Smart medication container

Abstract

Various embodiments relate to systems and methods for monitoring adherence to a medication regimen through the use of a smart medication container. The container can include an electronic display that presents relevant information, such as dosage and/or medication information, instructions, user information, messages, notifications, and device information (e.g., battery status, network connectivity status). A pair of conductive elements positioned on either side of the container's opening can be configured to continually measure capacitance in order to identify when contents (e.g., pills) leave the container. More than one pair of conductive elements may be used to improve accuracy and reduce the effects of noise. A processor is able to analyze the capacitance data and determine whether medication has been dispensed from the container and, if so, how much medication was dispensed. A computer system can then compare the results to a planned medication regimen to determine a state of compliance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intelligent medication container for monitoring adherence to a medication regimen by a user, the intelligent medication container comprising:
 a bottle that includes an opening through which medication can be dispensed;   a pair of conductive elements oriented substantially parallel to one another and positioned within the opening of the bottle and/or within a container wall surrounding the medication, wherein the plurality of conductive elements continually measure capacitance;   a processor configured to identify changes in the capacitance and determine, based on the changes, whether the medication passed between the pair of conductive elements and left the bottle;   a wireless communication module configured to exchange capacitance data recorded by the pair of conductive elements with a remote computing device;   a persistent electronic display able to display information associated with the medication regimen; and   a motion sensor fixedly attached to the bottle and configured to recognize movement of the bottle.   
     
     
         2 . A medication container comprising:
 a bottle that includes an opening through which medication can be dispensed;   a plurality of conductive element pairs oriented such that the conductive elements of each pair are substantially parallel to one another and positioned within the opening of the bottle and/or within a container wall surrounding the medication, wherein the plurality of conductive element pairs continually measure capacitance;   a processor configured to identify changes in the capacitance due to the medication passing between the plurality of conductive element pairs and leaving the bottle; and   a wireless communication module configured to exchange data recorded by the plurality of conductive element pairs with a computing device.   
     
     
         3 . The medication container of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a persistent electronic display able to display information associated with a medication regimen;   a lid sensor configured to determine whether a lid is positioned over the opening of the bottle; and   a motion sensor coupled to the bottle and configured to recognize movement of the bottle.   
     
     
         4 . The medication container of  claim 2 , wherein the medication container is chargeable via a wired connection, a wireless inductive connection, or both. 
     
     
         5 . The medication container of  claim 2 , wherein the computing device is configured to:
 analyze the data recorded by the plurality of conductive element pairs to determine whether medication was dispensed from the bottle;   analyze the data recorded by the plurality of conductive element pairs to determine whether contents within the bottle have changed and the amount by which the contents have changed;   compare results of said analysis to a medication regimen for a user of the medication container; and   determine whether the user is compliant with the medication regimen.   
     
     
         6 . The medication container of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an audio input device configured to record statements made by a user and transmit the recordings to the computing device using the wireless communication module.   
     
     
         7 . The medication container of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an audio output device configured to project a prerecorded audio recording or receive, and then project, an audio recording in real-time via the wireless communication module.   
     
     
         8 . The medication container of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The medication container of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 one or more light-emitting diodes that visually convey information to a user.   
     
     
         10 . The medication container of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 one or more speakers that audibly convey information to a user.   
     
     
         11 . A method for monitoring adherence to a medication regimen, the method comprising:
 sensing, by a motion sensor, movement of an intelligent medication container;   monitoring, by a pair of conductive elements positioned within an opening of the intelligent medication container and/or within a container wall surrounding contents in the intelligent medication container, capacitance between the pair of conductive elements;   identifying, by a processor, changes in the capacitance;   determining, by the processor, whether medication has been dispensed from the intelligent medication container from the changes;   transmitting, by a wireless communication module, capacitance data to a remote computing system;   comparing, by the processor, a determination as to whether the medication was dispensed with the medication regimen associated with a user of the intelligent medication container; and   determining, by the processor, compliance with the medication regimen based on the comparison.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the pair of conductive elements is one of a plurality of pairs of conductive elements positioned within the opening of the intelligent medication container and/or within the container wall.