CA2509279A1

CA2509279A1 - System and method for integrated personal well-being monitoring

Info

Publication number: CA2509279A1
Application number: CA 2509279
Authority: CA
Inventors: Yuyang Jing
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-16
Filing date: 2005-06-16
Publication date: 2006-12-16

Abstract

A system and method are provided for monitoring personal well-being including medical compliance. The system includes a system controller, a user presence detection subsystem that upon detection of user's presence activates a power supply to an RFID interrogator to monitor access to various medical objects. Reusable holders with RFID transponders attached are provided for identification of these medical objects. The system controller periodically sends status request signal to the interrogator, gathers and tracks information from responses and makes analysis on the presence regularity of the user and the status of medical compliance. The system controller can send reminders and non-compliance warnings to the user, and can also send alert signals to a third party.

Description

System and Method for Integrated Personal Well-being Monitoring FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to personal care systems and methods, more particularly, to interactive systems and methods for the monitoring and managing the personal well-being and daily healthcare functions.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Seniors, widely categorized at age 65 and over, represent about 12 percent of the populations in U.S.
and in Canada. This population is projected to increase dramatically in the next two decades. Caring for them is becoming an ever more critical issue, as majority of them choose to live independently, the concern that they may fall, become sick or injured are overwhelming. Many seniors with conditions like heart problems, osteoporosis, respiratory illness, diabetes and arthritis need to be able to follow a medical regimen and quickly summon emergency medical assistance should complications occur.
On the other hand, the advances in medicine, and self monitoring tools are enhancing the quality of people's lives. In many cases, ailments, or medical conditions can be monitored and treated with medicines by the patients themselves, provided they remember to take a test and have a pill over prescribed intervals, for example three times daily.
A patient may have difficulty remembering to take a test or medication, or if he or she has already taken a dose. It may pose grave consequences to the patient if a monitoring test or a treatment dose is skipped, and if a wrong or improper amount of medicine is taken. There exists a need for effective devices and methods for monitoring and assist prescribed medication compliance.
There is a large number of devices designed to enhance medication compliance.
Devices available in the prior art include timers, medicament containers and combinations of timers and containers, such as disclosed in US Patent No. 6529446 to de la Huerga.

U.S. Patent No. 5,239,491 to Mucciacciaro describes a holder having a plurality of recesses for holding a plurality of medication containers, each fitting into a unique recess. A sensor in each recess signals the presence or absence of the dedicated container to a microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed with the prescribed dose administration schedule for each of the different medications in the different containers. A real time clock cooperates with the microprocessor and the program to signal audibly and visibly by a light at the appropriate container when a particular pill is to be administered. The signals stop when the appropriate container is removed from its recess. A different, warning sound indicates when the wrong container is lifted.
In US Patent No. 6294999 to Yarin et al., a Smart Tray is disclosed. It is equipped with a processor and radio frequency identification (RFID) reader that interrogates each respective RFID tag to identify medicament contained within each container. Using the retrieved information, it provides visual and/or audio signals to a patient to remind the patient when and how much of various medicaments to take. A Smart Tray also monitors, via the reader, when a medication container is removed. However, in order to removably receive and track a plurality of medication containers, a plurality of receptacles and antenna coils, or an array of RF coils are required, increasing cost and complexity in use.
In addition, various home health monitoring systems are also known in the prior art. These systems fall into a broad category of devices which offer in-home electronic monitoring of various health conditions. Some of these health monitoring systems transmit a log to a central unit if a monitored parameter is outside a predetermined range. Other systems monitor predetermined health related parameters in the environment of the user.
US Patent No. 6108685 to Kutzik describes a user monitoring system for selected activities of daily living for users requiring differing levels of monitoring or supervision. The user monitoring system monitors and provides interventions relating to movement around the home, medication compliance by the user, problems with usage of stoves or other potentially dangerous appliances, and selected auxiliary appliance control.
Unfortunately, existing devices for assisting patients in following medication regimens can be somewhat expensive and complex in design. Furthermore, existing devices for assisting user in medication management and home monitoring can be difficult to operate, especially for elderly people living independently. For instance, some systems require attaching a new label to the medicine container or replacing the cap of the container with a special cap.
Others require empty of the existing container and place the content into another special container or containers. There is also a lack of combined systems that can monitor the user's presence as well as medical compliance, both are significant for the well-being of the user.
A still further problem with designing an automated medication container is that the expensive automated components should be reusable. A reprogrammable radio frequency transponder, although cost is decreasing, should be conveniently reattachable to a new medication container.
There is also a need for the container to be easily identifiable visually by the user, instead of depending on reading labels, particularly if the user is having several medications or impaired physical conditions, and if there are more than one users.
A still further problem in designing an automated medication systems is compatibility issue with conventional, non-automated medication containers used by the pharmaceutical industry today. A
dramatic deviation from the conventional design and change in dispensing system would inhibit the adoption of the automated systems. A compatible design would enable the pharmacist to continue using conventional, non-automated containers, but would enable the pharmacist to provide an accessory or attachment to the existing containers for automated systems where it is appropriate.
The present invention overcomes these and other limitations in existing medication monitoring products.
It is useful to provide an integrated system that can monitor user's well-being by periodically checking his/her presence in a living area and compare the log with an established pattern and alert his adult children or a care centre to intervene according to a predetermined criteria, and at the same time assisting the user manage his medical compliance. It is advantage also to provide a power-saving feature integrated with presence detection for the monitoring system.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention provides system that includes one or more reusable base units in the form of plastic holders embedded with radio frequency transponders that can be removably mounted onto the medicine containers or medical test apparatus to form an identification package for reminder of use, and consumption tracking. The user's presence monitoring, alert, and power saving features are also incorporated into the system to provide a general well-being monitoring in a user's living area.
A desirable aspect of invention is that the user can conveniently attach the medication identifier -the holder - to a medicine container to form an identification package and input his or her own preferred schedule according to the instructions and place the package freely onto the receptacle plate of the apparatus to make it trackable by the radio frequency interrogating device. The holder is each uniquely colour coded or shaped for easy visual identification and can be re-attached to a new supply of the container should the medication runs out. It can be reused by mounting to a new medication container and reprogrammed.
By using a motion sensor activated power supply to the radio frequency interrogating device another aspect of invention is that the scanning of the medications is actually shut off during user's absence, saving a considerable amount of power and amount of electromagnet energy being transmitted. Therefore the motion sensor activated power supply serves two purposes: cycle reduced power supply for the interrogator and user's presence detection and monitoring. This invention reduces the system complexity and cost. Although the radio frequency interrogating device works at a lower cycle, the system controller constantly monitors user's presence by indirectly sensing the motion sensor activated power supply and logging this information. The system controller also tracks the time and healthcare related schedule, and always ready for alerting user for following a medical regimen. User's presence would activate the power supply and allow the system controller perform a scanning of the inventory and check for user's compliance to the medical regimen.
The circuit and method of user presence detection and use it as an activation mechanism integrated with the radio frequency interrogator is disclosed. The user's presence or non-presence is timely monitored and recorded for absence analysis. The sensor's sensing field covers a living area where the user carnes out daily living activities including but not limited to, having meals, performing a medical monitoring test or taking medications. Therefore, a normal presence pattern can be established and it forms a basis for the user's well-being monitoring analysis. The system can be programmed to alert concerned third parties on the deviation of the user's normal presence pattern, or user's failing to present at a regular scheduled time, and perform a scheduled healthcare function.

Another aspect of this invention is that the medical compliance monitoring could includes all user's healthcare functions thanks to the introduction of the "holders" instead of attaching tags directly on to the containers. Holders with electronic labels can attach to various kinds of objects that are of medical or healthcare significance to the user, such as, test apparatus, medicine vials, and a medical appointment reminder card. In the case of a medical test apparatus, after the test is taken, the user is prompted to enter the test result or to initiate a communication between the test device and the system controller, allowing data to be supplied to a diagnosis program and correlated with the record. The result and a diagnosis report can be used to modify a medical regimen, and further be sent to a diagnostic/monitoring centre or doctor's office for further evaluation.
In one embodiment according to the present invention, an identification package comprises an radio frequency transponder embedded in a plastic holder that encloses and supports the concerned medical related object. The radio frequency transponder has a memory that stores object related information which can be programmed by the user with the user interface. The radio frequency transponder as well as the radio frequency interrogating device have a built-in anti-collision function or algorithm to allow multiple radio frequency transponders to communicate with one radio frequency interrogating device.
The system controller comprises a timer which is programmed to generate multiple timing signals that control the monitoring functions. An additional feature of the embodiment is that it further comprises a weight sensor to measure the weight of the plate in order to determine if a correct dosage has been taken.
In another embodiment according to the present invention, the system has a user reminder and a remote alert generators and methods of communicating to the user and remote care monitors including the user's adult children, doctors, and patient care centre. The user reminder generator informs the user to administer a healthcare related function, such as taking a dose of medication or perform a medical test. The method comprises sending a reminder at a prescribed time and issuing a warning if incorrect procedure is performed via a visual display and/or audible device. The remote alert generator connects to a wide area network (WAIF such as cellular network or Internet to alert a user's care person or third party of the irregularities of the user's well-being, such as: a missed dose, a prolonged absence from the monitored living area, a abnormal medical test result, or the emergency button has been pressed. In addition, the remote alert generator may facilitate prescription refills such that a patient receives a new prescription without a lapse in medication occurnng.
The present invention may facilitate compliance with medication regimens, especially complex regimens involving multiple healthcare functions and multiple users. As such, the present invention may reduce medication errors made by patients or administers in a care centre, such as taking the wrong drug, taking the wrong dose, taking a dose at the wrong time, or various combinations thereof. On the other hand, the present invention can be made portable, as shown in one embodiment of the invention.
The above summaries of the present invention are not intended to represent each disclosed embodiment, or every aspect, of the present invention. Other aspects and example embodiments are provided in the figures and the detailed description that follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention, giving by way of example, in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the holder and a medicine container embodying the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 2 depicts an identification package according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 shows two prior art devices. The first one is a perspective view of another device including a conventional, non-automated cap that seals a vial with an interactive label, and a sensing element and cable that conveys information to a personal computer; and the second one is a perspective view of another device wherein multiple medication containers are removably received within respective receptacles. In addition, a blood pressure monitor is removably received within another receptacle.

FIG. 4 illustrates schematic diagram of the system for monitoring and managing the personal well-being and daily healthcare functions;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a presence detection sensor activated power supply section according to the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a detailed schematic for the time delay and control, and a series regulator of the preferred embodiment of the presence detection sensor activated power supply circuit of the invention;
FIG. 7 is a drawing of an integrated personal well-being monitor including part of an RFID
interrogator within an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 (a) is a perspective view of an integrated personal well-being monitor according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein a number of objects being tracked on the plate.
FIG. 8 (b) is yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein the device taking advantage of a personal computer as a system controller.
FIG. 9 is a flow diagram schematically illustrating an embodiment of the integrated personal well-being and medical monitor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention is a system and method that is directed to provide well-being monitoring functions for a user.
For assisting and monitoring user's medical compliance, the system includes one or more reusable base units in the form of plastic holders embedded with radio frequency transponders that can be removably mounted onto the medicine containers or medical test apparatus to form an identification package for reminder of use, and consumption tracking.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the identification package embodying the principles of the present invention comprises a plastic holder 18 and an associated object 10 in this embodiment a medication container, which is an object of a medical or healthcare significance to the user. The holder 18 has a bottom plate portion 13 and a depending annular wall portion 11, and a radio frequency transponder 14 disposed at the bottom plate portion. The radio frequency transponder, in a form of a radio frequency identification (RFID) inlay, has readable and writable memory that can be programmed preferably using the system to store key information about the object and relevant regimen. For instance, it can contain the information on the container's label 16, being entered by the user himself, or by the pharmacist when the drug is administered to the user. The holder is each uniquely colour coded or shaped for easy visual identification. Since each RFID inlay has a unique serial number, called ID code, once the package is formed by mounting the container onto the holder, the product can be identified among other objects electronically by the system and visually by the user. The holder 18 also has the means for retaining and securing the object in place, as illustrated as 15, such as creating friction or providing a locking mechanism, so deliberate force is required to separate the object from the holder.
FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the invention wherein the identification package 17 is comprised of a holder 11' and a product package 10', in this case a medical test apparatus, lancets for performing a blood sugar test.
An RFID inlay usually includes an integrated circuit (IC) chip having a memory more or less than a few thousand bits, and an antenna formed by conductive traces laid on a flexible material. The back of the material may include an adhesive coating for easy affixing the inlay to other surfaces.
Different RFID devices use different radio frequency bands to communicate, such as low-frequency (LF) using 125 KHz to 134.2 KHz, high-frequency (HF) using 13.56 MHz, and ultra-high-frequency (UHF) using 860 to 960 MHz. High-frequency RF signals are more able to penetrate liquids because the longer wavelengths of HF systems are less susceptible to absorption. UHF's shorter wavelengths are more susceptible to absorption by liquids. In practical applications, HF
inlays are better suited for tagging liquid-bearing containers, such as some medicines.
There are also different standards that specify details on the communication protocols. For instance, there are International Standard Organization (ISO) standards and Electronic Product Code (EPC) standards. Some protocols support a so-called anti-collision algorithm or procedure that facilitates multiple simultaneous reading of transponders, or one interrogator to communicate with multiple transponders in a reading filed without causing interference. For example, in the ISO/IEC-15693 contactless integrated circuit card/vicinity card standard an "Inventory"
command can be sent from the interrogator to the transponders to collect all transponders ID codes in the interrogator's sensing field. In the EPCglobal standard there is a defined "Scro11Al1ID" command for this purpose.
FIG. 3 shows two prior art devices. FIG.3(a) is a perspective view of a device including a conventional, non-automated cap that seals a vial with an interactive label, and a sensing element and cable that conveys information to a personal computer. The interactive label 50 is electrically linked to the separate personal or business computer 270 via a sensing element 280. The information contained in the memory is electronically conveyed to computer 270 by sensing element 280 which has sensors located on its inside surface in a pattern and position similar to the contacts of the memory strip that contains the information. The sensing element 280 has an arcuate shape to matingly engage the cylindrical wall of the vial 20 so that when the sensing element is aligned with and placed over the interactive label 50 its sensors 281 are in electrical contact with the contacts of the memory strip. The sensing element 280 includes a connecting cable 282 with an electronic connector adapted to be plugged into or otherwise electrically communicate with the computer 270.
FIG. 3(b) is a perspective view of another device wherein multiple medication containers are removably received within respective receptacles. Disposed within the surface 30 are a plurality of receptacles 32 configured to removably receive a plurality of medication containers 34 therein.
The illustrated Smart Tray 12 also includes a display 35, such as an LCD
(liquid crystal display), located adjacent the plurality of receptacles 32.
It is an object of current invention to provide a receptacle plate that multiple packages can be freely placed and kept. FIG. 4 illustrates schematic diagram of the system for monitoring and managing the personal well-being and daily healthcare functions in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
The system includes a system controller 410, and it includes a control processor 411. The system controller 410 may also include a variety of interface units and drives for reading and writing data.

In particular, the system controller includes a timing device 420, an audio device 412, a display 413, input devices such as a microphone and voice recognition module 414, an emergency button 41 S
and other switches, and indicators. The system controller 410 may be connected to a wide area network, such as the Internet and a cellular network through a communication interface 419.
The system has at least one channel to communicate with the user's contact or care party 405, and alert can be sent remotely to user's adult children, doctor's office, a pharmacy, a security monitoring centre or a medical assistance centre, etc. There is also an interface 416 to communicate with the data port of a personal medical test apparatus 406, including, but not limited to, blood pressure monitors, thermometers, pagers, glucometers, prothrombin and coagulation monitors .
The system may contain weight sensors 407 attached to the receptacle plate 401 wherein the dosage and consumption of the medication can be monitored. The weight sensors output an analog signal with an amplitude proportional to the weight of all items on the plate 401.
The electric analog signal should be amplified and converted to digital signal by the A/D converter device 417 before feeding to the control processor 411.
A radio frequency interrogator 402 scans RFID transponders that are embedded in packaging for the medication. The scanning is done by sending a status request command from the control processor to the radio frequency interrogator via a communication interface 408. The radio frequency interrogator includes an antenna device 403 preferably formed by traces on a printed circuit board (PCB) that is disposed closely to the object holding plate 401. The radio frequency interrogator 402 also includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a controller, and is capable of reading and writing the RF
transponders. The information obtained from interrogator receiver is transmitted also to the communication interface 408. The communication interface 408 is selected from common interfaces such as a serial, a universal serial bus (USB) interface or a TCP/IP interface.
The present invention may be implemented with RF transponders and interrogators compatible with standards such as EPC, ISO-15693, ISO-14443, and ISO-18000-3, etc.
Another innovation contained in the embodiment is that the user's presence monitor has integrated in the system therein. It is achieved by the provisioning of one or more motion sensors in the presence detection block in a power supply means 404 which provides operating power to the radio frequency interrogator. Unlike conventional power supplies, the power supply means 404 is not constant. This configuration brings several advantages such as reduced power-on cycles for the radio frequency interrogator translate into power savings and reduction of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI), as well as the implementation of the presence monitor with no extra interface cost to the system controller.
The operation of the well-being monitor and the remaining elements shown in FIG. 4 will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 7-9.
The circuit and operation of the power supply means 404 and presence detection can be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a presence detection sensor activated power supply section according to the present invention. The circuit includes a motion sensor 51 l, and in a preferred form, a infrared detector, able to produce detection signals in response to infrared radiation from the region being monitored in the frequency spectrum emitted by the human body. The signals produced by the motion sensor 511 are passed through one or two stages of amplifier /
signal filter 512 where the signals are amplified and filtered to remove spurious signal components expected to come from sources unrelated to a person or similar warm target entering the detectors' field of view. Block 513 is a window comparator, which receives the signal and determines whether it is of sufficient magnitude to warrant triggering the presence detection. The window comparator thus serves as another method of avoiding false detections and determines whether a threshold of magnitude has been achieved. Infrared detectors suitable for use in motion detection devices and circuits to perform signal amplification and filtering are well known in the art.
The signal coming out of the window comparator 513 is passed to a time delay and control block 503. It serves two purposes: first regardless how long a motion has been remained in detection the delay circuit provides a sufficient period of time (called hold period) during which the power output 504 would be sustained to allow radio frequency interrogating device to update inventory information, and guarantee the control processor to obtain the user's presence status. Secondly the output of the block provides a control signal to a series regulator 502 to adjust and maintain a stable output voltage.

An unregulated DC power 510 provides operating power for all the blocks shown.
It is preferable that the radio frequency interrogating device receives a stable, regulated power source, as it usually consumes relatively large current for operating of the RF power amplifier, and the current requirement fluctuates depending on whether its transmitter is transmitting or not.
A detailed schematic for the time delay and control block 503, and a series regulator 502 of the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 6. When in use, if there is no motion detected, the output of the window comparator 505 is almost zero, which is connected to the base of the transistor 514, therefore the transistor 514 is shut off. Since its collector connects to the inverting input of an op amp 515, it causes the op amp to turn off. There is no current flows at the base of the pass transistor 507 causing it to remain in turn-off state, so the output line 504 is at zero.
When someone enters the sensing field of the motion sensor, the window comparator SOS output turns high and the transistor 514 is turned on, the capacitor in the RC timing circuit 506 is getting charged. At the same time the op amp 515 is turned on as the bias at the non-inverting input is more positive than the inverting input. The output of the op amp 51 S turns high and through a current limiting resistor 509 supplies current to the base of the pass transistor 507 causing it to turn on to output a voltage at line 504. The base voltage is held constant by the zener diode 508 therefore the output voltage is regulated. Preferably when the power supply output voltage is SV, the zener diode 508 is 1N5229, and the current limiting resistor 509 has a resistance approximately 35 Ohm. To improve power efficiency, the unregulated DC voltage can be chosen as 6V.
When no motion is detected the transistor 514 is turned off again. However because the capacitor in the RC timing circuit 506 is fully charged the voltage across it would not change suddenly so the op amp 51 S and the pass transistor 507 remain in turned-on state. The RC time constant which is equal to the product of value of the resistor and the value of the capacitor will decide how long the voltage will hold. At the end of the hold period, as the capacitor is discharged the voltage level at the inverting input of the op amp 515 rises to be more positive than the bias voltage at the non-inverting input of the op amp and causes it to flip. Normally this hold period of time can be selected as 15 to 20 seconds, sufficient for the radio frequency interrogating device to complete its task of inventory updating. The capacitor can be selected as 100 micro Farad and the total resistance of resistor and the potentiometer can be selected as approximately 800 k Ohm. The time constant is adjustable with the potentiometer.

FIG. 7 is a drawing of a personal well-being monitor including part of an RF
interrogator within an embodiment of the present invention. There is illustrated a partial cross sectional view of an integrated personal well-being monitor system 700 including a lens unit for the motion sensor 416 for presence detection. The system also includes a receptacle plate 401 made of a non-shielding material to radio frequency, such as plastics; a printed circuit board (PCB) 710 for the RF
interrogator and the antenna 403; a transmitter 711, a receiver 712, a duplexer or antenna matching circuit 713, and a control processor 710 for the RF interrogator . According to a feature of the present invention, the elements 403, 71 l, 712, and 713 are mounted inside the housing of the personal well-being monitor 700 on a single PCB 710. The PCB may include other elements of the system (not shown). The motion activated power supply means to an RF
interrogator concept of present invention may be advantageously utilized on any electronic product requiring the transmission and/or reception of radio frequency signals.
In the preferred embodiment, the antenna of the present invention is formed by conductive traces on the PCB and laid around other elements to save space. The antenna is approximately about the same size as the plate. The parallel laying and proximity between the antenna 403 of the RF interrogator and that of the RF transponder allow maximum coupling between the two antennae and good reception of radio transmissions in data exchange.
FIG. 8 illustrates two embodiments of the present invention. While the invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described, several forms of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
FIG. 8 (a) is a perspective view of an integrated personal well-being monitor according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein a number of objects being tracked on the plate.
Referring to the FIG. 8 (a), the use of the system is illustrated in more detail. It includes a microphone and voice recognition module 414, an emergency button 415, an audio device 412 and a display device 413, preferably a touch screen LCD. The system also includes some other switches, indicators and a plate 401, and according to a feature of the present invention, it acts as a receptacle for holding objects of medical and healthcare significance. As can be ascertained from FIGS. 8 (a), a number of identification packages such as 17 are placed on the plate.
FIG. 8 (b) is yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein the device takes use of a personal computer as a system controller. The more portable, compact device 800 includes a housing which is of a generally rectangular, relatively flat box-like structure. A personal computer (PC) 801 having a communication cable 802 connected with the device 800. The system is simplified because many of functions and elements in the system controller are performed and housed in the PC.
Medication or other object 10 is inserted into or mounted on the holder 18 to form an identification package 17. The system will prompt the user to program the transponder if the package is placed on the plate 401, communication established and the data in the memory appears to be unformatted.
When a medication is dispensed by the pharmacy, a pharmacist or a staff worker can perform the above steps with an integrated system. Alternately, a patient can do the same on a embodiment of the invention.
The memory on the RF transponder contains a variety of information.
Programming the RF
transponder is simply to transmit the information related to the medication from the pharmacist's system to specific memory locations on the RF transponder. Patient can input his own preference on certain schedule related items. For instance, if the medication is to be taken three times daily, the patient can select 10 PM, 7 AM and 3 PM to take medication, and this schedule would be written into the memory. The contents of the information includes prescription information such as information defining the dosing regimen and the number of pills or capsules to be consumed per dosing.
As stated above and preferably a user can do transponder programming with this system, and the RF
transponder will only be programmed with some rudimentary regimen related information, as an alternative. With the interactive tools the system equips, such as microphone and voice recognition module 414, audio device 412, display device 413, preferably a touch screen LCD, and other buttons and indicators, the user can conveniently enter the following information, shown in Table 1, some of it coming from the label for the medication, as an example:

Table 1.
Last Name of Patient : Jones First Name of Patient: Tom Colour of the Holder : Blue Pills in the Bottle : 50 Dosage : 1 Frequency : 3 Preferred Schedule: 7:00; 15:00; 22:00.
The frequency of dosage indicates the pills should be taken 3 times per day.
The preferred schedule is an option, and when not selected, the system controller would automatically schedule instead according to the one time entered by the patient of his choice. Once this is complete and the packages are being placed on the plate, at the next scheduled time the system would alert the user as:
"Tom, it is now 15:00, the time to take the medicine in the bottle on BLUE
holder. Take 1 pill."
When the user removed a wrong package the system would alert the user as:
"Tom, you have taken a wrong bottle. The right one is with a BLUE holder.
Please return the one with a YELLOW holder."
When the user removed a correct package the system would acknowledge it as:
"Tom, you have taken the correct bottle, please take 1 pill, and return the bottle to the plate."
When the user returned the package the system would acknowledge it as:
"Tom, you have taken 1 pill, and returned the bottle to the plate. Next dose is at 22:00. If you wish to send a message to your doctor, press the green button. For any emergency press the red button.
Goodbye."
The information included in Table 1 can be grouped as first level, or basic information group, with which some basic medical compliance monitoring can be performed. The second level, or an enhancement information group could include the following information:
medication name, serial number, expiry date, pharmacy contact information, etc. This group of information could provide further compliance monitoring functions. Since software would perform certain functions only if valid data can be drawn from certain memory locations, it is no harm if the memory of the RF
transponder has not been fully programmed.
As Table 1 illustrated, predetermined portions of information stored in the memory of the RF
transponder are compared with the real-time clock from the timing device to compute the next prescribed time for taking a dosage of medication and activate an alert signal or otherwise communicate that information to the user when that time occurs. The prescribed dosing regimen information is also conveyed to the user.
Referring back to FIG. 8, the control processor informs the user that it is time to take a dose of medication via the display 413 or an audio device 412. These devices and other indicators are also indicative to the user that the objects are removed from the plate 401, dosage and other instructions for taking a medicine or a test, time for the next medication, whether a correct or wrong medication has been lifted and returned, whether the consumption is correct and whether to send a test result to a remote party.
By pressing button 415, the patient is able to send an electrical signal to the control processor which would further summon emergency help from a remote party or parties. Additional buttons and indicators are to enable the user to communicate with the control processor in response to a question shown on the display 413 or given to an audio device 412 to indicate an action to be taken. One button is provide for navigating the system in different operating modes, including: automatic;
administration; and setting preferences. "automatic" mode is the system's mode of operation during which the main control loop is executed. Further details will be described with reference to FIG. 9.
"administration" refers the mode when a new object is being administered, including issuing or programming a new RFID inlay, changing a medical regimen, etc. "setting preferences" will help the user to specify default settings and preferences for the system use. It will also allow the user to specify ways to contact third parties.
By comparing the quantity of medication in the package, as stored in the memory of the RF
transponder, against the number of times the package was removed and the number of pills to be 1g consumed in each dosage, the control processor can compute the inventory or remaining quantity information corresponding to the amount or number of doses of medication in the container, when the prescription should be refilled and alert the patient or send refill request to the pharmacy. The number of times the package is removed, returned and the numbers of doses consumed is updated by the control processor. The control processor may also validate this information by taking a weight measurement each time a package is accessed.
As stated, as the user completed a medical monitoring test the result stored in a medical test apparatus can be transmitted to the device using a wired or wireless link, by equipping the device with a proper interface. The transmission is started by pressing one of the additional buttons. There is also an option that the result be analyzed by diagnostic program. According to a predetermined criteria the control processor will decide whether to forward the result or the preliminary conclusion to a remote third party.
FIG. 9 is a detailed flow chart representation of a method for monitoring user's well-being while the system is in "automatic" operation mode.
As previously described, using the system controller, RFID technology and motion detection the personal well-being monitoring system can determine, for example, whether users follow a regular living schedule in their homes and whether they are having difficulty managing their medications. If the well-being monitoring system detects any of these or other problems it can provide a reminder or warn the user about the medications, or other detected problems. The system may send a remote message to user's care person.
The system uses a timing device, preferably real-time clock and software timer(s), to pace some critical functions and tasks. The main task, initiated by the control processor, is to check whether the user is present and what, if any, medication package has been removed.
When first time a programmed identification package is placed on the plate, an inventory list is amended to add new entry. Real time clock is checked against the schedule information of every entry in the inventory list and if they match, a reminder will be sent to the user to perform a medical function. Otherwise, the control processor would send a status request command to the RF
interrogating device and set a timer for a timeout period, usually more than sufficient for the response to come back, such as 30 micro seconds. The status request command will actually direct RF
interrogating device to transmit a command packet to all RF transponders in its sensing field to report their ID codes. Therefore the setting of the timeout period should take into considerations of other factors such as: speed and protocols of the interface connecting the control processor and the RF
interrogating device, speed and protocols of the air interface between the RF interrogating device and transponders. Typically the control processor is expected to receive the response packet and compare the inventory with stored inventory list while the RF interrogating device is in operation.
>=Iowever, the control processor would not always get a response within the timeout period. This is the innovative feature of the system that with user's absence the RF
interrogating device would not get power to operate, saving some power and at the same time indicating the non-presence status.
Thus the control processor would calculate how long the user has been absence and update a presence log. A pattern analysis routine can be called to see if the user has been absent for too long, missed out some scheduled event, or if the absence contradicts to an established pattern. For instance, it can be concluded that the user does not appear at regular breakfast time at 8 am; or contrary to an established pattern that the user normally took 30 minutes to finish breakfast and left the area it appears that a trend is developed that the user emerges later and later, and takes longer to finish the breakfast. It may potentially indicate that the user has experienced some sleep problems, or other medical conditions. The system can be programmed to alert concerned third parties on the deviation of the user's normal pattern, or user's failing to present at a regular scheduled time.
On the other hand, however, when a presence has been detected, the RF
interrogating device got the power, started interrogating and returned a current inventory information to be used against stored inventory list. Then the control processor would go through a list to find out if there is any removal of any packages, and if yes, if the removal is according to schedule?
Interactive signals will be sent to the user and guide user to the correct completion.
Referring to FIG. 9, the flow chart also includes a block to check whether a test result from performing a medical parameter measurement is required for further analysis.
The test that can be performed by the user at home includes blood pressure, blood sugar, blood clotting times, cholesterol, etc. The system can prompt the user to enter a test result using user interface means such as a touchscreen LCD and voice recognition. The system can also instruct the user to set up a wired or wireless link between the test apparatus and the system controller.
By pressing a button the test result can be retrieved and entered into a diagnostic program, in which it is compared and evaluated against normal range and previous personal history and pattern. Many new models of test apparatus and meters include a wireless data port using wireless communication protocols such as infrared, WiFi, Bluetooth, and ZigBee.
An abnormal test and preliminary diagnostic result can be forwarded to a third party for further diagnosis and care. The third party includes analysis physicians, pharmacies, care centres and others.
The "automatic" mode executes an infinite loop as shown in FIG. 9 as the processor iterates scanning functions. By pressing a mode button can interrupt the execution and switch the system to other modes of operations.
Although the preferred embodiments indicate for personal use, the present invention can be well used in a group care environment where a plurality of users medication can be administered.
Therefore the foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring the well-being and medical compliance of the user comprising:
a package having a healthcare related object as a top portion and a base portion comprising a plastic holder having a bottom plate portion and a depending annular wall portion, and a radio frequency transponder disposed at the bottom plate portion of said holder, said package is formed by removably mounting said object onto said holder, whereby said object can be uniquely identified electronically by said radio frequency transponder and visually by said holder;
a plate that receives a plurality of said packages;
a radio frequency interrogating device operable to communicate with said radio frequency transponders, said radio frequency interrogating device having an antenna disposed closely to said plate;
a power supply means to the radio frequency interrogating device;
and a system controller comprising a control processor, user interface means, network interface means, and an interface to communicate with the said radio frequency interrogating device.

2. The system of Claim 1, wherein said holder is distinctively colour coded, or shaped.

3. The system of Claim 1, wherein said holder includes means for retaining said object in place, and deliberate force or effort is required to disengage the object from the holder.

4. The system of Claim 1, wherein said radio frequency transponder is in a form of radio frequency identification (RFID) inlay having built-in anti-collision functionality and reprogrammable memory;
and said radio frequency interrogating device is an RFID interrogator capable of reading and writing said radio frequency transponders with anti-collision functionality.

5. The radio frequency transponder of Claim 4, wherein said reprogrammable memory stores the information selected from the group comprising of:

Name of the user, name or content of the object, expiry date of the object, visible characteristics of said holder, medical regimen, and schedules for the object to be attended to, and third party contact information;

6. The system of Claim 1, wherein said antenna is formed by a conductive trace or traces on a printed circuit board.

7. The system of Claim 1, wherein said plate is attached to weight sensors, which can generate an electric signal proportional to the weight of the plate and said packages placed on the plate.

8. The system of Claim 1, wherein said object is an apparatus for performing a healthcare related test procedure.

9. The system of Claim 1, wherein said object is a container holding one particular type of medication.

10. The system of Claim 1, wherein said object is selected from the group consisting of: a representation or visual illustration for a healthcare related procedure, representation or visual illustration for an appointment or schedule, and an appointment reminder card.

11. The system of Claim 1, wherein said control processor includes a timing device, said control processor is capable of transmitting status request signal to said radio frequency interrogating device, waiting to receive a response from said radio frequency interrogating device for a maximum a timeout period set by the timing device, receiving and decoding a response from the radio frequency interrogating device; said timeout period is predetermined sufficient for the time required for transmitting said status request signal and receiving said response from said radio frequency interrogating device.

12. The system of Claim 11, wherein said status request signal is in a form of a standard protocol command packet.

13. The system of Claim 1, wherein said user interface means comprises a voice recognition device.

14. The system of Claim 1, wherein said user interface means comprises an emergency signal button.

15. The system of Claim 1, wherein said user interface means comprises visual display and an audible output device.

16. The system of Claim 1, wherein said power supply means comprises at least one motion sensing device, and capable of outputting a DC power by detection of presence of the user in a sensing field and maintaining the output power for a hold period of time before shutting down the power output;
said hold period of time substantially larger than said timeout period.

17. The system according to Claim 16, wherein said motion sensing device is configured as a controller to a series regulator including a pass transistor.

18. The system of Claim 16, wherein said motion sensing device is selected from the group comprised of infrared, inductive, microwave and ultrasound detectors.

19. A method of monitoring the well-being of a user and managing healthcare related object, comprising the steps of:
(a) Programming a system controller to perform first and second monitoring operations; said system controller having communication means to send alert signals to one or more third parties, user interface means to interact with the user, and a communication interface to a radio frequency interrogation device;
(b) Said first monitoring operations including monitoring user's presence in a living area by said system controller using a motion activated power supply means with a sensing field overlapping said living area;
(c) said second monitoring operations comprising the steps of: tagging a healthcare related object with a frequency transponder having a reprogrammable memory to store said object related information; automatically identifying said object by sending status request signal via said communication interface to a radio frequency interrogation device, said radio frequency interrogation device obtaining operating power from said power supply means, and capable of retrieving data stored in said memory; notifying the user to engage said object and verifying user's compliance with said regimen; acquiring a result and performing a diagnosis;
(d) applying said alert signals to said third parties using said communication means in accordance with said first and second monitoring operations.

20. The method of Claim 19, wherein said system controller includes a timer, said system controller transmitting status request signal to said radio frequency interrogating device, and waiting to receive a response from said radio frequency interrogating device for a maximum a timeout period set by the timer, said timeout period is predetermined as sufficiently as the time required for transmitting said status request signal and receiving said response from the radio frequency interrogating device.

21. The method according to Claim 18, wherein said status request signal is in a form of a standard protocol command packet.

22. The method of Claim 19, wherein said motion activated power supply means includes at least one sensor device capable of being activated by detection of a motion and a circuit capable of controlling a series regulator to output a DC voltage, and maintaining the DC
voltage for a hold period of time before shutting down the power output; said hold period of time substantially larger than said timeout period.

23. The method of Claim 19, wherein said first monitoring operations further comprise the steps of:
(a) generating a record of user's presence by periodically monitoring said motion activated power supply means;
(b) analyzing said record by comparing a segment of the record with the established pattern of the presence;
(c) and deciding whether to send an alert according to a predetermined criteria.

24. The method of Claim 19, wherein said step of tagging a healthcare related object further comprises the steps of:

(a) removably mounting a healthcare related object onto a plastic holder to form a package, said holder including a bottom plate portion, a depending annular wall portion, and a radio frequency transponder disposed at the bottom plate portion, whereby said object can be uniquely identified electronically by said radio frequency transponder and visually by said holder;

(b) programming said radio frequency transponder by placing said package close to a radio frequency interrogating device and electronically writing data onto said radio frequency transponder.

25. The method according to Claim 24, wherein said holder is distinctively colour coded or shaped, which is identified as characteristics stored in said reprogrammable memory;
said step of notifying the user to engage said object including retrieving said characteristics and providing the characteristics to the user.

26. The method according to Claim 24, wherein said holder includes means for retaining said object in place, and deliberate force or effort is required to disengage the object from the holder.

27. The method of Claim 19, wherein said step of automatically identifying said object comprises the steps of:

(a) Removably receiving said package into a holding plate in an apparatus, wherein radio frequency interrogating device is housed, said radio frequency interrogating device having an antenna disposed close to said holding plate, whereby data in the radio frequency transponder is retrieved;

(c) and tracking a plurality of healthcare related object engagements by periodically transmitting a status request signal to the radio frequency interrogating device to cause it to send interrogating signals to the radio frequency transponders, extracting status data from the response message, automatically detecting the remaining and removal of the objects.

28. The method according to Claim 19, wherein the step of notifying the user to engage an object and verifying compliance with the regimen comprise providing signals using said user interface means to the user at scheduled time and with respective object confirmation according to the regimen information stored in respective radio frequency transponder;
providing a weight sensing device and measuring the weight of the object and verifying the correct dosage is taken according to said regimen information.

29. The method according to Claim 19, wherein the step of acquiring a result and performing a diagnosis comprise the steps of provide a prompt for user to input a test result or feedback to the system controller, establishing a communication link to said object or the test apparatus it represents to retrieve data, performing an analyses or diagnosis, providing instructions to the user, modifying a medical regimen, and sending the result or alert signal to a third party.

30. The method according to Claim 19, wherein said radio frequency transponder is in a form of radio frequency identification (RFID) inlay having built-in anti-collision functionality and reprogrammable memory; and said radio frequency interrogating device is an RFID interrogator capable of reading and writing said radio frequency transponders with anti-collision capability.

31. The method according to Claim 19, wherein said reprogrammable memory stores the information selected from the group consisting of: name of the user, name of the content of the object, expiry date of the object, visible characteristics of said holder, medical regimen, schedule for the object to be attended to, and third party contact information.

32. The method according to Claim 19, wherein said radio frequency interrogating device comprises an antenna formed by a conductive trace or traces on a printed circuit board.

33. The method according to Claim 19, wherein said object is a container holding one particular type of medication.

34. The method according to Claim 19, wherein said object is selected from the group consisting of:

apparatus for performing a healthcare related procedure, a representation or visual illustration for a healthcare related procedure, representation or visual illustration for an appointment or schedule, and an appointment reminder card.

35. The method according to Claim 19, wherein said user interface means comprises a voice recognition device.

36. The method according to Claim 19, wherein said user interface means comprises a touch screen device.

37. The method according to Claim 19, wherein said user interface means comprises an emergency signal button switch.

38. The method according to Claim 19, wherein said user interface means comprises a visual display device.

39. The method according to Claim 19, wherein said user interface means comprises an audible output device.

40. The method according to Claim 19, wherein said a communication interface is selected from the group of serial, TCP/IP, Ethernet, and USB interfaces.

41. The method according to Claim 19, wherein said communication means to send alert signals include use of Internet to send an email, a text message and a voice message.

42. The method of Claim 19, wherein said second monitoring operations further comprise tracking the expiry date and consumption of the content of said object, providing alert signal to the user, and making ordering requests to a third party.

43. The method according to Claim 19, wherein the step of acquiring a result includes retrieving a test result from a medical test apparatus by establishing communications with the data port of said medical test apparatus.

44. The method according to Claim 43, wherein said the step of establishing communications includes using a wireless link with communication protocols selected from the group of: infrared, WiFi, Bluetooth, and ZigBee.