Wireless Tag Scanning Sensor Array for Medication Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medication compliance monitoring devices are unable to fully monitor individual medication compartments in blister packs, lack user convenience due to power requirements, and often require additional hardware for communication.
Innovation Solution
A wireless tag apparatus with a timer, sensing circuit, and transceiver that scans a sensor array to detect changes in medication compartments, transmitting data via RF signals after a designated time interval or upon secure pairing request, allowing for efficient monitoring of medication compliance without the need for constant power or additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If conventional monitoring devices use hardwired or battery-based power supplies, then the device can operate continuously, but the device requires frequent recharging and reduces user convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses energy harvesting from the RF signals it receives to power its operations, making it self-sufficient without requiring external power sources or battery recharging. The wireless tag harvests energy from the RF field during normal operation to maintain the sensor array and transmit data.
2Measurement precision
If conventional devices monitor each individual medication compartment, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is divided into multiple independent sensor elements, with each sensor corresponding to a specific medication compartment. This segmentation allows individual monitoring of each compartment while keeping each sensor element simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless tag apparatus performs multiple functions: it monitors the sensor array, processes the signals from individual sensors, stores compliance data, and transmits information wirelessly. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate devices into a single integrated system.
3Reliability
If conventional devices require additional hardware for communication, then communication reliability improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses the RF communication channel for both data transmission and energy harvesting. The same RF signals that carry data also provide power to the device, eliminating the need for separate power infrastructure and reducing hardware complexity while maintaining communication reliability.
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 accurate monitoring of medication compliance, extends battery life, and simplifies data transmission, improving patient adherence to medication regimens while reducing device complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a transceiver configured to transmit, after the time interval has elapsed, a first radio frequency (RF) signal including the data
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless tag apparatus, system, and related medication compliance monitoring techniques are disclosed. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a sensing circuit configured to scan a sensor array associated with a medication dispenser external to the apparatus to determine whether contents of at least one medication compartment of the medication dispenser have been expelled. The apparatus further may include a transmitter configured to transmit a signal including data pertaining to whether the contents of the at least one medication compartment have been expelled, wherein the signal is a radio frequency signal. The apparatus may be configured to perform such scanning and/or transmitting based on the expiry of a time interval, which may be pre-programmed. In some embodiments, transmission may depend on acceptance of a secure pairing request from a computing device in communication with the apparatus. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be configured for use, for example, in monitoring medication compliance.