Usage tracking system

Abstract

Embodiments are generally directed to systems and apparatuses for tracking usage of an item. For example, an apparatus may be provided for tracking use of a packetized item. The apparatus may include a microprocessor, a power source, and a structural layer to which the microprocessor and power source are coupled. The structural layer may include a container that is configured to hold various items. The container may also include an opening that allows access to the items. The apparatus may further include a cover layer that is configured to cover the opening of the container. The cover layer may include at least one bendable sensor placed over the opening of the container. The microprocessor may be configured to determine, using detected movements in the bendable sensor, whether the container has been opened.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for tracking usage of an item, comprising:
 a microprocessor;   a power source;   a structural layer to which the microprocessor and power source are coupled, the structural layer including at least one container that is configured to hold at least one item, the container including an opening that allows access to the item; and   at least one cover layer configured to cover the opening of the container, the cover layer including at least one bendable sensor placed over the opening of the container,   wherein the microprocessor is configured to:
 determine, based on one or more pre-specified parameters, the size of the item in the container, 
 determine, using detected movements in the bendable sensor, an amount by which the container has been opened, and 
 generate an indication of whether, based on the size of the item in the container, the cover layer was opened far enough to allow the item to be pulled out. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit data from the apparatus to a target destination. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the transmitter transmits the generated indication to one or more specified entities. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one container of the structural layer comprises a plurality of capsules for storing items, each capsule having its own opening and a bendable sensor extending over at least a portion of the opening. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bendable sensor includes one or more traces. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the traces are generated and applied using printable ink. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the traces of the bendable sensors remain intact even when the at least one container of the structural layer has been opened. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein at least some portion of current continues to flow through the bendable sensor even after the at least one container has been opened. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor determines whether the container has been opened using detected movements in the bendable sensor by detecting changes in at least one of capacitance, resistance, current, or voltage through the bendable sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the changes in at least one of capacitance, resistance, current, or voltage through the bendable sensor are detected by the microprocessor without breaking the bendable sensor, such that the detected amounts of capacitance, resistance, current, or voltage are non-zero values. 
     
     
         11 . A system for tracking usage of an item, comprising:
 a microprocessor;   a power source;   a structural layer to which the microprocessor and power source are coupled, the structural layer including at least one container that is configured to hold at least one item, the container including an opening that allows access to the item; and   at least one cover layer configured to cover the opening of the container, the cover layer including at least one bendable sensor placed over the opening of the container,   wherein the microprocessor is configured to:
 determine, based on one or more pre-specified parameters, the size of the item in the container, 
 determine, using detected movements in the bendable sensor, an amount by which the container has been opened, and 
 generate an indication of whether, based on the size of the item in the container, the cover layer was opened far enough to allow the item to be pulled out. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the structural layer and the cover layer are combined into a single layer. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the system includes the structural layer, the cover layer, and further includes a sensor layer. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the structural layer comprises a backing layer, wherein the cover layer includes a lidding foil and a sensor lidding foil, and wherein the system further includes a blister layer, a blister lidding, a dielectric layer, and a sensor layer. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the microprocessor is configured to continually monitor a state associated with one or more traces of the bendable sensor at a periodic rate. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the microprocessor is configured to determine when the container was opened and where the container was when the container was opened. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the structural layer includes a plurality of containers, and wherein the microprocessor is configured to determine if a specified container is opened, even out of order in relation to the other containers. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a camera and microphone communicatively connected to the microprocessor. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a display configured to display one or more images, words, or videos, wherein the display comprises an interactive interface that is configured to present a question to a patient asking if the patient is experiencing one or more specified negative side effects. 
     
     
         20 . A method of manufacturing, comprising:
 providing a structural layer to which a microprocessor and a power source are coupled, the structural layer including at least one container that is configured to hold at least one item, the container including an opening that allows access to the item; and   adhering at least one cover layer to the structural layer, the cover layer being configured to cover the opening of the container, the cover layer including at least one bendable sensor placed over the opening of the container,   wherein the microprocessor is configured to:
 determine, based on one or more pre-specified parameters, the size of the item in the container, 
 determine, using detected movements in the bendable sensor, an amount by which the container has been opened, and 
 generate an indication of whether, based on the size of the item in the container, the cover layer was opened far enough to allow the item to be pulled out.