Medication blister pack with embedded user interface

Abstract

A personal medication package is provided with an embedded user interface. The medication package includes an array of storage compartments for storing medication as well as visual indicia that is integrated into the medication package. The visual indicia are formed from color changing ink that is deposited onto the medication package. Consequently, the medication package can be manufactured and disposed of in an ecologically friendly manner.

1 . A personal medication dispensing apparatus comprising:
 a disposable medication package having an array of storage compartments that store medication therein;   visual indicia disposed proximate select storage compartments in the array of storage compartments, where the visual indicia is formed from a color changing ink deposited onto the medication package; and   a controlling device that detachably couples to the medication package and operates to activate one or more of the visual indicators.   
   
   
       2 . The personal medication dispensing apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the visual indicia is further defined as a plurality of visual indicators, where one visual indicator is associated with each storage compartment. 
   
   
       3 . The personal medication dispensing apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the visual indicia is further defined as instructions associated with articles contained in the storage compartments. 
   
   
       4 . The personal medication dispensing apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the medication package is comprised of a transparent hosting sheet having the array of storage compartments formed therein and a sealing layer secured to the hosting sheet in a manner that encloses the storage compartments. 
   
   
       5 . The personal medication dispensing apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the color changing ink is deposited onto an inward facing surface of the sealing layer. 
   
   
       6 . The personal medication dispensing apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the color changing ink is further defined as thermochromic ink. 
   
   
       7 . The personal medication dispensing apparatus of  claim 1  further comprises an activation circuit electrically coupled between each of the visual indicia and the controlling device, where the activation circuit is formed from a conductive ink deposited onto the medication package and the color changing ink is deposited onto portions of the conductive ink. 
   
   
       8 . The personal medication dispensing apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the activation circuit is configured to detect removal of articles from the array of storage compartments 
   
   
       9 . The personal medication dispensing apparatus of  claim 1  further comprises a sensing mechanism integrated into the medication package and operable to detect removal of articles from one or more of the storage compartments. 
   
   
       10 . The personal medication dispensing apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the controlling device includes a microcontroller, an external communication interface and a power source integrated therein. 
   
   
       11 . The personal medication dispensing apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the controlling device does not include a user interface but is configured to communicate via a wireless transceiver to a device having a user interface. 
   
   
       12 . A personal medication dispensing apparatus comprising:
 a blister pack formed from a hosting sheet made of a transparent material with a plurality of pockets formed therein and a sealing layer that encloses the plurality of pockets; and   a visual indicator associated with each of the pockets, each visual indicator is comprised of color changing ink deposited onto an inward facing surface of the sealing layer.   
   
   
       13 . The personal medication dispensing apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the color changing ink for each visual indicator is formed in the shape of a circle that is concentric with its associated pocket. 
   
   
       14 . The personal medication dispensing apparatus of  claim 12  further comprises an activation circuit that integrates into the blister pack and operates to change state of the color changing ink. 
   
   
       15 . The personal medication dispensing apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the activation circuit is formed from a conductive ink deposited onto the sealing layer and the color changing ink for each visual indicator is deposited onto portions of the conductive ink underneath the associated pocket. 
   
   
       16 . The personal medication dispensing apparatus of  claim 12  further comprises an activation circuit that integrates into the blister pack and is configured to selectively weaken the sealing layer adjacent to each pocket. 
   
   
       17 . The personal medication dispensing apparatus of  claim 12  further comprises a microcontroller and a power source embedded into the blister pack. 
   
   
       18 . The personal medication dispensing apparatus of  claim 12  further comprises a wireless transceiver embedded in the blister pack. 
   
   
       19 . The personal medication dispensing apparatus of  claim 12  further comprises a housing adapted to receive the blister pack, where the housing includes a microcontroller, an external communication interface, and a power source.