WO2021076344A1

WO2021076344A1 - Smart labels having electronic indicators

Info

Publication number: WO2021076344A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/053927
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jonathan Grossman
Original assignee: Verily Life Sciences Llc
Priority date: 2019-10-17
Filing date: 2020-10-02
Publication date: 2021-04-22

Abstract

Smart labels having electronic indicators are provided. According to an aspect of the invention, a label may include a first layer having a printable surface. A symbol may be printed on the printable surface. The label may also include a second layer having a flexible circuit board that includes a memory, a processor, a sensor, and an electronic indicator. The electronic indicator may be aligned with the symbol. The flexible circuit board may be configured to have a first pathway to control the electronic indicator as a function of information stored in the memory and/or a second pathway to control the electronic indicator as a function of a measurement obtained by the sensor.

Description

SMART LABELS HAVING ELECTRONIC INDICATORS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/916,379, filed on October 17, 2019, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Patients often have difficulty remembering to take their medications. Some related art devices integrate a printed color or a digital number into a cap of a pill bottle to indicate when a patient should take a dose of a medication. Sensors within the cap may also track when the patient has opened or closed the pill bottle. However, these devices may require a redesign of the pill bottle to accommodate the cap, and the cap may not be able to be customized for individual patients. Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a low-cost device that does not require a redesign of the pill bottle, and can be customized to provide specific information to individual patients.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide smart labels having electronic indicators. According to an aspect of the invention, a label may include a first layer having a printable surface. A symbol may be printed on the printable surface. The label may also include a second layer having a flexible circuit board that includes a memory, a processor, a sensor, and an electronic indicator. The electronic indicator may be aligned with the symbol. The flexible circuit board may be configured to have a first pathway to control the electronic indicator as a function of information stored in the memory and/or a second pathway to control the electronic indicator as a function of a measurement obtained by the sensor.

[0004] The electronic indicator may include a light-emitting diode (LED). Alternatively or in addition, the electronic indicator may include an electrochromic material. Alteratively or in addition, the symbol may indicate a time at which a dose of a medication within a container on which the label is affixed is scheduled to be taken by a user.

[0005] Alternatively or in addition, the sensor may be configured to determine whether a dose of a medication has been removed from a container on which the label is affixed. Alternatively or in addition, the information stored in the memory may include a schedule of predetermined times at which the electronic indicator is scheduled to activate.

[0006] Alternatively or in addition, the processor may be configured to send a first signal via the first pathway to activate the electronic indicator as a function of the information stored in the memory. The processor may be configured to send the first signal as a function of a predetermined time indicated within the information stored in the memory.

[0007] Alternatively or in addition, the processor may be configured to send a second signal via the first pathway to deactivate the electronic indicator as a function of the information stored in the memory. The processor may be configured to send the second signal as a function of a predetermined duration indicated within the information stored in the memory.

[0008] Alternatively or in addition, the processor may be configured to send a third signal via the second pathway to activate the electronic indicator as a function of the measurement obtained by the sensor. The processor may be configured to send the third signal as a function of a determination that a dose of a medication has been removed from a container on which the label is affixed.

[0009] Alternatively or in addition, the processor may be configured to send a fourth signal via the second pathway to deactivate the electronic indicator as a function of the measurement obtained by the sensor. The processor may be configured to send the fourth signal as a function of a determination that a dose of a medication has been removed from a container on which the label is affixed.

[0010] Alternatively or in addition, the electronic indicator may be positioned to illuminate the symbol when the electronic indicator is activated. Alternatively or in addition, the electronic indicator may be aligned with the symbol along an axis that is perpendicular to a region of the printable surface on which the symbol is printed. Alternatively, the electronic indicator may be positioned to illuminate an area of the printable surface at a lateral distance from the symbol when the electronic indicator is activated. Alternatively or in addition, the symbol may include text and/or an icon. Alternatively or in addition, the label may also include a near-field communication (NFC) receiver that is configured to receive power from a NFC charger. [0011] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The present disclosure is described in conjunction with the appended figures:

[0013] FIGS. 1A and IB show schematic diagrams of a container on which a smart label may be affixed according to exemplary embodiments of the invention;

[0014] FIG. 2A shows an example of a smart label according to exemplary embodiments of the invention;

[0015] FIGS. 2B and 2C show schematic diagrams of a container on which a film may be affixed according to exemplary embodiments of the invention;

[0016] FIGS. 3A-3C show examples of layers of smart labels according to exemplary embodiments of the invention;

[0017] FIG. 4A shows a schematic diagram of a container on which a smart label may be affixed according to exemplary embodiments of the invention;

[0018] FIGS. 4B-4H show examples of the smart label shown in FIG. 4A according to exemplary embodiments of the invention;

[0019] FIG. 5A shows an example of a smart label according to exemplary embodiments of the invention;

[0020] FIGS. 5B and 5C show schematic diagrams of a container on which the smart label shown in FIG. 5 A may be affixed according to exemplary embodiments of the invention;

[0021] FIG. 6A shows a schematic diagram of a container on which a smart label may be affixed according to exemplary embodiments of the invention;

[0022] FIG. 6B shows a schematic diagram of another container on which another smart label may be affixed according to exemplary embodiments of the invention;

[0023] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of another container on which another smart label may be affixed according to exemplary embodiments of the invention; [0024] FIGS. 8A and 8B show schematic diagrams of apparatuses on which smart labels may be affixed according to exemplary embodiments of the invention; and

[0025] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a method for controlling an electronic indicator within a smart label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0026] FIGS. 1 A and IB show schematic diagrams of a container 100 on which a smart label 110 may be affixed according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG.

1 A, the smart label 110 may be wrapped around the body of the container 100. The container 100 may be a bottle that is configured to hold medication. Information about the patient and/or the medication within the container 100 may be printed on an outer surface 112 of the smart label 110. The outer surface 112 of the smart label 110 may be a printable surface, such as a paper or a polymer that accepts ink. The medication may be in a variety of forms, such as tablet or capsule. An LED module 115 may be provided as an electronic indicator such that at least a portion of the container 100 and/or the outer surface 112 of the smart label 110 may be illuminated.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1B, the LED module 115 may include a plurality of LEDs 145, which may be arranged in a variety of patterns. For example, the plurality of LEDs 145 may be formed in a one-dimensional line, a two-dimensional array, or a pattern that is configured to be aligned with text that is printed on the outer surface 112 of the smart label 110. The smart label 110 may also include a printed circuit board (PCB) 120 and a plurality of sensors 125. The plurality of LEDs 145 and the plurality of sensors 125 may be formed within the PCB 120. The PCB 120 may be flexible, such that the PCB 120 can wrap around the body of the container 100. For simplicity of illustration, only one LED 145 and one sensor 125 are labeled in FIG. 1B.

[0028] The PCB 120 may also include a memory 122, a microcontroller 124 that controls the plurality of LEDs 145 and the plurality of sensors 125, and a transceiver 126 for wireless communication. The transceiver 126 may be used to send data to and receive data from a variety of user devices, such as a smart phone or a computer. For example, the transceiver 126 may be paired with a smart phone via Bluetooth, near-field communication (NFC), WiFi, or another wireless communication technology. Alternatively or in addition, the transceiver 126 may communicate via a cloud service that stores data. For example, the transceiver 126 may sync directly to the cloud service via a cellular network. The data from the smart label 110 may be sent to the patient’s smart phone, and the smart phone may remind the patient to take the medication if the patient has missed a dose. Further, the data from the smart label 110 may be sent to a user device that is associated with a medical provider of the patient, such as a pharmacist or a doctor of the patient, so the medical provider can track the compliance of the patient in taking the medication.

[0029] The plurality of sensors 125 may determine when a dose of the medication has been removed from the container 100. For example, the plurality of sensors 125 may include an accelerometer that detects when the container 100 has been picked up and turned over to dispense a tablet. Alternatively or in addition, the plurality of sensors 125 may include a photodiode that is arranged to receive light from one of the plurality of LEDs 145. By sensing an interruption in the light between one of the plurality of LEDs 145 and one of the sensors 125 within the container 100, the photodiode may be used to determine that a user’s finger has been inside the container 100 to remove a tablet.

[0030] The smart label 110 may also include an adhesive that affixes the smart label 110 to the container 100. For example, the adhesive may be a layer of glue that is applied to the surface of the PCB 120 that is adjacent to the container 100. Portions of the adhesive may be removed in order to create a clear line-of-sight into the container 100 for at least some of the plurality of sensors 125 and/or the plurality of LEDs 145.

[0031] FIG. 2 A shows an example of a smart label 210 according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2A, the smart label 210 may include symbols such as a first icon 230 and a second icon 235. The first icon 230 may include an image, such as the sun, that indicates that the patient is scheduled to take a first dose of the medication in the morning, and the second icon 235 may include an image, such as the moon, that indicates that the patient is scheduled to take a second dose of the medication in the evening. Text that explains the meaning of the first icon 230 and/or the second icon 235 may also be included on an outer surface 212 of the smart label 210. For example, text associated with the first icon 230 may indicate that the patient is scheduled to take the first dose of the medication at 10 am, and text associated with the second icon 235 may indicate that the patient is scheduled to take the second dose of the medication at 5 pm.

[0032] A first LED may be aligned with the first icon 230, such that the first LED illuminates the first icon 230 at 10 am, and continues to illuminate the first icon 230 until it is determined that the patient has taken a first dose of the medication or until a predetermined length of time has elapsed. For example, the first LED may be aligned with the first icon 230 along a first axis that is perpendicular to the region of the outer surface 212 of the smart label 210 on which the first icon 230 is printed. Both the first LED and the first icon 230 may be centered with respect to the first axis. Similarly, a second LED may be aligned with the second icon 235, such that the second LED illuminates the second icon 235 at 5 pm, and continues to illuminate the second icon 235 until it is determined that the patient has taken a second dose of the medication or until a predetermined length of time has elapsed. For example, the second LED may be aligned with the second icon 235 along a second axis that is perpendicular to the region of the outer surface 212 of the smart label 210 on which the second icon 235 is printed. Both the second LED and the second icon 235 may be centered with respect to the second axis. This cycle may be repeated every day until the patient has taken all of the medication in the container.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2 A, information about the patient and the medication may be printed on the outer surface 212 of the smart label 210. For example, the information may include the name of the patient, the name of the medication, and instructions for taking the medication, such as how much of the medication to take at each dose, how many doses to take in a day, and when to take each dose. The information may also include the name of the pharmacy, the name of the prescribing physician, and contact information for the pharmacy and the prescribing physician. In addition, the information may include the prescription number, the expiration date, the refill date, and the number of refills remaining.

[0034] FIGS. 2B and 2C show schematic diagrams of a container 200 on which a film 270 may be affixed as an electronic indicator according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. For example, the film 270 may be an electrochromic material that is configured to change color or opacity when it is time for the patient to take a dose of the medication within the container 200. FIG. 2B shows that the film 270 may have a first color, such as white, before the patient is scheduled to take a dose of the medication. FIG. 2C shows that the film 270 may have a second color, such as orange, when the patient is scheduled to take a dose of the medication. The film 270 may change from white to orange at the time that the patient is scheduled to take the dose of the medication, and may return to white when it is determined that the patient has taken the dose of the medication or a predetermined length of time has elapsed.

[0035] In some embodiments, the electrochromic material may be used instead of the LEDs 145 in the smart label 110 shown in FIG. 1B. The electrochromic material may be configured to change color or opacity when a current is applied to the electrochromic material. The memory 122 within the PCB 120 may store information such as a schedule of predetermined times at which the patient is scheduled to take a dose of the medication within the container 100. The PCB 120 may include a first pathway to control an electronic indicator, such as an electrochromic material or an LED, based on the information stored in the memory 122. For example, the microcontroller 124 within the PCB 120 may send instructions to a power source, such as a battery, to activate the electrochromic material according to the schedule by applying the current to the electrochromic material via the first pathway. Alternatively, the microcontroller 124 may send instructions to the power source to activate one or more of the LEDs 145 according to the schedule by applying the current to one or more of the LEDs 145 via the first pathway. The current may be applied to the electrochromic material and/or the LED 145 that is aligned with corresponding text and/or an icon providing instructions, such as the first icon 230 or the second icon 235 shown in FIG. 2A. The power source may be integrated with the PCB 120 or may be external to the smart label 110.

[0036] Similarly, the PCB 120 may include a second pathway to control an electronic indicator, such as an electrochromic material or an LED, based on the measurements obtained by at least one of the plurality of sensors 125. For example, the microcontroller 124 within the PCB 120 may send instructions to the power source to deactivate the electrochromic material after it is determined that the user has removed a tablet by sending a signal via the second pathway. Alternatively, the microcontroller 124 may send instructions to the power source to deactivate activate one or more of the LEDs 145 after it is determined that the user has removed a tablet by sending a signal via the second pathway.

[0037] FIGS. 3A-3C show examples of layers 310a, 310b, and 310c of smart labels according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 3 A, a first layer 310a of the smart label may include a printable surface 312 having a print area 340, which may be separate from the area on which the information about the patient and the medication is printed. Symbols such as text and/or icons 330 providing instructions for taking doses of the medication may be printed in the print area 340. The locations of the text and/or the icons may be adjusted based on the schedule for the patient. For simplicity of illustration, only one icon 330 is labeled in FIG.

3A

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3B, a second layer 310b of the smart label may include an LED module 315a that has a plurality of LEDs 345. The second layer 310b of the smart label may be an example of the PCB 120 shown in FIG. 1B. The LEDs 345 within the LED module 315a may be aligned with the text and/or icons 330 within the print area 340. The first layer 310a may then be affixed to the second layer 310b via an adhesive layer 350. Although the adhesive layer 350 is shown as being arranged on a top surface 318 of the second layer 310b in FIG. 3B, the adhesive layer 350 may alternatively be arranged on a bottom surface (not shown) of the first layer 310a. For simplicity of illustration, only one LED 345 is labeled in FIG. 3B.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3C, a second layer 310c of the smart label may include an LED module 315b that is aligned along a horizontal direction, in contrast with the LED module 315a that is aligned along a vertical direction. More generally, the LED module may be aligned along various directions, and may include a plurality of LEDs 345 in a variety of configurations. The text and/or icons may be printed within the print area 340 to be aligned with some or all of the plurality of LEDs 345. For simplicity of illustration, only one LED 345 is labeled in FIG. 3C.

[0040] FIG. 4 A shows a schematic diagram of a container 400 on which a smart label 410 may be affixed according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. FIGS. 4B-4H show examples of smart labels 410a-410h according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. Each of the smart labels 410a-410h may be affixed to the container 400 as shown in FIG. 4 A.

[0041] In the first example shown in FIG. 4B, the smart label 410b is configured to remind the patient to take a dose of the medication in the container 400 with three meals each day. In this example, a plurality of electronic indicators 445b, such as LEDs and/or electrochromic materials, are aligned with text describing each meal, such as breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In this example, each electronic indicator 445b is positioned to illuminate the outer surface of the smart label 410b at a lateral distance below the corresponding text. The lateral distance may have any suitable value that conveys a relationship between the illumination from the electronic indicator 445b and the corresponding text. For example, the lateral distance may be less than 0.1 cm, less than 0.5 cm, less than 1 cm, or less than 2 cm. Alternatively or in addition, there may be no additional elements that are arranged between the area of the printable surface that is illuminated by the electronic indicator 445b and the corresponding text. For simplicity of illustration, only one electronic indicator 445b is labeled in FIG. 4B.

[0042] In the second example shown in FIG. 4C, the smart label 410c is configured to remind the patient to take a dose of the medication in the container 400 when an electronic indicator 445c is flashing. In this example, the electronic indicator 445c is aligned with text instructing the patient to take two tablets when the light from the electronic indicator 445c is flashing. In this example, the electronic indicator 445c is positioned to illuminate the outer surface of the smart label 410c at a lateral distance below the corresponding text. The lateral distance may have any suitable value that conveys a relationship between the illumination from the electronic indicator 445c and the corresponding text. For example, the lateral distance may be less than 0.1 cm, less than 0.5 cm, less than 1 cm, or less than 2 cm. Alternatively or in addition, there may be no additional elements that are arranged between the area of the printable surface that is illuminated by the electronic indicator 445c and the corresponding text.

[0043] In the third example shown in FIG. 4D, the smart label 410d is configured to remind the patient to take a dose of the medication in the container 400 in the morning and in the evening. In this example, a plurality of electronic indicators 445d are aligned with text providing specific instructions for each dose, such as instructions to take one tablet in the morning and two tablets in the evening. In this example, each electronic indicator 445d is positioned to illuminate the outer surface of the smart label 410d at a lateral distance below the corresponding text. The lateral distance may have any suitable value that conveys a relationship between the illumination from the electronic indicator 445 d and the corresponding text. For example, the lateral distance may be less than 0.1 cm, less than 0.5 cm, less than 1 cm, or less than 2 cm. Alternatively or in addition, there may be no additional elements that are arranged between the area of the printable surface that is illuminated by the electronic indicator 445d and the corresponding text. For simplicity of illustration, only one electronic indicator 445d is labeled in FIG. 4D. [0044] In the fourth example shown in FIG. 4E, the smart label 410e is configured to remind the patient to take a dose of the medication in the container 400 in the morning and in the evening. In this example, a plurality of electronic indicators 445e are aligned with icons that indicate the time of day. In this example, each electronic indicator 445e is positioned to illuminate the outer surface of the smart label 410e at a lateral distance below the corresponding icon. The lateral distance may have any suitable value that conveys a relationship between the illumination from the electronic indicator 445e and the corresponding icon. For example, the lateral distance may be less than 0.1 cm, less than 0.5 cm, less than 1 cm, or less than 2 cm. Alternatively or in addition, there may be no additional elements that are arranged between the area of the printable surface that is illuminated by the electronic indicator 445 e and the corresponding icon. For simplicity of illustration, only one electronic indicator 445 e is labeled in FIG. 4E.

[0045] In the fifth example shown in FIG. 4F, the smart label 410f is configured to remind the patient to take a dose of the medication in the container 400 by displaying a countdown to the time of the scheduled dose. In this example, a plurality of electronic indicators 445 f are aligned with text indicating how much time remains until the scheduled dose. The electronic indicators 445 f may be activated in a sequence separated by a variety of time periods, and the last electronic indicator 445 f may be activated at the time of the scheduled dose. In this example, each electronic indicator 445 f is positioned to illuminate the outer surface of the smart label 410f at a lateral distance to the left of the corresponding text. The lateral distance may have any suitable value that conveys a relationship between the illumination from the electronic indicator 445 f and the corresponding text. For example, the lateral distance may be less than 0.1 cm, less than 0.5 cm, less than 1 cm, or less than 2 cm. Alternatively or in addition, there may be no additional elements that are arranged between the area of the printable surface that is illuminated by the electronic indicator 445f and the corresponding text. For simplicity of illustration, only one electronic indicator 445f is labeled in FIG. 4F.

[0046] In the sixth example shown in FIG. 4G, the smart label 410g is configured to remind the patient to take a dose of the medication in the container 400 at a predetermined time. The predetermined time may be based on a dosing schedule or an elapsed time since the patient took a previous dose of the medication. For example, the elapsed time since the patient took the previous dose of the medication may be determined by the sensors 125 shown in FIG. 1B. In this example, a plurality of electronic indicators (not shown) are aligned with icons that indicate whether or not it is time to take a dose of the medication. In this example, each electronic indicator is positioned underneath the corresponding icon, such that the icon glows when the electronic indicator is activated. For example, the electronic indicator may be aligned with the corresponding icon along an axis that is perpendicular to the region of the smart label 410g on which the corresponding icon is printed. Both the electronic indicator and the corresponding icon may be centered with respect to the axis.

[0047] In the seventh example shown in FIG. 4H, the smart label 410h is configured to remind the patient to take a dose of the medication in the container 400 at a predetermined time. In this example, a plurality of electronic indicators 445h are arranged around a circumference of the smart label 410h. In this example, the plurality of electronic indicators 445h are positioned to illuminate the outer surface of the smart label 410h at a lateral distance above the corresponding text. The lateral distance may have any suitable value that conveys a relationship between the illumination from the plurality of electronic indicators 445h and the corresponding text. For example, the lateral distance maybe less than 0.1 cm, less than 0.5 cm, less than 1 cm, or less than 2 cm. Alteratively or in addition, there may be no additional elements that are arranged between the area of the printable surface that is illuminated by the plurality of electronic indicators 445h and the corresponding text. For simplicity of illustration, only one electronic indicator 445h is labeled in FIG. 4H.

[0048] FIG. 5 A shows an example of a smart label 510 according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 5 A, the smart label 510 may include an LED module 515 and an NFC receiver 550. The NFC receiver 550 may be configured to provide power to the smart label 510. As alternatives to the NFC receiver 550, various batteries may be integrated with the smart label 510, such as a replaceable alkaline battery or a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

[0049] FIGS. 5B and 5C show schematic diagrams of a container 500 on which the smart label 510 may be affixed according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the smart label 510 may be wrapped around the container 500, and the NFC receiver 550 may be affixed to the bottom of the container 500. The NFC receiver 550 may be charged by an external NFC charger 555 when the NFC receiver 550 is brought within a predetermined distance, such as 4 cm, from the NFC charger 555.

[0050] FIG. 6 A shows a schematic diagram of a container 600 on which a smart label 610a may be affixed according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 6 A, the container 600 may be a cardboard package that can have a variety of shapes, such as a square or rectangular cross-section. The cardboard package may be configured to hold a variety of medications, such as a steroid cream. The smart label 610a may include a plurality of LEDs 645a. The smart label 610a may be configured to provide medication dosage instructions to a patient as described above. For simplicity of illustration, only one LED 645a is labeled in FIG.

6A.

[0051] FIG. 6B shows a schematic diagram of a container 605 on which a smart label 610b may be affixed according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 6B, the container 605 may be an inhaler for dispensing medication, such as asthma medication. The smart label 610b may include a plurality of LEDs 645b. The smart label 610b may be configured to provide medication dosage instructions to a patient as described above. For simplicity of illustration, only one LED 645b is labeled in FIG. 6B.

[0052] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a container 700 on which a smart label 710 may be affixed according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the container 700 may be a syringe for dispensing medication, such as medication that is in liquid form. The smart label 710 may include a plurality of LEDs 745. The smart label 710 may be configured to provide medication dosage instructions to a patient as described above. Alternatively or in addition, the smart label 710 may be configured to provide information about the expiration, dose time, and/or temperature of the medication within the syringe. For simplicity of illustration, only one LED 745 is labeled in FIG. 7.

[0053] FIGS. 8A and SB show schematic diagrams of apparatuses 800 and 805 on which smart labels 810a and 810B may be affixed, respectively, according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 8 A, the apparatus 800 may be a bandage for protecting a wound that is healing. The smart label 810a may include an electronic indicator 845a that is configured to activate at a predetermined time when the wound has healed. In this example, the electronic indicator 845a is positioned to illuminate the outer surface of the smart label 810a at a lateral distance below the corresponding text. The lateral distance may have any suitable value that conveys a relationship between the illumination from the electronic indicator 845a and the corresponding text. For example, the lateral distance may be less than 0.1 cm, less than 0.5 cm, less than 1 cm, or less than 2 cm. Alternatively or in addition, there may be no additional elements that are arranged between the area of the printable surface that is illuminated by the electronic indicator 845a and the corresponding text. The patient may remove the bandage when the electronic indicator 845a is activated.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 8B, the apparatus 805 may be a piece of perishable food, such as a fruit or a vegetable. The smart label 810b may include a plurality of electronic indicators 845b that are configured to activate when the perishable food is safe to eat or when the perishable food is unsafe to eat, respectively. The electronic indicators 845b may be activated and deactivated at predetermined times or based on readings from various sensors, such as temperature and humidity sensors. In this example, each electronic indicator 845b is positioned to illuminate the outer surface of the smart label 810b at a lateral distance to the right of the corresponding icon. The lateral distance may have any suitable value that conveys a relationship between the illumination from the electronic indicator 845b and the corresponding icon. For example, the lateral distance may be less than 0.1 cm, less than 0.5 cm, less than 1 cm, or less than 2 cm. Alternatively or in addition, there may be no additional elements that are arranged between the area of the printable surface that is illuminated by the electronic indicator 845b and the corresponding icon. In some examples, the smart label 810b may include an NFC receiver that is similar to the NFC receiver 550 shown in FIG. 5 A. The NFC receiver may be configured to provide power to the smart label 810b. The NFC receiver may be charged by an external NFC charger when the NFC receiver is brought within a predetermined distance, such as 4 cm, from the NFC charger. The NFC charger may also provide instructions to the electronic indicators 845b. For example, the NFC charger may be housed in a refrigerator shelf, an insert or cover for a refrigerator shelf, a fruit bowl, or a flat panel on which the food is stored. For simplicity of illustration, only one electronic indicator 845b is labeled in FIG. 8.

[0055] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a method 900 for controlling an electronic indicator within a smart label. As shown in FIG. 9, the method 900 begins at block 905, where the electronic indicator is activated at a predetermined time. For example, the electronic indicator may be activated via the first pathway when a patient is scheduled to take a dose of a medication from a container on which the smart label is affixed. As an alternative, the electronic indicator may be activated via the second pathway at a predetermined time after it is determined that the patient took a previous dose of the medication. For example, this determination may be made by the sensors 125 shown in FIG. 1B.

[0056] The method 900 continues at block 910, where it is determined whether the patient has removed the dose of the medication from a container on which the smart label is affixed after the electronic indicator was activated. For example, this determination may be made by the sensors 125 shown in FIG. 1B. If it is determined that the patient has removed the dose of the medication at block 910, the electronic indicator may be deactivated via the second pathway at block 915. In this case, the method 900 returns to block 905, where the electronic indicator may be activated again at the next predetermined time.

[0057] If it is determined that the patient has not removed the dose of the medication at block 910, it may be determined whether a predetermined length of time has elapsed since the electronic indicator was activated at block 920. The predetermined length of time may be determined by comparing the time that has elapsed since the time when the patient was scheduled to take the dose of the medication and the next time that the patient is scheduled to take another dose of the medication as indicated by the information stored in the memory 122. For example, the predetermined length of time may be determined such that a ratio of the duration that has elapsed to the duration until the next scheduled dose is below a predetermined threshold. If the predetermined length of time has not elapsed, the method 900 may return to block 910. If the predetermined length of time has elapsed, the method 900 may deactivate the electronic indicator via the first pathway at block 925. In this case, the method 900 returns to block 905, where the electronic indicator will be activated again at the next predetermined time, which corresponds to the next time that the patient is scheduled to take another dose of the medication. This may prevent the patient from taking two doses of the medication that are too close in time.

[0058] Specific details are given in the above description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it is understood that the embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits can be shown in block diagrams in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques can be shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.

[0059] Implementation of the techniques, blocks, steps and means described above can be done in various ways. For example, these techniques, blocks, steps and means can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For a hardware implementation, the processing units can be implemented within one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described above, and/or a combination thereof.

[0060] Also, it is noted that the embodiments can be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart can describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations can be rearranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed, but could have additional steps not included in the figure. A process can correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination corresponds to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function.

[0061] Furthermore, embodiments can be implemented by hardware, software, scripting languages, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, and/or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware, scripting language, and/or microcode, the program code or code segments to perform the necessary tasks can be stored in a machine readable medium such as a storage medium. A code segment or machine- executable instruction can represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a script, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures, and/or program statements. A code segment can be coupled to another code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, and/or memory contents. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. can be passed, forwarded, or transmitted via any suitable means including memory sharing, message passing, ticket passing, network transmission, etc.

[0062] For a firmware and/or software implementation, the methodologies can be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein. Any machine-readable medium tangibly embodying instructions can be used in implementing the methodologies described herein. For example, software codes can be stored in a memory. Memory can be implemented within the processor or external to the processor. As used herein the term “memory” refers to any type of long term, short term, volatile, nonvolatile, or other storage medium and is not to be limited to any particular type of memory or number of memories, or type of media upon which memory is stored.

[0063] Moreover, as disclosed herein, the term “storage medium” can represent one or more memories for storing data, including read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, core memory, magnetic disk storage mediums, optical storage mediums, flash memory devices and/or other machine readable mediums for storing information. The term “machine-readable medium” includes but is not limited to portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices, wireless channels, and/or various other storage mediums capable of storing that contain or carry instruction(s) and/or data.

[0064] While the principles of the disclosure have been described above in connection with specific apparatuses and methods, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as limitation on the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A label comprising: a first layer having a printable surface, wherein a symbol is printed on the printable surface; and a second layer having a flexible circuit board comprising a memory, a processor, a sensor, and an electronic indicator, wherein: the electronic indicator is aligned with the symbol, and the flexible circuit board is configured to have at least one of a first pathway to control the electronic indicator as a function of information stored in the memory or a second pathway to control the electronic indicator as a function of a measurement obtained by the sensor.

2. The label according to claim 1 , wherein the electronic indicator comprises a light-emitting diode (LED).

3. The label according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the electronic indicator comprises an electrochromic material.

4. The label according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the sensor is configured to determine whether a dose of a medication has been removed from a container on which the label is affixed.

5. The label according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the information stored in the memory comprises a schedule of predetermined times at which the electronic indicator is scheduled to activate.

6. The label according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the processor is configured to send a first signal via the first pathway to activate the electronic indicator as a function of the information stored in the memory.

7. The label according to claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to send the first signal as a function of a predetermined time indicated within the information stored in the memory.

8. The label according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the processor is configured to send a second signal via the first pathway to deactivate the electronic indicator as a function of the information stored in the memory.

9. The label according to claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to send the second signal as a function of a predetermined duration indicated within the information stored in the memory.

10. The label according to any of claims 1-9, wherein the processor is configured to send a third signal via the second pathway to activate the electronic indicator as a function of the measurement obtained by the sensor.

11. The label according to claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to send the third signal as a function of a determination that a dose of a medication has been removed from a container on which the label is affixed.

12. The label according to any of claims 1-11, wherein the processor is configured to send a fourth signal via the second pathway to deactivate the electronic indicator as a function of the measurement obtained by the sensor.

13. The label according to claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to send the fourth signal as a function of a determination that a dose of a medication has been removed from a container on which the label is affixed.

14. The label according to any of claims 1-13, wherein the symbol indicates a time at which a dose of a medication within a container on which the label is affixed is scheduled to be taken by a user.

15. The label according to any of claims 1-14, wherein the electronic indicator is positioned to illuminate the symbol when the electronic indicator is activated.

16. The label according to claim 15, wherein the electronic indicator is aligned with the symbol along an axis that is perpendicular to a region of the printable surface on which the symbol is printed.

17. The label according to any of claims 1-14, wherein the electronic indicator is positioned to illuminate an area of the printable surface at a lateral distance from the symbol when the electronic indicator is activated.

18. The label according to claim 17, wherein no additional elements are arranged between the symbol and the area of the printable surface.

19. The label according to any of claims 1-18, wherein the symbol comprises at least one of text or an icon.

20. The label according to any of claims 1-19, further comprising a near-field communication (NFC) receiver that is configured to receive power from a NFC charger.