Smart pill box and medical compliance monitoring
View Patent ↗Methods and systems are described for monitoring medication use with a home automation system. An example medication monitoring system includes a medication storage device, a proximity device, and a dispenser module. The medication storage device is configured to hold a plurality of medications. The proximity device is configured to detect an activity of a user relative to the medication storage device. The dispense module is configured to detect a pattern of the activity based on data received from the proximity device, and generate a notice. The notice may be generated if the pattern is broken. The notice may include a summary report on usage of the medication storage device. The notice may include an alarm if the medication storage device is, for example, tampered with or moved.
1. A medication monitoring system, comprising:
a medication storage device to hold a plurality of medications;
a proximity device to detect a proximity of a user relative to the medication storage device, wherein detecting the proximity of the user comprises detecting proximity when the user is within a predetermined distance of the medication storage device; and
a dispense module to:
detect a pattern of the proximity of the user based on data received from the proximity device; and
generate a notice based at least in part on detecting a deviation from the detected pattern of the proximity of the user.
2. The medication monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the medication storage device includes at least one sensor that communicates with the proximity device.
3. The medication monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the proximity device is carried by the user.
4. The medication monitoring system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a controller to operate the dispense module, the controller being located remotely from the medication storage device and the proximity device.
5. The medication monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the notice is at least one of a text message and an audible message delivered to the user.
6. The medication monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the notice is at least one of:
a summary report on usage of the medication storage device; or
an alarm if the medication storage device is tampered with or moved.
7. A computer implemented method for monitoring medication use with a home automation system, comprising:
receiving data regarding a proximity of a user to a medication dispenser, wherein the proximity of the user comprises detecting proximity when the user is within a predetermined distance of the medication dispenser;
determining a pattern of the proximity of the user to the medication dispenser based on the received data; and
generating a notice based at least in part on detecting a deviation from the determined pattern.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein receiving data includes receiving data wirelessly from a device carried by the user.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
delivering the notice to at least one of:
the device carried by the user; and
a caregiver of the user.
10. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
authenticating the user prior to permitting the user to operate the medication dispenser.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein determining the pattern includes confirming that the proximity of the user to the medication dispenser occurs repeatedly in at least one of a given sequence and a given interval.
12. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
displaying the notice on a control panel of the home automation system.
13. The method of claim 7 , wherein generating the notice includes at least one of:
generating the notice based at least in part on detecting the deviation from the determined pattern;
generating a summary report on usage of the medication storage device; and
generating an alarm if the medication storage device is tampered with or moved.
14. An apparatus for monitoring medication use with a home automation system, comprising:
a processor;
a memory in electronic communication with the processor; and
instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to:
receive authentication data confirming identity of a user;
receive data from a device carried by the user regarding proximity of the user to a medication dispenser, wherein the proximity of the user comprises detecting proximity when the user is within a predetermined distance of the medication dispenser;
determine a pattern of the user being proximate to the medication dispenser based on the data;
generate a notice based at least in part on detecting a deviation from the determined pattern; and
deliver the notice to at least one of the user and a caregiver of the user.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the device communicates with the medication dispenser.
16. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the device comprises a proximity sensor.
17. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:
receive data from the medication dispenser concerning operation of the medication dispenser.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:
continuously monitor operation of the medication dispenser by the user; and
generate the notice if a sustained change in the pattern is detected.
19. A computer implemented method for monitoring medical compliance using a home automation system, comprising:
receiving instructions from a medical personnel concerning at least one medical-related activity;
presenting the instructions to a patient via the home automation system;
receiving feedback via the home automation system from a device used to collect medical-related information associated with the patient regarding compliance with the instructions, wherein compliance with the instructions is determined based at least in part on receiving data from a device associated with the user regarding proximity of the user to a medication dispenser, the proximity of the user comprising detecting proximity when the user is within a predetermined distance of the medication dispenser, and comparing the received data with the instructions from the medical personnel; and
delivering the feedback to the medical personnel.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the instructions relate to consumption of medication, the device is a medication dispensing device, and the feedback includes operation of the medication dispensing device to dispense medication for consumption by the patient.
21. The method of claim 19 , wherein presenting the instructions includes at least one of displaying a text message or generating an audio message at a control panel of the home automation system.
22. The method of claim 19 , wherein receiving feedback includes receiving an entry from the patient at a control panel of the home automation system.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the entry includes at least one of confirmation of a medication consumption, a measurement from a medical device, and confirmation of the medical-related activity.