Multiple Lockable Medication Containers for Controlled Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Travelers are exposed to health risks due to unfamiliar water purification technologies and diseases in foreign destinations, necessitating the need for secure and controlled access to medications.

Innovation Solution

A locking medication container with a secure locking mechanism that allows authorized access using credentials, ensuring medications are only dispensed according to predetermined schedules or user authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to the medication container, then security and controlled access are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication access controlVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A credential (such as a code, card, or biometric data) is introduced as an intermediary between the user and the locking mechanism. The credential serves as a mediator that enables authorized access without requiring direct mechanical or electronic interaction with the lock itself, thereby maintaining security while simplifying the user interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism is designed to automatically authenticate and unlock based on the presented credential, eliminating the need for manual intervention by a pharmacist or guardian. The system self-verifies the credential and automatically releases the lock, reducing operational complexity while maintaining controlled access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If multiple compartments are added to store different medications, then medication organization and safety are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication organizationVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The medication container is divided into multiple separate compartments, each capable of holding different medications. This segmentation allows for organized storage and selective access to specific medications without requiring the user to handle or access the entire container, thereby improving medication safety and organization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each compartment is designed with universal locking compatibility, meaning the same locking mechanism and credential system can be applied to multiple compartments. This allows a single credential to control access to multiple compartments or different credentials to control different compartments, providing flexible medication organization without proportionally increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If credential verification is implemented, then medication misuse prevention is improved, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemisuse preventionVSAvoidaccess process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The credential acts as an intermediary that simplifies the verification process. Instead of requiring complex authentication procedures, the user simply presents the credential (such as entering a code, swiping a card, or providing a fingerprint), and the system handles the verification automatically, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring secure access control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Traditional mechanical locking systems that require physical keys or complex manual mechanisms are replaced with electronic or biometric credential verification systems. This substitution enables more reliable authentication while providing a simpler, more intuitive user experience through automated verification processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12437592B2System and method for multiple lockable medication containers

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 PODDAR SATISH

AI summary

A system having a first locking medication dispenser and a second locking medication container both connected to a base. Each of the first locking medication dispenser and the second locking medication dispenser has an outer container, a inner container configured to be disposed within the outer container and further configured to receive a medication, and a rotatable assembly connected to a bottom of the inner container, the rotatable assembly having a hole defined therein, wherein the hole rotates with the rotation of the rotatable assembly. The base is coupled to the first locking medication dispenser and the second locking medication dispenser and the base is configured to dispense medications from either of the first locking medication dispenser or the second locking medication dispenser.