SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE VERIFICATION OF MEDICATION

Abstract

A system and method for verifying proper possession of a medication is disclosed. A reader device scans a code printed on the medication to extract an embedded serial number and captures an image of the face of the person in possession of the medication. A first server queries a prescription database, which retrieves facial characteristic data associated with the embedded serial number. A determination is made if the retrieved facial characteristic data matches facial characteristic data extracted from the captured image. The match information is displayed on the reader device.

Claims

1. A method for verifying possession of a medication comprising: receiving identifying facial information and prescription information from a mobile device via a communications network; querying a prescription database system to obtain patient facial information associated with the prescription information; determining match information by matching the identifying facial information with the patient facial information; and transmitting match information to the mobile device via the communications network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the identifying facial information and the patient facial information include facial characteristic data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the prescription information includes at least one of a serial number, a lot number, or a batch number.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the prescription database system comprises a plurality of prescription databases.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: selecting one of the prescription databases for querying based on location information.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising: receiving prescription database information from the mobile device via the communications network; and selecting one of the prescription databases for querying based on the prescription database information.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising: sequentially querying each of the plurality of prescription databases until patient information is obtained, or until each of the plurality of prescription databases has been queried.

8. A method for verifying possession of a medication comprising: scanning a machine readable optical code printed on at least one of a medication or a medication container; interpreting the machine readable optical code to determine prescription information; capturing an image of the face of a person to determine identifying facial information; transmitting the prescription information and the identifying facial information to a server via a communications network; receiving match information from the server via the communications network, the match information indicating whether the identifying facial information matches patient facial information associated with the prescription information; and displaying the match information.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein each of the identifying facial information and the patient facial information include facial characteristic data.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the prescription information includes at least one of a serial number, a lot number, or a batch number.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the machine readable optical code is printed on a medication.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: scanning a corresponding machine readable optical code printed on a medication container; interpreting the corresponding machine readable optical code to determine corresponding prescription information; determining second match information by matching the prescription information with the corresponding prescription information; and displaying the second match information.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising: receiving prescription database information; and transmitting the prescription database information to the server via the communications network.

14. A method for verifying possession of a medication comprising: scanning a machine readable optical code printed on at least one of a medication or a medication container; interpreting the machine readable optical code to determine prescription information; capturing an image of the face of a person to determine identifying facial information; transmitting the prescription information to a server via a communications network; receiving patient facial information from the server via the communications network, wherein the patient information is associated with the prescription information; determining match information by matching the identifying facial information with the patient facial information; and displaying the match information.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the prescription information includes at least one of a serial number, a lot number, or a batch number.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein each of the identifying facial information and the patient facial information include facial characteristic data.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the machine readable optical code is printed on a medication.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: scanning a corresponding machine readable optical code printed on a medication container; interpreting the corresponding machine readable optical code to determine corresponding prescription information; determining second match information by matching the prescription information with the corresponding prescription information; and displaying the second match information.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising: receiving prescription database information; and transmitting the prescription database information to the server via the communications network.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein like reference numerals across the several views refer to identical or equivalent features, and wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a top view of an exemplary pill for use with the system of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a top view of another exemplary pill for use with the system of FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary pill container for use with the system of FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed view of the system of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 6 is an exemplary method in accordance with the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 7 is another exemplary method;

[0021] FIG. 8 is another exemplary method;

[0022] FIG. 9 is another exemplary method; and

[0023] FIG. 10 is another exemplary method in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

[0024] Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, specific details such as detailed configuration and components are merely provided to assist the overall understanding of these embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0025] FIG. 1 through FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary system in accordance with the present invention. A medication 12 such as a pill, tablet, capsule, or the like is marked with a code 24. The code 24 may be a one-dimensional code such as a UPC, EAN, Code 39, Code 128, ITF, Code 93, Codabar, GS1 Databar, MSI Plessey or the like. Alternatively, the code 24 may be a two-dimensional code such as a quick response (hereinafter “QR”) code, datamatrix code, PDS417, Aztec, or the like. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate detailed views of exemplary medications 12 marked with exemplary codes 24.

[0026] Two-dimensional codes are well known in the art. A brief description is provided herein for completeness but is not intended to be limiting. Two dimensional codes are optically machine-readable labels containing encoded information about the item to which it is attached. The QR code, for example without limitation, consists of three alignment targets and a series of black modules (typically square markings) arranged in a square grid on a white background, and are capable of being read by an imaging device such as a camera. Some of the black modules are directed to formatting information and the rest are generally directed to the underlying data, which can be any kind of information. The image is often processed using Reed-Solomon error correction until the image can be appropriately interpreted. The required data is then extracted from patterns that are present in both horizontal and vertical components of the image and is generally interpreted in numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary, and Kanji forms, though other forms are possible.

[0027] In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the code 24 comprises encoded data for translating at least a portion of the code 24 into a serial number. The serial may be 10-12 digits, though any number of digits is contemplated, and may comprise letters, numbers, other symbols, or some combination thereof. In other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the code 24 may be a series of non-encoded letters and/or numbers (i.e., a list of printed letters and/or numbers) of any number of digits. Essentially, in such an embodiment, the code 24 is the serial number. The code 24 or the translated, embedded serial number may comprise a lot or batch number. For example, without limitation, the code 24 may be translated into the serial number, the lot, and batch number. In other exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of the embedded serial number may be the lot and batch number. The code 24 may additionally comprise other embedded information such as, but not limited to, the manufacture date, the manufacture's name or identification information, the content of the medication 12, or any other information about the medication 12 and its manufacture. The serial number may be determined by any known or future standardized system. The serial number may comprise any numbered of coded or uncoded portions that are intended to convey information about the medication 12.

[0028] The code 24 may be placed on the medication 12 during manufacture by any known method. Alternatively, the code 24 may be placed on the medication 12 at a later stage. A number of methods and systems for imprinting medication 12 with information are known in the arts. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a system and method is used that prints the code 24 with a sufficient resolution that it may be read by a relatively low-resolution camera, such as but not limited to, one on a smart phone or other mobile device. The ink used to print the code 24 may be any ink that is safe for human consumption, such as but not limited to, those approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The surface of the medication 12 may comprise a coating or surface texture amenable to the adherence of the ink.

[0029] The medication 12 having the code 24 printed thereon may then be placed in a storage container 14. The storage container 14 may be any container for storing medication 12. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the storage container 14 may be a prescription bottle. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, only medication 12 from the same lot or batch, such that it contains the same code 24, may be placed in a single storage container 14. Stated another way, medication 12 of a “split lot” or a “split batch” would require separate storage containers 14. This simplifies the printing process, such that a unique code need not be marked on each medication 12.

[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed view of the storage container 14. The storage container 14 may further comprise a label having patient and prescription information 28. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention the storage container 14 further comprises a corresponding code 26. The corresponding code 26, like the code 24, may be a one-dimensional code, a two-dimensional code, or the like. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention the code 24 matches, is identical to, or is otherwise associated with the corresponding code 26. It is notable that the corresponding code 26 is optional and may not be required for exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0031] The code 24 and the corresponding code 26 may be configured to be read and interpreted by a reader device 16. The reader device 16 may be a mobile device such as a smart phone, camera, tablet, laptop or the like. The reader device 16 may additionally be a dedicated scanning device or attachment for a mobile device, such as a code reading device, a scanner, terminal or any other fixed or mobile device or attachment configured to read and interpret one and two dimensional codes 24. The reader device 16 may be configured to read and interpret the code 24 and the corresponding code 26, input and receive other information, display the encoded information, and input, receive, and display match information. In exemplary embodiments, the encoded information is the serial number comprising at least a lot or batch number and the match information is a message displaying “MATCH” or “NO MATCH” or similar.

[0032] As will be explained in greater detail, the system and method described herein may be used by law enforcement officials to determine whether a person carrying medication 12 is legally permitted to possess or use said medication 12. This information may be used to make decisions regarding whether to pursue a further investigation, continue detention of the person, perform a search of the person, their dwelling, vehicle, personal belongings, and the like, or to make an arrest. Alternatively, other applications are contemplated including quality control, preventing drug interactions, and any other application where verification of prescription medication is desirable. Any purpose or application is contemplated.

[0033] As best illustrated in FIG. 1, the reader device 16 may be in communication with a first server 18 via a communications network 20, such as the internet. The first server 18 may likewise be in communication with a prescription database 22 via the communications network 20. The prescription database 22 may be part of a state or federally controlled prescription database program, such as but not limited to the PDMP. The prescription database 22 may be a single database or comprise multiple databases that are linked and may be queried together. This may include, but is not limited to, a national network of state prescription databases or a national prescription database.

[0034] The first server 18 may receive the serial number and other information from the reader device 16 and send a query to the prescription database 22 to compare the serial number and other information against patient registration information. The query may be an automated request for information from the prescription database 22. As will be described with greater detail herein, the first server 18 may also determine which prescription database 22 to query.

[0035] In other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, only the prescription database 22 for the state in which the user is located or employed in may be queried. In still other exemplary embodiments, the prescription database 22 for the state in which the user is located or employed to work in and the adjoining states may be queried. The query of any number of prescription databases 22 for any number of states in any combination is contemplated. The prescription database 22 to be queried may be pre-determined and thus the first server 18 may serve as a relay in communications between the reader device 16 and the prescription database 22.

[0036] The prescription database 22 may perform an automated query and determine patient information associated with the serial number. The patient information may include, but is not limited to, the patient's name, address, physical description, prescription information, photograph, and the like. The patient information may then be transmitted back to the first server 18 and back to the reader device 16.

[0037] In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the reader device 16 may also be configured to receive and transmit other input including, but not limited to, the person's name, state where prescription was filled, particular database to be queried, date of birth, and other identifying information. This information may likewise be transmitted via the communications network 20 to the first server 18. The first server 18 may only check to see if the patient information matches the name information transmitted by the reader device 16. The first server 18 may then transmit the match information back to the reader device 16 to be displayed.

[0038] In other exemplary embodiments, the name and the serial number information may be transmitted to the prescription database 22 where the prescription database 22 determines whether the information is a match and relays back the match information. In still other exemplary embodiments, the prescription database 22 may transmit corresponding patient information to the first server 18 and the information may be relayed to the reader device 16 and the reader device 16 may determine if there is a match and display the match information. Regardless, the reader device 16 may be configured to display match information to the user including whether or not a match was determined.

[0039] In other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, only the serial number may be transmitted to the prescription database 22 and the prescription database 22 may return the patient information associated with the serial number to the reader device 16 such that the user may make a match determination.

[0040] In still other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the reader device 16 may read the code 24 and the corresponding code 26 and display match information. Alternatively, the reader device 16 may read the code 24 and the corresponding code 26 and display the serial numbers for comparison.

[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary method in accordance with the present invention. In step 110 the code 24 may be placed on the medication 12. The code 24 may be placed by printing or any other known method for marking the medication 12. The printing may be accomplished at the manufacturing facility, at the packaging facility, at the dispensing pharmacy, at a separate printing facility, or any other place prior to dispensing the medication 12 to the person. In step 112 the corresponding code 26 is placed on the storage container 14. Likewise, the corresponding code 26 may be placed by printing or any other known method for marking the storage container 14. Finally, in step 114 the code 24 and the corresponding code 26 may be associated with patient information and linked thereto and stored in the prescription database 22.

[0042] In exemplary embodiments of the present invention this information may be gathered and linked to or otherwise associated with the patient when the prescription is ordered or filled and may be associated and caused to be placed in the prescription database 22 by the doctor, pharmacist, or other medical professional. The patient information may be manually entered into a computer system. For example, without limitation, this may be done for new patients or when updating patient information. In other exemplary embodiments, the patient information may be automatically entered from information already known by the doctors, pharmacist, or other medical professional. For example, without limitation, this may be done for existing patients by automatically populating a form or uploading information from the medical professional's files. The steps listed are merely exemplary and may be performed in any order. Additionally, various steps may be repeated or omitted.

[0043] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary method for verifying proper possession of medication. In step 210 the code 24 on the medication 12 may be scanned using the reader device 16. In step 212 the information from the code 24 may be transmitted by the reader device 16 to the first server 18 via the communications network 20. In step 214, the first server 18 may determine which prescription database 22 to query and in step 216 the appropriate prescription database 22 is queried. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the prescription database 22 is the state-controlled PDMP, and thus the first server 18 may determine which state's prescription database 22 to query. This may be done by the input from the user and the transmission of additional information from the reader device 16 to the first server 18. This information may include a state selected by the user according to the persons' license information, stated information about the persons' residence, location of prescribing physician, or location of dispensing pharmacy.

[0044] In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the first server 18 may make an assumption on which state databases 22 are to be queried including by first querying the database of the state where the user is located and if no matching information is found, by subsequently querying databases 22 at an increasing geographic distance until matching information is found or all databases 22 have been queried.

[0045] Next, in step 218 the corresponding information may be retrieved from the prescription database 22 and transmitted to the first server 18. The first server 18 may then transmit the information to the reader device 16. In step 220, the transmission of information may be accomplished by the communications network 20.

[0046] FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary method. In step 310 the reader device 16 is used to scan the code 24 on the medication 12. Next, in step 312 the persons' name may be entered into the reader device 16. In step 314 the name and serial number from the code 24 may be transmitted to the first server 18. In step 316 the first server 18 may determine which prescription database 22 to query. Step 316 may be accomplished by any of the several methods previously discussed and in step 318, the appropriate prescription database 22 may be queried. In step 320 the prescription database 22 may determine if there is a match between the name and the code information. The match information may then be transmitted to the first server 18 in step 322. Finally, in step 324, the first server 18 may transmit the match information to the reader device 16. Alternatively, the information may be transmitted from the database and the match determination may be made by the first server 18 or by the user of the reader device 16.

[0047] FIG. 9 illustrates another method whereby in step 410 the code 24 on the medication 12 may be scanned using the reader device 16. In step 412 the corresponding code 26 on the storage container 14 may likewise be scanned by the reader device 16. At step 414 it may be determined if there is a match by any of the several methods previously discussed. If there is a match, as noted in step 416 the investigation may be ended. If there is no match, the same procedure may be followed for steps 418, 420, 422, 424, 426, 428, and 430, which generally corresponds to steps 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, and 324 of FIG. 8, respectively. It is contemplated that step 418 is optional and may be skipped and a procedure similar to steps 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, and 220 of FIG. 7, respectively, may instead be followed.

[0048] FIG. 10 illustrates another exemplary method whereby facial recognition technology is utilized. The code 24 on the medication 12 may be scanned using the reader device 16 at step 510. Alternatively, or in addition, the code 26 on the storage container 14 may be scanned. Regardless, the scan of the code 24 or code 26 may permit the reader device 16 to extract an embedded serial number. At step 512 an image of the face of the person in possession of the medication 12 may be taken. The image may be captured using the reader device 16. In such embodiments, the reader device 16 may comprise one or more cameras capable of photographing an individual's face.

[0049] In exemplary embodiments, initial facial recognition processing, such as but not limiting to, extracting facial characteristic data from the image of the captured face (e.g., eye spacing distance, distance from forehead to chin, etc.) may be performed at the reader device 16 such that the extracted facial characteristic data is transmitted. In other exemplary embodiments, such initial facial recognition processing may be performed at the prescription database 22 and simply the image data may be transmitted. In still other exemplary embodiments, the initial facial recognition processing may be performed at the first server 18. Regardless, at step 514 the extracted serial number as well as the facial characteristic data or the image data may be transmitted to the first server 18. The first server 18 may determine which prescription database 22 to query at step 516.

[0050] One or more entries on one or more of the prescription databases 22 may comprise facial characteristic data for persons prescribed medications 12. The facial characteristic data may be extracted from an image of the person prescribed the medication. Such images may be captured at the dispensing, prescribing, or the like of such medications 12. The image processing required to extract the facial characteristic data may be performed where the image was captured, at the first server 18, or at the prescription database 22.

[0051] Regardless, at step 518 the appropriate prescription database 22 may be queried. The query may return the facial characteristic data associated with the queried serial number. At step 520 a match between the facial characteristic data of the person possessing the medication and the retrieved facial characteristic data associated with the queried serial number may be determined. At step 522 the match information may be transmitted to the first server 18. The match information may indicate a match or no match between the facial characteristic data of the person possessing the medication and the retrieved facial characteristic data associated with the queried serial number.

[0052] At step 524 the match information may be transmitted to the reader device 16 for display. The reader device 16 may be configured to simply display whether or not a match was received. For example, without limitation, the words “match” or “no match” may be displayed. The results may be color coded for ease of review, such as green for match and red for no match.

[0053] In still other exemplary embodiments, the facial characteristic data for the person prescribed the medication may be transmitted to the reader device 16 which performs the match analysis. If no facial characteristic data is available for the individual, other methods and systems may be utilized such as but not limited to, those shown and described herein.

[0054] The components described herein, such as but not limited to, the reader device 16, the first server 18, and the prescription database 22 may each comprise one or more electronic storage devices which comprise executable software instructions and one or more processors for executing said executable software instructions. The execution of said executable software instructions may configure the respective device (i.e., the reader device 16, the first server 18, or the prescription database 22) to perform one or more functions described herein.

[0055] The various methods discussed herein are merely exemplary and may be performed in any order. Additionally, various steps may be repeated or omitted.

[0056] Any embodiment of the present invention may include any of the optional or preferred features of the other embodiments of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present invention so that others skilled in the art may practice the invention. Having shown and described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will realize that many variations and modifications may be made to the described invention. Many of those variations and modifications will provide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimed invention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by the scope of the claims.