performing a separate action such as holding the eye drop container (200) and the lid (210) of the eye drop container and rotating the lid (210) of the eye drop container to open or close the lid (210) of the eye drop container. Therefore, the convenience of using eye drops for the user (220) can be increased. In addition, the convenience of the user (220) can be increased by providing the user (220) with information such as whether the lid (210) of the eye drop container is opened or closed, the remaining amount of eye drops contained in the eye drop container (200), and whether eye drops have been administered through the notification sensor (191).

[0036] In one embodiment, the body (110) is coupled with components included in the eye drop storage device (100) to determine the positions of the components and protect the components from external impact. In FIG. 1, the body (110) is illustrated as having an 'L' shape, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the body (110) and the head portion (150) may be integrally formed to have a 'ㄷ' shape.

[0037] In one embodiment, the eye drop holder (120) may be connected to the body (110) and may have a shape capable of accommodating the eye drop container (200). In one embodiment, the eye drop holder (120) may include a portion connected to the body (110) and a portion formed in the shape of a handle for accommodating the eye drop container (200). In one embodiment, the shape of the body (110) will be described later with reference to FIG. 5.

[0038] In one embodiment, the eye drop opening / closing unit (130) may be connected to the body (110) and may have a shape that can open or close the lid (210) of the eye drop container. In one embodiment, the eye drop opening / closing unit (130) may include a grip portion (131) that can hold the lid (210) of the eye drop container, a rotation portion (132) that is connected to the grip portion (131) and rotates the grip portion (131), and a moving portion (133) that moves the grip portion (131) and the rotation portion (132).

[0039] In one embodiment, the grip portion (131) may have a shape corresponding to the cap (210) of the eye drop container so as to be able to hold the cap (210) of the eye drop container. In one embodiment, the shape of the grip portion (131) may be variable. In one embodiment, the width or depth of the handle portion of the grip portion (131) may be adjusted to correspond to the shapes of the eye drop container (200) and the cap (210) of the eye drop container obtained through the first camera (160) and the second camera (170) to be described later. At least one processor (193) may adjust the shape of the grip portion (131) to correspond to the shapes of the eye drop container (200) and the cap (210) of the eye drop container obtained through the first camera (160) and the second camera (170).

[0040] In one embodiment, the rotating portion (132) can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. The rotating portion (132) is connected to the grip portion (131) and can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise together with the grip portion.

[0041] In one embodiment, at least one processor (193) can rotate the rotation unit (132) clockwise or counterclockwise after holding the lid (210) of the eye dropper bottle through the grip unit (131). In one embodiment, the direction in which the at least one processor (193) rotates the rotation unit (132) can be determined depending on whether the operation of opening or closing the lid (210) of the eye dropper bottle is performed. Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, when the operation of opening the lid (210) of the eye dropper bottle is performed, it will be described that at least one processor (193) rotates the rotation unit (132) counterclockwise, and when the operation of closing the lid (210) of the eye dropper bottle is performed, it will be described that at least one processor (193) rotates the rotation unit (132) clockwise. However, it will be understood that the rotation directions of the rotation unit (132) for opening and closing the lid (210) of the eye dropper bottle may be interchanged.

[0042] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and if the lid (210) of the eye dropper is structured to open regardless of rotation, at least one processor (193) may not rotate the rotating part (132).

[0043] In one embodiment, the moving part (133) can be connected to the body (110). The moving part (133) can move in an upward or downward direction while connected to the body (110). The moving part (133) can be connected to the rotating part (132) to move the rotating part (132) and the grip part (131). The moving part (133) can also be connected to the rotating part (132) and the grip part (131). In one embodiment, the moving part (133) can be moved in an upward direction to open the lid (210) of the eye dropper bottle (200) when the lid (210) of the eye dropper bottle is coupled to the eye dropper bottle (200) accommodated in the eye dropper support (120). The moving part (133) can be moved downward to close the lid (210) of the eye drop container when the eye drop container (200) accommodated in the eye drop support part (120) and the lid (210) of the eye drop container held by the grip part (131) are spaced apart from each other.

[0044] In one embodiment, at least one processor (193) can release the coupling between the eye drop container (200) and the lid (210) of the eye drop container through the fixed portion (131) and the rotating portion (132), and then move the moving portion (133) upward to separate the eye drop container (200) and the lid (210) of the eye drop container from each other. Through this, at least one processor (193) can open the lid (210) of the eye drop container.

[0045] In one embodiment, when the eye drop container (200) accommodated in the eye drop holder (120) and the lid (210) of the eye drop container fixed by the fixing member (131) are spaced apart from each other, at least one processor (193) can move the moving member (133) downward and then rotate the rotating member (132) clockwise to couple the eye drop container (200) and the lid (210) of the eye drop container to each other. Through this, at least one processor (193) can close the lid (210) of the eye drop container.

[0046] In one embodiment, if the lid (210) of the eye drop container has a structure that does not require rotation to open and close, at least one processor (193) may fix the lid (210) of the eye drop container through the fixing part (131) and move the moving part (133) upward to open the lid (210) of the eye drop container or move the moving part (133) downward to close the lid (210) of the eye drop container.

[0047] In one embodiment, a detection sensor (140) may be connected to the body (110). The detection sensor (140) may obtain a user input from a user (200) for opening or closing the lid (210) of an eye drop container (200) accommodated in an eye drop storage device (100). In one embodiment, the detection sensor (140) may include a pressure sensor that detects pressure. At least one processor (193) may obtain the pressure of the user (220) provided through the eye drop support (120) as a user input using the pressure sensor. The detection sensor (140) will be described below with reference to FIG. 6.

[0048] In one embodiment, the head (150) may be connected to the body (110). The head (150) may be positioned at the upper end of the body (110). The head (150) may be positioned at the upper end of the eye drop support (120), the detection sensor (140), and the eye drop opening / closing unit (130) connected to the body (110). The head (150) may protect the body (110), the eye drop support (120), the detection sensor (140), and the eye drop opening / closing unit (130) from external impact. In addition, a first camera (160), a second camera (170), and a user input unit (180) may be positioned at the head (150). In one embodiment, the body (110) and the head portion (150) are illustrated as separate components in FIG. 1, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the body (110) and the head portion (150) may be components having an integral shape.

[0049] In one embodiment, the first camera (160) can capture a user (220). In one embodiment, the first camera (160) can be positioned on the head (150) and positioned to capture the exterior of the eye drop storage device (100). In one embodiment, the first camera (160) can be an RGB camera that captures an image including RGB information. In addition, the first camera (160) can be an RGB-Depth camera that captures an image including RGB information and depth information.

[0050] In one embodiment, at least one processor (193) may acquire a first image through the first camera (160). The first image may include information on whether the user (220) has accessed the eye drop storage device (100), and information on the eye drop container (200) brought into the eye drop storage device (100) to be accommodated in the eye drop support (120). Based on the acquired first image, at least one processor (193) may determine at least one of whether the user (220) has accessed the eye drop storage device (100), information on the eye drop container (200) accommodated in the eye drop support (120), or the amount of eye drop contained in the eye drop container (200).

[0051] In one embodiment, at least one processor (193) may include a model for detecting an object included in the first image. In one embodiment, at least one processor (193) may detect a user (220) included in the first image and determine whether the user (220) is approaching the eye drop storage device (100).

[0052] In one embodiment, at least one processor (193) may pre-set a reference distance from the first camera (160), and if the distance of a person detected in the first image is within the reference distance, it may be determined that the person has approached the eye drop storage device (100). If the distance of a person detected in the first image is further than the reference distance, it may be determined that the person has not approached the eye drop storage device (100).

[0053] In one embodiment, at least one processor (193) may obtain and determine information about the eye drop (e.g., name of the eye drop, dosage of the eye drop contained in the eye drop container, manufacturing date of the eye drop, expiration date of the eye drop, single dose of the eye drop, number of times to be administered the eye drop per day, etc.) based on the eye drop container (200) detected in the first image. In one embodiment, at least one processor (193) may obtain the information about the eye drop based on a sticker or barcode attached to the eye drop container (200) detected in the first image.

[0054] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and at least one processor (193) includes a model for recognizing or segmenting an object included in a first image, and using the above models, at least one of whether the user (220) has accessed the eye drop storage device (100), information on the eye drop container (200) accommodated in the eye drop support (120), or the amount of eye drops included in the eye drop container (200) can be determined.

[0055] In addition, at least one processor (193) includes a deep learning model such as a CNN (Convolutional Neural Network) or a ViT (Vision Transformer), and can use the deep learning model to determine at least one of whether the user (220) has accessed the eye drop storage device (100), information on the eye drop container (200) contained in the eye drop support (120), or the amount of eye drops contained in the eye drop container (200).

[0056] In one embodiment, the second camera (170) can capture images of the eye drop container (200) contained in the eye drop storage device (100), the lid (210) of the eye drop container, and the eye drops contained in the eye drop container (200). In one embodiment, the second camera (170) can be positioned to capture images of the inside of the eye drop storage device (100). In one embodiment, the second camera (170) can be an RGB camera that captures images including RGB information. In addition, the second camera (170) can be an RGB-Depth camera that captures images including RGB information and depth information.

[0057] In one embodiment, at least one processor (193) may acquire a second image through the second camera (170). The second image may include information such as information on the eye drop container (200), the amount of eye drops contained in the eye drop container (200), and whether the lid (210) of the eye drop container is opened or closed. Based on the acquired second image, at least one processor (193) may determine at least one of information on the eye drop container (200), the amount of eye drops contained in the eye drop container (200), and whether the lid (210) of the eye drop container is opened or closed.

[0058] In one embodiment, at least one processor (193) may include a model for detecting an object included in the second image. In one embodiment, at least one processor (193) may detect an eye dropper (200), a cap (210) of the eye dropper, eye drops included in the eye dropper (200), etc. included in the second image, and determine at least one of information about the eye dropper (200), the amount of eye drops included in the eye dropper (200), and whether the cap (210) of the eye dropper is open or closed.

[0059] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and at least one processor (193) includes a model for recognizing or segmenting an object included in a second image, and using the above models, at least one of information on the eye dropper (200), the amount of eye drops included in the eye dropper (200), and whether the lid (210) of the eye dropper is opened or closed can be determined.

[0060] In addition, at least one processor (193) includes a deep learning model such as a CNN (Convolutional Neural Network) or a ViT (Vision Transformer), and can use the deep learning model to determine at least one of information on the eye dropper (200), the amount of eye drops contained in the eye dropper (200), and whether the lid (210) of the eye dropper is open or closed.

[0061] In one embodiment, at least one processor (193) can obtain user input for controlling the eye drop storage device (100) from a user (220) via the user input unit (180).

[0062] In one embodiment, the user input unit (180) may include hardware physical keys (e.g., buttons located on at least one of the front, rear, and side of the device, dome switches, jog wheels, jog switches, etc.) and software touch keys. As an example, the touch keys may be formed as virtual keys, soft keys, or visual keys displayed on a touchscreen-type display unit through software processing, or as touch keys positioned on a part other than the touchscreen. Meanwhile, the virtual keys or visual keys may have various forms and be displayed on the touchscreen, and may be formed as, for example, graphics, text, icons, videos, or a combination thereof.

[0063] In one embodiment, the user (220) may input the name of the eye drop, the dosage of the eye drop contained in the eye drop container (200), the manufacturing date of the eye drop, the expiration date of the eye drop, the single dose of the eye drop, the number of times the eye drop is administered per day, the dosage of the eye drop contained in the eye drop container (200), whether the lid (210) of the eye drop container is opened, etc., through the user input unit (180). In addition, the user (220) may provide a user input to receive a notification through a notification sensor (191) described below, through the user input unit (180).

[0064] In one embodiment, the notification sensor (191) can provide a notification to the outside. In one embodiment, the notification sensor (191) can provide a notification to a user (220) using the eye drop storage device (100). At this time, the notification can include information on at least one of whether the lid (210) of the eye drop container accommodated in the eye drop holder (120) is open or closed, the number of times the eye drop is administered using the eye drop container (200) accommodated in the eye drop holder (120), the type of the eye drop container (200), the capacity of the eye drop container (200), information on the capacity of the eye drop contained in the eye drop container (200), the single-administration dose of the eye drop, the number of times the eye drop is administered per day, or a preset eye drop administration notification.

[0065] In one embodiment, the notification sensor (191) may include a speaker that provides a notification to the user (220) through sound. The notification sensor (191) may include a vibration sensor that provides a notification to the user (220) through vibration. The notification sensor (191) may include a display that provides a notification to the user (220) through a screen. In one embodiment, the notification sensor (191) may include at least one of a speaker, a vibration sensor, or a display. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the notification sensor (191) may also include other types of sensors that can provide a notification to the user (220).

[0066] In one embodiment, the interface unit (192) may be a configuration for performing data communication between the eye drop storage device (100) and an external server or peripheral electronic device. In one embodiment, the interface unit (192) may include a communication interface. The communication interface may include one or more components that enable communication with an external server or other peripheral electronic devices, and may include, for example, at least one of a wireless communication module, a short-range communication module, and a location information module.

[0067] The wireless communication module may include a wireless communication module that supports various wireless communication methods such as GSM (global System for Mobile Communication), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system), TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G, 5G, and 6G, in addition to a WiFi module and a Wireless Broadband module.

[0068] The wireless communication module may include a wireless communication interface including an antenna and a transmitter for transmitting data signals. In addition, the wireless communication module may further include a data signal conversion module that modulates a digital control signal output from at least one processor (193) through the wireless communication interface into an analog wireless signal under the control of at least one processor (193).

[0069] The wireless communication module may include a wireless communication interface including an antenna and a receiver for receiving data signals. Furthermore, the wireless communication module may further include a data signal conversion module for demodulating an analog wireless signal received through the wireless communication interface into a digital control signal.

[0070] The short-range communication module is for short-range communication, and can support short-range communication using at least one of Bluetooth™ RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), infrared communication (Infrared Data Association; IrDA), UWB (Ultra Wideband), ZigBee, NFC (Near Field Communication), Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity), Wi-Fi Direct, and Wireless USB (Wireless Universal Serial Bus) technologies.

[0071] In one embodiment, at least one processor (193) may be a general-purpose processor such as a CPU, an AP, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or a graphics-only processor such as a GPU or a VPU (Vision Processing Unit). The at least one processor (193) may further include a memory that stores data supporting various functions of the eye drop storage device (100). In one embodiment, the at least one processor (193) may control the operation of the eye drop storage device (100) according to predefined operation rules, data, or commands stored in the memory.

[0072] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of an eye drop storage device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0073] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, in one embodiment, the method of operating the eye drop storage device (100) may include a step (S100) of acquiring a user input of a user (220) for opening or closing a cap (210) of an eye drop container accommodated in an eye drop support (120) connected to a body (110) through a detection sensor (140).

[0074] In one embodiment, in the step (S100) of obtaining a user input of a user (220) through a detection sensor (140), at least one processor (193) can obtain a user input for opening or closing the lid (210) of the eye drop container (200) contained in the eye drop support (120) through the detection sensor (140).

[0075] In one embodiment, the operating method of the eye drop storage device (100) may include a step (S200) of opening the lid (210) of the eye drop container from the eye drop container (200) based on a user input, or closing the eye drop container (200) with the lid (210) of the eye drop container, through the eye drop opening / closing unit (130) connected to the body (110).

[0076] In one embodiment, in the step (S200) of opening or closing the lid (210) of the eye dropper bottle, at least one processor (193) can control the eye dropper opening / closing unit (130) to open the lid (210) of the eye dropper bottle from the eye dropper bottle (200), or to close the eye dropper bottle (200) with the lid (210) of the eye dropper bottle. In one embodiment, at least one processor (193) can check the structure of the eye dropper bottle (200) and the lid (210) of the eye dropper bottle through the first camera (160) and the second camera (170), and can open or close the lid (210) of the eye dropper bottle by controlling the operation of each of the fixed part (131), the rotating part (132), and the moving part (132).

[0077] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of an eye drop storage device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, in one embodiment, in the step (S100) of acquiring user input through a detection sensor, the user's pressure may be detected through a pressure sensor (140) that detects pressure, and acquired as a user input. In one embodiment, in the step (S100) of detecting and acquiring user input through the pressure sensor (140), at least one processor (193) may detect the user's pressure through the pressure sensor (140) and acquire the detected user pressure as a user input. In one embodiment, when the pressure sensor (140) is connected to the eye drop supporter (120), at least one processor (193) may detect the user's pressure provided through the eye drop supporter (120) through the pressure sensor (140), and acquire the detected user's pressure as a user input.

[0079] In one embodiment, when the pressure sensor (140) is placed between the body (110) and the eye drop support (120), in the step (S100) of detecting user input, the pressure of the user pushing the eye drop support (120) toward the body (110) can be detected through the pressure sensor (140), and the detected user pressure can be obtained as the user input.

[0080] In one embodiment, the operating method of the eye drop storage device (100) may include a step (S210) of opening the lid (210) of the eye drop container (200) accommodated in the eye drop support (120) when the user input is obtained while the lid (210) of the eye drop container is closed through the eye drop opening / closing unit (130). The operating method of the eye drop storage device (100) may include a step (S220) of closing the lid (210) of the eye drop container (200) accommodated in the eye drop support (120) when the user input is obtained while the lid (210) of the eye drop container is open through the eye drop opening / closing unit (130).

[0081] In one embodiment, at least one processor (193) can determine whether the lid (210) of the eye dropper bottle is open or closed from the eye dropper bottle (200) based on at least one of the first image captured by the first camera (160) or the second image captured through the second camera (170). In addition, at least one processor (193) can determine whether the lid (210) of the eye dropper bottle is currently open or closed from the eye dropper bottle (200) based on the operation record of the eye dropper opening / closing unit (130) just before, depending on whether the lid (210) of the eye dropper bottle was opened or closed through the eye dropper opening / closing unit (130) just before.

[0082] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a body and an eye drop support of an eye drop storage device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, the same components as those described in FIG. 1 are assigned the same drawing reference numerals, and duplicate drawing reference numerals are omitted.

[0083] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, in one embodiment, FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an eye drop storage device (100) to explain the structure and shape of the body (110) and the eye drop support (120).

[0084] In one embodiment, FIG. 5 illustrates an eye drop holder (120) with an eye drop container (200) and a lid (210) of the eye drop container coupled to the eye drop container (200). The lid (210) of the eye drop container may be coupled to the eye drop container (200) and may be in a closed state.

[0085] In one embodiment, the part of the body (110) surrounding the eye drop holder (120) may have a curved shape. In one embodiment, the part of the body (110) surrounding the eye drop holder (120) is a part that a user (220) approaches to receive the eye drop container (200) in the eye drop holder (120) or to take out the eye drop container (200) received in the eye drop holder (120), and may have a curved shape to protect the user (220). In one embodiment, when the user (220) has low vision due to a visual impairment or the like, the user (220) may unintentionally come into contact with the body (110) when approaching the eye drop storage device (100) to receive the eye drop container (200) in the eye drop holder (120) or to take out the eye drop container (200) received in the eye drop holder (120). At this time, in order to protect the body of the user (220), the part of the body (110) exposed toward the user (220) may have a curved shape.

[0086] In one embodiment, the eye drop support (120) may have a shape for accommodating the eye drop container (200). In one embodiment, the eye drop support (120) may have a shape in which a portion opposite to the portion connected to the body (110), i.e., an open portion, has a large width and a small width. In one embodiment, the small width may be smaller than the diameter of the eye drop container (200), and the large width may be larger than the diameter of the eye drop container (200). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the eye drop support (120) may have various shapes for accommodating the eye drop container (200). In addition, the shape of the eye drop support (120) may be variable, and the shape of the eye drop support (120) may change based on the shape of the eye drop container (200) determined under the control of at least one processor (193).

[0087] In one embodiment, the eye drop holder (120) may include a material having elasticity, such as a spring or rubber. This may increase the convenience of the user (220) when receiving the eye drop container (200) in the eye drop holder (120) or when taking out the eye drop container (200) received from the eye drop holder (120).

[0088] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating an eye drop opening / closing unit and a detection sensor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, the same components as those described in FIG. 1 are assigned the same drawing reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0089] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 6, in one embodiment, when the detection sensor (140) is a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor (140) may be placed between the body (110) and the eye drop support (120). Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, it will be described that the detection sensor (140) is a pressure sensor (140).

[0090] In one embodiment, a pressure sensor (140) may be disposed between the body (110) and the eye drop support (120) to sense pressure applied to the eye drop support (120). At least one processor (193) may sense user pressure (600) applied through the user support (120) through the pressure sensor (140). At least one processor (193) may obtain user input based on the user pressure (600) sensed through the pressure sensor (140).

[0091] In one embodiment, a user (220) may apply user pressure (600) to the eye drop holder (120) while receiving the eye drop container (200) in the eye drop holder (120). In this case, at least one processor (193) may obtain user input through a pressure sensor (140), and when it is confirmed that the lid (210) of the eye drop container is closed, the lid (210) of the eye drop container may be opened through the eye drop opening / closing unit (130).

[0092] In one embodiment, a user (220) may apply user pressure (600) to push the eye drop holder (120) toward the body (110) while the eye drop container (200) is accommodated in the eye drop holder (120). In this case, at least one processor (193) may obtain user input through a pressure sensor (140), and if it is confirmed that the lid (210) of the eye drop container is open, the lid (210) of the eye drop container may be closed through the eye drop opening / closing unit (130).

[0093] In addition, even when the eye drop container (200) is accommodated in the eye drop holder (120), the user (220) can apply user pressure (600) to push the eye drop holder (120) toward the body (110). In this case, at least one processor (193) can check whether the lid (210) of the eye drop container is open or closed, and open or close the lid (210) of the eye drop container as appropriate for each case.

[0094] Through this, the user (220) can easily open or close the lid (210) of the eye drop container through the same type of user pressure (600). In addition, the eye drop storage device (100) can also obtain user input using a common pressure sensor (140) without the need to include a separate pressure sensor (140) for opening or closing the lid (210) of the eye drop container.

[0095] FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating an eye drop storage device including a plurality of modules according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, components identical to those described in FIG. 5 are assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0096] In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 7, in one embodiment, the eye drop storage device (100) may include a plurality of modules (700, 710, 720) that are connected to each other. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of modules (700, 710, 720) may include a body (110), an eye drop support (120), a detection sensor (130), an eye drop opening / closing unit (130), and a head (150). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and each of the plurality of modules (700, 710, 720) may include all of the components of the eye drop storage device (100) configured in FIGS. 1 and 2. In addition, the plurality of modules (700, 710, 720) may be jointly controlled by at least one common processor (193).

[0097] In one embodiment, the eye drop storage device (100) is illustrated in FIG. 7 as including three modules (700, 710, 720), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The eye drop storage device (100) may include two modules or four or more modules.

[0098] In one embodiment, each of the plurality of modules (700, 710, 720) may accommodate an eye drop container (200) containing a different type of eye drop. This may increase the convenience of a user (220) using multiple types of eye drops.

[0099] In one embodiment, the body (110) of each of the plurality of modules (700, 710, 720) may have a curved shape in a portion exposed toward the user (220). In one embodiment, each of the bodies may also be formed to have a curved shape in a portion where they are connected to each other.

[0100] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining an eye drop storage device that accommodates a plurality of eye drop containers according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0101] In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 2 and 8, FIG. 8 illustrates a group eye drop container (810) in which a plurality of eye drop containers are combined in an eye drop storage device (100) and accommodated in an eye drop support (800). In one embodiment, each of the plurality of eye drop containers illustrated in FIG. 8 may be an eye drop container that accommodates disposable eye drops. The group eye drop container (810) may be a form in which eye drop containers that accommodate disposable eye drops are combined with each other. In one embodiment, a user (220) accommodates the group eye drop container (810) in the eye drop support (800) and, if necessary, can separate and use one eye drop container among the group eye drop containers (810).

[0102] In one embodiment, the eye drop holder (800) may have a shape to accommodate a group eye drop container (810). In one embodiment, the eye drop holder (800) may have a straight groove to accommodate the group eye drop container (810). The group eye drop container (810) may be accommodated in the eye drop holder (800) through the groove described above.

[0103] In one embodiment, the eye drop opening / closing unit of the eye drop storage device (100) for accommodating the group eye drop containers (810) can open or close the lid of one of the group eye drop containers (810). In one embodiment, the eye drop opening / closing unit can open or close the lid of the eye drop container closest to the user (220) among the group eye drop containers (810).

[0104] In one embodiment, the first camera and the second camera of the eye drop storage device (100) for accommodating the group eye drop container (810) can capture an image including a sticker or barcode attached to the group eye drop container (810). At least one processor of the eye drop storage device (100) for accommodating the group eye drop container (810) can detect the sticker or barcode from the image, and based on the detected sticker or barcode, can determine and obtain information such as the number of eye drop containers included in the group eye drop container (810), the type of disposable eye drop contained in the eye drop container, the dosage of the disposable eye drop, and the number of times to be administered per day.

[0105] In one embodiment, the notification sensor of the eye drop storage device (100) for accommodating the group eye drop container (810) can provide the user (220) with information such as the number of eye drop containers contained in the group eye drop container (810), the type of disposable eye drop contained in the eye drop container, the dosage of the disposable eye drop, and the number of times to be administered per day.

[0106] In one embodiment, the interface unit (192) of the eye drop storage device (100) for accommodating the group eye drop container (810) may provide information such as the number of eye drop containers included in the group eye drop container (810), the type of disposable eye drop contained in the eye drop container, the dosage of disposable eye drop, and the number of times to be administered per day to an external server or a peripheral electronic device.

[0107] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an operation of providing guide information to a user's electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0108] In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 9, FIG. 9 illustrates an eye drop storage device (100) and an electronic device (800) of a user (220). In one embodiment, the electronic device (800) of the user (220) may include, but is not limited to, a smart phone, a tablet PC, a portable terminal, a wearable device, a healthcare device, and the like.

[0109] In one embodiment, the eye drop storage device (100) can provide guide information to the electronic device (800). In one embodiment, at least one processor (193) can provide guide information including at least one of information on whether the cap (210) of the eye drop container (200) accommodated in the eye drop supporter (120) is open or closed, the number of times the eye drop container (200) accommodated in the eye drop supporter (120) is administered, the type of the eye drop container (200), the capacity of the eye drop container (200), the capacity of the eye drop container (200) contained in the eye drop container (200), or a notification for administering a preset eye drop container. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and at least one processor (193) may provide information related to the eye drop container (200) determined through the interface unit (192), whether the lid (210) of the eye drop container is open or closed, and eye drops contained in the eye drop container (200) as guide information to the electronic device (800).

[0110] In one embodiment, the eye drop storage device (100) can determine the location of the electronic device (800) and whether the electronic device (800) is approaching the eye drop storage device (100) by using a short-range communication module or a wireless communication module, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, included in the first camera (160) or the interface unit (192). In one embodiment, the eye drop storage device (100) can provide guide information to the electronic device (800) through the interface unit (192) when it is determined that the electronic device (800) is located within a preset approach distance (e.g., 5 m or 10 m). Accordingly, even if the user (220) does not provide a separate user input by accessing the eye drop storage device (100), the user can receive information on at least one of the following: whether the lid (210) of the eye drop container (200) contained in the eye drop storage device (100) is open or closed, the number of times the eye drop is administered using the eye drop container (200) contained in the eye drop support (120), the type of the eye drop container (200), the capacity of the eye drop container (200), the capacity of the eye drop container contained in the eye drop container (200), or a notification for administration of a preset eye drop.

[0111] Additionally, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the user (220) may provide user input to the eye drop storage device (100) through the electronic device (800), in which case the eye drop storage device (100) may provide the above-described information to the user (220) through the notification sensor (191).

[0112] The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented directly in hardware, implemented as a software module executed by hardware, or implemented by a combination thereof. The software module may reside in a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a flash memory, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of computer-readable recording medium well known in the art to which the present disclosure pertains.

[0113] While the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure can be implemented in other specific forms without altering the technical spirit or essential features thereof. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

Claims

1. In an eye drop storage device that assists the user in using eye drops, body; An eye drop support connected to the above body and housing an eye drop container; A detection sensor connected to the body and obtaining a user input for opening or closing the lid of the eye dropper; An eye drop opening / closing part connected to the above body; and Contains at least one processor, At least one processor, An eye drop storage device in which the lid of the eye drop container opens or closes based on the user input through the eye drop opening / closing unit.

2. In paragraph 1, The above detection sensor detects pressure and includes a pressure sensor connected to the eye drop support, At least one processor, An eye drop storage device that obtains the user's pressure provided through the eye drop support as the user input using the pressure sensor.

3. In paragraph 2, The pressure sensor is placed between the body and the eye drop support, At least one processor, An eye drop storage device that obtains the pressure of the user pushing the eye drop support toward the body as the user input using the pressure sensor.

4. In paragraph 3, At least one processor, An eye drop storage device that opens the lid of the eye drop container through the eye drop opening and closing unit when the user input is obtained while the lid of the eye drop container accommodated in the eye drop support is closed.

5. In paragraph 4, At least one processor, An eye drop storage device that closes the lid of the eye drop container through the eye drop opening and closing unit when the user input is obtained while the lid of the eye drop container accommodated in the eye drop support is open.

6. In paragraph 1, An eye drop storage device further comprising a head portion connected to the body and positioned on the upper side of the eye drop support portion, the detection sensor, and the eye drop opening / closing portion, and covering the eye drop support portion, the detection sensor, and the eye drop opening / closing portion.

7. In paragraph 6, The above eye drop storage device comprises a plurality of modules connected to each other, An eye drop storage device, wherein each of the plurality of modules comprises the body, the eye drop support, the detection sensor, the eye drop opening / closing unit, and the head.

8. In paragraph 1, The above eye drop opening and closing part is, A grip portion for holding the lid of the eye dropper; a rotating part that rotates the grip part; and An eye drop storage device including a moving part that moves the grip part and the rotating part.

9. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a first camera for photographing the user, At least one processor, An eye drop storage device that determines at least one of whether the user has accessed the eye drop storage device, information on the eye drop container contained in the eye drop holder, or the amount of eye drop contained in the eye drop container, based on the first image acquired through the first camera.

10. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a second camera for photographing the eye drop container accommodated in the eye drop support, At least one processor, An eye drop storage device that determines at least one of information on the eye drop container, the amount of eye drop contained in the eye drop container, or whether the lid of the eye drop container is open or closed based on a second image acquired through the second camera.

11. In paragraph 1, The above eye drop storage device further includes a notification sensor that provides a notification to the outside, The at least one processor provides the notification to the user through the notification sensor, An eye drop storage device in which the notification includes at least one of information on whether the lid of the eye drop container accommodated in the eye drop holder is opened or closed, the number of times eye drops are administered using the eye drop container accommodated in the eye drop holder, the type of the eye drop container, the capacity of the eye drop container, the capacity of the eye drop container contained in the eye drop container, or a preset notification for administering the eye drop.

12. In paragraph 1, The above eye drop storage device further includes an interface portion, At least one processor, An eye drop storage device that provides guide information including at least one of information on whether the lid of the eye drop container contained in the eye drop holder is open or closed, the number of times eye drops are administered using the eye drop container contained in the eye drop holder, the type of the eye drop container, the capacity of the eye drop container, the capacity of the eye drop container contained in the eye drop container, or a preset notification for administering the eye drop through the interface unit to the user's electronic device.

13. In the operating method of an eye drop storage device that assists the user in using eye drops, A step of acquiring a user input for opening or closing the lid of an eye drop container accommodated in an eye drop holder connected to the body through a detection sensor; and An operating method of an eye drop storage device, comprising a step of opening or closing the lid of the eye drop container based on the user input through an eye drop opening / closing unit connected to the body.

14. In paragraph 13, The above detection sensor detects pressure and includes a pressure sensor connected to the eye drop support, In the step of obtaining the above user input, An operating method of an eye drop storage device that obtains the user's pressure provided through the eye drop support as the user input through the pressure sensor.

15. In paragraph 14, The pressure sensor is placed between the body and the eye drop support, In the step of obtaining the above user input, An operating method of an eye drop storage device that obtains the pressure of the user pushing the eye drop support toward the body as the user input through the pressure sensor.

Images