Medication Identification via Image Recognition and Database Query
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in identifying medications and managing their schedules, particularly for those taking multiple medications, due to the difficulty in recognizing pills by their appearance alone and the complexity of determining potential adverse interactions without access to package inserts.
Innovation Solution
A medical monitoring system and method that uses a client device to capture images of medications, extracts characteristic information, and compares them to reference images or databases to identify the medications, track usage, and determine interaction effects, allowing for logging, scheduling, and refill tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a user manually reviews package inserts to determine medication interactions, then interaction information can be obtained, but the process is time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of reviewing package inserts with an automated optical recognition system. The system uses image capture devices to photograph medications and automatically extracts identification information, then queries a database to determine interactions, eliminating the need for manual review of package inserts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the medication identification process by capturing images and extracting characteristic information (imprints, shapes, colors) to identify medications automatically. This digital copying replaces the physical act of manually reading and comparing package insert information.
2Ease of operation
If medication identification relies on imprint codes alone, then identification is possible, but additional context is required that users typically do not have
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs multiple functions in a single integrated process: it captures images, extracts multiple characteristic features (imprints, shapes, colors, sizes), compares them against reference data, and provides identification results. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for users to separately gather context information about imprint codes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-processes and stores comprehensive medication reference information including imprint codes, shapes, colors, and other characteristics in a database. When a user captures an image, the system has already prepared the reference data needed for immediate comparison and identification, eliminating the need for users to have prior knowledge or access to external context information.
3Loss of information
If users carry package inserts to check interactions, then interaction information is available, but users typically do not carry them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical carrying and manual consulting of package inserts with a digital database system accessible through the mobile device. The system automatically queries the database for interaction information based on identified medications, eliminating the need for users to physically carry package inserts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a database as an intermediary between the user and medication interaction information. Instead of users directly accessing package inserts, the system captures medication images, identifies them, queries the database for interactions, and presents the information, serving as a convenient intermediary that provides access without requiring users to carry physical inserts.
4Loss of information
If multiple medications are tracked manually, then usage can be logged, but it is difficult to remember timing and log taking
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service medication tracking by automatically capturing images, identifying medications, and logging usage information without requiring active user intervention for each entry. Users simply capture images at scheduled times, and the system handles identification, database queries, and logging automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by prompting users to capture medication images at scheduled intervals (e.g., morning, evening, with meals). This structured periodic approach makes it easier for users to remember when to log medications while the system automatically handles the detailed tracking and timing information.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical monitoring system extracts characteristic information for one or more medications from an image of the one or more medications on an uncontrolled background, the image being taken by a client device associated with a user of the medical monitoring system. The medical monitoring system determines prescription information associated with a medication, of the one or more medications, using the extracted characteristic information and a medication database, the medication database containing mappings between prescription information and characteristic information for a plurality of medications. The medical monitoring system provides a portion of the prescription information to the client device.