Medicine Container Cap Circuit for Usage Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for tracking medication usage in containers are limited by the need for continuous communication with a home base station, are not portable, and cannot handle liquids, making them impractical for various environments and medication forms.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained circuit within a medicine container cap that includes a multi-board PCB design with a camera, scale, and communication elements, allowing for the tracking and transmission of usage data without continuous base station communication, capable of handling different medication forms including liquids, and featuring wireless charging and data storage for portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a home base station communication system is used for tracking medication usage, then usage tracking capability is improved, but portability deteriorates due to continuous communication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The container system performs self-service by autonomously detecting cap opening/closing events, capturing images of medication contents, measuring weight changes, and storing usage data locally without requiring continuous external communication. The system only communicates when needed to transfer stored data, enabling portable operation while maintaining reliable tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-capturing images, pre-measuring weights, and pre-storing usage data during disconnected periods. This allows the system to accumulate tracking information locally and synchronize with external systems only when communication is available, resolving the contradiction between continuous tracking and portability.
2Extent of automation
If electronic pill dispenser systems with special trays are used, then medication dispensing control is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because they cannot handle liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The container system achieves universality by designing a single platform that can handle multiple medication forms including pills, liquids, and other formulations. The cap-based sensing system, image capture, and weight measurement work together to track usage regardless of medication physical state, eliminating the need for form-specific dispensers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical dispensing mechanisms with a sensing-based tracking approach. Instead of mechanically controlling dispensing for different medication forms, the system uses cap sensors, images, and weight measurements to detect and record usage events, enabling compatibility across various medication types without specialized mechanical components.
3Loss of information
If continuous communication with base station is implemented, then data transmission capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to constant connectivity requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by communicating with external systems only at specific intervals or when triggered by specific events (e.g., when the container is opened/closed or when synchronization is needed). This reduces communication frequency and system complexity while ensuring important usage data is transmitted periodically to maintain data integrity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a compact circuit design is used to meet form factor requirements, then portability is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple detection functions into a single integrated cap-based sensing system. The cap incorporates sensors that detect opening/closing events, triggers image capture, and initiates weight measurements, combining multiple precision-critical functions into one compact unit that maintains accuracy while meeting form factor requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and portable tracking of medication usage, ensuring adherence to medication regimens with alerts and notifications, even in disconnected states, and automatically adjusts to changes in medication contents, reducing user burden and ensuring seamless regimen maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The container can include a scale 116. The scale 116 can be positioned at a bottom of the container 100, for example, for measuring the content 110.
Implementation Method 2
The circuit components 108 can include a camera 203, a controller circuit 202
Data Source
AI summary
A medicine container includes a controller and a scale connected with the controller. The scale is configured to measure a weight of a content contained in the medicine container. An inertial measurement unit connects with the controller. The inertial measurement unit is configured to detect a position of the medicine container. The controller is configured to process the position information to ensure that the container is located in an upright position before the weight measurement is considered.