IP Library Granted Patent US 11,636,189
Granted Patent B2
US 11,636,189 · App. 16/808,019 · Granted Apr 25, 2023

Audio authentication systems and methods for prescription processes

Inventors: Andrew Schweinfurth (Chicago, IL); Julija Alegra Petkus (Oak Park, IL); Gunjan Dhanesh Bhow (Menlo Park, CA)
Assignee: WALGREEN CO.
G06F21/32G06F3/0481G06F3/167G06F21/6245G06Q50/265G10L15/22G10L17/00G10L17/06G10L17/22G10L25/51G16H10/60G16H20/10G16H40/20G16H40/63G16H80/00G10L2015/223G10L2015/228
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,636,189
App. No.
16/808,019
Granted
Apr 25, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and systems may incorporate voice interaction and other audio interaction to facilitate access to prescription related information and processes. Particularly, voice/audio interactions may be utilized to achieve authentication to access prescription-related information and action capabilities. Additionally, voice/audio interactions may be utilized in performance of processes such as obtaining prescription refills and receiving reminders to consume prescription products.

Claims (43)

1. A computer-implemented method for authenticating a user to access a prescription resource, the method comprising:

obtaining, via one or more processors, from a first electronic computing device associated with a user, an indication of a request to access the prescription resource associated with a patient to whom the prescription was prescribed, the user being a person other than the patient;

identifying, via the one or more processors, an authentication action prerequisite to providing access to the requested prescription resource to the user other than the patient, wherein identifying the prerequisite authentication includes identifying a requirement for the user to be in a home of the patient to access the requested prescription resource;

responsive to identifying the prerequisite authentication action, identifying, via the one or more processors, a second electronic computing device located in the home of the patient;

causing, via one or more processors, an audio tone to be emitted by a speaker of the first electronic computing device associated with the user;

causing, via the one or more processors, a microphone of the second electronic computing device to detect the emitted audio tone, the second electronic computing device being associated with the user;

obtaining, via the one or more processors, an indication that the second electronic computing device detected the emitted audio tone; and

based at least in part upon the detection of the emitted audio tone by the second electronic computing device, authenticating, via the one or more processors, the user other than the patient to access the requested prescription resource.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising providing, via the one or more processors, one or more interactive user interfaces to be provided to the first or second electronic computing device to facilitate access to the requested prescription resource.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , wherein providing the one or more user interfaces comprises providing an interactive voice interface to the electronic computing device.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , wherein providing the one or more user interfaces comprises providing an interactive graphical user interface to the first or second electronic computing device.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the emitted audio tone is a non-audible tone.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein causing the microphone of the second electronic computing device to detect the emitted audio tone includes causing the second electronic computing device to activate the microphone.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein authenticating the user to access the requested prescription resource includes using the detection of the emitted audio tone in combination with one or more further authentication factors.

8. A computing system configured to authenticate a user to access a prescription resource, the computing system comprising:

one or more processors; and

one or more memories storing non-transitory computer executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computing system to:

obtain, from a first electronic computing device associated with a user, an indication of a request to access the prescription resource associated with a patient to whom the prescription was prescribed, the user being a person other than the patient;

identify an authentication action prerequisite to providing access to the requested prescription resource to the user other than the patient, wherein identifying the prerequisite authentication includes identifying a requirement for the user to be in a home of the patient to access the requested prescription resource;

responsive to identifying the prerequisite authentication action, identify a second electronic computing device located in the home of the patient;

cause an audio tone to be emitted by a speaker of the first electronic computing device associated with the user;

cause a microphone of the second electronic computing device to detect the emitted audio tone, the second electronic computing device being associated with the user;

obtain an indication that the second electronic computing device detected the emitted audio tone; and

based at least in part upon the detection of the emitted audio tone by the second electronic computing device, authenticate the user other than the patient to access the requested prescription resource.

9. The computing system of claim 8 , wherein the non-transitory computer executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the computing system to provide one or more interactive user interfaces to be provided to the first or second electronic computing device to facilitate access to the requested prescription resource.

10. The computing system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more user interfaces comprise an interactive voice interface.

11. The computing system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more user interfaces comprise an interactive graphical user interface.

12. The computing system of claim 8 , wherein the emitted audio tone is a non-audible tone.

13. The computing system of claim 8 , wherein causing the microphone of the second electronic computing device to detect the emitted audio tone includes causing the second electronic computing device to activate the microphone.

14. The computing system of claim 8 , wherein the authentication of the user is based upon the detection of the emitted audio tone in combination with one or more further authentication factors.

15. One or more non-transitory computer readable media storing non-transitory computer executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

obtain, from a first electronic computing device associated with a user, an indication of a request to access a prescription resource associated with a patient to whom the prescription was prescribed, the user being a person other than the patient;

identify an authentication action prerequisite to providing access to the requested prescription resource to the user other than the patient, wherein identifying the prerequisite authentication includes identifying a requirement for the user to be in a home of the patient to access the requested prescription resource;

responsive to identifying the prerequisite authentication action, identify a second electronic computing device located in the home of the patient;

cause an audio tone to be emitted by a speaker of the first electronic computing device associated with the user;

cause a microphone of the second electronic computing device to detect the emitted audio tone, the second electronic computing device being associated with the user;

obtain an indication that the second electronic computing device detected the emitted audio tone; and

based at least in part upon the detection of the emitted audio tone by the second electronic computing device, authenticate the user other than the patient to access the requested prescription resource.

16. The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 15 , wherein the non-transitory computer executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to provide one or more interactive user interfaces to be provided to the first or second electronic computing device to facilitate access to the requested prescription resource.

17. The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 16 , wherein the one or more user interfaces comprise an interactive voice interface.

18. The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 16 , wherein the one or more user interfaces comprise an interactive graphical user interface.

19. The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 15 , wherein the emitted audio tone is a non-audible tone.

20. The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 15 , wherein the authentication of the user is based upon the detection of the emitted audio tone in combination with one or more further authentication factors.

Assignments (3)
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2025
From: WALGREEN CO.
To: SIXTH STREET LENDING PARTNERS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 072606/0878 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2025
From: WALGREEN CO.; DUANE READE; WALGREENS SPECIALTY PHARMACY LLC; WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 072679/0926 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 6, 2020
From: SCHWEINFURTH, ANDREW; PETKUS, JULIJA ALEGRA; BHOW, GUNJAN DHANESH
To: WALGREEN CO.
Reel/Frame 052316/0903 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62902110 · Sep 18, 2019
Related Publication 20220391480A1 · Dec 8, 2022