Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Multiple computer communication using cryptography – Packet header designating cryptographically protected data
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-01
2004-06-15
Sheikh, Ayaz (Department: 2135)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Multiple computer communication using cryptography
Packet header designating cryptographically protected data
Reexamination Certificate
active
06751730
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to medicine containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for documenting and authenticating medicine container cap removal data.
2. Description of the Related Art
A major problem facing the health care industry today is the difficulty of enforcing patient compliance with prescription medications. All too often, patients ignore the directions associated with their prescriptions, consuming more or fewer pills than that recommended by their doctor. Many patients simply forget to take the medication for one or more days, resulting in a lengthened healing process. In some cases, not taking pills according to a precise schedule can result in complications requiring expensive hospital stays or increased time consulting with a physician. These cost increases from the patient's lack of compliance are passed on to health care providers and insurers.
One approach to solving the problem of patient compliance has been the development of modified pill containers which automatically dispense the correct number of pills. U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,091 to Daneshvar is a medication dispensing device which allows a patient to receive his medication on a regular basis. A series of small spaces are arranged in one or more electrically powered rotating trays to allow a proper dose via a window. While this approach makes it easier for a conscientious patient to follow his prescription, forgetful patients may simply let pills “build up” rather than consuming them. Additionally, such devices contain many moving parts that are subject to malfunction and wear. Malfunctions could result in legal liability if the patient was provided access to fewer pills than required by his prescription.
A similar dispensing device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,113 to Shaw. The automatic pill dispensing device of Shaw has cartridges rotated via an electric motor, electromagnetic clutches, a rotatable shaft, and gears. As with the Daneshvar device, there is no way for a remote third party to know whether or not the device is operating properly and whether the patient is in fact complying with his prescription.
Because third parties such as hospitals and insurance companies would like to have access to patient prescription compliance data, other devices have been created to store data such as how often a pill container has been opened or the time and date that it was opened. U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,172 to Dessertine and U.S. Pat. No. 4,939,705 to Hamilton et al. both describe such an apparatus. These devices, however, either require the user to physically deliver the apparatus to the interested third party for data retrieval and verification, or require that the device have a modem for online connection to the third party. Physical delivery is time consuming and potentially costly for the user, while an online connection requires expensive hardware and greater sophistication on the part of the user.
A need therefore exists for a method and apparatus that addresses the deficiencies of the prior art. Specifically, a need exists for a reliable and efficient method and apparatus for securely measuring, reporting and tracking pill container access data generated in an off-line environment. Accordingly, the shortcomings associated with the related art have heretofore not been adequately addressed. The present invention addresses the deficiencies of the prior art by providing an apparatus and processing approach that have not previously been proposed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to enable a user to document the number of times that he has accessed a pill container by removing the cap, with the cap removal data secured so that a third party can authenticate that the user performed the documented number of cap removals.
An advantage of the present invention is that it enables a user to automatically produce reliably documented cap removal data. Another advantage of the present invention is that it enables a third party to rely on a measurement of the cap removal data by a user of pill containers. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it enables a third party to provide rebates, discounts, higher reimbursement levels or rewards to a user based on a measurement of the number of cap removals performed by the user.
According to the present invention, a method and apparatus are disclosed for documenting cap removal data. The method includes the step of measuring a number of removals to determine cap removal data. The method further includes the step of encoding the determined cap removal data to derive encoded cap removal data. The method also includes the step of outputting the encoded cap removal data.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4526474 (1985-07-01), Simon
patent: 4588303 (1986-05-01), Wirtschafter et al.
patent: 4616316 (1986-10-01), Hanpeter et al.
patent: 4782966 (1988-11-01), Thackrey
patent: 4899839 (1990-02-01), Dessertine et al.
patent: 4939705 (1990-07-01), Hamilton et al.
patent: 5641091 (1997-06-01), Daneshvar
patent: 5678571 (1997-10-01), Brown
patent: 5768382 (1998-06-01), Schneier et al.
patent: 5800264 (1998-09-01), Pascal et al.
patent: 5828751 (1998-10-01), Walker et al.
patent: 5850344 (1998-12-01), Conkright
patent: 5867821 (1999-02-01), Ballanty ne et al.
patent: 5970143 (1999-10-01), Schneier et al.
patent: 6167362 (2000-12-01), Brown
patent: 0 526 166 (1992-07-01), None
patent: WO 95/09386 (1995-06-01), None
patent: WO 95/26009 (1995-09-01), None
Paul Amos Robert Kubasak Drug Cards Manage Rising Prescription Costs, Personnel Journal May 1993.*
Peter Ognibene, Smart Cards Could Save Lives-and Dollars Health Care: A Computerized Personal Medial Record Would Assist Doctors and Pharmacist and Avert Dangerous errors, The Los Angeles Times Apr. 12, 1993.*
Anonymous, Patient Financial Incentives for Compliance, Feedback Suggested by Medco Exec: Expanded use of Questionnaires in Disease Management Program Planned, FDC Reports: The Pink Sheet, Sep. 19, 1994.*
Schneier, Applied Cryptography 2e, Chapter 2.
Jorasch James A.
Packes, Jr. John M.
Walker Jay S.
Santisi Steven M.
Seal James
Sheikh Ayaz
Walker Digital, LLC
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for documenting cap removal data does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for documenting cap removal data, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for documenting cap removal data will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3344797