# US 10,870,517 B2 · Smart closure with keypad or biometrics

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- Number: US 10,870,517 B2
- Document ID: US10870517B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/946,734
- Filed: 2018-04-06
- Published: 2020-08-06
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2018-04-06
- Applicants: Nicholas Evan Mott
- Inventors: Nicholas Evan Mott
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10870517B2

## CPC

- A61J 7/0076: {Medicament distribution means (with pill counting devices A61J7/02; with time indication A61J7/04; containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00)}
- B65D 41/0471: {with means for positioning the cap on the container, or for limiting the movement of the cap, or for preventing accidental loosening of the cap}
- A61J 1/03: for pills or tablets (containers for pills or tablets with special dispensing means therefor B65D83/04)
- A61J 1/1412: {Containers with closing means, e.g. caps}
- A61J 1/1437: {Locking means requiring key or combination to open the container}
- G06V 40/10: Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands
- A61J 2200/30: Compliance analysis for taking medication
- B65D 2215/00: Child-proof means
- B65D 2255/00: Locking devices
- H04W 4/80: Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
- A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)

## Abstract

This disclosure relates generally to a smart closure for any container that has lock/unlock features, and can be accessed using keypad or biometrics, also including RFID, Bluetooth, or wireless control and communication. This can also include monitoring solutions, with data logging. For example, time of access, temperature, weight, or other environmental conditions. The closure and container assembly present a positive lock mechanism designed to provide an affirmative indication that full closure has been attained.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A Smart Closure Cap (hereinafter, “the cap”) shaped to fit over the opening of a container, the cap comprising:
a cap enclosure with a cap cover and an inner body;
a means for locking and unlocking the cap comprising:
an open key that fits in an open key slot;
a close key that fits in a close key slot; and
at least one spring to maintain engagement between the close key slot and the cap enclosure, such that insertion of the open key into the open key slot causes the cap to unlock and prevent the open key from being removed, and insertion of the close key into the close key slot causes the cap to reset to a locked position and allow removal of the open key; and
a smart module coupled with the means for locking and unlocking the cap, the smart module comprising:
a CPU,
a memory, and
a means for enabling a user to operate the smart module comprising one or more of the following: keypad, biometrics, RFID, Bluetooth, or wireless control and communication.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The cap of claim 1, wherein the means for operating the smart module comprises or includes a touch screen with a biometric sensor.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The cap of claim 1, wherein the means for operating the smart module comprises or includes a keypad.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The cap of claim 1, wherein the means for operating the smart module comprises or includes a wireless electronic communication connection.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The cap of claim 1, wherein the means for locking and unlocking the cap includes or comprises an electromagnetic actuator operatively controlled by the smart module.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The cap of claim 1, further comprising one or more sensors for gathering sensor input information positioned on the outside of the cap enclosure and communicatively coupled to the smart module.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The cap of claim 6, wherein the sensor input information from the one or more sensors on the outside of the cap is a factor in controlling locking or unlocking of the cap.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The cap of claim 1, further comprising one or more sensors gathering sensor input information positioned on the inside of the cap enclosure and communicatively coupled to the smart module.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The cap of claim 8, wherein the sensor input information from the one or more sensors on the inside of the cap is logged in the memory of the smart module.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The cap of claim 1, shaped to provide a one way snap fit assembly between the cap enclosure and the inner body.