Apparatus, system, and method for personalized medication labels
View Patent ↗A computer-based apparatus for labeling medications, including: a processor for a computer configured to: calculate a configuration of a first medication package using a first digital image of the first medication package; create, using the configuration, a package template; receive first prescription information including a name of a patient, a name of a medication, a dosage of the medication, an amount of the medication, and a schedule for taking the medication; create a first custom label, using the package template and the first prescription information, the first custom label including a first plurality of data fields including the first prescription information and a configuration for the first custom label; and transmit first data, including the first custom label with the first prescription information entered in the first plurality of data fields, to a printer.
1. A computer-based apparatus for labeling medications, comprising: a processor for a computer configured to: calculate a configuration of a first medication package using a first digital image of the medication package; create, using the configuration, a package template; receive first prescription information including a name of a patient, a name of a medication, a dosage of the medication, an amount of the medication, and a schedule for taking the medication; create a first custom label, using the package template and the first prescription information, the first custom label including: a first plurality of data fields including the first prescription information; and, a configuration for the first custom label; transmit first data, including the first custom label with the first prescription information entered in the first plurality of data fields, to a printer; and, a memory element, wherein the processor is configured to store the package template in the memory element, wherein the processor is further configured to: compare the first digital image with a second digital image of a second medication package to determine that the second medication package substantially matches the first medication package; when the second medication package substantially matches the first medication package: receive second prescription information including a name of a patient, a name of a medication, a dosage of the medication, an amount of the medication, and a schedule for taking the medication; create a second custom label, using the package template and the second prescription information, the second custom label including: a second plurality of data fields including the second prescription information; and, a second configuration for the second custom label; and, transmit second data, including the second custom label with the second prescription information entered in the second plurality of data fields, to the printer.
2. The computer-based apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to receive the first digital image of the first medication package.
3. The computer-based apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a camera arranged to create the first digital image and transmit the first digital image to the processor.
4. The computer-based apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a memory element configured to store a plurality of digital images of medication packages, wherein: the processor is configured to:
transmit the plurality of digital images of medication packages for display; and,
receive an input selecting the first digital image from the plurality of digital images of medication packages.
5. The computer-based apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the configuration for the first custom label includes a first shape and a first size for the first custom label.
6. The computer-based apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to:
display, using a graphical user interface device, the package template; and,
receive an input selecting a portion of the package template; and,
creating the first custom label includes configuring the first custom label to fit within the portion.
7. The computer-based apparatus of claim 6 , wherein:
the processor is configured to calculate a two-dimensional outline of the portion; and,
creating the first custom label includes creating a two-dimensional outline for the first custom label, the two-dimensional outline for the first custom label approximating the outline of the first medication package.
8. The computer-based apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to:
display the package template;
receive an input selecting a shape for the first custom label; and,
create the first custom label to match the shape.
9. The computer-based apparatus of claim 1 , wherein calculating a configuration of the first medication package includes calculating a size and a shape of at least one surface of the first medication package.
10. The computer-based apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the processor is configured to identify:
a surface of the first medication package; and,
a surface variation, with respect to the surface, of the first medication package; and,
creating the first custom label includes creating a cutout for the custom label, the cutout positioned to coincide with the surface feature.
11. The computer-based apparatus of claim 10 , wherein:
the surface variation protrudes from the surface or is recessed with respect to the surface; or,
the surface variation includes a first visual characteristic different from a second visual characteristic of the surface.
12. The computer-based apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first visual characteristic includes text or graphics on the surface.
13. The computer-based apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first data includes instructions for:
printing, using the printer, the first prescription information entered in the first plurality of data fields on a sheet; and,
cutting, using a cutter, the sheet to form the label.
14. A computer-based system for labeling medications, comprising: a printer; a two-dimensional cutter; and, a processor for a computer configured to: calculate a configuration of a first medication package using a first digital image of the first medication package; create, using the configuration, a package template; receive first prescription information including a name of a patient, a name of a medication, a dosage of the medication, an amount of the medication, and a schedule for taking the medication; create a first custom label, using the package template and the first prescription information, the first custom label including: a first plurality of data fields including the first prescription information; and, a first shape and a first size for the first custom label; transmit first data, including the first custom label with the first prescription information entered in the first plurality of data fields, to a printer; compare the first digital image with a second digital image of a second medication package to determine that the second medication package substantially matches the first medication package; when the second medication package substantially matches the first medication package: receive second prescription information including a name of a patient, a name of a medication, a dosage of the medication, an amount of the medication, and a schedule for taking the medication; create a second custom label, using the package template and the second prescription information, the second custom label including: a second plurality of data fields including the second prescription information; and, a second shape and a second size for the second custom label; and, transmit second data, including the second custom label with the second prescription information entered in the second plurality of data fields, to the printer, wherein: the printer is configured to print the first data on a first sheet and the second data on a second sheet; and, the two-dimensional cutter is configured to cut the first sheet to form the first custom label and the second sheet to form the second custom label.
15. The computer-based system of claim 14 , wherein the processor is configured to receive the first digital image of the first medication package.
16. The computer-based system of claim 14 , further comprising:
a camera arranged to create the first digital image and transmit the first digital image to the processor.
17. The computer-based system of claim 14 , further comprising:
a memory element configured to store a plurality of digital images of medication packages, wherein: the processor is configured to:
transmit the plurality of digital images of medication packages for display; and,
receive an input selecting the first digital image from the plurality of digital images of medication packages.
18. The computer-based system of claim 14 , wherein the processor is configured to:
display, using a graphical user interface device, the package template; and,
receive an input selecting a portion of the package template; and,
creating the first custom label includes configuring the first custom label to fit within the portion.
19. The computer-based system of claim 14 , wherein:
the processor is configured to identify:
a surface of the first medication package; and,
a surface variation, with respect to the surface, of the first medication package; and,
creating the first custom label includes creating a cutout for the custom label, the cutout positioned to coincide with the surface feature.
20. A computer-based method for labeling medications, comprising: calculating, using the processor, a configuration of the first medication package using a first digital image of a first medication package; creating, using the processor and the configuration, a package template; receiving, using the processor, first prescription information including a name of a patient, a name of a medication, a dosage of the medication, an amount of the medication, and a schedule for taking the medication; creating, using the processor, the package template and the first prescription information, a first custom label including: a first plurality of data fields including the first prescription information; and, a first configuration for the first custom label; transmitting, using the processor, first data, including the first custom label with the first prescription information entered in the first plurality of data fields, to a printer; comparing, using the processor, the first digital image with a second digital image of a second medication package to determine that the second medication package substantially matches the first medication package; when the second medication package substantially matches the first medication package: receiving, using the processor, second prescription information including a name of a patient, a name of a medication, a dosage of the medication, an amount of the medication, and a schedule for taking the medication; creating, using the processor, a second custom label, using the package template and the second prescription information, the second custom label including: a second plurality of data fields including the second prescription information; and, a second configuration for the second custom label; and, transmitting, using the processor, second data, including the second custom label with the second prescription information entered in the second plurality of data fields, to the printer.
21. The computer-based method of claim 20 , further comprising:
receiving, using the processor, is the first digital image of the first medication package.
22. The computer-based method of claim 20 , further comprising:
creating, using a camera the first digital image; and,
transmitting, using the camera, the first digital image to the processor.
23. The computer-based method of claim 20 , further comprising:
storing, in a memory element, a plurality of digital images of medication packages;
transmitting, using the processor, the plurality of digital images of medication packages for display; and,
receiving, using the processor, an input selecting the first digital image from the plurality of digital images of medication packages.
24. The computer-based method of claim 20 , wherein the configuration for the first custom label includes a first shape and a first size for the first custom label.
25. The computer-based method of claim 20 , further comprising:
displaying, using the processor and a graphical user interface device, the package template; and,
receiving, using the processor, an input selecting a portion of the package template, wherein creating the first custom label includes configuring the first custom label to fit within the portion.
26. The computer-based method of claim 20 , further comprising:
calculating, using the processor, a two-dimensional outline of the portion, wherein creating the first custom label includes creating a two-dimensional outline for the first custom label, the two-dimensional outline for the first custom label approximating the outline of the first medication package.
27. The computer-based method of claim 20 , further comprising:
displaying, using the processor, the package template;
receiving, using the processor, an input selecting a shape for the first custom label; and,
creating, using the processor, the first custom label to match the shape.
28. The computer-based method of claim 20 , further comprising:
identifying, using the processor, a surface of the first medication package; and,
identifying, using the processor, a surface variation, with respect to the surface, of the first medication package; and,
creating the first custom label includes creating a cutout for the custom label, the cutout positioned to coincide with the surface feature.
29. The computer-based method of claim 20 , further comprising:
storing, using the processor, the template in a memory element.
30. The computer-based method of claim 20 , further comprising:
including in the first data, using the processor, instructions for:
printing, using the printer, the first prescription information entered in the plurality of data fields on a sheet; and,
cutting, using a cutter, the sheet to form the first custom label.
31. A computer-based method for labeling medications, comprising: calculating, using a processor, a configuration of a first medication package using a first digital image of the first medication package; creating, using the processor and the configuration, a package template; receiving, using the processor, first prescription information including a name of a patient, a name of a medication, a dosage of the medication, an amount of the medication, and a schedule for taking the medication; creating, using the processor, the package template and the first prescription information, a first custom label including: a first plurality of data fields including the first prescription information; and, a first shape and a first size for the first custom label; transmitting, using the processor, first data, including the first custom label with the first prescription information entered in the first plurality of data fields, to a printer; printing, using a printer, the first data on a sheet; cutting, using a two-dimensional cutter, the sheet to form the label; comparing, using the processor, the first digital image with a second digital image of a second medication package to determine that the second medication package substantially matches the first medication package; when the second medication package substantially matches the first medication package: receiving, using the processor, second prescription information including a name of a patient, a name of a medication, a dosage of the medication, an amount of the medication, and a schedule for taking the medication; creating, using the processor, a second custom label, using the package template and the second prescription information, the second custom label including: a second plurality of data fields including the second prescription information; and, a second shape and a second size for the second custom label; and, transmitting, using the processor, second data, including the second custom label with the second prescription information entered in the second plurality of data fields, to the printer.
32. The computer-based method of claim 31 , further comprising:
receiving, using the processor, the first digital image of the first medication package.
33. The computer-based method of claim 31 , further comprising: creating, using a camera, the first digital image; and, transmitting, using the camera, the first digital image to the processor.
34. The computer-based method of claim 31 , further comprising:
storing, in a memory element, a plurality of digital images of medication packages;
transmitting, using the processor, the plurality of digital images of medication packages for display; and,
receiving, using the processor, an input selecting the first digital image from the plurality of digital images of medication packages.
35. The computer-based method of claim 31 , further comprising:
displaying, using the processor and a graphical user interface device, the package template; and,
receiving, using the processor, an input selecting a portion of the package template, wherein creating the first custom label includes configuring the first custom label to fit within the portion.
36. The computer-based method of claim 31 , further comprising:
displaying, using the processor, the package template;
receiving, using the processor, an input selecting a shape for the first custom label; and,
creating, using the processor, the first custom label to match the shape.
37. The computer-based method of claim 31 , further comprising:
identifying, using the processor, a surface of the first medication package; and,
identifying, using the processor, a surface variation, with respect to the surface, of the first medication package; and,
creating the first custom label includes creating a cutout for the custom label, the cutout positioned to coincide with the surface feature.
38. The computer-based method of claim 31 , further comprising:
storing, using the processor, the template in a memory element.
39. The computer-based method of claim 31 , further comprising:
including in the first data, using the processor, instructions for:
printing, using the printer, the first prescription information entered in the plurality of data fields on a sheet; and,
cutting, using a cutter, the sheet to form the first custom label.