FR3083698A1 - PILL WITH INDUCTIVE AND CAPACITIVE SENSORS - Google Patents

Abstract

A pill container (10) having a plurality of locations for placing respective drugs. The pill box (10) has at least one detector and each detector has at least one inductive and capacitive sensor (100). Each inductive and capacitive sensor (100) has a first electrode, through which an electrical reference signal is intended to be injected, and a ground plane. Each inductive and capacitive sensor (100) further comprises at least a second electrode concentric with the first electrode and coplanar with the ground plane. Each inductive and capacitive sensor (100) further comprises at least one inductive line connecting each second electrode to the first electrode so as to provide, in response to the reference electrical signal, an electrical return signal by the first electrode representative of a shape and composition of an object placed in a sensitivity zone of said inductive and capacitive sensor (100). Each detector is further configured to perform a comparison between a signature of the return electrical signal with a predetermined reference signature corresponding to a drug of expected form and composition at the location in question and to generate a signal representative of said comparison in order indicate whether an object detected at the location in question corresponds to the expected medicine.

Description

PILL FOR INDUCTIVE AND CAPACITIVE SENSORS

The present invention relates to the field of pill dispensers equipped with at least one drug presence sensor.

Pill boxes are devices, typically cases, that have locations, typically cavities, for placing medication and facilitating medical compliance.

Medical compliance is currently being improved by so-called "smart" pillbox solutions that monitor the intake of prescribed drugs. These pillboxes are said to be "connected" in that they integrate communication technologies allowing alerting when a medication is forgotten or when taken at the wrong time.

This is the case, for example, of the Imedipac® solution from the company Medissimo®. However, the process of filling the pill box with drugs requires the intervention of a caregiver to manually organize the doses to be administered per dose in advance.

We can also note the E-box® solution from Robotik Technology® which offers a pill box that emits an audible and visual signal to remind when to take medication, and to alert a third party in the event of non-compliance of prescription. To do this, the pillbox is filled by a pharmacist in dose sachets provided for this purpose.

We can also note the Pillbox® solution from the company Tricella®, which offers a pill box with several medication compartments, each compartment containing an opening detector, which allows the medication intake to be estimated.

In these solutions, the correct filling of the pill box in accordance with the medical prescription is based on the rigor of the caregiver or the pharmacist. The risk of error is very present.

Π is desirable to overcome this drawback of the prior art. It is therefore desirable to provide a solution which makes it possible to automatically check the filling of the pill container, and to detect and notify possible filling errors. Π is also desirable to provide an energy efficient solution. It is further desirable to provide a low cost and easy to implement solution.

To this end, the invention relates to a pill box comprising at least one location for placing a respective medicament, the pill box comprising at least one detector and each detector comprising at least one inductive and capacitive sensor, an inductive and capacitive sensor existing for each said location . Each inductive and capacitive sensor has a first electrode, through which a reference electrical signal is intended to be injected, and a ground plane, each inductive and capacitive sensor further comprising at least a second electrode concentric with the first electrode and coplanar with the ground plane, each inductive and capacitive sensor further comprising at least one inductive line connecting each second electrode to the first electrode so as to provide, in response to the reference electrical signal, an electrical return signal by the first electrode representative of 'a shape and composition of an object placed in a sensitivity zone of said inductive and capacitive sensor. In addition, each detector is configured to perform a comparison between a signature of the return electrical signal with a predetermined reference signature corresponding to a drug of expected shape and composition at the location of a said inductive and capacitive sensor of said detector and to generate a signal representative of said comparison in order to indicate whether an object detected at the location in question corresponds to the expected drug. Thus, thanks to the second electrodes and the inductive lines, the inductive and capacitive sensors are sensitive to the form and the composition of the drugs presented in the sensitivity zone of said inductive and capacitive sensors. This will automatically check the filling of the pill box and detect and notify any filling errors. In addition, the arrangement of the second electrodes reveals slots, which reduces the energy consumption of these sensors, and therefore of the pill organizer, compared to the prior art.

According to a particular embodiment, for each inductive and capacitive sensor, the first electrode has a disc shape and each second electrode has a crown shape. Thus, the pill box can be easily used with drugs of various shape and composition.

According to a particular embodiment, each inductive and capacitive sensor comprising a plurality of inductive lines, said inductive lines are placed along respective axes passing through the center of the first electrode and are angularly distributed equally. Thus, electromagnetic compatibility is easily ensured.

According to a particular embodiment, for each inductive and capacitive sensor, the ground plane comprises at least one network of slots performing electromagnetic compatibility filtering, and, in each network of slots, said slots are of identical size and angularly distributed around of the assembly formed by the first electrode and said at least one second electrode. Thus, electromagnetic compatibility is easily ensured.

According to a particular embodiment, for each inductive and capacitive sensor, the first electrode, said at least one second electrode and the ground plane are coplanar. Thus, the production of each inductive and capacitive sensor is simple.

According to a particular embodiment, for each inductive and capacitive sensor, the first electrode, said at least one second electrode and the ground plane are formed on one face of a plate of dielectric material, and each inductive and capacitive sensor comprises a another ground plane, on the opposite face of the plate of dielectric material, having a recess in which a metallized hole, called "via", is produced, connecting the first electrode to a coupling device. Thus, the coupling between each inductive and capacitive sensor and the drugs to be characterized by said inductive and capacitive sensor is perfectly controlled for fine measurements with very high sensitivity.

According to a particular embodiment, for each inductive and capacitive sensor, said at least one second electrode and the ground plane are formed on one face of a first plate of dielectric material where a first part of said at least one line is placed inductive, the first electrode is formed on one face of a second plate of dielectric material, a second part of said at least one inductive line is connected to the first electrode, a via passes through said first plate, and the first and second parts of said at least one inductive line are connected through via passing through said first plate. Thus, the first electrode can be placed on a first electronic card and each second electrode on another electronic card installed on top of the first electronic card, which makes it easy to adapt the design of the inductive and capacitive sensor to new constraints. drug characterization by replacing only the electronic card where each second electrode is located.

According to a particular embodiment, each inductive and capacitive sensor has another ground plane, on the opposite face of said second plate to the face where the first electrode is located, said other ground plane having a recess in which a via connecting the first electrode to a coupling device. Thus, the coupling between each inductive and capacitive sensor and the drugs to be characterized by said inductive and capacitive sensor is perfectly controlled for fine measurements with very high sensitivity.

According to a particular embodiment, each detector is configured to perform a first comparison between the signature of the electrical return signal of signature of each inductive and capacitive sensor of said detector and a first reference signature representative of an absence of medication, in order to detecting an object presence at the location in question, and, when the first comparison reveals an object presence at said location, said detector is configured to perform a second comparison between the signature of the electrical signal returning from the inductive and capacitive sensor in question and a second reference signature representative of the expected drug, to detect a possible filling error. Thus, the detection of correspondence of the drugs with those expected is automatic and easy, and it is possible to detect the presence of drug residues in the pill box.

According to a particular embodiment, each location for placing a respective medication is defined by a cavity formed in a lower cage and in an upper cage placed in a box of the pill organizer. This makes it easier to use the pill box.

According to a particular embodiment, in the lower cage, the cavity has a flared shape. Thus, the positioning of the drugs is simplified.

The invention also relates to a system comprising a pill box as previously presented, the system further comprising a computer program product comprising instructions causing the implementation, by a device for remote administration of the pill box to which said pill box is connected, following steps: obtain a description of the medication to be taken; obtain a predetermined reference signature for each medication to be taken; and configure the pill box with the reference signatures obtained. Thus, the pill box can be easily configured.

According to a particular embodiment, the computer program product includes instructions causing the implementation, by the remote administration device of the pill box, of the following steps: analyzing the correspondence of signatures between the signature observed by each inductive sensor and capacitive and the reference signature corresponding to said inductive and capacitive sensor; and provide a match indicator for each said location, based on the match analysis. This makes it easier to monitor the filling of the pill organizer.

The invention also relates to a system comprising a pill box as previously presented, as well as an information storage medium on which is stored a computer program product as previously presented.

The characteristics of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will appear more clearly on reading the following description of at least one exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the attached drawings, among which:

- Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a system comprising a pill box and a device for remote administration of the pill box;

- Fig. 2A schematically illustrates a top view of an inductive and capacitive sensor of a pillbox detector;

- Fig. 2B schematically illustrates a simplified sectional side view of the inductive and capacitive sensor of FIG. 2A;

- Fig. 3A schematically illustrates the side view in simplified section of FIG. 2B, in a first situation of using the inductive and capacitive sensor;

- Fig. 3B schematically illustrates the side view in simplified section of FIG. 2B, in a second situation of using the inductive and capacitive sensor;

- Fig. 4 schematically illustrates the detector integrating the inductive and capacitive sensor, in a particular embodiment;

- Fig. 5 schematically illustrates another arrangement of the inductive and capacitive sensor;

- Fig. 6A schematically illustrates an arrangement of the detector control unit;

- Fig. 6B schematically illustrates an arrangement of the remote administration device of the pill organizer;

- Fig. 6C schematically illustrates a flow diagram of an algorithm implemented by the detector control unit;

- Fig. 7 schematically illustrates a simplified sectional view of the pill box, in a particular embodiment of the invention;

- Fig. 8 schematically illustrates a flow diagram of a configuration algorithm implemented by the remote administration device of the pill organizer;

- Fig. 9 schematically illustrates a flowchart of a filling control algorithm implemented by the remote administration device of the pill organizer;

- Fig. 10 schematically illustrates a flow diagram of a medication intake control algorithm implemented by the remote administration device of the pill organizer; and

- Fig. 11 schematically illustrates a dashboard provided by the remote administration device of the pill organizer.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a system comprising a pill box 10 and a device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10. The pill box 10 comprises a communication interface allowing said pill box 10 to carry out communications 50 with the device 20 for remote administration of the pillbox 10.

The device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 is a device capable of carrying out processing operations relating to information received from the pill box 10, so as to facilitate the taking of medication by a user of the pill box 10. The device 20 d remote administration of the pill organizer 10 is for example a smart phone (“smartphone” in English), or a tablet, or a smart watch (“smartwatch” in English) or a personal computer PC (“Personal Computer” in English). The administration device 20 is preferably provided with a remote administration application for the pill organizer 10 responsible for carrying out said treatments. The pill organizer 10 and the said application then form a system for assisting in taking medication.

Communications 50 can be established on a wired communication medium, such as for example using USB ("Universal Serial Bus" in English) or Ethernet, or established on a wireless communication medium, such as for example using Bluetooth or Wi -Fi.

The pill box 10 is provided with at least one inductive and capacitive sensor 100, as described below. Each inductive and capacitive sensor 100 is a sensor which is both inductive and capacitive. We can also speak of inducto-capacitive sensors.

Fig. 2A schematically illustrates a top view of an inductive and capacitive sensor 100 of a detector 450 of the pill organizer 10, in a particular embodiment of the invention.

The inductive and capacitive sensor 100 comprises a first electrode 105, preferably in the form of a disc (or rather in the form of a flat cylinder). The inductive and capacitive sensor 100 further comprises at least one second electrode 102 concentric and coplanar with the first electrode 105, placed at a certain distance from the first electrode 105. When the inductive and capacitive sensor 100 comprises several second electrodes 102, each second electrode 102 is concentric and coplanar with the first electrode 105 and with any other second electrode 102. This means that the second electrodes 102 have different sizes and are placed concentrically one in the hollow centers of the other, as schematically represented in the Fig. 2A.

The second electrodes 102, as well as the first electrode 105, can take various forms, for example elliptical or pseudo-rectangular. Preferably, each second electrode 102 is in the form of a crown. Each second electrode 102 has an internal radius which is greater than the radius of the disc formed by the first electrode 105. In other words, by considering a quantity TV, such as N> 1, of second electrodes 102 and by considering that each second electrode 102 is identified with an order n whose value increases as it moves away from the first electrode 105, each second electrode 102 of order //, such that 1 <n <N, has an inside radius which is greater than the outside radius of the second electrode 102 of order n-1.

The inductive and capacitive sensor 100 further comprises a ground plane 101 coplanar with the first electrode 105 and each second electrode 102. The ground plane 101 has a hollow disc whose radius is greater than the outside radius of any second electrode 102 and which is concentric with the first electrode 105 and each second electrode 102. The ground plane 101, of finite transverse dimensions, serves as shielding for the inductive and capacitive sensor 100.

The net size of the inductive and capacitive sensor 100 is represented by the width D of a recess made in the ground plane 101 to place each second electrode 102. Preferably, the width D is chosen such that:

2/100 <D <2/10 where 2 represents the wavelength in vacuum corresponding to the highest excitation frequency of the inductive and capacitive sensor 100, ranging from a hundred MHz to several tens of GHz.

The arrangement formed by the first electrode 105, each second electrode 102 and the ground plane 101 thus has slots 103 between the first electrode 105 and the second electrode 102 of order 1 (Le. The second electrode 102 placed closest of the first electrode 105), between the ground plane 101 and the second electrode of order N> 1, and when the inductive and capacitive sensor 100 has several second electrodes 102, between any second electrode of order n such that 1 < n <N and any other second electrode 102 of order n-1.

The inductive and capacitive sensor 100 further comprises at least one inductive line 104 connecting each second electrode 102 to the first electrode 105, so as to give it the desired inductive character. Preferably, each inductive line 104 is a conductive tape connecting any second electrode 102 with the first electrode 105. When the inductive and capacitive sensor 100 comprises a plurality of inductive lines 104, said inductive lines 104 are preferably placed along respective axes passing through the center of the first electrode 105 and are angularly distributed equally, as schematically shown in FIG. 2A.

The first electrode 105, each second electrode 102 and the ground plane 101 are metallic, for example obtained by metallization, that is to say by deposition ("coating" in English) of a layer of metal on a dielectric material on which the inductive lines 104 have previously been placed.

Thanks to the arrangement presented above, the inductive and capacitive sensor 100 has an agile capacitive and inductive response as a function of the shape and dielectric properties of the objects placed in a sensitivity zone of the inductive and capacitive sensor 100. 'equivalent footprint, the energy consumption of the inductive and capacitive sensor 100 is lower compared to the prior art, thanks to a lower equivalent impedance related to a lower metallization surface. In addition, the combination of the second electrodes 102 and the inductive lines 104 creates equivalent electric and magnetic dipoles which make it possible to increase the sensitivity of the inductive and capacitive sensor 100 and therefore its ability to discriminate different objects by their shape and / or their composition. Indeed, the combination of the second electrodes 102 and the inductive lines 104 forms resonators which are equivalent to LC systems with capacitance and inductance in parallel, and which have different resonant frequencies, which makes it possible to significantly increase the sensitivity of the sensor. Note that the sensitivity of the inductive and capacitive sensor 100 is further improved by increasing the amount of second electrodes 102 (for a given overall surface area).

In a particular embodiment, the ground plane 101 comprises at least one network of slots 120 capable of performing electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) filtering. In each network of slots 120, the slots 120 in question are of identical size and angularly distributed around the assembly formed by the first electrode 105 and said at least one second electrode 102.

Said slots 120 can take different forms. Said slots 120 preferably have circular shapes, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, which facilitates their realization. Considering that Do represents the diameter of the slots 120 closest to the largest second electrode 102, and that the networks of slots 120 are ordered by an index m which increases with the distance from the largest second electrode 102, the others slots 120 have a diameter D _m such that D _m = (m + 1) * Do, knowing that Do is defined as follows:

D _o <Λ / 100

And within the same network of slots 120, the slots 120 in question are spaced apart by a pitch P _m such that P _m = 2 * D _m ..

This network of slots 120 thus participates in a good control of unwanted couplings, that is to say parasitic couplings, between the inductive and capacitive sensor 100 and other electronic components of a detector in which said inductive sensor and capacitive 100 is integrated and / or unwanted couplings with another sensor placed nearby. The dimensioning of the network of slots 120 depends on the parasitic couplings likely to be encountered and on the sensitivity sought in view of the objects, therefore of the drugs, intended to be placed in the sensitivity zone of said inductive and capacitive sensor 100.

Fig. 2B schematically illustrates a simplified sectional side view of the inductive and capacitive sensor 100 schematically represented in FIG. 2 A. The simplified sectional view of FIG. 2B passes through the central axis of the disc of the first electrode 105. On this central axis there is a via 109 connecting the first electrode 105 to a coupling device 108 through a plate of dielectric material 106. The coupling device 108 is adapted to connect a control member 400 to the inductive and capacitive sensor 100 so that the control member 400 is able to inject a reference electrical signal via via 109 and to receive a return electrical signal by said via 109 .

Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the inductive and capacitive sensor 100 includes another ground plane 107 placed on the opposite face of the plate of dielectric material 106 relative to the ground plane 101. This other ground plane 107 provides additional shielding to the inductive and capacitive sensor 100.

The first electrode 105, each second electrode 102, the ground plane 101 and the other ground plane 107 are obtained by metallization, that is to say by deposition ("coating" in English) of a layer of metal .

The reference electrical signal can take various forms depending on the objects to be characterized by said inductive and capacitive sensor 100, whether in the frequency or time domain: unmodulated, or modulated carrier waves, or periodic pulse train, etc.

Figs. 3A and 3B schematically illustrate the side view in simplified section of FIG. 2B, respectively in the first and second situations of use of the inductive and capacitive sensor 100. For the sake of simplification, the description is presented here only for the electric field. The same principle applies to the electromagnetic field in addition, by presenting the lines of force of the electric and magnetic fields.

In Fig. 3A, a first drug 301 is placed on the inductive and capacitive sensor 100. By injecting the reference electrical signal into the first electrode 105 through via 109, a first electric field 311 is generated. The first electric field 311 depends in particular on the dielectric characteristics of the first drug 301 and therefore on its form and composition. The first electric field 311 is therefore different from the electric field obtained in the absence of medication, or more generally of an object, near the inductive and capacitive sensor 100. The return electric signal thus obtained depends on the first electric field 311 generated, and is therefore different from the electric field obtained in the absence of a drug, or more generally of an object, near the inductive and capacitive sensor 100.

In Fig. 3B, a second medication 302 is placed on the inductive and capacitive sensor 100. The second medication 302 is of different shape and / or composition from the first medication 301. By injecting the reference electrical signal into the first electrode 105 via via 109 , a second electric field 312 is generated. The second electric field 312 depends in particular on the dielectric characteristics of the second drug 302 and therefore on its form and composition. The second electric field 312 is therefore different from the electric field obtained in the absence of a drug, or more generally of an object, near the inductive and capacitive sensor 100, and is also different from the electric field 311 obtained with the first drug 301. The electric return signal thus obtained depends on the second electric field 312 generated, and is therefore different from the electric return signal obtained in the absence of medication, or more generally of object, near the inductive and capacitive sensor 100, and is also different from the electrical return signal obtained with the first drug 301.

Let us consider by way of illustration that the second medicament 302 is of the same composition as the first object 301 but of larger dimensions. Due to the dimensions of the first medicament 301 as illustrated schematically in FIG. 3A, the resonator corresponding to the second electrode 102 of order n = 1 undergoes a significantly stronger excitation than in the absence of an object, unlike resonators of higher order which are little influenced by the presence of said first drug 301 And because of the dimensions of the second medicament 302 as illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 3B, it is the resonators corresponding to the second electrodes 102 of order n = 1 and n = 2 which could undergo a significantly stronger excitation.

The differences in the electrical return signal which are generated by the difference in shape and / or composition between the objects presented to the inductive and capacitive sensor 100 can then be exploited in the context of a detector, as described below in relationship with Figs. 4 to 6, and more generally in the context of a pill box, as described below in relation to FIGS. 7 to 10.

Fig · 4 schematically illustrates a detector 450 integrating an inductive and capacitive sensor 100, in a particular embodiment of the invention. The detector 450 can integrate several inductive and capacitive sensors 100 on the same principle.

The detector 450 comprises said inductive and capacitive sensor 100 and the control member 400, which are interconnected by a link 407 for passing the reference electrical signal and the return electrical signal, as well as by a link 408 for sharing a mass. common. The inductive and capacitive sensor 100 is seen by the control unit 400 as a variable admittance electronic component Fe, the value of which differs depending on whether an object is present in the sensitivity zone of the inductive and capacitive sensor 100 and, when object is present in the sensitivity zone of the inductive and capacitive sensor 100, the shape and the composition of said object.

The control unit 400 comprises a control unit UC 410, detailed below in relation to FIG. 6A. The control unit 400 further includes an OSC 411 oscillator, a CIR 412 circulator, a C 413 counter and a COMP 414 comparator. The CIR 412 circulator is an electronic unit which ensures the circulation of electrical signals between different inputs and outputs (or even inputs-outputs), according to a predefined current flow diagram. The CIR 412 circulator is thus adapted to allow the reference electrical signal to be injected and the return electrical signal to be received by the same transmission line.

The control unit UC 410 generates a voltage Ve injected at the input of the oscillator OSC 411 by a link 402. At the output of the oscillator OSC 411, a link 403 provides the reference electrical signal at the input of the circulator CIR 412. A link 407 connects an input-output of the CIR circulator 412 to the first electrode 105 of the inductive and capacitive sensor 100 thanks to the coupling device 108. The CIR circulator 412 is clocked by a clock signal supplied for example by the unit of UC 410 control via a link 401. The CIR 412 circulator is configured to inject the reference electrical signal into the inductive and capacitive sensor 100 by the link 407 and to receive, by this same link 407, the return electrical signal obtained in response to the reference electrical signal. Circulator CIR 412 is configured to propagate the electrical return signal at the input of counter C 413 by a link 405. The output of counter C 413 is connected to the input of comparator COMP 414 by a link 406. Comparator COMP 414 is configured to make a comparison between the electrical signal present on the link 407 and the reference electrical signal, as injected into the inductive and capacitive sensor 100. Indeed, as the link 407 is used in transmission and in reception, the comparator COMP 414 is used to remove the reference electrical signal from the signal which is picked up on the link 407 and which is shaped by the counter C 413.

The controller 400 is configured to compare the return electrical signal with a predetermined reference signature. This comparison can be carried out within the COMP 414 comparator, or preferably within the UC 410 control unit. This reference signature is determined beforehand according to the drug assumed to be found in the pill box 10, in a cavity monitored by said inductive and capacitive sensor 100. This reference signature is for example provided by the device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10. This reference signature is stored in the control unit 400 (for example in a memory of the comparator COMP 414).

According to a first embodiment of the detector 450, the detector 450 is used in the context of simple detection of the presence of an object in the sensitivity zone of the inductive and capacitive sensor 100. In this case, the reference signature is representative of the electrical return signal obtained when no object is placed on the inductive and capacitive sensor 100. This is known as an "empty reference signature". A difference between the effective signature of the electrical return signal and the empty reference signature then indicates that an object is present in the sensitivity zone of the inductive and capacitive sensor 100.

According to a second embodiment of the detector 450, the detector 450 is used in the context of recognition of drugs of predefined form and composition. In this case, the reference signature is representative of the electrical return signal obtained when a medicament having said predefined form and composition is placed in the sensitivity zone of the inductive and capacitive sensor 100. A difference between the effective signature of the electrical signal of return and the reference signature then indicates either that no drug is present in the sensitivity zone of the inductive and capacitive sensor 100, or that a drug is actually present in the sensitivity zone of the inductive and capacitive sensor 100, but of different shape and / or composition than what is expected.

According to a third embodiment of the detector 450, the first and second embodiments of the detector 450 are combined so as to make two comparisons made by the detector 450. A first comparison is made according to the first embodiment of the detector 450 to detect the presence of a drug or more generally of an object, and if this is the case, a second comparison is made according to the second embodiment of the detector 450 to verify whether the detected object has the expected shape and composition and therefore to verify if the inductive and capacitive sensor 100 detects the expected drug. Two reference signatures are then used.

At the output of the comparator COMP 414 is supplied, on a link 404, a detection result signal which is representative of the result of the comparison operations carried out by the comparator COMP 414. For example, this detection result signal is transmitted to indicators light and / or sound to indicate to a user if an object is detected by the inductive and capacitive sensor 100, and if an object of predefined shape and composition is detected by the inductive and capacitive sensor 100. Preferably, this signal detection result is transmitted to the control unit UC 410 by the link 404 for processing. Such processing can for example consist in formatting dedicated messages for sending on a communication interface 409 adapted to communicate with the device 20 for remote administration of the pill organizer 10.

Note that the UC 410 control unit can, in this way, manage a plurality of inductive and capacitive sensors 100 and therefore that the same control unit 400 can manage a plurality of inductive and capacitive sensors 100.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates another arrangement of the inductive and capacitive sensor 100, in a particular embodiment.

Compared to the arrangement of Fig. 2B, each second electrode 102 of the arrangement of FIG. 5 is always coplanar with the ground plane 101, but is not coplanar with the first electrode 105, although remaining concentric with the first electrode 105 (the center of each second electrode 102 is on an axis, perpendicular to the first electrode 105, passing through the center of the first electrode 105). Each second electrode 102 and the ground plane are formed on one side of a plate 106a of dielectric material, and the first electrode is formed on one side of another plate 106b of dielectric material. These plates 106a, 106b are superimposed on each other so that each second electrode 102 is visible. Each inductive line is constructed in several parts: a first part 104a connects each second electrode 102 concerned to a via which passes through the plate 106a to allow the opposite face of the plate 106a; a second part 104c connects said via to the first electrode 105, said second part 104c being preferably produced on said opposite face of the plate 106a; and a third part 104b consists of said via itself. The inductive link connecting each second electrode 102 with the first electrode 105 is thus ensured. The arrangement of FIG. 5 is further such that the coupling device 108, and possibly the other ground plane 107, are produced on the face of the plate 106b opposite that where the first electrode 105 is placed, in the same manner as previously described in relationship with Fig. 2B. The arrangement of FIG. 5 makes it possible to place the first electrode 105 on a first electronic card and to place each second electrode 102 on another electronic card installed on top of the first electronic card, and therefore to be able to easily adapt the design of the inductive and capacitive sensor 100 to new drug characterization constraints by replacing only the electronic card where each second electrode 102 is located.

Fig. 6A schematically illustrates an arrangement of the control unit UC 410, according to a particular embodiment. The UC 410 control unit then comprises, connected by a communication bus 510: a processor or CPU ("Central Processing Unit" in English) 500; a random access memory RAM (“Random Access Memory” in English) 501; a read-only memory ROM ("Read Only Memory" in English) 502, or a rewritable memory EEPROM ("Electrically-Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory" in English), or a Flash memory; a storage unit, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), or a storage medium reader, such as a reader 503 SD cards ("Secure Digital" in English); and at least one COM 504 interface, for example of the Ethernet, USB, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi type, enabling the control unit UC 410 to communicate with the device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10.

The processor 500 is capable of executing instructions loaded in the RAM memory 501 from the ROM memory 502, from an external memory, from a storage medium (such as an SD card), or from a network. Communication. When the UC 410 control unit is powered up, the processor 500 is able to read and execute instructions from RAM memory 501. These instructions form a computer program causing an implementation, by the controller 400, of an algorithm for controlling at least one inductive and capacitive sensor 100 as described below in relation to FIG. 6C.

All or part of this algorithm for controlling at least one inductive and capacitive sensor 100 can thus be implemented in software form by execution of a set of instructions by a programmable machine, for example a DSP ("Digital Signal Processor" in English) or a microcontroller, or be implemented in hardware form by a machine or a dedicated component, for example an FPGA ("Field-Programmable Gate Array" in English) or an ASIC ("Application-Specific Integrated Circuit" in English).

Generally, the control unit 400 includes electronic circuitry configured to implement all or part of this algorithm for controlling at least one inductive and capacitive sensor 100.

Fig. 6B schematically illustrates an arrangement of device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10, according to a particular embodiment. The device 20 for remote administration of the pillbox 10 then comprises, connected by a communication bus 560: a processor or CPU 550; a random access memory RAM 551; a ROM 552 read only memory, or an EEPROM rewritable memory, or a Flash memory; a storage unit, such as an HDD, or a storage media reader, such as a 553 SD card reader; and at least one COM 554 interface, for example of the Ethernet, USB, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi type, allowing the device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 to communicate with the pill box 10.

The processor 550 is capable of executing instructions loaded in the RAM memory 551 from the ROM memory 552, from an external memory, from a storage medium (such as an SD card), or from a network. Communication. When the device 20 for remote administration of the pillbox 10 is powered up, the processor 550 is able to read instructions from the RAM 551 and execute them. These instructions form a computer program causing the implementation, by the device 20 of remote administration of the pill organizer 10, of algorithms for administering the pill organizer 10 as described below in relation to FIGS. 8 to 10.

All or part of these pillbox 10 administration algorithms can thus be implemented in software form by execution of a set of instructions by a programmable machine, for example a DSP or a microcontroller, or be implemented in hardware form by a machine or a dedicated component, for example an FPGA or an ASIC.

Generally, the device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 includes electronic circuitry configured to implement all or part of these pill box administration algorithms 10.

Fig. 6C schematically illustrates a flow diagram of a control algorithm of at least one inductive and capacitive sensor 100, implemented by the control member 400.

In a step 601, the control unit 400 injects a said electrical reference signal into each inductive and capacitive sensor 100.

In a step 602, the control unit 400 picks up, in response to each reference electrical signal injected, the corresponding return electrical signal. As previously indicated, the received electrical return signal has a signature which depends on the presence of an object in the sensitivity zone of the inductive and capacitive sensor 100 in question, and if necessary, on the shape and composition of said object. . In the context of pill box 10, the electrical return signal received has a signature which therefore depends on the size and composition of the medicament in the sensitivity zone of the inductive and capacitive sensor 100 in question.

In a step 603, the control unit 400 performs a comparison of each signature of the received electrical return signal with a predetermined reference signature, as already explained above.

In a step 604, the control unit 400 generates a signal, for example in the form of a message according to a predefined communication protocol, representative of the result of each comparison carried out in step 603. For example, this signal indicates whether an object is detected in the sensitivity zone of such and such an inductive and capacitive sensor 100 and, in which case if the object detected is of shape and composition corresponding to the expected drug.

The algorithm in Fig. 6C is preferably executed periodically. As an alternative embodiment, the algorithm of FIG. 6C is executed on a triggering event (ie on demand), for example by detection of a press by a user on a dedicated button of the control unit 400 or on reception by the interface 409 of a command from the device 20 for remote administration of the pill organizer 10.

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates a simplified sectional view of the pill box 10, in a particular embodiment of the invention.

The pill organizer 10 then comprises a box comprising a base 702 and a cover 701. The box can comprise a hinge (not shown) or a slide (not shown) to secure the base 702 and the cover 701. The box can comprise a mechanism locking adapted for, in the locked position, keeping the housing closed and for, in the unlocked position, authorizing the relative movement of the cover 701 relative to the base 702.

Within the housing, the pill container 10 has at least one location intended respectively to place at least one medication. In the particular embodiment of FIG. 7, the pill box 10 then comprises an upper cage 711 and a lower cage 712 made of dielectric material. The upper cage 711 is installed, for example by force, in a dedicated arrangement of the cover 701. The upper cage

711 can alternatively be glued to the cover 701 or fixed to the cover 701 in another way. The lower cage 712 is installed, for example by force, in a dedicated arrangement of the base 702. The lower cage 712 can alternatively be glued to the base 702 or fixed to the base 702 in another way.

The lower cage 712 and the upper cage 711 each comprise at least one cavity 710. The cavities 710 of the lower cages 712 and upper 711 are placed in correspondence when the case is closed, thus forming at least one location for medication. Each cavity therefore serves to hold the medication in place in the sensitivity zone of an associated inductive and capacitive sensor 100. Each cavity 710 of the lower cage 712 preferably has a flared shape, for example conical, so as to facilitate the placement of medicament in the sensitivity zone of the associated inductive and capacitive sensor 100.

The housing comprises, in the base 702, an electronic card 703, on which the inductive and capacitive sensors 100 are installed, in correspondence with the cavities 710 of the lower cage 712, so that medicaments placed in said cavities are in the area sensitivity of the respective inductive and capacitive sensors 100. The electronic card 703 also comprises at least one control member 400, as previously described, in order to control each inductive and capacitive sensor 100 of the pill box 10 and to communicate with the device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10.

It should be noted that, although the pill box 10 shown in FIG. 7 has a plurality of locations for receiving respective drugs, the pill box 10 may also contain a single location. This can allow the user to go on a ride with a single medication to take during the time of said ride, while ensuring that the medication placed in pill box 10 corresponds to the expected medication.

Fig. 8 schematically illustrates a flow diagram of a configuration algorithm implemented by the device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10. The algorithm of FIG. 8 is for example triggered by pressing or clicking on a dedicated button of a graphical interface of the remote administration application of the pill organizer 10.

In a step 801, the device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 places the pill box 10 in a configuration mode. The device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 sends a dedicated message to the pill box 10. To do this, the pill box 10 is placed in the configuration mode by pressing a predefined button on the pill box 10.

In a step 802, the device 20 for remote administration of the pill organizer 10 obtains a description of medication intakes to be observed. The description informs of the composition and the form of the drugs concerned. For example, the user enters, in the graphical interface of the remote administration application for pill organizer 10, a drug name, a galenical form (tablet, capsule, capsule, gum, pill, lozenge, suppository) corresponding and possibly a prescribed dosage, as defined on a medical prescription for said drugs.

In a step 803, the device 20 for remote administration of the pill organizer 10 obtains a predetermined reference signature (z.e. of electrical signal from the inductive and capacitive sensor feedback 100) for each medication to be taken.

The device 20 for remote administration of the pill dispenser 10 can call on a database to obtain said predetermined reference signature of a medicament from the description obtained in step 802, namely from the medicament name and of its dosage form. Such a database then contains, in correspondence with names of drugs and their associated dosage forms, predetermined signatures of electrical signal of return of inductive and capacitive sensor 100. This database can be included in the device 20 of remote administration of pillbox 10 and enriched by the user (as described below) or by retrieving data from an external server. This database can alternatively be located on an external server, and the device 20 for remote administration of the pill organizer 10 remotely interrogates this database, for example via the Internet, to obtain the predetermined reference signature which corresponds to such and such a drug in such and such galenic form.

In a particular embodiment, the device 20 for remote administration of the pill organizer 10 obtains the reference signature by placing the medicament at a predetermined location in the pill organizer 10. For example, the medicament in question is placed in a predetermined lower cage 710 of the pill box 10. In other words, an inductive and capacitive sensor 100 of the pill box 10 is used to establish the reference signature associated with this drug. The user thus places the medication in the pill box 10 and the corresponding detector derives the reference signature therefrom by analyzing the electrical return signal from the corresponding inductive and capacitive sensor 100. The device for remote administration of the pill box can then receive this reference signature from the pill box 10 and store said reference signature in the database corresponding to the name of the drug and its dosage form.

In a step 804, the device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 configures the pill box 10 with each reference signature obtained in step 803, that is to say for each medication to be taken.

According to a first example, when the pill box 10 is supposed to contain only medicaments of a certain composition and of a certain galenical form, the device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 configures the pill box with a single reference signature applicable to any inductive and capacitive sensor 100 of the pillbox 10.

In a second example, when the pill box 10 is supposed to contain several kinds of medication (of different compositions and / or of different dosage forms), the device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 configures the pill box 10 with a reference signature for each inductive and capacitive sensor 100.

The user can for example indicate in the graphical interface of the remote administration application of the pill organizer 10, on a graphic representation of the pill organizer 10, which location of the pill organizer 10 (eg which lower cage 712), and therefore which sensor inductive and capacitive 100, is associated with which drug in which dosage form. The device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 deduces therefrom which reference signature must be provided to the pill box 10 and for which inductive and capacitive sensor 100, and accordingly configures the pill box 10.

At the end of the algorithm of FIG. 8, the configuration mode of the pill organizer 10 is ended. The device 20 for remote administration of the pill organizer 10 sends a dedicated message to the pill organizer 10. To do this, the pill organizer 10 is exited from the configuration mode by a press a predefined button on the pill box 10.

Fig. 9 schematically illustrates a flowchart of a filling control algorithm implemented by the device for remote administration of the pill box 10. Once the pill box has been configured with the applicable reference signature or signatures, the pill box 10 can be used to identify whether drugs correspond to what is expected.

In a step 901, the device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 places the pill box 10 in a filling mode. The device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 sends a message dedicated to the pill box 10. To do this, the pill box 10 is placed in the filling mode by pressing a predefined button on the pill box 10. In another variant , the pill box 10 automatically goes into filling mode at the end of the configuration mode.

In a step 902, the device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 receives from the pill box 10 information indicating whether the drug possibly placed in the sensitivity zone of each inductive and capacitive sensor 100 is of expected shape and composition in view of the configuration previously performed. The device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 then analyzes the correspondence of signatures between the signature observed by each inductive and capacitive sensor 100 and the reference signature which was provided during the configuration for said inductive and capacitive sensor 100, so to determine if a medicament has been placed in correspondence with such or such an inductive and capacitive sensor 100 and, if necessary, if this medicament is of expected form and composition.

In a step 903, the device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 provides an indication representative of a correspondence or not of each medication placed in the pill box 10 with what is expected. For example, the device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 displays in the graphical interface a representation of each inductive and capacitive sensor 100 of the pill box 10 and indicates there whether a medicament has been placed in correspondence and, if so, if this medication is of expected shape and composition.

At the end of the algorithm of FIG. 9, the filling mode of the pill box 10 is terminated. The device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 sends a message dedicated to the pill box for this purpose. As a variant, the pill box 10 is exited from the filling mode by a press a predefined button on the pill box 10.

Fig. 10 schematically illustrates a flowchart of a medication intake control algorithm implemented by the device for remote administration of the pill box 10. Once the pill box is fully or partially filled, the pill box 10 can be used to aid compliance 'prescription.

In a step 1001, the device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 places the pill box 10 in a mode of use. The device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 sends a message dedicated to the pill box 10. To do this, the pill box 10 is placed in the mode of use by pressing a predefined button of the pill box 10. In another as a variant, the pill box 10 is automatically placed in filling mode at the end of the filling mode.

In a step 1002, the device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 receives from the pill box 10 information indicating whether each medication possibly placed in the pill box 10 is of expected shape and composition in view of the configuration previously carried out. The device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 then analyzes the correspondence of signatures between the signature observed by each inductive and capacitive sensor 100 and the reference signature which was provided during the configuration for said inductive and capacitive sensor 100, so determining if a medicament has been placed in correspondence with said inductive and capacitive sensor 100 and, if necessary, if this medicament is of expected form and composition.

In a step 1003, the device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 recovers the description of the medication taken to be respected and more particularly the dosage associated with the medications. The device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10 then determines when, or at what time slot and possibly which day, should be taken such or such medication. The device 20 for remote administration of the pill organizer 10 then has an internal or external calendar reference for determining the current day and time to determine what is the time difference between the current day and time and the start of application of the medication intake description to be observed. The device 20 for remote administration of the pill organizer 10 can consider that the start of application of the description of medication intakes to be respected is defined as being an exit from the filling mode. As a variant, the device 20 for remote administration of the pill organizer 10 obtains an indication of the start of application of the description of medication taking to be respected by entering by the user in the graphical interface of the administration application. away from the pill box 10.

In a step 1004, the device 20 for remote administration of the pill organizer 10 provides a dashboard for taking medication indicating whether a medication possibly placed in the sensitivity zone of each inductive and capacitive sensor 100 is of expected shape and composition. , and stating whether the said medication should be taken according to the description of the medication to be taken. The dashboard can indicate in which time slot this or that medication should be taken. The dashboard can generate an alert signal in case a medication intake has been missed. In addition, the device 20 for remote administration of the pill organizer 10 can send an alert message, eg of the SMS (Short Messaging System) type, to a third-party communication device whose contact details have been previously configured in the device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10. The dashboard can indicate a reminder of taking medication before or during the time slot corresponding to the taking of these medications. An example of such a dashboard is described below in relation to FIG. 11.

When the pill box 10 has several locations intended to receive respective drugs, said drugs can be easily identified by positioning the corresponding inductive and capacitive sensors 100 in the pill box 10.

In an optional step 1005, the device 20 for remote administration of the pill organizer 10 provides a medication taking dashboard indicating whether a medication replenishment is necessary in view of the inductive and capacitive sensors 100 left without medication in relation to the progression taking medication according to the description of medication to be observed.

Fig. H schematically illustrates a dashboard for taking drugs provided by the device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10.

Fig. 11 illustrates a schematic representation 1100 of the pill box 10 for example displayed by the device 20 for remote administration of the pill box 10. The pill box 10 here has several locations intended to receive respective drugs, and each of the inductive and capacitive sensors 100 (or of the minus their location) is represented by a dedicated symbol 1101. Preferably, the relative location of the inductive and capacitive sensors 100 in the pill box 10 is reproduced in the schematic representation 1100, so as to facilitate monitoring by the user.

The symbolism 1101 of the inductive and capacitive sensors 100 varies as follows:

- Location labeled "V": empty location, the corresponding inductive and capacitive sensor 100 does not detect any object (and therefore no medication);

- Location labeled “B”: location correctly filled, the corresponding inductive and capacitive sensor 100 detects an object of expected shape and composition, and therefore the expected medication;

- Location labeled “Μ”: location improperly filled, the corresponding inductive and capacitive sensor 100 detects an object of shape and / or composition not in accordance with what is expected, and which therefore does not correspond to the expected medication; and

- Location labeled “P” (optional): location correctly filled, the corresponding inductive and capacitive sensor 100 detects an object of expected shape and composition, and therefore the expected medication, and this medication must be taken as soon as possible.

The different labels presented above are illustrative, and can be replaced by other labels or different graphic representations (color code, shape code, etc.).

Claims (15)

1) pill box (10) comprising at least one location for placing a respective medicament, characterized in that the pill box (10) comprises at least one detector (450) and in that each detector (450) comprises at least one inductive sensor and capacitive (100), an inductive and capacitive sensor (100) existing for each said location, each inductive and capacitive sensor (100) comprising a first electrode (105), by which is intended to be injected an electrical reference signal, and a ground plane (101), each inductive and capacitive sensor (100) further comprising at least a second electrode (102) concentric with the first electrode (105) and coplanar with the ground plane (101), each inductive and capacitive sensor (100) further comprising at least one inductive line (104) connecting each second electrode (102) to the first electrode (105) so as to provide, in response to the reference electrical signal, an electrical feedback signal r by the first electrode (105) representative of a shape and of a composition of an object placed in a sensitivity zone of said inductive and capacitive sensor (100), and in that each detector (450) is configured to perform (603) a comparison between a signature of the return electrical signal with a predetermined reference signature corresponding to a drug of expected shape and composition at the location of a said inductive and capacitive sensor (100) of said detector (450) and to generate (604) a signal representative of said comparison to indicate whether an object detected at the location in question corresponds to the expected drug. 2) Pill box (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, for each inductive and capacitive sensor, the first electrode (105) has a disc shape and each second electrode (102) has a crown shape. 3) Pill box (10) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that, each inductive and capacitive sensor (100) comprising a plurality of inductive lines (104), said inductive lines (104) are placed according to respective axes passing through the center of the first electrode (105) and are angularly distributed. 4) pill box (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, for each inductive and capacitive sensor (100), the ground plane (101) comprises at least one network of slots (120) making electromagnetic compatibility filtering, and in that, in each network of slots (120), said slots (120) are of identical size and angularly distributed equally around the assembly formed by the first electrode (105) and said at least one second electrode (102). 5) Pill box (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, for each inductive and capacitive sensor (100), the first electrode (105), said at least one second electrode (102) and the ground plane (101) are coplanar 6) pill box (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that, for each inductive and capacitive sensor (100), the first electrode (105), said at least one second electrode (102) and the ground plane (101) are formed on one face of a plate (106) of dielectric material, and in that each inductive and capacitive sensor (100) has another ground plane (107), on the opposite face of the plate (106) of material dielectric, having a recess in which a via (109) is formed connecting the first electrode (105) to a coupling device (108). 7) Pill box (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, for each inductive and capacitive sensor (100), said at least one second electrode (102) and the ground plane (101) are formed on one side of a first plate (106a) of dielectric material where a first part (104a) of said at least one inductive line (104) is placed, in that the first electrode (105) is formed on one side a second plate (106b) of dielectric material, a second part (104c) of said at least one inductive line (104) is connected to the first electrode (105), a via (104b) passes through said first plate (106b), and in that the first and second parts of said at least one inductive line (104) are connected by means of via (104b) passing through said first plate (106b). 8) pill box (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that each inductive and capacitive sensor (100) has another ground plane (107), on the opposite face of said second plate (106b) to the face where is located the first electrode (105), said other ground plane (107) having a recess in which a via (109) is formed connecting the first electrode (105) to a coupling device (108). 9) Pill box (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each detector (450) is configured to make a first comparison between the signature of the electrical signal of return of signature of each inductive and capacitive sensor ( 100) of said detector (450) and a first reference signature representative of an absence of medication, in order to detect the presence of an object at the location in question, and, when the first comparison reveals the presence of an object at said location , said detector (450) is configured to perform a second comparison between the signature of the electrical return signal of signature of the inductive and capacitive sensor (100) in question and a second reference signature representative of the expected drug, to detect a possible error in filling. 10) Pill box (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that each location for placing a respective medication is defined by a cavity (710) formed in a lower cage (712) and in an upper cage ( 711) placed in a box of the pill organizer (10). 11) Pill box (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that, in the lower cage (712), the cavity (710) has a flared shape. 12) System comprising a pill box (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the system also comprises a computer program product comprising instructions causing the implementation, by a device (20) d remote administration of the pill box (10) to which said pill box (10) is connected, of the following steps: - obtain (802) a description of the medication to be taken; - obtain (803) a predetermined reference signature for each medication to be taken; and - configure (804) the pill box with the reference signatures obtained. 13) System according to claim 12, characterized in that the computer program product includes instructions causing the implementation, by the device (20) of remote administration of the pill box (10), in addition to the following steps: - Analyze (902) the correspondences of signatures between the signature observed by each inductive and capacitive sensor and the reference signature corresponding to said inductive and capacitive sensor (100); and - provide (903) a match indicator for each said location, based on the match analysis. 14) System comprising a pill box (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the system further comprises an information storage medium on which is stored a computer program product comprising instructions causing the implementation, by a device (20) of remote administration of the pill box (10) to which said pill box (10) is connected, of the following steps: - obtain (802) a description of the medication to be taken; - obtain (803) a predetermined reference signature for each medication to be taken; and - configure (804) the pill box with the reference signatures obtained. 15) System according to claim 14, characterized in that the information storage medium is such that the computer program product stored therein includes instructions causing the implementation, by the device (20) for administration distance from the pill box (10), in addition to the following steps: - Analyze (902) the correspondences of signatures between the signature observed by each inductive and capacitive sensor and the reference signature corresponding to said inductive and capacitive sensor (100); and - provide (903) a match indicator for each said location, based on the match analysis.