A method and apparatus for monitoring drug-regimen compliance is disclosed. Systems in accordance with the present invention enable automatic monitoring of the state of medicine content of a blister card. Each tablet location on the blister card is operatively coupled with a different sensor that detects whether the tablet location is occupied and/or a dispensing event at a tablet location. In some embodiments, capacitive sensing is employed, where the capacitance of each sensor is based on the physical state of a dispensing region of the lidding film of the blister pack, which is located at the tablet location being monitored. Alternative sensing approaches are based on optical, acoustic, and tactile sensors that interrogate either the dispensing region at each tablet location or the tablets themselves to determine whether tablets have been dispensed. The sensors interface with a mobile app that provides the user instructions to help improve drug-regimen compliance.

Systems and methods for extraction of prescription information from a medicine bottle are provided. Relevant prescription information and instructions are extracted by imaging or scanning the surface of the medicine bottle, along with spoken instructions based on the extracted information/instructions, are stored in a medicine bottle with an attachment or a storage device. A database of prescription labels used by various pharmacies is used to detect and parse text from the assembled image made of the several scans or images of the bottle.

Example embodiments relate to medication compliance alert devices. An example embodiment includes a method. The method includes capturing information about a medication label associated with a medication. The method also includes analyzing, by a first computing device, the information about the medication label to extract medication information. Further, the method includes generating, by the first computing device, a medication schedule for a corresponding patient associated with the medication. The medication schedule includes a dosage strength and dosage frequency. In addition, the method includes prompting, by a second computing device, the corresponding patient to take an amount of the medication corresponding to the dosage strength at a predetermined time according to the medication schedule. Still further, the method includes receiving, by the second computing device, an indication that the corresponding patient has taken the amount of the medication corresponding to the dosage strength.

A smart medication container cap for medication management and related devices, systems and methods for medication management are provided. The smart cap ensures ensuring accuracy in dispensing, prompts the user promoting compliance, collects information about the medication, transmits the information to a central server or LAN, determining container contents, locations, and surroundings, remotely manages the same, transmits alerts to the user, and communicates with a computer system for the same.

A method and apparatus for dispensing objects from automated storage and retrieval systems such as medications is disclosed which may also include a singulator to assure singulation (retrieval of singular objects). The singulator may be an imaging system to confirm and/or identify the objects being dispensed and/or a variable orifice dynamically adjustable to a specific object or pill size, and through which only a single object or pill is allowed to pass. The system may further include a flexible probe so as to reduce the size of the system where the movement of the probe relative to or while retrieving objects is accomplished by advancing/retracting a flexible tube. The method and apparatus may further include an imaging system.

A method and apparatus for monitoring adherence to a dosing-regimen for a medication is presented. Systems in accordance with the present invention automatically monitor the medicine content of a blister card based on the state of its lidding film and compare it to the prescribed dosing regimen for the medicine. In some embodiments, the lidding film is imaged using a tomographic imaging technique, such as electrical resistance tomography or electrical impedance tomography. Alternative sensing approaches are based on optical, acoustic, and tactile sensors that interrogate either the dispensing region at each tablet location or the tablets themselves to determine whether tablets have been dispensed. Automatic monitoring of the blister card enables the user to be: (1) alerted to non-compliance, (2) alerted to a risk of future non-compliance, and/or (3) to be provided remediation instructions when non-compliance is determined.

Methods, systems and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, are provided for assisting users with adherence to a medication regimen. An attachable device includes a sensor module releasably attached to an adapter, which is in turn attached to a medication container using a connector. The sensor module can be removed from the adapter to change an included battery without removing the adapter from the medication container. The sensor module is in communication with a user device, such as a smart phone. A user can use an app on the user device to create a medicine regimen, or schedule, and send the schedule to the sensor module. The user can also set notification preferences on the user device to be sent to the sensor module. The sensor module includes audio and/or visual transducers that notify the user to take the medication at the scheduled times. The sensor module further includes one or more buttons that are pressed when a user opens the medication container. The button(s) are configured so the action of the user required to open the container also presses at least one button. The sensor module records the actions of the user, including when the medication container is opened, when a dose of the medication is missed, and when the user presses a mood indication button. The user actions can be transmitted to the user device, which can then transmit the recorded actions to a server. The sensor module may be configured to attempt communication with the user device on a periodic basis to conserve battery life.

An interactive pill dispensing system, apparatus, and methods with advanced capabilities for medication management and adherence. In the broadest terms, the system comprises an advanced pill dispensing apparatus with one or more user-interfaces, computing, mobile communication, networking, and Artificial Intelligent (AI) digital assistant capabilities. These capabilities enable the pill dispensing user (patient) to be connected to a support system of care givers. The apparatus functions as an integral component of an ecosystem for medication management and adherence. The ecosystem comprises one or more said apparatus, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet of Things (IoTs), a cellular network, Internet, ISP, mobile cellular phone, local server, remote server, cloud server, cloud computing services, laptop, desktop computer, database, application software, smart appliances. One or more of said components are configured to enable seamless communication between patient, caregivers, healthcare providers, and service providers.

A method and apparatus for dispensing objects from automated storage and retrieval systems such as medications is disclosed which may also include a singulator to assure singulation (retrieval of singular objects). The singulator may be an imaging system to confirm and/or identify the objects being dispensed and/or a variable orifice dynamically adjustable to a specific object or pill size, and through which only a single object or pill is allowed to pass. The system may further include a flexible probe so as to reduce the size of the system where the movement of the probe relative to or while retrieving objects is accomplished by advancing/retracting a flexible tube. The method and apparatus may further include an imaging system.

The disclosure relates generally to methods and devices for taking care of elderly, disabled, or other dependents. The devices and methods may be useful for dependents that are not willing or able to live in an environment which has a caretaker physically present. Example devices and methods can facilitate communication between a caretaker and a dependent. Devices and methods can optionally facilitate disbursing medications remotely.