IP Library Granted Patent US 12,481,740
Granted Patent B2
US 12,481,740 · App. 18/244,550 · Granted Nov 25, 2025

Voice 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 12,481,740
App. No.
18/244,550
Granted
Nov 25, 2025
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 (32)

1 . A computer-implemented method implemented by one or more processors, the method comprising:

obtaining an indication of a request to access a prescription resource, the request obtained via an application at an electronic computing device associated with a user;

identifying a plurality of modes of communication modes usable to perform a prerequisite authentication action for accessing the prescription resource, the plurality of modes comprising a voice-based authentication mode;

selecting the voice-based authentication mode for use in performing the authentication action, the selecting being based upon whether or not the user has enabled one or more hardware access permissions of the application to access one or more hardware components associated with use of at least one of the plurality of communication modes; and

facilitating access to the prescription resource by the user to access the prescription resource upon an indication of completion of a voice-based authentication by the user in combination with one or more further authentication factors.

2 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the selecting is further based upon whether a further the one or more hardware components are included within the electronic computing device or otherwise operatively connected to the electronic computing device.

3 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the selecting is further based upon user contextual information indicating an environment in which the user is located, and wherein the user contextual information comprises at least one of accelerometer data or location data indicating whether the user is driving.

4 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the selecting is further based upon user contextual information indicating an environment in which the user is located, and wherein the user contextual information comprises audio data indicating a noise level in the environment in which the user is located.

5 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the authenticated user is at least one of a parent, guardian, or caregiver of the patient corresponding to the prescription resource.

6 . The computer-implemented method of claim 5 , wherein the authenticated user is one of a plurality of persons having different respective permission sets to access protected health information of a patient corresponding to the prescription resource, and wherein facilitating access to the prescription resource comprises facilitating access based upon a corresponding permission set of the authenticated user.

7 . A computing system comprising:

one or more processors; and

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

obtain an indication of a request to access a prescription resource, the request obtained via an application at an electronic computing device associated with a user;

identify a plurality of modes of communication modes usable to perform a prerequisite authentication action for accessing the prescription resource, the plurality of modes comprising a voice-based authentication mode;

select the voice-based authentication mode for use in performing the authentication action, the selecting being based upon whether or not the user has enabled one or more hardware access permissions of the application to access one or more hardware components associated with use of at least one of the plurality of communication modes;

facilitate access to the prescription resource by the user to access the prescription resource upon an indication of completion of a voice-based authentication by the user in combination with one or more further authentication factors.

8 . The computing system of claim 7 , wherein the selecting is further based whether the one or more hardware components are included within the electronic computing device or otherwise operatively connected to the electronic computing device.

9 . The computing system of claim 7 , wherein the selecting is further based upon user contextual information indicating an environment in which the user is located, and wherein the user contextual information comprises at least one of accelerometer data or location data indicating whether the user is driving.

10 . The computing system of claim 7 , wherein the selecting is further based upon user contextual information indicating an environment in which the user is located, and wherein the user contextual information comprises audio data indicating a noise level in the environment in which the user is located.

11 . The computing system of claim 7 , wherein the authenticated user is at least one of a parent, guardian, or caregiver of the patient corresponding to the prescription resource.

12 . The computing system of claim 11 , wherein the authenticated user is one of a plurality of persons having different respective permission sets to access protected health information of a patient corresponding to the prescription resource, and wherein facilitating access to the prescription resource comprises facilitating access based upon a corresponding permission set of the authenticated user.

13 . One or more non-transitory computer readable media storing computer executable instructions that, when executed via one or more processors, cause one or more computers to:

obtain an indication of a request to access a prescription resource, the request obtained via an application at an electronic computing device associated with a user;

identify a plurality of modes of communication modes usable to perform a prerequisite authentication action for accessing the prescription resource, the plurality of modes comprising a voice-based authentication mode;

select the voice-based authentication mode for use in performing the authentication action, the selecting being based upon at whether or not the user has enabled one or more hardware access permissions of the application to access one or more hardware components associated with use of at least one of the plurality of communication modes; and

facilitate access to the prescription resource by the user to access the prescription resource upon an indication of completion of a voice-based authentication by the user in combination with one or more further authentication factors.

14 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 13 , wherein the selecting is further based upon whether a further the one or more hardware components are included within the electronic computing device or otherwise operatively connected to the electronic computing device.

15 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 13 , wherein the selecting is further based upon user contextual information indicating an environment in which the user is located, and wherein the user contextual information comprises at least one of accelerometer data or location data indicating whether the user is driving.

16 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 13 , wherein the selecting is further based upon user contextual information indicating an environment in which the user is located, and wherein the user contextual information comprises audio data indicating a noise level in the environment in which the user is located.

17 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 13 , wherein the authenticated user is at least one of a parent, guardian, or caregiver of the patient corresponding to the prescription resource,

wherein the authenticated user is one of a plurality of persons having different respective permission sets to access protected health information of a patient corresponding to the prescription resource, and wherein facilitating access to the prescription resource comprises facilitating access based upon a corresponding permission set of the authenticated.

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 Sep 11, 2023
From: SCHWEINFURTH, ANDREW; PETKUS, JULIJA ALEGRA; BHOW, GUNJAN DHANESH
To: WALGREEN CO.
Reel/Frame 064861/0119 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 16807999 · Mar 3, 2020
Provisional Application 62902110 · Sep 18, 2019
Related Publication 20230418917A1 · Dec 28, 2023
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