Medicine container with message function and holder

The present invention is related to a medicine container. More in particular, the present invention is related to a medicine container with a message function.

Additionally, the invention is related to a holder for this medicine container.

Medicine containers with message function are known in the art. In such a medicine container, a user can store medicines. By means of the message function, the medicine container can provide a signal that draws the user's attention to the fact a medicine should be taken. Such systems should facilitate sticking to a medicine taking schedule . However, daily use of such systems poses a few problems. One problem is related to the message function. This is mostly arranged such that the user can switch off the alarm by means of a simple action, for example by pressing a button. However, this does not guarantee that the user actually takes the medicine, or a number of medicines. If for instance the user is inside a car, chances are that the user switches off the alarm and subsequently forgets about taking the medicine.

Another problem is related to the portability of systems. With certain illnesses it is very important that a patient sticks strictly to a given medicine taking schedule. It is therefore necessary that the patient has continuous access to the medicine in question. In order not to weaken the mobility of the patient, it is important that the medicine container is portable. Compared to known art, this requires a different balance between functionality and modeling.

A further problem with known medicine containers occurs during the set-up of the message function. For some users this is too complicated, for example for people with a physical or mental disability. FR 2 892 016 discloses a medicine container with message function comprising a medicine compartment and control compartment. The medicine compartment comprises several different boxes that can each be closed by a lid. When a signal is generated as an indication for a user that it is time to take the medicine, such as an alarm, the user is inclined to turn this alarm off. This can be accomplished, according to FR 2 892 016, by opening the lid of the relevant box. At such a time, the user can immediately close the lid again, for instance when taking the medicine is considered inconvenient at the signaled time, thus turning off the signal without actually having taken the medicine. This is in most cases highly undesirable for the user, who is often highly dependent on timely administering of medicines. An objective of the present invention is to provide a medicine container with message function in which the above mentioned problems do not occur or at least to a lesser degree, and hence to reduce the risk that a user switches off the alarm without having taken his or her medicine. This objective is achieved with a medicine container according to the invention which comprises a medicine compartment for holding a medicine and a control compartment, wherein the control compartment is provided with message means which provide a continuous taking message corresponding to a predetermined medicine taking schedule.

The medicine container further comprises means for stopping the taking message in response to an action of the user. According to the invention, the medicine compartment and the

control compartment are separate structures that are releasably connected to each other, and in that the action of the user, which is focused on taking the medicine, comprises separating the medicine compartment and the control compartment .

Thus it is ensured with the invention that after separating the control compartment and the medicine compartment, the medicine can be easily accessed, preferably by having the medicine compartment completely and entirely open for access to obtain the medicine. As a consequence, the chance of ignoring the medicine contained therein is considerably reduced. Also it is possible with the invention to allow access to an alarm-off switch in or on the signal compartment only after the compartments are completely and entirely separated. As a consequence, the signal or alarm will continue to indicate the need for taking the medicine and with the medicine compartment fully open and accessible it will be hard, if not actually impossible, for a user to ignore this signal. As a consequence the invention provides for an improved solution of reminding the user of the need to take the medicine in a timely fashion, and with an improved chance that the medicine will actually be taken by the user.

Contrary to the medicine container disclosed in FR 2 892 016, in which the control compartment and the medicine compartment are integrated, it is unlikely that a user switches off the alarm without actually taken the medicine. The effort the user has to take to switch off the alarm, and therefore to gain access to the medicine, far outweighs the effort of taking the medicine itself. As a result, the user is less likely to forget to take the medicine at the appropriate time.

In an embodiment, the control compartment is provided with a counting device and detection means for providing a first non-continuous taking signal to the message means following a detection of an action of a user which is focused on taking a medicine. The message means are sensitive to the first taking signal and arranged for ceasing to provide the taking message upon reception of the first taking signal.

The message means can provide a continuous taking message corresponding to a predetermined medicine taking schedule, for instance a taking schedule for pills. Time points or time periods can for instance be extracted from the taking schedule on or after which a medicine must be taken. The continuous aspect of the taking message strengthens the user to take the medicine.

Hence, if the taking message is provided by the medicine container, the user must, in order to cease spreading of this message, perform a predetermined action which is focused on taking the medicines. In an embodiment, the medicine container comprises a push button, and the action of the user comprises pressing this button. In another embodiment, the medicine compartment comprises a mechanism which provides a medicine from the medicine compartment upon operation of this mechanism. In this case, the action of the user comprises operating this mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment, the action of the user comprises gaining access to the medicine compartment. For example, this could be the operation of a lid of the compartment.

In an embodiment, the medicine taking schedule is based on time points and the message means are arranged to provide the taking message upon exceeding a time point. For

instance, the taking schedule could consist of a set of time points, for example 9:00 hours, 14:00 hours, and 19:00 hours. Upon exceeding these time points, the medicine container provides a taking message . Preferably, the medicine taking schedule is based on time periods and the message means are arranged to provide the taking message upon exceeding a time period. A schedule based on time periods emphasizes the mutual time difference between moments of taking the medicine . A drawback of a schedule based on time points is the starting time of the schedule. For instance, if the user can or wants to begin later with the schedule, all the time points need to be adjusted. A schedule based on time periods does not have this disadvantage, or at least to a lesser degree. In a preferred embodiment, the detection means are arranged to provide a second non-continuous taking signal following the coupling of the medicine compartment and the control compartment. Preferably, the counting device is arranged to stop upon reception of the first taking signal and to start upon reception of the second taking signal.

With such a system, the user can therefore take a medicine at the start of the day to subsequently couple the medicine compartment and control compartment as a result of which a second signal is provided. This signal triggers the counting device to start with the first time period. With each time period, the user is reminded to the exceeding of the time period by the taking message. This message can only be stopped by the decoupling of the control compartment and the medicine compartment, as a result of which a first signal is provided. Upon exceeding the last time period, the medicine compartment and control compartment can remain decoupled to prevent that the next time period starts. However, it is also possible that the taking schedule and the counting

device are adjusted such that the coupling of the control compartment and the medicine compartment at the last time period does not result in the start of the next time period. For example, the detection means can be provided with information that it concerns the last time period and that these means therefore do not provide a second signal upon securing the two compartments . With another or further solution, the medicine container is provided with a push button with which the user can indicate that a new day has started. It should be apparent that many more solutions for this are possible.

In a preferred embodiment, the counting device of the medicine container is provided with an electronic counter with an output on which a counting score is provided. A programmable comparing device is connected to this output and is arranged for comparing the counting score with a score corresponding to programmed medicine taking schedule. The comparing device is further arranged to provide a third non-continuous taking signal upon exceeding a score corresponding the medicine taking schedule. The message means are coupled to the comparing device and comprise a rest use condition and a taking use condition. In the taking use condition, the message means provide a continuous taking message. The message means assume this condition upon receipt of the third taking signal. Preferably, the message means are sensitive to the first taking signal and assume the rest use condition upon receipt of this taking signal . Preferably, the message means are arranged to not provide a taking message in the rest use condition. For setting up the electronic counter, the medicine container is preferably provided with externally operable setting means .

In a preferred embodiment, the electronic counter is sensitive to a start signal, a stop signal, and a reset signal, and arranged to, after receipt of these signals, to start, stop, or reset, respectively. Preferably, the stop signal comprises the first taking signal and the start signal comprises the second taking signal. In addition to stopping the counter, it is required to reset it before commencing with the next time period. The reset signal can comprise the first taking signal. However, it can also comprise the second taking signal.

Preferably, the taking message comprises an alarm. This alarm can comprise an optical alarm, acoustical alarm, or a mechanical vibration by way of vibration means . Hybrid forms are also possible. It is advantageous if the medicine container is provided with display means for optically displaying a signal that is representative for the counting score. This signal can have different forms such as the remaining time before exceeding a time period, what the current time period is, how many time periods have already passed or the current time in combination with the taking schedule.

In a preferred embodiment, the medicine compartment is arranged to house mutually different pills. It is advantageous if the medicine taking schedule correspondingly comprises time periods for different medicines. For the user it is further convenient if the taking message has different forms corresponding to the medicine to be taken. Examples of different forms are for example other tones in case of an acoustical signal, or other colors in case of an optical signal. Such signals can also be coupled to an optical display on the medicine container, for example by a display screen. On such a screen, it can be indicated which medicine needs to be taken.

In a preferred embodiment, the control compartment comprises a memory. This memory can be arranged by means of known techniques from analog electronics but is preferably realized by means of digital electronics. Medicine data may reside in this memory. The control compartment further comprises processing means. These processing means, for example comprising a central processing unit (CPU) , are arranged to process the data in the memory. To this end, it is convenient if the memory also comprises an algorithm, according to which the processing means extract a taking schedule from the medicine data. Also, the comparing device is programmed with this schedule.

The medicine data could also comprise other medical information of the user such as allergy information, an overview of medicine use, data about the health care insurance provider, etc. By displaying these data in a fixed format, the processing means are able to distillate a taking schedule from this information. The taking schedule can however also be part of the above mentioned entirety of medical information.

In addition, it is possible that the medical data consist solely of a taking schedule. As a result, extraction of a taking schedule is not required.

In order to enhance the usefulness of the medicine container, it is advantageous if the memory can be written by an external device. To this end, the control compartment must be provided with data communication means which enable the communication between the external device and the control compartment . Preferably, the control compartment is provided with an

Universal Serial Bus (USB) port. Despite the fact that USB is a common standard, other communication means, such as wireless or mobile communication means, are also foreseen.

In a preferred embodiment, the memory is writeable by a Personal Computer (PC) which is connected to the control compartment by aforementioned data communication means. Preferably, the data communication means comprise a USB port and the comparing device is directly programmable by the personal computer .

In a further or other embodiment, the memory comprises a software program which supports the input of medicine data in the PC. By means of this program the medicine container can be programmed or set. The user can make a taking schedule using this program and write this schedule to the memory of the medicine container or program the comparing device with this schedule directly.

In a preferred embodiment, the software program facilitates a connection to E-health services. The user can use these services for instance by downloading additional software to the medicine container. In this way, the medicine container can be adjusted to the illness of the user. For example, if the user has cardiac problems the medicine container could be equipped with software, downloaded from a database, the internet and/or an E-health service, which offer the user additional information or possibilities that are specific to his or her condition. Additionally or alternatively, other information, such as ECG results could be downloaded to and stored in the medicine container. If a database of medical records exists, such a program could connect to this database to retrieve medical records, either partially or in its entirety. In this way, the user always has access to his or her relevant medical records. This feature can also be of great importance in emergency situations in which emergency services can access this information and adjust the treatment of the user accordingly.

It is advantageous if the software program is arranged such that it automatically starts upon coupling of the medicine container to the PC. This technique is comparable to starting discs or staring cd-roms for computers. The use of a software program that resides in the medicine container reduces the requirements for the PC and enlarges the applicability of the medicine container. It is however also possible to install such a program already on the PC. In addition to writeable, the memory is preferably also readable. As a result of this, emergency services for example are able to read medicine data, and the taking schedule coupled thereto, without the help of the user. This can be of vital importance in case of a calamity in which the user is no longer approachable.

To create more safety for the user, the medicine container can be equipped with a GPS unit. This unit sends out a GPS signal by means of which emergency services for example are able to localize the user. It is further advantageous if the medicine container is provided with an emergency button which the user can operate should an emergency situation occur. The use of the emergency button can further be coupled to the mobile communication means through the fact that for example by pressing the emergency button, a message is sent to a predefined address.

Preferably, such a message comprises a Short Message Service (SMS) .

Preferably, the medicine container is suitable for mobile use. To this end, the medicine container must meet certain weight requirements and the dimensions must remain limited. For example, it is advantageous if the medicine container fits into the trouser pocket of an adult person. This enables the user to bring the medicine container to

virtually everywhere. Consequently, the medicine container preferably has a volume of less than 1000 cm ³ and weighs less than 1 kg.

The medicine container is related medicines in general. For example, in an embodiment the medicine container is suitable for holding ampoules for insulin injections. The same compartment can also be suitable for holding other medicines. In addition, the medicine container can be provided with a glucose measurement device for determining the glucose level in a droplet of blood. The required device for pricking a body part for obtaining a droplet of blood can also be present in or on the medicine container. To feed the different components in the control compartment, the medicine container can comprise a battery. Concerning the mobility of the medicine container, this offers advantages compared to mains supply. The battery is preferably rechargeable. If the medicine container is provided with an USB port, as discussed above, the battery may be charged over this port . Such techniques are already known for MP3 players. It is however also possible that the battery is charged by a separate connection. The use of transformers, such as with the charging of mobile phones, is not excluded.

The present invention is also related to a holder for a medicine container as discussed above. Here, the medicine container can be placed in the holder, which subsequently supports the medicine container. To ensure compatibility with PC systems, it is advantageous if the holder is provided with a contra-connector which can cooperate with the USB connector of the USB port of the medicine container. By providing the holder also with a USB port which is electrically connected to the contra-connector, the USB port of the medicine container can also be approached if the

medicine container is placed in the holder. Such a holder can for instance be placed next to a PC and can be connected therewith. The programming and charging of the medicine container can then be simply performed by placing the medicine container in the holder. The battery of the medicine container then charges via the USB port of the PC. The programming can simply consist of the transfer of a file, for example the taking schedule according to a certain format, from the PC to the memory of the medicine container. It is also foreseen that data from the memory can be read for example to look at user data. In addition to charging via the USB port, the holder can also be provided with a separate connection. In placed condition, this connection is electrically connected to the corresponding connections on the medicine container.

In the following, the invention will be described in more detail under reference to figures 1-6, wherein:

Figure 1 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 provides a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 shows the embodiment from figure 2, wherein the medicine compartment and control compartment are separated; Figure 4 shows a holder for the medicine container of figure 2; and

Figure 5 illustrates the holder of figure 4 and the medicine container of figure 2 in coupled condition;

Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary flow chart of an embodiment of the medicine container according to the present invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the

medicine container 1 comprises a medicine compartment 2 and a control compartment 3. The medicine compartment 2 is closed by a lid 4. The medicine compartment can be opened by operating button 5 as a result of which lid 4 will swing according to arrow 6. Because of this, the user can take a pill 7 from the medicine compartment 2.

In this embodiment, the pressing of button 5 is the action of the user which is detected by detection means (not shown) after which the detection means will supply a first taking signal. This signal is non-continuous which means that the signal fulfills a switching function. An example of the switching function is that the message means are brought into a rest use condition. Because of this, the message means will cease to provide the taking message, which was the reason for the user to press button 5 to take a medicine 7.

Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the medicine container 1 comprises in addition to a medicine compartment 2 and control compartment 3, a shielding cover 8. On one hand, this offers a protective function, and the other hand a supporting function.

In figure 3, this embodiment is shown but then in decoupled condition. The decoupling occurs by pushing the medicine compartment 2 away from the control compartment 3 and removing the shielding cover 8. Because of this, the USB connector 9 of the USB port becomes visible. This connector is connected to the electronic control circuits 10 in the control compartment 3. In this embodiment, the decoupling of the control compartment 3 and the medicine compartment 2 is the action which is detected by the detection means (not shown) after which these means provide a first taking signal .

In figure 4, a holder 11 is shown for the medicine container 1 of figure 2. The holder 11 comprises a structure 12 which can support the medicine container. Further, the holder 11 comprises an USB contra-connector 15 which can cooperate with the USB connector 9 of figure 3. This contra- connector 15 is electrically connected to a USB connector 13 on the outside of the holder 11. If the medicine container 1 is placed in the holder 11, communication with the medicine container 1 is possible by means of this USB connector 13, for example by connecting the holder 11 to a Personal Computer (PC) via a USB cable. In this arrangement the battery of the medicine container can also be charged. It is also possible to charge the medicine container via a separate connection 14. This connection is normally a direct current connection of for example 5 Volts. However, holder

11 can also be equipped with a built-in transformer. Because of this, connection 14 is obsolete, and holder 11 is provided with a cord with plug for connection to the mains network . Figure 5 shows a view of the control compartment 3 which is placed in holder 11. In this embodiment only control compartment 3 needs to be placed in holder 11 because the medicine compartment can be decoupled. However, embodiments are also foreseen in which the medicine container 1 is placed in its entirety in the holder 11. Figure 6 shows an example of a flow chart 16 of an embodiment of the medicine container. In this figure, it is assumed that the medicine container is not programmed. During the discussion of the flow chart, use will be made of numbers which are placed in between brackets. The sentence, or part thereof, corresponding to a number, corresponds to the event or function in the corresponding part of the flow chart .

Upon first use, the medicine container must be placed in the holder (20) . Next, this holder needs to be connected to the PC (21) . During connection, the software from the memory of the medicine container starts up automatically (22) . This software is subsequently used to input medicine data into the PC (23) . The same program is used to construct a taking schedule (24) . Next, the medicine container is programmed using this schedule (25) . The programming could for example comprise the writing of the taking schedule in the memory of the medicine container. It is also possible for example to program the comparing device directly with this schedule. Next, the medicine container can be taken out off the holder (26) . By separating the medicine compartment and the control compartment from each other (27) , the medicine compartment can be filled with medicines (28) . After these have been coupled again (29) the user can activate the timer (30) , for example by operating a push button on the medicine container. Such as what has been described above, it is also possible that the coupling itself activates the timer. If a time period of the taking schedule has passed (31) an alarm is given. The user can stop this alarm by separating the control compartment and the medicine compartment from each other (32) . The timer is than subsequently stopped and reset. Then, a decision moment (33) will follow at which it is decided whether (Y) or not (N) it concerns the last time period. If it concerns the last time period, the procedure for that day can be stopped by taking the last medicine (34) . If it does not concern the last time period, the medicine is taken (35) and medicine compartment and control compartment are coupled (36) , and consequently, the timer is started (37) . This process repeats itself until the last time period of the day has passed.

The medicine container can be arranged such that upon passing of the last time period, the coupling of the medicine compartment and the control compartment does not start the timer, but that another action of the user, for instance operating a push button, is needed for this.

Several modifications to the medicine container are possible still. For example, the container can be provided with a puffing device for patients with airways problems. Also, a battery indicator can be included to display the amount of energy that is still left.

It is advantageous if the medicine compartment is changeable. In this way, several medicine compartments can be used, wherein for example a medicine compartment is suitable for multiple types of medicine for example by using multiple color coding or the use of separate boxes. It is also possible that the medicines are placed in the compartment in a specific order. It is also possible that an indicator is added which indicates whether there are still medicines left in the compartment. The embodiments of the invention discussed above only serve illustrational purposes. It should be obvious to the skilled person in the art that changes, modifications, or additions, are possible without deviating from the scope of protection which is defined by the following claims.