EP1446085A2

EP1446085A2 - Tablet dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP1446085A2
Application number: EP03725073A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Wolfgang Pieper; Christian Neidlinger; Matthias Strobel
Original assignee: SIX P AG
Current assignee: Wevo-Chemie & Co KG GmbH
Priority date: 2002-04-22
Filing date: 2003-04-22
Publication date: 2004-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2023-04-22
Also published as: BR0304734A; DE50305896D1; AU2003227660A1; RU2281750C2; ES2279112T3; NO20035784L; WO2003088891A3; CA2453361A1; EP1446085B1; CN1294893C; AU2003227660A8; DK1446085T3; RU2004100811A; WO2003088891A2; ATE347345T1; JP2005522300A; HK1073059A1; US20050252924A1; CN1568171A; DE10217929A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus ( 1, 1 ') for dispensing tablets, also in the form of pills, dragees or the like, having means for holding a blister pack ( 20 ), means for pushing out a tablet ( 21 ) from the blister pack and also means for setting taking times and means for displaying taking times. The invention provides for the apparatus ( 1, 1 ') to have a bottom part ( 11, 101 ) and a lid ( 12, 102 ), removably connected to the bottom part ( 11 ), for holding the blister pack ( 20 ) and also having means ( 18, 43 ) for pushing out the tablets ( 21 ) from the blister pack ( 20 ), the arrangement of the means ( 18, 41 ) being matched to the arrangement of the tablets ( 21 ) in the blister pack ( 20 ) which is to be held. The present invention also relates to a lid ( 12, 102 ) and to a bottom part ( 11, 101 ) for such an apparatus.

Description

Patent application

description

The present invention relates to a device for dispensing tablets, also in the form of pills, dragees or the like, with means for receiving a blister pack, means for squeezing a tablet out of the blister pack, and means for setting intake times and means for displaying intake times.

A generic device is known from DE 198 36 100 A1. This known device has a receiving part for receiving a blister pack and a cover part. The receiving part and lid part are provided at the level of the tablets received in the blister pack with openings through which the tablets can be expressed. The device is provided with a programmable electronic timer with which an optical signal can be activated at the time of taking the medication. For this purpose, each opening in the lid part of the device is assigned its own light-emitting diode, which lights up at the time of the intended medication intake.

In this generic device, the arrangement of the openings in the receiving part and the lid part must be adapted exactly to the respective blister pack, which is complex in terms of production technology. Furthermore, the assignment of one LED per opening requires complex electronic equipment.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device of the type mentioned above, which is easier and cheaper to manufacture both in terms of production technology and in terms of electronic equipment.

The solution consists in a device with the features of claim 1. According to the invention, it is therefore provided that the device has a lower part and a cover which is removably connected to the lower part and has means for pressing out the tablets from the blister pack, the arrangement of the means of the arrangement of the Tablets in the taking blister pack is adapted. In this way, the device according to the invention can be easily and inexpensively adapted to any type of blister pack to be accommodated without the entire device having to be manufactured again. The individual device, which is adapted to a specific blister pack, can thus be manufactured and offered more cheaply. The lower part and cover can also be manufactured and sold separately.

Advantageous further developments result from the subclaims. For example, the cover can have recesses with centered bores, in which snap fasteners are held captively. This enables a comparatively low-wear design of the cover.

The lower part or the upper part can furthermore have at least one support on which the blister pack or a grid or sieve can be placed and which supports the blister pack, so that the tablets can be easily expressed. The grid or sieve has holes, the arrangement of which corresponds to the arrangement of the means. The grid or sieve can be arranged in the lower part or in the upper part.

A particularly preferred development provides that the lower part has an output shaft and an output opening. This means that a tablet can be easily squeezed out and taken up without being lost. Covering the bottom of the blister pack with the base is also more hygienic and ensures that no tablets are lost due to damage to the blister pack.

The means preferably have at least one light-emitting element, so that it can also be optically signaled which tablet is to be expressed. The means can therefore consist of a transparent, light-conducting plastic.

The lower part or the upper part is advantageously provided with a display device, preferably an LCD display or LED display. Furthermore, at least one programming and / or display key can be present. With the help of the button (s) the date, time and intake cycle can be programmed. The correct programming can be done check with the display device. The latter can also send optical signals when a tablet is to be taken.

Another particularly preferred development provides that a circuit board with bores, the arrangement of which corresponds to the arrangement of the means, is provided on the inside of the cover. This board carries one or more circuits for programming the device. The arrangement below the lid ensures that when a tablet is pressed out, contact is made between the means, for example the push button, and the circuit board, so that the program registers the prescribed removal of a tablet. As an alternative, the tablet removal can also be acknowledged manually, for example using the keyboard. The circuit board can be provided both for programming the tablet intake cycle and for acknowledging tablet removal.

An alternative is that the circuit board is only intended to acknowledge the tablet removal and a further circuit board is provided in the lower part for programming the tablet's intake cycle, both circuit boards being in electrical contact with one another. In this way, the more complex electronics are provided uniformly in the lower part for all variants of the device, and only the simpler electronics for acknowledging the tablet removal are provided in the replaceable part of the device, i.e. must be made individually for each type of blister pack. This makes the manufacture of the device overall less expensive.

Embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 a is a plan view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention in a schematic representation, not to scale;

1b shows a side view of a push button for a device according to FIG. 1a in a schematic representation, not to scale; Figure 2 is a plan view of the opened device according to claim 1 in a schematic representation, not to scale;

FIG. 3 shows a view according to FIG. 2 with an inserted base for the blister pack, a schematic illustration which is not to scale;

Figure 4a is a top view of a blister pack in a schematic, not to scale

Presentation;

FIG. 4b shows the blister pack from FIG. 4a in a side view in a schematic representation, not to scale;

Figure 5 shows a section along the line V-V in Figure 1;

FIG. 6 shows a section along the line VI-VI in FIG. 1;

Figure 7 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the invention

Device in a schematic representation, not to scale;

FIG. 8 shows a sectional illustration of a further embodiment of a cover for the device according to the invention in a schematic illustration, not to scale;

FIG. 9 shows a plan view of the cover from FIG. 8 in a schematic illustration, not to scale;

Figure 10 is a detailed view of a first embodiment of a display in a schematic representation, not to scale;

FIG. 11 shows a detailed view of a second embodiment of a display in a schematic representation, not to scale; Figure 12 is a schematic representation of a circuit for an inventive

Contraption;

Figure 13 is a schematic representation of the lower part of a further embodiment;

FIG. 14 shows a schematic illustration of the cover of the embodiment from FIG. 13;

Figure 15 is a schematic representation of a key with a feedback mechanism.

The embodiments of the device 1 according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2, 3 and 7 consist of a housing 10 with a lower part 11 and a cover 12 which are connected to one another by a film hinge. Lower part 1 1 and cover 12 are preferably made of a food-safe plastic, such as polystyrene or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers (ABS). Cover 12 and lower part 1 1 can be firmly closed together, for example by means of a conventional tongue and groove closure. The lid 12 is removable and can be exchanged for another lid with outer contours matching the lower part 11. The cover 12 has recesses 13 with centered bores 14. Snap fasteners 18 are captively received in the recesses 13 and have a head 18 'and a pin 18 "on the underside of the head 18'. The outer diameter of the head 18 'is at most as large as the inner diameter of the recess 13. The pin 18" is accommodated in the bore 14 in a longitudinally movable manner.

The lower part can, but does not have to, have supports 15 of any shape on its underside. A grid or sieve 16 with bores 17 can be removably placed on these supports 15. The bores 17 of the grid 16 are aligned with the bores 14 of the lid 12 (when the lid is closed) and are congruent with the tablets 21 of a blister pack 20 (FIGS. 4a, 4b).

Figures 5 and 6 show a composite device 1. The grid or screen 16 is placed on the supports 15. The blister pack 20 lies thereon and is covered by the cover 12 with the push buttons 18. It can be seen that the lower part 11 is hollow and has an output shaft 11 ′, which leads to an outlet opening 11 ′. button 18, the pin 18 "is pressed onto the blister pack 20 at the level of a tablet 21. The pressure of the pin 18" pushes the tablet 21 out of the blister pack 20, falls into the cavity on the underside 11 and from there into the delivery slot 1 1 'and can be shaken out of the device 1 through the outlet opening 1 1 ".

It is not shown that in the cover 12 on the inside there is a circuit board which also has bores corresponding to the position of the tablets 21 in the blister pack 20. Programmable circuits are provided on this circuit board, with which the rhythm of taking the tablets 21 and the time of taking them can be programmed. The outer contours of the board should correspond to the inner contour of the cover 12. There are recesses in the circuit board which engage in spreading elements arranged in the cover 12 (not shown). The board can be covered with a cover plate to avoid damage. The cover plate can also have receptacles that snap into the expansion elements mentioned (not shown). The push buttons 18 can also be molded into the cover plate or otherwise be captively integrated.

The push buttons 18 can be illuminated with light-emitting diodes fastened to the circuit board, which are either arranged next to the push buttons or which are integrated in the push button 18 and make it light up when the push button 18 consists, for example, of a transparent or light-conducting material.

The structural design of the cover 12 is now such that the cover 12 and the circuit board and the grid or screen 16 form a unit. While the circuit board is attached directly to the underside of the cover 12, the sieve or grid 16 can be inserted loosely into the lower part. The cover 12 is also removably attached to the lower part 11. Depending on the arrangement of the tablets 21 in the blister pack 20, a cover 12 with suitable bores in the cover 12 itself and in the circuit board can now be attached to the lower part 11, while a suitable sieve or grid 16 is supplied with it. The device 11 can therefore be adapted to different blister packs 20 in a very simple manner. It is only necessary to ensure that the dimensions of the lower part 11 are such that the device 1 receives blister packs 20 with different outer contours or dimensions. men can. A device is shown schematically in FIG. 7, which has a different lid 12 'adapted to a different blister pack than the one shown in FIG. 4a.

FIG. 7 further illustrates a further variant of the construction of the device 1 'according to the invention. In this case, the device 1 'is composed of a front part 101 and a rear part 102. The front part 101 consists of a housing for receiving a further circuit board for programming the alarm and the intake times for the tablets, with an LCD display 103 and four buttons 104, 104 ', 105, 105'. The LCD display is preferably provided with a backlight, which can be implemented in a manner known per se by means of LEDs or a luminous film or the like. The backlight can be designed so that it lights up when an alarm or one of the buttons is pressed and goes out again after a certain period of time after the alarm has been switched off or after the button has been pressed, for example after 5 seconds. This front part 101 is identical for all blister packs 20.

The rear part 102 consists, as already described, of covers 12, 12 ', a circuit board 30 which now only serves to acknowledge the removal of a tablet 21 in the event of a given alarm, possibly a grid or sieve 16, output shaft 11' and outlet opening 11 '" and is mechanically and electrically connected to the front part 101 so that the two boards are in electrical contact The front part then forms the underside 11 of the device 1. The device 1 'is programmed by means of the board provided in the front part 101 When a tablet 21 is removed, there is electrical contact between the push button 18 and the circuit board 30 arranged in the lid, so that the removal is registered and the information is passed on to the circuit board accommodated in the front part 101 and is registered by the program. the circuit board 30 and possibly the grid or screen 16 of the rear part 102 is to the design of the respective blister pack to be accommodated ng 20 adjusted.

Both boards can be supplied with electricity, for example, with button cells. One or more button cells with the dimensions 1 1, 6 x 5.4 mm, 125 mAh and 3 V voltage are preferably provided for the programming board in the front part, while in the rear part 102 one or more button cells with the dimensions 1.6 x 3.1 mm, 50 mAh and 1.5 V voltage can be provided for the acknowledgment board 30.

In this way, an identical programming unit, which is provided in the front part 101, is sufficient for all blister packs 20. The rear part with the simpler circuit board 30 for the acknowledgment is manufactured individually for each type of blister pack 20. A simple, inexpensive adaptation of the device 1 'to any type of blister pack 20 is thus possible.

The entire structure of the device 1 is comparatively flat, with an overall height of, for example, 20 to 30 mm.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show in cross section and in plan view a further exemplary embodiment for a cover 40. The cover 40 also has recesses 41 with centered bores 42 which overlap with the arrangement of tablets 21 in a blister pack 20. In the bores 42, push buttons 43 are arranged, which have a head 44 and a shaft 45. The shaft 45 is composed of a sleeve 47 and a pin 48, the pin 48 penetrating the bore 42 so as to be longitudinally displaceable. On the underside of the shaft 45, a pressure surface 46 is provided below the cover 40, which rests on the packaged tablet 21 of the blister pack 20. Furthermore, a spring 49 can be provided, which is fixed on the one hand to the sleeve 47 and on the other hand in the recess 41.

When the push button 43 is actuated, the pressure surface 46 pushes the respective tablet 21 out of the blister pack 20, so that the tablet 21 falls into the cavity of the underside 11 of the device 1, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and over the delivery chute 1 1 'and the dispensing opening 1 1 "can be removed. When the push button 43 is actuated, the spring 49 is compressed. If the push button 43 is released again, it returns to its starting position by the restoring force of the spring 49. The depth of expression of the Push buttons 41 can be, for example, 4 mm. When actuated, the push button 41 contacts the (acknowledgment) board 30 so that the tablet removal is registered by the program. It can also be seen from FIG. 8 that the (acknowledgment) board 30 is arranged directly under the cover 40. The circuit board 30 has bores which coincide with the arrangement of the tablets 21 in the blister pack 20. The blister pack 20 is arranged below the circuit board 30 such that the tablets 21 protrude through the holes in the circuit board 30 and are in contact with the pressure surfaces 46 of the push buttons 41. The grid or sieve 16 already described is arranged below the blister pack 20. To fill the device, the blister pack 20 is placed on the circuit board 30 such that the tablets 21 virtually “snap” into the holes in the circuit board 30. Then the grid or sieve 16 is placed on the underside of the blister pack 20 and, for example, in the grid or sieve 16 provided for further recesses can be locked with spreading elements provided on the underside of the cover 40 (not shown).

FIG. 9 shows a top view of the embodiment of the cover 40 shown in FIG. 8, from which it can be seen that the head 43 of the keys 41 can be equipped with a light ring 43 'or a light spot 43 ". If the head 43 is made of a colorless light-conducting plastic the entire head 43 or the entire key 40 is illuminated in this way. The programming is carried out in such a way that the head 43 of the key 40 which is to be actuated in the individual case is always illuminated.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show two embodiments of an LCD display for the device according to the invention. The LCD display should contain: an alarm symbol such as a bell or a smiley, a time in hours and minutes, a date in day, month and possibly year, an indication of the seven days of the week, if necessary in abbreviated form, the current days of the week by underlining, bold fonts and Like. should be highlighted.

The alarm display can be configured as follows: If no alarm is programmed, no display appears. If the alarm is programmed and activated, the outer contour of a bell or a smiley with a smiling face appears. When the alarm time is reached, a fully filled, possibly flashing bell symbol or a possibly flashing smiley with a sad face appears. Furthermore, an acoustic signal can be activated in a manner known per se by means of a piezo element. If this signal is muted, it will appear respective bell symbol or the respective smiley dotted or dashed or crossed out. In addition, a further optical signal can be provided, namely the possibly flashing illumination of the button for the tablet to be pressed. After acknowledgment of the tablet removal via the (acknowledgment) board 30, the acoustic and the optical signal are switched off, and the outer contour of the bell or the smiley with a smiling face appears again. The various alarm signals can be activated continuously until acknowledgment; To save electricity, the acoustic signal and the illumination of the button can be activated for a limited period of time, for example 1 to 5 seconds, and can be repeated at certain intervals, for example 5 to 30 minutes, until the tablet is acknowledged.

By assigning the buttons 104, 104 ', 105, 105' at the discretion of the programmer, the time, date, possibly days of the week and the intake cycle (time of the alarm, date of the alarm, possibly day of the week of the alarm) can be set. If a opened blister pack 20 is inserted or after a battery change, the push button to be pressed on the next alarm can also be set.

The device 1 according to the invention can also be varied with regard to the configuration with additional functions. Exemplary embodiments of this are to be described below.

Variant No. 1

With this embodiment, the device according to the invention is to be offered with the necessary functions. An example of this variant could be as follows:

The cover 12, 102 contains an exactly dimensioned compartment, so as to receive the blister pack 20 in order to prevent the blister pack 20 from slipping. The grid or sieve 16 cannot be provided movably in the cover 12, 102, for example it can be fixed left-justified without play. The key lock is then not via the grille or screen, but with the help of a cover flap above the keys. The cover flap is attached to a hinge, for example, and covers the entire cover (not shown). Because the grid or sieve 16 ﬁ xiert, you gain a few millimeters of space that can be used to form the discharge opening 1 1 'funnel-shaped, which facilitates the removal of the tablets 21; less shaking is required. If you want to insert a blister pack 20 with a different format, both the cover 12, 102 and the grid or screen 16 must be replaced in this embodiment. Since lower part 1 1, 101 can be retained. The blister compartment is not secured against unauthorized access in this exemplary embodiment.

A further simplification could be that the illuminants 43 ', 43 "for displaying the button 18, 43 to be pressed are implemented by means of an LED next to the button. In order to extend the battery life, it is recommended to use low current LEDs with a power consumption of 2mA, red LEDs are particularly recommended because of their higher luminous efficacy.

The variant already described above (one pressure pen per tablet) is preferably used as the ejection mechanism. As already explained above, the means 18, 43 should be constructed in such a way that the associated LED circuit opens when the alarm acknowledgment button is pressed. An example of this is shown schematically in FIG. 15. It is a key 200 which has a pressure pin and an upper side 201. A circumferential, conductive ring is integrated between the pressure pin and the top side 201. The pressure pin protrudes through the cover 12, 102 and is secured at its free end with a clipped-in lock against falling out. The pressure pin lies exactly opposite the blister placed on the shadow mask or exactly opposite a tablet contained in this blister. Conductor surfaces are integrated in the cover 12, 102 opposite the circumferential ring. The top side 201 is spaced from the cover 12. 102 by means of a circumferential return spring, so that no unintentional contact can take place between the circumferential ring and the conductor track surfaces. The spring is fixed, for example, with a circumferential flange. If the upper part 201 is now pressed to push the tablet out of the blister, an electrical contact takes place between the circumferential ring and the conductor track surfaces. This leads to a signal which is understood in the electronics as an alarm acknowledgment (the alarm was perceived and the tablet was removed). With that the Alarm message for the tablet removal required at this time ended because the alarm was followed.

Instead of circumferential rings and circumferential springs, non-circumferential conductive partial surfaces and individual springs are of course also conceivable.

The release of individual keys is dispensed with in this exemplary embodiment, because this would cause higher costs for the development and production and, moreover, would entail higher power consumption due to the device for locking and loosening the individual keys.

Since most microcontrollers are not yet directly USB compatible, the use of a serial adapter cable should be considered, with a compact connector on device 1 and a conventional serial connector on the external input device. When using a USB compatible MCU, a USB interface can of course also be used.

Basically, there is a large variety of microcontrollers to choose from. This is a device that is installed on a circuit board and includes a memory chip, a timer and, if applicable, a voltage sensor. The required software program and the income plan are saved on the memory chip.

A microcontroller is preferred which has a sufficient number of I / O PINs and also enables the LEDs in the upper shell to be supplied with power. The number of PINs required ultimately also depends on which other components are used (e.g. which display). Roughly estimated, however, there is an example of the following need:

6 pins are required to control up to 31 buttons (5 for power supply via a multiplexer, one pin for querying whether the corresponding button was pressed). The basic idea of the circuit is illustrated in FIG. 12. The five output lines 101 of the microcontroller serve to supply power to the LEDs 103. For reasons of space, only two LEDs are shown as examples. In addition, they transmit the information to a multiplexer 102 which before the button is to be activated. With the help of the five lines, 2 ⁵ = 32 states can be realized. However, since no current flows in state 00000, a maximum of 31 diodes can be controlled in this way. The multiplexer 102 ensures that the incoming current only flows through the diode that is also to be addressed in the event of a specific alarm. The output voltage of the MCU drops across the diode and the resistor 107 connected downstream. A voltage is therefore tapped at the branch points 104, which is part of the output voltage of the microcontroller. By pressing the tablet push-out button, the associated switch 105 is closed, so that the voltage tapped in 104 is now present at input 106 of the microcontroller. It is assumed that the input pin has a sufficiently large input resistance on the controller side. In this way, the microcontroller learns that the button has been pressed and can switch off the alarm and the diode. One problem to be aware of is that the voltage 104 may not be high enough to be clearly identified as a "1" signal. If this situation exists, the selected input pin must have an A / D- The current consumption for low-current LEDs is usually 2 mA, otherwise typically 10mA. Another pin is used to control the piezo beeper. Three pins are required for the three push buttons for manual programming, 2 more Pins for the control of the serial interface. The number of pins for the LCD display ultimately depends on the selected model (a typical display from the Internet, for example, requires 1 1 pins). Two additional PINs are used for connecting an external quartz (dimensions approx. 8 ^* 3.7 ^* 1, 8 mm) required, which would result in a requirement of approximately 23 PINs, which should be taken into account when selecting the microcontroller s that the total power consumption of the device averaged over time should not exceed a threshold that guarantees a battery life of approximately 1 year (with AA batteries approximately 300 mA). The PIC16F871 from Microchip Technology is a microcontroller that fulfills the above requirements quite well and is also quite inexpensive. The PID 8F4220 is also suitable and more powerful, but it is not yet available on the market. This has a built-in sensor for measuring the battery voltage, which can cover the entire operating voltage range. In addition, this model allows a quick, software-controlled adjustment of the oscillator frequency. The accuracy of the internal oscillators is only 1 ° / o. In addition, this device could be available as an extremely compact QFN package. A particularly simple embodiment is a software-controlled shutdown of the manual control panel, for example with the aid of a code sent by the doctor via the interface. If the microcontroller used supports this, it is sufficient to set a lock bit for an EEPROM data memory after entering the correct code.

For example, an inexpensive FLASH memory, which can also be integrated in the microcontroller, is suitable for storing the data and times entered by the user. Alternatively, a slightly more expensive EEPROM memory is also conceivable. Both types of storage keep the stored data even in the event of a power failure, which enables problem-free battery replacement.

Standard software is sufficient to control the possibly flexible alarm function. The sound is generated, for example, by a piezo beeper. The alarm can be acknowledged in such a way that a voltage is applied to a defined PIN of the microcontroller by pressing the button.

Standard batteries are used to supply energy. However, a lifespan of about one year is preferred, so that AA batteries (for example two 1.5 V AA batteries) are preferred over button cells. However, the lower part 1 1, 101 must be adapted accordingly in order to be able to accommodate the batteries. If the LCD display is not sunk, this creates additional storage space for the batteries. Micro batteries (dimension AAA) that are smaller than AA batteries are also suitable, but have a shorter lifespan. If the microcontroller used does not have an integrated voltage sensor, an additional voltage sensor must be used to monitor the performance of the batteries. Data is saved when the battery is changed via the EEPROM of the microcontroller.

The clock can be controlled via the timer of the microcontroller. In order to achieve better accuracy, an external quartz can be used as a timer in normal operation. A simple LCD display, possibly even just an LED display, is selected for the display function. These displays are inexpensive and use little electricity.

Variant No. 2

This variant No. 2 corresponds in the exemplary embodiment to variant No. 1 described above, but contains further functions, which are explained below.

The blister compartment can be protected against unauthorized access with the help of a simple lock. A conceivable solution would be locks, such as those used in money boxes, since they take up little space for themselves. Environmentally friendly batteries are preferred as the energy source instead of conventional batteries. The time measurement can be supported by radio adjustment with a time transmitter (radio clock). A light bulb can be accommodated on the outside of the cover 12, 102 as an additional lighting component. This can be used, for example, as a key finder or as a reading lamp for emergencies.

On the cover 12, 102 or on the lower part 1 1, 101, a plug-in device can be provided, which can be used to attach design applications such as picture boards for collecting, different-colored covers, a bowl pendant and the like. Like. More enabled.

Inside the cover 12, 102, a compartment for receiving business cards or an emergency reserve money can be accommodated above the keys. A simple solution to this is a fabric bag with elastic to close it, as can sometimes be found on the back of car seats. It can be glued to the inside of the cover 12, 102 with one or more of its edges.

Variant No. 3

Variant No. 3 can have some additional functions compared to variant No. 2 described above. Variant No. 3 is preferably made from high-quality materials and has a representative appearance. It would be conceivable, for example, to design the outer shell in stainless steel or with a wooden application. The overall device is larger in the luxury version because of the numerous additional functions than in the other two cases. It is partially shown schematically in FIGS. 13 and 14.

In order not to have to replace the entire cover 12, 102 when changing medication, it can be designed in such a way that the variable components are separated even more from the "constant components" than when the lower part 11, 101 and cover 12 are separated , 102. A modular construction of the cover 12, 102 itself offers itself for this purpose. This could be configured as follows:

A "keypad" module is provided, which comprises the push-buttons 18, 43, the lighting elements 43 ', 43 "and that part of the circuit board in which the upper shadow mask for guiding the push-buttons 18, 43 is located. A second module with the other components of the cover 12, 102 could contain the microprocessor, a display or touch screen and the possibly high-quality casing (except in the immediate area of the buttons 18, 43). The modules are preferably designed so that they snap into each other. Here, plugs can also be provided for all necessary electronic connections.

Illumination can take place by means of lamps 43 ', 43 "like LEDs in the key 18, 43 itself and not by means of lamps 43', 43" next to the key 18, 43. The switching arrangement proposed for the low-cost version can be retained, only that the illuminant is now seated in the button and the current must be passed through the button via a contact.

The programming on the part of the user can be carried out via a pixel-based touch screen, which can also be used as a flexible display. Because the programming buttons are no longer required, the display can be made larger. A Bluetooth interface can be used for fast wireless programming of revenue plans. Small speakers on the side can be used to generate sound. For the power supply, a battery, which is preferably integrated into the lower shell, for example that of a mobile telephone integrated into the device according to the invention, can be included. Charging takes place both via a stand with an integrated charger and through the movement of the device. However, the latter function is only suitable for supporting the actual timer operation by supplying energy; the electricity generated is not sufficient for the additional devices.

The essential components of a mobile phone (battery, antenna, transmitter, etc.) can be located on the back of the lower part 11, 101. However, it can be operated via the touchscreen of the device according to the invention. Due to the considerable transmission power of the cell phone, it would be advisable to shield the microcontroller so that unintentional malfunctions or even data changes can be excluded. Filters may have to be attached to the incoming and outgoing lines that penetrate the shielding in order to filter out the mobile radio frequencies. A charging station with a stand or a charging cable are suitable for charging the battery.

A radio can also be integrated into the device according to the invention. The loudspeakers for the radio can then be attached to the side of the housing, while the electronics for the radio can be accommodated in the cover 12, 102. It can also be operated via the touchscreen.

The pixel-based display can be designed so that it is suitable for the display of simple games. Games that lend themselves to this are: Pacman, Tamagotchi, Tetris and others. A pen-shaped flashlight can be attached to the side as an additional lighting component, similar to the special pen on a handheld computer.

The characteristics of the individual variants are summarized again in the attached Appendix 1. In Appendix 2, these variants are listed in a table together with other implementation options.

The features described for the different variants can of course be combined with one another in any way. Summary of sub-functions Vα * ι «h + ew.

• Receiving the blister in a precisely shaped recess ^{■ Power} supply via normal batteries (mignon, possibly micro)

• Adaptation to new blister format by changing the upper shell ^■ Warning function in the event of low battery is carried out by the

• Display of the button to be pressed by the LED microcontroller next to it (in conjunction with PIC 18F4220)

• There is exactly one push ^button above each tablet. ^■ Data storage when changing batteries is thanks to EEPROM

• The key lock is secured with the help of a cover over the keys

• A tapered opening facilitates tablet removal ^> time is measured using the timer of the microcontroller in

^• Manual programming takes place via 4 control buttons, connection to an external clock (due to accuracy)

^• The computer interface should be matched to the MCU, here for example • The time is displayed on a conventional LCD display serial interface (not pixel-based)

^• Storage of the intake schedule in the EEPROM of the microcontroller

^• conceivable controller eg Microchip PIC16F871 / PIC18F4220

^• Software-controlled locking of the manual control panel

^• Alarm generation via piezo beeper

^• Alarm acknowledgment through contacts on the buttons

Summary of sub-functions

^• Receiving the blister in a precisely shaped recess ^• Power supply via batteries (mignon, possibly micro)

^• Lock to secure the blister compartment against access ^• Warning function in the event of low battery is carried out by the

^• Adaptation to new blister format by changing the top shell microcontroller (in connection with PIC 18F4220)

Secured ^• Display of the key to be pressed by lying next to LED ^• Data for battery replacement in the EEPROM

^• There is exactly one push ^button above each tablet. • Time is measured using the timer of the microcontroller

^• The buttons are locked using a cover over the buttons. ^• A receiver sends signals from time transmitters

^• A tapered opening makes it easier to query the tablet removal and thus updates the time (automatic changeover

^• Manual programming is carried out via 4 operating buttons (summer time, time update after changing the battery)

^• The computer interface should be matched to the MCU, here for example ^• The time is displayed on a conventional LCD display serial interface (not pixel-based)

^• Storage of the intake schedule in the EEPROM of the microcontroller. ^• Interchangeable, attached design applications

^• Conceivable controller, eg Microchip PIC16F871 / PIC18F4220 ^• Cloth bag on the inside of the hinged cover for visits

^• Software-controlled locking of the manual control unit cards, money, etc.)

^• Alarm generation via piezo beeper ^• Light bulb on the outside as emergency lighting

^• Alarm acknowledgment through contacts on the buttons

Summary of subfunctions Va .'o ^ - / (. 3

■ Receiving the blister in a precisely shaped recess • Power supply via batteries (mignon, possibly micro)

• Lock to secure the blister compartment against access • Stand with charger

• Adaptation to new blister format by changing the keypad. • Charging when moving due to eccentric weight

• The button to be pressed is indicated by an LED in the button

• Exactly one push-button microcontroller lies above each tablet (in connection with PIC 18F4220)

• The buttons are locked using a cover over the buttons. • Data saved in the EEPROM when the battery is changed

• A tapered opening makes it easier to remove the tablets. • Time is measured using the timer on the microcontroller

• Manual programming is carried out via a touch screen. • Signals from time transmitters are sent using a receiver

• Wireless data transmission queried via Bluetooth and thus the time updated (automatic changeover

• Storage of the intake schedule in the EEPROM of the microcontroller (daylight saving time, time update after battery change)

Conceivable controller e.g. Microchip PIC18F4220 • Display all relevant information about a

• Software-controlled locking of the manual control panel pixel-based touch screen

• Alarm generation via active boxes • GSM mobile phone in the lower shell (operation takes place

• Alarm acknowledgment by contacts on the buttons on the touch screen)

• Radio integrated into the upper shell with active boxes on the side

• Game function using the touchscreen (Tetris, Tamagotchi, Pacman)

• Flashlight plugged in on the outside

• Cloth pocket on the inside of the hinged cover for business cards, money basic functions

1. Storage compartment for the blister

1.1. 1.1.1. 1.1.2. 1.1.3. 1.1.4.

Fixing Exactly pressing on with the receptacle The blister can be slid in the form of a spring in the side walls

Deepening rails

1.2.

1.2.1. 1.2.2. 1.2.3. 1.2.4.

Inclusion of various changes of the upper only change of the change of the upper change of the upper

Blister formats shell (front panel of the front panel (hinge shell (unscrew the pin of the direction)) hinge detachable)

1.3.

1.3.1. 1.3.2. 1.3.3.

Securing the blister compartment Normal lock with code-time-controlled against opening (like opening a card (through authorized access to a money box) electromagnet)

basic functions

2. Expression function

2.1. 2.1.1. 2.1.2. 2.1.3. 2.1.4 ,.

Indication of By LED By By Indication By current next to the lighting of the directed

Key key key itself key number light

2.2.

2.2.1. 2.2.2. 2.2.3. 2.2.4.

Push-out mechanism One push pin each One servo (s) Force transducer that can be moved with the button

Pressure pen (translation)

2.3.

2.3.1. 2.3.2. 2.3.3. 2.3.4. keylock

Lid over sliding perforated mask, fixes individual locks on keys Perforated mask, fixed like carpeting the keys with pens knife blade (locking pens)

basic functions

2.Ejection function (continued)

2.4. 2.4.1. 2.4.

Release aOpen a mechanical individual key lock by releasing the lock

(only with 2.3.4.) electromagnets (gear)

2.5.

2.5.1. 2.5.2. 2.5.3.

Catching the underside of the lower shell with suction presses the tray as designed by 6P tapered tablet basic functions

3. Programming

3.1. 3.1.1. 3.1.2. 3.1.3.

Patient control buttons Touchscreen Voice controlled recognition information entry

3.2.

3.2.1. 3.2.2. 3.2.3. 3.2.4. 3.2.5.

Program feed USB Parallel Serial Firewire Bluetooth from external interface interface devices

3.2.

3.2.6. 3.2.7. (Continuation)

Infrared interface PCI interface

basic functions

3. Programming (continued)

3.3. 3.3.1. 3.3.2. 3.3.3. 3.3.4.

Storage of RAM flash EEPROM use of external memory

Withdrawal - inserting memory times

3.4.

3.4.1. 3.4.2. 3.4.3.

Microcontroller Fairchild Microchip Cygnal

Semiconductor Technologies

C8051F305

ACE 1001L PIC12LCE519

3.5.

3.5.2. 3.5.3. 3.5.3.

Blocking of the manual software Dismantling of the lockable len controlled key module cover flap control panel above the keys

basic functions

Additional functions

8. Integration of other functions (continued)

8.4. 8.4.1. 8.4.2. Lighter Removable Integrated Gas Lighter Gas Lighter

8.5.

8.5.1. 8.5.2.

Ballpoint pen attached to the side inside the device (compartment in the lid?)

8.6.

8.6.2. 8.6.3.

Wetter8.6.1. station mechanical (due to electronic, similar electronic space problems like Jumbo JMR with not realizable) 838 WF E 55164 data logger

Claims

claims

1. Device (1, 1 ') for dispensing tablets, also in the form of pills, dragees or the like, with means for receiving a blister pack (20), means for expressing a tablet (21) from the blister pack and means for adjusting Taking times and means for displaying taking times, characterized in that the device (1, V) has a lower part (1 1, 101) and a cover (12, 102) detachably connected to the lower part (1 1) for receiving the blister pack (20 ) and means (18, 43) for pushing the tablets (21) out of the blister pack (20), the arrangement of the means (18, 41) being adapted to the arrangement of the tablets (21) in the blister pack (20) to be accommodated ,

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (12, 102) has recesses (13, 41) with centered bores (14, 42), in which snap fasteners (18, 43) are held captively.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower part (11) has at least one support (15).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a grid or sieve (16) with bores (17), the arrangement of which corresponds to the arrangement of the means (18, 43), is provided.

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the grid or screen (16) is provided in the lower part (11, 101).

6. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the grid or sieve (16) is provided in the cover (12, 102).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower part (1 1, 101) has an output shaft (1 1 ') and an output opening 1 1 ".

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (18, 43) have at least one lighting element (43 ', 43 ").

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (18, 43) consist of a transparent, light-conducting plastic.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower part (1 1, 101) or the cover (12, 102) a display device (103), preferably an LCD display or LED display, and at least one programming and / or display key (104, 104 ', 105, 105').

1 1. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the inside of the cover (12, 102) a board (30) with holes, the arrangement of which corresponds to the arrangement of the means (18, 43) is provided.

12. The device according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the circuit board (30) is provided for programming the intake cycle of the tablets (21) and for acknowledging the tablet removal.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the circuit board (30) is provided only for acknowledgment of the tablet removal and in the lower part (1 1) a further circuit board for programming the intake cycle of the tablets (21) is provided, both boards together to be in electrical contact.

14. Lid (12, 102) for a device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it is provided for receiving the blister pack (20) and means (18, 43) for pressing out the tablets (21) from the blister pack (20), the arrangement of the means (18, 41) is adapted to the arrangement of the tablets (21) in the blister pack (20) to be accommodated.

15. Lid according to claim 14, characterized in that it has recesses (13, 41) with centered bores (14, 42), in which snap fasteners (18, 43) are captively received.

16. Lid according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that a grid or sieve (16) with bores (17), the arrangement of which corresponds to the arrangement of the means (18, 43), is provided.

17. Lid according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the means (18, 43) have at least one lighting element (43 ', 43 ").

18. Lid according to one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the means (18, 43) consist of a transparent, light-conducting plastic.

19. Lid according to one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that on its inside a board (30) with bores, the arrangement of which corresponds to the arrangement of the means (18, 43), is provided.

20. Lid according to claim 19, characterized in that the circuit board (30) is provided for programming the intake cycle of the tablets (21) and for acknowledging the tablet removal.

21. Lid according to claim 19, characterized in that the circuit board (30) is provided only for acknowledging the tablet removal.

22. Lid according to one of claims 14 to 21, characterized in that it has a display device (103), preferably an LCD display, and at least one programming and / or display button (104, 104 ', 105, 105').

23. Lower part for a device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a grid or sieve (16) with bores (17), the arrangement of which corresponds to the arrangement of the means (18, 43), is provided.

24. Lower part according to claim 23, characterized in that it has an output shaft (1 1 ') and an output opening 1 1 ".

25. Lower part according to one of claims 23 or 24, characterized in that it has a display device (103), preferably an LCD display, and at least one programming and / or display button (104, 104 ', 105, 105').

26. Lower part according to one of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that it has a circuit board for programming the intake cycle of the tablets (21).