JP2000217888A - Personal medicine delivery monitoring system having built-in display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To give directions for taking a medicine to a user, and easily correct protocol related to the uptake period and directions for taking a medicine at need by providing a container for storing the medicine, a daily use device for the medicine, a monitoring device for daily use the medicine, and an informing device for recipe for the medicine. SOLUTION: A personal medicine delivery container 10 includes a microcontroller 12, a wireless frequency transmitter 3, a liquid crystal display device 16, and a mechanical operating mechanism for daily using a tablet or the other kinds of medicine. A wireless communication system provided the container 10 transmits radio frequency(RF) data or a voice signal through an antenna to a receiver worn by a patient, whereby the necessity of taking medicine is informed to the patient by communication with the patient. The notice including the direction of taking medicine can be programmed through the container 10 and a suitable internet connection or transmitted live.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device designed to give a user an instruction to take a medicine and to easily modify a protocol relating to an intake period and an instruction to take the medicine as necessary. Device or a personal delivery system for dispensing medication from a container incorporating the same. The present invention further relates to a device for personal delivery of a drug, which is designed to interface with a monitoring system for managing the intake of the drug, and which may incorporate various means for achieving said purpose. . Moreover, the present invention also provides a personal drug delivery device of the present invention for safely dispensing medication at predetermined programmable time intervals as required by use according to a designated medical or pharmaceutical prescription. And methods of using its interface with various types of monitoring systems.

[0002] The use of various types of personal medication or pill dispensing devices that incorporate reminders and alarm systems to alert the patient or caretaker about the correct dosage or the correct dosage time is an area of medical or healthcare. It is well known. In particular, many patients, especially elderly patients or those who are weak enough to not manage their own abilities, are often inattentive or forgetful about taking medication. In some cases, it can be significant with respect to the need to take the right dose to protect your health or life. For such patients,
They must be positively reminded of the need to take medicines at specified intervals and doses. Do not administer the drug to the patient or the patient, as confirmation that the drug was administered correctly by the caretaker or taken by the patient can sometimes be a matter of life or death and, at a minimum, affect the patient's short or long-term health The caretaker must be provided with some structure or system that reminds them of the need to dispense the prescribed medication correctly.

[0003]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Murray et al., U.S. Pat.
No. 8,473 discloses a personal pill reminder. The personal pill reminder has a first portion in which a box-shaped container is designed to form a pill holding receptacle. However, a further part of the container, provided in the form of a cover hinged to the pill holding part, incorporates a battery operated timer. When the timer reaches a predetermined alarm setting, it activates a buzzer to remind the pill container holder to open the container, remove the prescribed pill, and set the timer. This structure is very simple, but only describes an alarm device that reminds the patient to remove the pill from the container, and does not provide instructions on taking a particular drug represented by the pill. Furthermore, there is no disclosure providing an interface with a monitoring system that can automatically remind the user at preset or programmed time intervals regarding the medicines to be taken or give instructions on its use. .

[0004] Raven US Patent 5,020,
No. 037 discloses an alarm pill box. In the alarm pill box, when the designated alarm time is reached, an alarm is activated in response. The alarm time is set to notify a user, such as a patient or a caretaker, that a medicine must be dispensed from a pill box-shaped container. Electronic memory provided in the alarm pill box records the cancellation of the alarm previously activated for the intended removal of the pill from the box and also facilitates visual indication of each pill removal record. Again, similar to the Murray et al. Patent discussed above, this alarm pill box is somewhat in providing multiple compartments for different types of pills and electronic memory for alarm control. Although more sophisticated, there are no instructions displayed on how the patient takes the drug. In addition, pill boxes also cannot provide an interface with a monitoring system designed to automatically provide instructions in a programmed manner regarding the amount and time interval for taking a drug, and medical Or there is no connection with pharmaceutical sources.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a personal pill or dispensing container designed to interface with a programmable drug delivery monitoring system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a pill or medication dispenser designed to interface with a medication delivery and information monitoring system via a personal computer in communication with a health care worker or facility or via the Internet. It is to be.

[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a personal pill or medication dispensing container that includes a display for providing a user or caretaker with a visual indication of medication intake or other relevant information necessary for the user's health. That is.

[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is that a particular type of pill or drug can be pre-programmed to dispense at a programmed time interval and dose;
To provide a method of using a personal pill or medication dispensing container that includes a monitoring system to facilitate automatic modification of a medication dispensing program or protocol, such as a personal computer or an indication display that can interface with the Internet. is there.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a personal pill or medication dispenser that includes a wireless (RF) notification system that reminds the patient to take the medication or pill at a predetermined time.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, to eliminate the problems currently encountered with personal dispensing of pills from a monitored container, the present invention provides a caretaker or user with a need to dispense or consume medication. It consists of a pill box or container with one or both of an audible alarm or visual indicating device to call attention. According to the present invention,
A novel container in the form of a box that allows dispensing of one or more drugs, including any of pills, capsules, tablets or individual dose bottles or glass bottles of liquid drugs at preset time intervals and volumes. A container is provided. On the one hand, there is provided a display device for giving instructions or other relevant information on how the patient or user will drink a particular medicine dispensed from the container.

According to a particular aspect of the present invention, the personal medication dispensing device is optionally pre-programmed to derive different data and dispensing times to alert a caretaker or patient regarding the particular medication dispensed. An audio or visual alarm may be provided, and visually important information on how to take the drug may be provided, in addition to other important information. Certain box containers or dispensing devices for storing medications may incorporate additional means to facilitate modifying or changing the dispensing time interval, dose, type of medication and dosing instructions. This is achieved in a novel way via an interface with the monitoring system, for example via the use of a personal computer or via the Internet. This interface is designed to alert specific caregivers or patients about providing information about adverse effects from allergies, the risk of complications from side effects, or new discoveries about certain dispensed drugs. It may communicate with an organization, pharmacy or doctor.

The present invention further relates to the ability to interface a medication dispensing device with a monitoring system that automatically facilitates pre-programming of a personal medication delivery protocol. This protocol can be easily modified or replaced by reprogramming in response to changes in the physical or medical condition of a patient receiving therapy with a particular drug or a different type of drug stored in the dispensing device. Communication that provides an interface to the programmable monitoring system can be wireless or radio (R)
F) or by means of a personal computer in communication with a pharmacy, doctor, etc., or connected to said person or a particular hospital or other health-related facility via the Internet. It may be realized through the mediation of a personal computer.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, a personal medication delivery container, preferably in the form of a pill box, which can be programmed to deliver medication at prescribed doses and time intervals with accompanying instructions. 10 is shown. The medicine container 10 comprises a microcontroller 12, a radio frequency transmitter 14, a built-in LCD display 16, and a mechanical actuation structure 18 for dispensing pills or other kinds of medicine, as shown in FIG. Can be incorporated. The personal medication delivery container including the monitoring system is shown in FIG. 1 connected to a personal computer.

A wireless notification system provided within the drug delivery container 10 provides, via an antenna 22, radio frequency (RF) data or audio signals to be worn by a patient.
By transmitting to a receiver (not shown), the patient can be communicated to inform the patient of the need to take medication. The receiver carried by the patient can be packaged as a bracelet or pendant. The notification, including instructions to take the medicine, can be programmed or transmitted live via a suitable Internet connection with the container 10. In the case of a pre-programmed application, a diskette 24 containing all necessary information on the intake of the drug, such as frequency, dose and instructions,
It can be handed or sent with a prescription from a local pharmacy or mail order pharmacy.

When using the Internet, the drug delivery container 10 is connected to a personal computer 20, which is similarly connected to the Internet.
Necessary information can be downloaded to the container 10 via the Internet. As a result, instructions on how to take the medicine are displayed on the built-in LCD display device 16.
When it is time for the patient to take the medicine, an audible alarm is activated and the lamp in the medicine delivery tray compartment is turned on, as described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. If the container is equipped with an RF notification system, an RF signal is transmitted. The person given the RF receiver will then hear an audible alarm or, possibly, a pre-recorded verbal reminder to take the medicine. Specific magnetic activation device 30 or 32 (FIG. 4)
Are energized and the specific drug compartments 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46 of the plurality of compartments
Is released and the medicine is delivered by gravity and falls into the tray.
After hearing the alarm, the person approaches the medicine container 10,
Open the container door and pick up the tray with the dispensed medicine. An ON / OFF switch is provided below the sending tray, and when the tray is picked up, the switch is turned “ON” and a signal is sent to the personal computer 2.
0 to the monitoring station. This signal is used to inform the monitoring station that the medicine has been taken. If the tray is not picked up, no signal is sent and the surveillance station can assume that the medicine has not been taken and take further action, for example issuing a second alarm or verbal reminder. This series of operations is performed by the personal computer 2 connected to the Internet.
It can be pre-programmed via 0 or sent live.

The above-described embodiment shows the ability to monitor the delivery of a drug to a patient. In addition, numerous routes to remind patients to take the drug as prescribed, pharmacies or the dosage, time and instructions for taking the drug in the event of allergies, complications or new discoveries about the drug. While it can be provided with the option of changing by the physician, it also provides an interface for interlinking the drug monitoring system with the drug delivery system.

As shown in one embodiment of FIG. 1, a typical personal medication delivery container in the form of a pill box 10 is connected to a personal computer 20. If the personal medication delivery container 10 includes an internal or integrally installed internet connection circuit (not shown), the personal computer 20 is not required.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the personal medicine delivery container 10, and the medicine delivery mechanism 4 provided in the container 10.
0 is shown in FIG. The personal drug delivery container has a number of compartments 34 to 46, each containing a drug or pill. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the container 10 includes seven compartments, each containing one day of medication. A liquid crystal display 16 is used to display medication intake instructions, doses and other relevant information. The drug is delivered to the delivery chamber 58 as programmed. The chamber 58 has a slide chute 60 and a collection tray 62 at the bottom of the chute. An ON / OFF switch 64 indicated by a virtual line in the drawing is provided at the bottom of the collection tray 62 in contact therewith. When the collection tray 62 is depressed from the chamber 58, the OF / OFF switch 64 is activated to "ON".
And a signal is sent to the monitoring station for monitoring. If a radio frequency (RF) notification device is provided in the container 10, a wireless antenna 22 is attached to the container 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, the medicine holder 72 is
The holder 72 can be turned up and down. Holder 72 pivots up when a new drug is placed therein. When it is time to deliver the drug, the control lever 76 is released by the magnetic activator 30 or 32 and the holder 72 pivots downward by gravity. As a result, the medicine falls into the collection tray 62.
At this moment, the chamber 58 lights up and an alarm is activated, reminding the patient to take the medicine. Once the medication is removed from the collection tray 62, a signal is sent to the computing device to record the event. Because the computing device is connected to the Internet, the status and records of the medication container can be monitored from a remote nursing station or doctor's office. The medication reminder can be extended by wireless means. In that case, a bracelet or pendant containing a radio frequency receiver may be used to provide a voice or verbal message reminder to the wearer.

An alternative embodiment to the above-described drug holder 72 for storing and dispensing pills or drugs is a slide or hinged pivoting design having movable doors located on the top and bottom surfaces of the drug holder. It can be an individual box similar to the container 10. In this case, the medicine holder 72 is fixed in the medicine delivery container without the shaft 74 shown in FIG. Pills or drugs in each drug compartment 34-4
When it is time to place the medicine holder in communication with 6, the top door is open, during which the bottom door is closed by a latch. At the particular point in time at which it is desired to dispense a pill or drug, a designated one of the bottom doors is opened by a suitable magnetic or equivalent actuator (not shown). As a result, the pill or medicine can be slid and shot 6
0 can be dropped into the collection tray 62.

FIG. 4 shows a block circuit diagram 80 of the personal medication delivery monitoring system. As shown in FIG.
Can be connected to the personal computer 20 and the public switched telephone network 82 via a modem. Microprocessor or microcontroller 1
2 activates the program stored in the non-volatile memory 88, and activates the magnetic activation devices 30 and 32, the alarm 92,
The lamp 94, the liquid crystal display device 16, and the RF transmitter 14 are controlled. FIG. 5 is a simplified flow diagram of the personal medication delivery monitoring system.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes and modifications in form and detail can be readily made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Like. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular forms and details shown and described herein, but that it be limited to what is disclosed herein and less than the entire claimed invention. Absent.

In summary, the following matters are disclosed regarding the configuration of the present invention. (1) (a) a container for storing at least one drug therein; (b) a dispensing device on the container for dispensing the drug; and (c) a drug for monitoring the drug dispensed from the dispensing device. A personal medicine delivery device comprising: a monitoring device; and (d) a notification device that notifies the user of the taking of the medicine from the dispensing device. (2) The apparatus of (1) above, wherein said container comprises programmable means for informing a user to take a drug dispensed from said container at a prescribed dose and time. (3) The device according to (2), wherein the notification device includes an audio alarm. (4) The device according to (3), wherein the notification device includes means for illuminating the container and displaying an instruction on the medicine to be dispensed on the container. (5) The apparatus according to the above (1), wherein the container includes display means for displaying an instruction for taking a medicine to be dispensed. (6) The device according to the above (5), wherein the display means includes a liquid crystal display device. (7) The apparatus according to the above (5), wherein the display means includes a touch screen or a touch panel. (8) The device according to (1), wherein the notification device includes a wireless outdoor or indoor wireless communication system, and the container includes an antenna for transmitting and receiving signals from the system. (9) The apparatus according to the above (8), further comprising a radio receiver on a bracelet or pendant that can be worn by a user to receive a signal from a radio transmitter in the container for dispensing and taking the medicine dispensed from the container. (10) The above (2), wherein the programmable means comprises a software program and a timer in the container.
The described structure. (11) The apparatus according to (1) above, wherein the container communicates with a personal computer to download the programmed medication dispensing signal and control. (12) The apparatus of (1) above, wherein said container communicates with the Internet to download said control and link to a pharmacy, physician or health-related facility. (13) The device of (2) above, wherein the programmable means is modifiable to change the dose, dosage time and instructions for the user to take the dispensed medicine. (14) The apparatus according to the above (2), wherein the container includes a plurality of medicine holders supported on a pivot shaft means for a pivoting operation for selectively dispensing medicine. (15) The container includes a plurality of drug holders having a top door that can be moved to store a drug in the container and a bottom door that can be opened to selectively dispense the drug. 2) The apparatus according to the above. (16) The magnetic actuating device operates the medicine holder in correlation with the programmable means.
4) The apparatus according to the above. (17) The magnetic actuating device operates the medicine holder in correlation with the programmable means.
5) The apparatus according to the above. (18) The tray in the container receives the medicine by gravity in response to the activation of the magnetic activation device, and the switch means is activated in response to the removal of the medicine storage tray from the container to notify the user. The apparatus of (16) or (17) above, which activates an alarm for signaling a remote monitoring location via an Internet connection. (19) The apparatus according to (18), wherein a mechanical or electrical sensor in the container emits a signal in response to removal of the tray. (20) The container includes at least one microcontroller, a wireless transmitter, a display, a chamber for selectively dispensing medication from a medication compartment to a tray, and a user interface for user selection. Device according to (1), containing one or both of inputs and commands and interface means for selective communication with a personal computer or the Internet. (21) A personal medicine delivery method for dispensing medicine from a container containing at least one medicine therein, wherein (a) dispensing medicine from the container at a designated dose and time; b) monitoring the medication dispensed from the dispensing device; and (d) issuing a notification of taking the medication dispensed from the dispensing device. (22) The container as described in (2), wherein the container provides programmable information to notify a user that the medicine dispensed from the container should be taken at a prescribed dose and time.
1) The method according to the above. (23) The method according to (22), wherein the notification is realized by an audio alarm. (24) The method of (23) above, wherein said notification comprises illuminating said container and displaying instructions on said container regarding the medication to be dispensed. (25) The method according to (21), wherein the container includes an indication of an instruction to take the medicine to be dispensed. (26) The method according to the above (25), wherein the display is realized by a liquid crystal display device. (27) The method according to the above (25), wherein the display device includes a touch screen or a touch panel. (28) The method according to the above (21), wherein the step of issuing the notification is realized by a wireless outdoor or indoor wireless communication system, and the container includes an antenna for transmitting and receiving signals from the system. (29) The method according to the above (28), wherein a bracelet or pendant wearable by a user is provided with a wireless receiver to receive a signal from a wireless transmitter in the container for dispensing and taking the medicine dispensed from the container. (30) The method of (22) above, wherein said notification comprises use of a software program and a timer in said container. (31) The method of (21) above wherein the container communicates with a personal computer to download the programmed medication dispensing signal and control. (32) The method of (31) above wherein the container communicates with the Internet to download the control and link to a pharmacy, physician or healthcare facility. (33) The method of (22), wherein the programmable information is modifiable to change the dose, dosage time, and instructions for the user to take the dispensed medication. (34) The method according to the above (22), wherein the container includes a plurality of medicine holders supported on a pivot shaft means for a pivoting operation for selectively dispensing medicine. (35) wherein the container includes a plurality of drug holders having a top door that can be moved to store a drug in the container and a bottom door that can be opened to selectively dispense the drug; 22) The method according to the above. (36) The magnetic actuating device operates the medicine holder in correlation with the programmable information.
4) The method as described. (37) The magnetic actuating device operates the medicine holder in correlation with the programmable information.
5) The method described in the above. (38) the tray in the container receives the medicine by gravity in response to the activation of the magnetic activation device, and activates the switch means in response to the removal of the medicine storage tray from the container to notify the user; Activate an alarm to signal a remote monitoring location via an Internet connection (3)
6) or the method according to (37). (39) The method according to (38), wherein a mechanical or electrical sensor in said container emits a signal in response to removal of said tray. (40) The container includes at least one microcontroller, a wireless transmitter, a display, a chamber for selectively dispensing medication from a medication compartment to a tray, and a user interface for user selection. , Containing one or both of inputs and commands and interface means for selective communication with a personal computer or the Internet.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a personal medication delivery pill box connected to a personal computer for downloading programmed medication instructions.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a personal medicine delivery container shown with a display device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a personal drug delivery container with a portion cut away to show details of its mechanical delivery structure.

FIG. 4 is a block circuit diagram of a personal medication delivery container and a monitoring system interfaced thereto.

5 is a simplified flow diagram of the personal medication delivery container and monitoring system of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 container 14 RF transmitter 16 liquid crystal display device 20 personal computer 30, 32 magnetic activation device 82 public switched telephone network 86 microprocessor 88 non-volatile memory 92 alarm 94 lamp

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Thomas W. Wok United States 07675 New Jersey, Washington Township, Beach Street 735 (72) Inventor Lawrence es Mok United States 10509 New York, Brewster, Scenic Ridge・ Drive 49

Claims (40)

[Claims] 1. A container for storing at least one medicine therein; (b) a dispensing device on the container for dispensing medicine; and (c) monitoring a medicine dispensed from the dispensing device. A personal medicine delivery device comprising: (d) a notification device that notifies the user of taking the medicine from the dispensing device. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said container includes programmable means for informing a user to take a drug dispensed from said container at a prescribed dose and time. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said notification device includes an audio alarm. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said notification device includes means for illuminating said container and displaying an indication on said container about the medicine to be dispensed. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said container includes display means for displaying instructions for taking a medicine to be dispensed. 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said display means includes a liquid crystal display. 7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said display means comprises a touch screen or a touch panel. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said notification device comprises a wireless outdoor or indoor wireless communication system, and said container includes an antenna for transmitting and receiving signals from said system. 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a radio receiver on a bracelet or pendant that can be worn by a user to receive a signal from a radio transmitter in the container for dispensing and taking the medicine dispensed from the container. . 10. The structure of claim 2, wherein said programmable means comprises a software program and a timer in said container. 11. A personal computer for downloading programmed medication dispensing signals and controls.
The device of claim 1 in communication with a computer. 12. The container for downloading and linking the control to a pharmacy, physician or health care facility.
The device of claim 1 that communicates with the Internet. 13. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said programmable means is modifiable to change the dose, dosage time and instructions for a user to take a dispensed drug. 14. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said container includes a plurality of drug holders supported on pivoting means for a pivoting operation for selectively dispensing medication. 15. The container includes a plurality of drug holders having a top door movable for storing a drug in the container and a bottom door openable for selectively dispensing the drug. An apparatus according to claim 2. 16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a magnetic actuation device operates said drug holder in correlation with said programmable means. 17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein a magnetic actuation device operates said drug holder in correlation with said programmable means. 18. A tray in the container receiving a drug by gravity in response to activation of the magnetic activation device, and switch means activated in response to removal of the medication storage tray from the container, and 18. Apparatus according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein an alarm is signaled via an Internet connection to signal a remote monitoring location. 19. The system of claim 1 wherein a mechanical or electrical sensor in said container issues a signal in response to removal of said tray.
An apparatus according to claim 8. 20. The container, comprising: at least one microcontroller, a radio transmitter, a display, a chamber for selectively dispensing medication from a medication compartment to a tray, and a user for user selection. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 including an interface and one or both of inputs and commands and interface means for selectively communicating with a personal computer or the Internet. 21. A personal drug delivery method for dispensing a drug from a container containing at least one drug therein, comprising: (a) dispensing the drug from the container at a specified dose and time; (B) monitoring medication dispensed from the dispensing device; and (d) issuing a notification of taking the medication dispensed from the dispensing device. 22. The method of claim 21 wherein said container provides programmable information to notify a user that a drug dispensed from said container should be taken at a prescribed dose and time. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein said notification is implemented by an audio alarm. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein said notification includes illuminating said container and displaying instructions on said container regarding the medication to be dispensed. 25. The method of claim 21, wherein said container includes an indication for taking a medication to be dispensed. 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein said display is realized by a liquid crystal display device. 27. The method of claim 25, wherein said display device comprises a touch screen or a touch panel. 28. The method of claim 21, wherein said issuing step is accomplished by a wireless outdoor or indoor wireless communication system, wherein said container includes an antenna for transmitting and receiving signals from said system. 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising providing a radio receiver on a bracelet or pendant wearable by a user to receive a signal from a radio transmitter in the container regarding dispensing and taking of medication dispensed from the container. . 30. The method of claim 22, wherein said notification comprises use of a software program and a timer in said container. 31. A personal computer for downloading programmed medication dispensing signals and controls.
The method of claim 21, wherein the method communicates with a computer. 32. The container for downloading the control and linking it to a pharmacy, physician or health facility.
The method of claim 31, wherein the method communicates with the Internet. 33. The method of claim 22, wherein the programmable information is modifiable to change the dose, dosage time, and instructions for a user to take the dispensed medication. 34. The method of claim 22, wherein said container includes a plurality of drug holders supported on pivoting means for pivoting motion to selectively dispense a drug. 35. The container includes a plurality of medicine holders having a top door movable for storing a medicine in the container and a bottom door openable for selectively dispensing the medicine. 23. The method according to claim 22. 36. The method of claim 34, wherein a magnetic actuation device operates the medication holder in correlation with the programmable information. 37. The method of claim 35, wherein a magnetic actuation device operates the medication holder in correlation with the programmable information. 38. A tray in the container receives a medicine by gravity in response to the activation of the magnetic actuating device, and activates switch means in response to removal of the medicine storage tray from the container to provide a user with 38. The method of claim 36 or 37, wherein the method informs and activates an alarm to signal a remote monitoring location via an Internet connection. 39. A mechanical or electrical sensor in said container signals in response to removal of said tray.
8. The method according to 8. 40. The container comprising at least one microcontroller, a radio transmitter, a display, a chamber for selectively dispensing medication from a medication compartment to a tray, and a user for user selection. 22. The method of claim 21 including an interface and one or both of inputs and commands and interface means for selectively communicating with a personal computer or the Internet.