WO2015002492A1

WO2015002492A1 - Medication tracker

Info

Publication number: WO2015002492A1
Application number: PCT/KR2014/005984
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hee Seong YUN; Jeong Mee Koh; Hee Jin Park; Myung Eun Park; Ji Young Huh
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2013-07-05
Filing date: 2014-07-04
Publication date: 2015-01-08
Also published as: KR20150005339A

Abstract

A medication tracker is disclosed. The medication tracker includes an elastic band member configured to be detachably attached to an outside of a medicine case to receive medicine to be taken by a user, the elastic band member surrounding at least a portion of the medicine case, a switch provided at an inside of the elastic band member to sense whether the elastic band member is detached from or attached to the medicine case, a memory to store medication information including at least one of information regarding the number of medicines in the medicine case, medication time information, and medication guide information, and an audio output unit provided at an outside of the elastic band member to output the medication time information. The medication tracker is easily and conveniently attached to the medicine case to provide a medication guide.

Description

MEDICATION TRACKER

The present invention relates to a medication tracker and, more particularly, to a medication tracker that can be easily and conveniently attached to a medicine case to provide a medication guide.

The elderly population, who often suffer from chronic diseases, has increased and, accordingly, various kinds of medicine, such as medicines for nutrition and medicines for treatment and remedy, have been increasingly taken to maintain health.

In particular, for medicines for treatment and remedy, regular and correct medication is necessary to maintain health. However, the elderly may not take medicine just at the right moment due to poor memory and cognition with the result that health of the elderly may be injured.

On the other hand, doctors may not determine whether such injured health of the elderly is caused by the medicine itself or incorrect medication.

In order to solve the above problems, conventional products are configured in the form of mobile phone applications or electronic medicine cases that are capable of providing a medication alarm function, a medication checking function, etc. However, the conventional products are troublesome to use and, in addition, very expensive.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a medication tracker that can be easily and conveniently attached to a medicine case to provide a medication guide.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a medication tracker including an elastic band member configured to be detachably attached to an outside of a medicine case to receive medicine to be taken by a user, the elastic band member surrounding at least a portion of the medicine case, a switch provided at an inside of the elastic band member to sense whether the elastic band member is detached from or attached to the medicine case, a memory to store medication information including at least one of information regarding the number of medicines in the medicine case, medication time information, and medication guide information, and an audio output unit provided at an outside of the elastic band member to output the medication time information.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation method of a medication tracker including an elastic band member configured to surround at least a portion of a medicine case and a switch provided at an inside of the elastic band member to sense whether the elastic band member is detached from or attached to the medicine case, the operation method including sensing whether the elastic band member is detached from or attached to the medicine case, upon sensing that the elastic band member is attached to the medicine case, storing medication information including at least one of information regarding the number of medicines in the medicine case, medication time information, and medication guide information, and at least periodically outputting the medication time information.

As is apparent from the above description, a medication tracker according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an elastic band member configured to surround a medicine case. Consequently, the medication tracker may be easily and conveniently attached to the outside of the medicine case. In addition, the medication tracker includes a switch attached to the inside of the elastic band member. When the medication tracker is attached to the medicine case, the hook switch is pushed. Consequently, it is possible to easily and conveniently sense attachment of the medication tracker to the medicine case.

Furthermore, medication time information is output to provide a medication guide to a user.

Meanwhile, motion of the elastic band member may be sensed using a sensor unit to determine whether the user has taken medicine and to continuously check the number of medicines in the medicine case based thereupon. When the number of the remaining medicines in the medicine case is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, information regarding the number of the remaining medicines in the medicine case may be output such that the user can fill the medicine case with medicine.

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view showing a medication tracker according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to a medicine case;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a medication tracker according to another embodiment of the present invention attached to a medicine case;

FIG. 3 is a view showing the outside and the inside of the medication tracker of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic internal block diagram of the medication tracker of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of the medication tracker of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 6A to 11B are reference views illustrating various operation methods of the medication tracker of FIG. 5.

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The terms “module” and “unit,” when attached to the names of components are used herein to aid in understanding of the components and thus should not be considered as having specific meanings or roles. Accordingly, the terms “module” and “unit” may be used interchangeably.

A medication tracker described in this specification is a medication tracker that can be easily and conveniently attached to a medicine case to provide a medication guide. Hereinafter, such a medication tracker will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a medication tracker 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to a medicine case.

Referring to FIG. 1, the medication tracker 100 includes an elastic band member 110 configured to be detachably attached to the outside of a medicine case 10 to receive medicine to be taken by a user. The elastic band member 110 may surround at least a portion of the medicine case 10.

A plurality of medicines, such as tablets, may be put in the medicine case 10. The medicine case 10 may be opened and closed by a lid 15. In FIG. 1, the medicine case 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape and made of a transparent material. However, the medicine case 10 may be formed in various other shapes and made of various other materials.

In this embodiment, the band member 110 may be elastic such that the band member 110 can be detachably attached to various shaped medicine cases or various sized medicine cases. The elastic band member 110 may be attached to the medicine case 10 while surrounding at least a portion of the medicine case 10 due to elastic force.

Meanwhile, a display unit 180 to display various kinds of information and an audio output unit 160 to output various kinds of information as sound may be disposed at the outside of the elastic band member 110. The display unit 180 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic light emitting diode (OLED). The display unit 180 and the audio output unit 160 may be embedded in the elastic band member 110. Alternatively, the display unit 180 and the audio output unit 160 may protrude from the elastic band member 110.

When the medicine in the medicine case 10 needs to be taken, at least one selected from between the display unit 180 and the audio output unit 160 may output medication time information. For example, the audio output unit 160 may output a dose of medicine, a route of administration, etc. as sound. Alternatively, the display unit 180 may display a dose of medicine, a route of administration, etc. In this way, the medication tracker 100 provides a medication guide to the user.

On the other hand, an input unit 185 to allow the user to input various kinds of information therethrough may be disposed at the outside of the elastic band member 110. For example, the input unit 185 may be a button. Consequently, the user may input the number of medicines in the medicine case 10 through the input unit 185.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a medication tracker 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention attached to a medicine case.

The medication tracker 100 of FIG. 2 is almost identical to the medication tracker 100 of FIG. 1 except for the display unit. The display unit 180 of FIG. 1 may be an LCD or an OLED that can display text. On the other hand, a display unit 180a of FIG. 2 may include a plurality of LEDs. The display unit 180a may output information based on turning on of the LEDs.

Alternatively, the medication tracker 100 may include only the audio output unit 160 without the

display unit

180 or 180a unlike FIG. 1 or 2.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the outside and the inside of the medication tracker 100 of FIG. 1

FIG. 3(a) shows the outside of the medication tracker 100. As previously described, the display unit 180 to display various kinds of information, the audio output unit 160 to output various kinds of information as sound, and the input unit 185 to allow a user to input various kinds of information therethrough may be disposed at the outside of the elastic band member 110.

FIG. 3(b) shows the inside of the medication tracker 100. A switch 187 for sensing whether the medication tracker 100, specifically the elastic band member 110, is detached from or attached to the medicine case 10 may be disposed at the inside of the elastic band member 110. For example, the switch 187 may include a hook switch.

When the elastic band member 110 is attached to the medicine case 10, the hook switch 187 is pushed. When the elastic band member 110 is detached from the medicine case 10, on the other hand, the hook switch 187 is returned to the original state thereof.

Meanwhile, protrusion members 125 to prevent slip between the elastic band member 110 and the medicine case 10 may be disposed at the inside of the elastic band member 110. The protrusion members 125 may be formed in various shapes. For example, the protrusion members 125 may be formed in a circular shape.

FIG. 4 is a schematic internal block diagram of the medication tracker 100 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 4, the medication tracker 100 may include a sensor unit 130, a communication module 135, a memory 140, the audio output unit 160, a processor 170, the display unit 180, the hook switch 187, and a power supply unit 190. When the respective components of the block diagram are actually embodied, two or more components may be combined into a single component or one component may be divided into two or more components as needed.

The sensor unit 130 may sense motion of the medication tracker 100, opening or closing of a lid of a medicine case to which the medication tracker 100 is attached, etc. to generate a sensed signal.

For example, the sensor unit 130 may include at least one selected from among a motion sensor (not shown), a proximity sensor (not shown), and a pressure sensor (not shown).

The motion sensor (not shown) may sense the position or motion of the medication tracker 100 using an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, etc.

The acceleration sensor may include an X-axis acceleration sensor, a Y-axis acceleration sensor, and a Z-axis acceleration sensor. The gyro sensor may be an angular velocity sensor. The gyro sensor may sense change in direction from a reference direction.

The proximity sensor (not shown) may sense an object approaching the medication tracker 100 or presence of an object present in the vicinity of the medication tracker 100 without mechanical contact.

The pressure sensor (not shown) may sense pressure applied to the medication tracker 100 and the magnitude of the pressure. For example, the pressure sensor (not shown) may sense pressure applied to the medication tracker 100 when the user holds the medication tracker 100.

The communication module 135 may provide an interface for communication with an external device. To this end, the communication module 135 may include at least one selected from among a mobile communication module (not shown), a wireless Internet module (not shown), a near field communication (NFC) module (not shown), and a global positioning system (GPS) module (not shown). For example, the communication module 135 may perform Wi-Fi communication through the wireless Internet module (not shown). In addition, the communication module 135 may perform NFC communication through the NFC module (not shown).

On the other hand, the communication module 135 may exchange data with a mobile terminal 700 (see FIG. 8A) or an external server (not shown). Specifically, the communication module 135 may receive a medication guide based on doctor’s prescription from the mobile terminal 700. In addition, the communication module 135 may transmit information regarding the number of medicines in the medicine case to the mobile terminal 700.

The memory 140 may store a program for processing and control performed by the processor 170 of the medication tracker 100. In addition, the memory 140 may temporarily store input and output data.

On the other hand, the memory 140 may store medication information including information regarding the number of medicines in the medicine case, medication time information, and medication guide information.

The audio output unit 160 may output the medication time information. In addition, the audio output unit 160 may output medication guide information. When the number of medicines in the medicine case is equal to or less than a predetermined number, the audio output unit 160 may output information regarding the number of medicines.

The processor 170 may control operations of the respective components of the medication tracker 100 to control overall operation of the medication tracker 100.

For example, when medication needs to be administered, the processor 170 may control medication time information to be output through the audio output unit 160 or the display unit 180 based on information regarding the number of medicines which is input by a user or received from an external device.

In another example, the processor 170 may determine whether a user has taken medicine based on information regarding motion of the medication tracker 100 sensed by the sensor unit 130. After the user has taken medicine, the processor 170 may calculate the number of the remaining medicines in the medicine case. When the number of the remaining medicines in the medicine case is equal to or less than a predetermined number, the processor 170 may control information regarding the number of medicines to be output through the audio output unit 160 or the display unit 180.

The display unit 180 may display text or an image. In particular, the display unit 180 may output medication time information. In addition, the display unit 180 may output medication guide information. When the number of medicines in the medicine case is equal to or less than a predetermined number, the display unit 180 may output information regarding the number of medicines.

When the medication tracker 100 is detached from the medicine case, the hook switch 187 may be turned off. When the medication tracker 100 is attached to the medicine case, on the other hand, the hook switch 187 may be turned on. As a result, the hook switch 187 may output an OFF signal or an ON signal to the processor 170.

When an OFF signal is generated by the hook switch 187, the processor 170 may control the medication tracker 100 to enter a battery saving mode. In the battery saving mode, the medication time information, the medication guide information, etc. may not be output. That is, various notifications may be stopped.

The power supply unit 190 may supply power to the respective components of the medication tracker 100 under control of the processor 170.

Meanwhile, although not shown, the medication time information, the medication guide information, etc. may be output through a vibration unit (not shown).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of the medication tracker 100 of FIG. 1 and FIGS. 6A to 11B are reference views illustrating various operation methods of the medication tracker 100 of FIG. 5.

Referring to these drawings, the processor 170 of the medication tracker 100 senses whether the elastic band member 110 is detached from or attached to the medicine case 10 through the sensor unit 130 (S510). Specifically, the processor 170 senses whether the medication tracker 100 has been attached to the medicine case 10 through the sensor unit 130.

When the hook switch 187 disposed at the inside of the elastic band member 110 is turned on, the processor 170 determines whether the medication tracker 100 has been attached to the medicine case 10 based on an ON signal from the hook switch 187. Consequently, it is possible to easily and conveniently sense that the medication tracker 100 has been attached to the medicine case 10.

Subsequently, the memory 140 of the medication tracker 100 stores medication information including at least one of information regarding the number of medicines in the medicine case, medication time information, and medication guide information according to a user input through the input unit 185 (S520).

For example, when information regarding the number of medicines in the medicine case is input through the input unit 185 or received through the communication module 135, the memory 140 of the medication tracker 100 may store the information regarding the number of medicines in the medicine case.

Subsequently, the processor 170 of the medication tracker 100 determines whether medication needs to be administered (S530). Upon determining that medication needs to be administered, the processor 170 outputs the medication time information (S540). The medication time information may be output as sound through the audio output unit 160 or may be output as text or an image through the display unit 180. Alternatively, the medication time information may be output as vibration.

Hereinafter, various operations of the medication tracker 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A to 11B.

FIG. 6A shows two

medicine cases

10a and 10b. No medication tracker is attached to the first medicine case 10a and a second medication tracker 100b is attached to the second medicine case 10b.

As can be seen from FIG. 6A, a width length L2 of the second medicine case 10b is greater than a width length L1 of the first medicine case 10a. Since the medication tracker according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the elastic band member, however, the medication tracker can be attached to the medicine case irrespective of shape or size of the medicine case.

FIG. 6B shows that a first medication tracker 100a is attached to the first medicine case 10a. As previously described, it is possible to sense that the first medication tracker 100a has been attached to the first medicine case 10a when the hook switch 187 is turned on.

In a state in which the first medication tracker 100a is attached to the first medicine case 10a, a user may manipulate the input unit 185 using a finger 50 to input information regarding the number of medicines in the first medicine case 10a. The memory 140 may store the information regarding the number of medicines input by the user.

On the other hand, the first medication tracker 100a may further receive medication time information and medication guide information through user manipulation of the input unit 185 or from an external mobile terminal or an external server in addition to the information regarding the number of medicines. The received medication time information and medication guide information may be stored in the memory 140.

FIG. 6C shows that the medication time information is output when medication needs to be administered.

The processor 170 of the first medication tracker 100a may determine whether the medicine in the first medicine case 10a needs to be taken based on an internal timer, etc.

For example, in a case in which two tablets of the medicine in the first medicine case 10a are to be taken at 1 p.m. every day, this medication time information schedule may be stored in the memory 140 and, when medication needs to be administered, medication time information 610 may be output as sound through the audio output unit 160. Unlike the drawing, on the other hand, the medication time information may be output through only the display unit 180 or through both the audio output unit 160 and the display unit 180.

FIG. 6D shows that motion of the first medication tracker 100a is sensed to determine whether the medicine has been taken. The sensor unit 130 of the first medication tracker 100a senses motion of the first medication tracker 100a. Specifically, the sensor unit 130 senses x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis motions and angular velocity through the acceleration sensors and the gyro sensor and the processor 170 determines whether the medicine has been taken based on the sensed signal.

In FIG. 6D, the first medication tracker 100a has been moved by a motion angle θ. When the motion angle θ is equal to or greater than a reference angle, the processor 170 may determine that the first medicine case 10a has been tilted, medicine has been removed from the first medicine case 10a, and the removed medicine has been taken.

Meanwhile, upon determining that the medicine has been taken, the processor 170 may calculate the number of the remaining medicines in the first medicine case 10a. For example, when, in a state in which there are 100 tablets in the first medicine case 10a, 2 tablets are taken for the first time, it may be determined that 98 tablets are left in the first medicine case 10a. The memory 140 may store information regarding the number of medicines at that time.

On the other hand, upon determining that the medicine has been taken, the processor 170 may control medication completion information to be transmitted to an external device through the communication module 135. Specifically, the processor 170 may transmit the medication completion information to a mobile terminal or a server through the communication module 135. Consequently, it is possible for another user or a doctor to easily and conveniently check the medication completion information of a patient.

Although FIG. 6D shows an example of automatically sensing medication, various other methods may be employed.

For example, when the pressure sensor of the sensor unit 130 of the first medication tracker 100a senses pressure of a user’s hand holding the first medication tracker 100a, when a sound made when the lid 15 is opened is acquired, when opening and closing of the lid 15 is sensed through an infrared (ID) sensor of the sensor unit, or when information regarding specific motion of the first medication tracker 100a is sensed, it is possible to automatically sense medication individually or in combination.

On the other hand, it is possible to manually sense medication in addition to automatic sensing of medication. For example, completion of medication administration may be sensed through a user input through the input unit 185.

FIG. 6E shows that, when the number of medicines in the second medicine case 10b is equal to or less than a predetermined number, the second medication tracker 100b senses the number of medicines in the second medicine case 10b and outputs medicine supplement notification information.

Whenever a user takes medicine at predetermined intervals, the processor 170 of the second medication tracker 100b calculates the remaining medicine in the second medicine case 10b. When the number of the remaining medicines in the second medicine case 10b is equal to or less than, for example, 10, the processor 170 may control medicine supplement notification information 620 to be output.

As shown in FIG. 6E, the medicine supplement notification information 620 is output as sound through the audio output unit 160. Unlike the drawing, on the other hand, the medicine supplement notification information may be output through only the display unit 180 or through both the audio output unit 160 and the display unit 180.

Consequently, it is possible for the user to fill the second medicine case 10b with medicine based on the medicine supplement notification information.

FIG. 7 shows that the first medication tracker 100a outputs medication guide information.

When the user manipulates the input unit 185 using a finger 50 as shown in FIG. 7, the first medication tracker 100a may output medication guide information 710 stored in the memory 140 through the audio output unit 160.

On the other hand, the medication guide information may be output when the user shakes the first medication tracker 100a and the first medicine case 10a together or when the first medication tracker 100a is attached to the first medicine case 10a in addition to user manipulation through the input unit 185.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views illustrating data exchange between the first medication tracker 100a and an external device, such as a mobile terminal 700.

FIG. 8A shows data exchange between the first medication tracker 100a and the mobile terminal 700 through wireless communication, such as Wi-Fi communication.

The communication module 135 of the first medication tracker 100a may transmit remaining information regarding the number of medicines, medication completion information, medicine supplement notification information, etc. to the mobile terminal 700. In addition, the communication module 135 of the first medication tracker 100a may receive information regarding the number of medicines, medication time information, and medicine guide information from the mobile terminal 700.

Meanwhile, the first medication tracker 100a and the mobile terminal 700 may exchange data with each other at predetermined intervals, i.e. periodically, in consideration of the battery power of the first medication tracker 100a. For example, the first medication tracker 100a and the mobile terminal 700 may exchange data with each other through wireless communication once a day. In particular, a medication schedule may be synchronized.

On the other hand, the first medication tracker 100a may periodically exchange data with a server (not shown) through wireless communication, such as third generation (3G), 4G, or Wi-Fi communication, in addition to the mobile terminal 700. In particular, a medication schedule may be synchronized.

Meanwhile, the mobile terminal 700 may perform medication management for medicine in the first medicine case 10a using the remaining information regarding the number of medicines, the medication completion information, the medicine supplement notification information, etc. received by the mobile terminal 700. For example, the mobile terminal 700 may drive a medication management application to easily and conveniently check the remaining information regarding the number of medicines, the medication completion information, the medicine supplement notification information, etc.

FIG. 8B shows data exchange between the first medication tracker 100a and the mobile terminal 700 in NFC communication. In a case in which the first medication tracker 100a and the mobile terminal 700 each have an NFC module, the first medication tracker 100a and the mobile terminal 700 may exchange data with each other through tagging when the first medication tracker 100a and the mobile terminal 700 are located within a predetermined distance. As previously described with reference to FIG. 8A, exchangeable data may include medication completion information, medicine supplement notification information, information regarding the number of medicines, medication time information, and medicine guide information.

On the other hand, data exchange between the first medication tracker 100a and the mobile terminal 700 may be performed through wireless communication other than NFC communication when the first medication tracker 100a and the mobile terminal 700 are located within a predetermined distance as shown in FIG. 8B. That is, in a case in which the first medication tracker 100a and the mobile terminal 700 do not include the NFC modules but at least one selected from between the first medication tracker 100a and the mobile terminal 700 includes a proximity sensor, the first medication tracker 100a and the mobile terminal 700 may exchange data with each other through wireless access when the first medication tracker 100a and the mobile terminal 700 are located within a predetermined distance.

For example, in a case in which the mobile terminal 700 is located on the first medicine case 10a, to which the first medication tracker 100a is attached, the first medication tracker 100a and the mobile terminal 700 may exchange data with each other through automatic wireless access.

In another example, in a case in which the first medicine case 10a, to which the first medication tracker 100a is attached, is located on the mobile terminal 700, the first medication tracker 100a and the mobile terminal 700 may exchange data with each other through automatic wireless access.

During data exchange, the mobile terminal 700 may transmit a medication schedule to the first medication tracker 100a and the first medication tracker 100a may transmit information regarding whether or not medicine has been taken to the mobile terminal 700. The information regarding whether or not medicine has been taken may include medication completion information and medication incompletion information.

FIG. 9 shows that the user shakes the first medication tracker 100a and the first medicine case 10a together.

The sensor unit 130 of the first medication tracker 100a may sense motion of the first medication tracker 100a. Upon determining the motion of the first medication tracker 100a as a shaking action, data stored in the memory 140 may be initialized.

For example, information regarding the number of medicines, medication time information, and medicine guide information stored in the memory 140 may be initialized. After initialization, the first medication tracker 100a may receive information regarding the number of medicines, medication time information, and medicine guide information.

When the first medication tracker 100a is attached to or detached from the first medicine case 10a in addition to such a shaking action, initialization may be performed according to an ON/OFF signal of the hook switch. This is necessary for the first medication tracker 100a to store information corresponding medicine stored in the first medicine case 10a or in another medicine case.

On the other hand, initialization may be performed when medication schedule is input. The medication schedule may be received from the mobile terminal in a wireless fashion.

Meanwhile, since the medication tracker 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the elastic band member 110, the medication tracker 100 may be attached to various shaped medicine cases or various sized medicine cases. In this case, initialization may be performed.

FIG. 10 shows that the first medication tracker 100a outputs error information when the first medication tracker 100a malfunctions.

When it is not medication time although a motion angle θ of the first medication tracker 100a is equal to or greater than a reference angle in a similar manner as in FIG. 6D, the first medication tracker 100a may output error information 1010 through the audio output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 10. Consequently, it is possible to provide a timely medication guide.

In a case in which the sensor unit 130 of the first medication tracker 100a includes a humidity sensor, on the other hand, the first medication tracker 100a may output contamination caution information, such as humidity caution information, when humidity sensed by the humidity sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined level.

Meanwhile, when children play with the first medication tracker 100a, the first medication tracker 100a may output position notification information such that the user can put the first medication tracker 100a at the proper place, e.g. the former place.

The sensor unit 130 of the first medication tracker 100a senses motion of the first medication tracker 100a. Specifically, the sensor unit 130 senses x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis motions and angular velocity through the acceleration sensors and the gyro sensor and the processor 170 determines whether the medicine has been taken based on the sensed signal.

In FIG. 10, the first medication tracker 100a has been moved by a motion angle θ. When the motion angle θ is equal to or greater than a reference angle, the processor 170 may determine that the first medicine case 10a has been tilted, medicine has been removed from the first medicine case 10a, and the removed medicine has been taken.

FIG. 11A shows that the first medication tracker 100a is detached from the first medicine case 10a and FIG. 11B shows that the first medication tracker 100a is attached to the second medicine case 10b, which is larger than the first medicine case 10a.

When the first medication tracker 100a is attached to the second medicine case 10b, which is larger than the first medicine case 10a, curvature of the elastic band member 110 of the first medication tracker 100a becomes larger than that of the first medicine case 10a. As a result, x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis acceleration or position information of the sensor unit 130 of the first medication tracker 100a is changed. The processor 170 of the first medication tracker 100a may determine that the first medication tracker 100a has been attached to the second medicine case 10b based on the changed information.

When the first medication tracker 100a has been attached to the second medicine case 10b, the processor 170 of the first medication tracker 100a may output initialization request information 1110 through the audio output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 11B. Accordingly, the user may perform input for initialization.

On the other hand, when the first medication tracker 100a is attached to another medicine case, which is larger than the first medicine case 10a, curvature of the elastic band member 110 of the first medication tracker 100a becomes larger than that of the first medicine case 10a. The processor 170 of the first medication tracker 100a may determine that the first medication tracker 100a has been attached to the second medicine case 10b based thereupon. In addition, the processor 170 of the first medication tracker 100a may automatically set medication schedule information corresponding to the second medicine case 10b.

For example, the processor 170 of the first medication tracker 100a may request medication schedule information corresponding to the second medicine case 10b from the mobile terminal 700 through the communication module 135, receive the medication schedule information corresponding to the second medicine case 10b, and set the medication schedule information corresponding to the second medicine case 10b.

On the other hand, the processor 170 of the first medication tracker 100a may control initialization request information to be output immediately when detachment of attachment of the first medication tracker 100a is sensed based on an ON or OFF signal of the hook switch without determination as to whether the first medication tracker 100a has been attached to another medicine case having a different size. Accordingly, the user may easily and conveniently perform initialization.

The medication tracker according to the present invention may not be limitedly applied to the construction and method of the embodiments as previously described; however, all or some of the embodiments may be selectively combined to achieve various modifications.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

The present invention may be applied to a medication tracker and, more particularly, to a medication tracker that can be easily and conveniently attached to a medicine case to provide a medication guide.

Claims

A medication tracker comprising:

an elastic band member configured to be detachably attached to an outside of a medicine case to receive medicine to be taken by a user, the elastic band member surrounding at least a portion of the medicine case;

a switch provided at an inside of the elastic band member to sense whether the elastic band member is detached from or attached to the medicine case;

a memory to store medication information comprising at least one of information regarding the number of medicines in the medicine case, medication time information, and medication guide information; and

an audio output unit provided at an outside of the elastic band member to output the medication time information.
The medication tracker according to claim 1, further comprising protrusion members provided at the inside of the elastic band member.
The medication tracker according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit provided at the outside of the elastic band member to output the medication time information.
The medication tracker according to claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor unit to sense motion of the medication tracker; and

a processor to determine whether the user has taken the medicine in the medicine case based on the sensed motion of the medication tracker.
The medication tracker according to claim 1, further comprising a processor to calculate the number of the remaining medicines in the medicine case according to user’s medication.
The medication tracker according to claim 5, further comprising:

an input unit to allow a user input, wherein

the processor determines whether the user has taken medicine according to the user input through the input unit and calculates the number of the remaining medicines in the medicine case.
The medication tracker according to claim 1, further comprising an input unit to allow input of at least one of the information regarding the number of medicines, the medication time information, and the medication guide information.
The medication tracker according to claim 1, further comprising a processor to initialize the information regarding the number of medicines, the medication time information, and the medication guide information stored in the memory based on an initialization input.
The medication tracker according to claim 8, wherein the initialization input corresponds to an ON or OFF signal output by the switch when the medication tracker is detached from or attached to the medicine case.
The medication tracker according to claim 1, further comprising a communication module to receive at least one of the information regarding the number of medicines, the medication time information, and the medication guide information from an external device and to transmit medication completion information based on administration of medicine in the medicine case to the external device.
The medication tracker according to claim 10, wherein, when the medication tracker is located within a predetermined distance from a mobile terminal, the communication module accesses the mobile terminal to exchange data with the mobile terminal.
The medication tracker according to claim 1, wherein the audio output unit outputs medicine supplement notification information when the number of medicines in the medicine case is equal to or less than a predetermined number.
The medication tracker according to claim 1, wherein the audio output unit outputs error information when the user takes medicine at a time other than medication time corresponding to the medication time information.
The medication tracker according to claim 1, wherein the audio output unit outputs the medication guide information based on a user input, when the user takes medicine, or at predetermined intervals.
The medication tracker according to claim 1, wherein the audio output unit outputs initialization request information to initialize the memory when the medication tracker is attached to the medicine case or another medicine case.
The medication tracker according to claim 1, further comprising:

a communication module to exchange data with a mobile terminal; and

a processor to, when the medication tracker is attached to another medicine case, control medication schedule information corresponding to the medicine case to which the medication tracker is attached to be requested from the mobile terminal and to set the medication schedule information received from the mobile terminal through the communication module.
An operation method of a medication tracker comprising an elastic band member configured to surround at least a portion of a medicine case and a switch provided at an inside of the elastic band member to sense whether the elastic band member is detached from or attached to the medicine case, the operation method comprising:

sensing whether the elastic band member is detached from or attached to the medicine case;

upon sensing that the elastic band member is attached to the medicine case, storing medication information comprising at least one of information regarding the number of medicines in the medicine case, medication time information, and medication guide information; and

at least periodically outputting the medication time information.