Smart Medicine Container

Abstract

Present invention discloses a dispenser having means to dispense desired number of pills from a bulk supply of pills contained in the dispenser. The dispenser comprises of storage compartment having bulk supply of pills and having a discharge port emptying into counting compartment. The counting compartment contains first and second conveyors moving at first and second speed; wherein the second speed is greater than the first speed thereby enabling pill separation; the second conveyor discharges pills into dispensing compartment. Sensors are strategically placed along the conveyors to count pills discharged into dispensing compartment. A pill recovery system and apparatus is disposed inside the dispenser having means to recover pills remaining on conveyors upon completion of a dispensation cycle and deposit recovered pills back into the storage compartment for use in future dispensation cycles. A docking station having receptacles to accommodate dispenser is provided. Docking station has communication ports enabling two-way communication with personal computer. The dispenser has multiple security features including locking mechanisms at inlet and outlet; and internal circuitry that is responsive to the ‘disable’ electronic signal originating from dispenser's internal clock and remote server in communication link with the dispenser.

1 . A dispenser for dispensing a medication dosage comprising of:
 first access port comprising of an inlet guarded by a cap providing user access to bulk supply of medicine contained in the dispenser;   second access port comprising of an outlet for providing user access to a dose of medicine;   an access port having a locking mechanism operable by unique identification parameter;   locking mechanism controlling access to medicine contained in the dispenser.   
   
   
       2 . The dispenser of  claim 1  having an internal clock operatively connected to locking mechanism and locking mechanism operationally responsive to signal from the internal clock. 
   
   
       3 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the unique identification parameter for locking mechanism comprises of one or more of numeric code, biologic identifier and electronic code. 
   
   
       4 . The dispenser of  claim 1  in communication link with remote server; and locking mechanism operationally responsive to signal input from remote server. 
   
   
       5 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein access to medications contained therein is restricted to instances to input of valid unique identification parameter into the dispenser. 
   
   
       6 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein operation of the locking mechanism is restricted to pre defined time periods. 
   
   
       7 . A dispenser for dispensing a predetermined number of dosages of a medicine from a bulk supply of the medicine, comprising:
 storage compartment for receiving the bulk supply of the medicine therein,   storage compartment guarded by a cap with a locking mechanism, locking mechanism operable by unique identification parameter;   
   
   
       8 . The dispenser of  claim 7  wherein the unique identification parameter comprises of one or more of numerical code, biologic identifier and electronic security code. 
   
   
       9 . The dispenser of  claim 7 ; further comprising an internal clock operatively connected to the locking mechanism; and locking mechanism functionally responsive to signal input from the internal clock. 
   
   
       10 . The dispenser of  claim 7  in communication link with remote server; and locking mechanism responsive to signal input from remote server. 
   
   
       11 . The dispenser of  claim 7  wherein access to medications contained therein is restricted to instances to input of valid unique identification parameter into the dispenser. 
   
   
       12 . The dispenser of  claim 7  wherein operation of the locking mechanism is restricted to pre defined times period. 
   
   
       13 . A method of controlling dispensation of medication dosage comprising:
 a dispenser restricting access to medicine contained therein; and containing a locking mechanism responsive to unique identification parameter.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the locking mechanism is made operable by unique identification parameter comprising of one or more of numerical code; biologic identifier and electronic code. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the dispenser has an internal clock operatively connected to the locking mechanism; and locking mechanism is functionally responsive to signal input from the internal clock. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the dispenser is in communication link with remote server; and locking mechanism is operatively responsive to signal input from remote server. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein access to medications contained in the dispenser is restricted to instances to input of valid unique identification parameter into the dispenser. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein operation of the locking mechanism is restricted to pre defined time period. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the dispenser comprises of an internal circuitry to dispense medication dosages; and wherein the internal circuitry is operatively responsive to signal input from the internal clock of the dispenser and/or the remote server. 
   
   
       20 . A method of operating a medicine dispensing device, comprising:
 storing a first bulk supply of a first medicine in a first storage container having a first discharge port;   securing the first storage container such that the first medicine cannot be accessed by an unauthorized user;   dispensing at least a portion of the first supply to a collection compartment;   securing the collection compartment such that the first medicine cannot be accessed by an unauthorized user;   recognizing a first authorized user;   permitting the first authorized user to access at least a portion of the first supply in the collection compartment.