# US 11,432,999 B2 · Automatic pill dispenser and methods for automatic pill dispensing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,432,999 B2 - Document ID: US11432999B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/048,271 - Filed: 2019-03-08 - Published: 2021-04-08 - Granted: 2022-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-16 - Assignees: Dose Health, LLC - Applicants: Dose Health, LLC - Inventors: Paul Hines - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11432999B2 ## 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)} - A61J 7/0084: {for multiple medicaments} - A61B 5/4833: {Assessment of subject's compliance to treatment} - A61B 5/7435: {Displaying user selection data, e.g. icons in a graphical user interface} - A61J 1/03: for pills or tablets (containers for pills or tablets with special dispensing means therefor B65D83/04) - A61J 7/0418: {with electronic history memory} - A61J 7/0436: {resulting from removing a drug from, or opening, a container} - A61J 7/0454: {for dispensing of multiple drugs} - A61J 7/0481: {working on a schedule basis} - G06F 3/0412: {Digitisers structurally integrated in a display} - G07F 11/44: in which magazines the articles are stored in bulk - G07F 17/0092: {for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles (medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00)} - G16H 20/13: delivered from dispensers - A61J 2200/30: Compliance analysis for taking medication - A61J 2205/20: Colour codes - A61J 2205/30: Printed labels - 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 - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) - G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA ## Abstract A portable, versatile pill dispensing system can be used in a variety of settings and for a variety of pill dispensing regimens. Such systems and methods can be configured for intuitive filling or refilling, early or flexible dispensing, remote monitoring software to verify user compliance with a predetermined medication regimen, and features designed to improve compliance while traveling. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An automated pill dispensing device comprising: a base; a lid configured to mechanically engage with the base, the lid defining an aperture; a carousel configured to be arranged between the base and the lid when the base and the lid are mechanically engaged, the carousel defining a plurality of bins each having a size corresponding to that of the aperture; the carousel defining a slot; and the carousel having a zero position indicator with a size corresponding to that of the aperture, wherein each of the plurality of bins define a gap and the zero position indicator defines a gap end; an indicator strip configured to fit within the gaps corresponding to the plurality of bins; a motor affixed to the base and also coupled to a tooth, wherein the tooth is configured to mechanically engage with the slot of the carousel; and a medication dispensing system configured to indicate if a medication is dispensed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The automated pill dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising a touchscreen, wherein the lid comprises a second aperture such that the touchscreen is accessible when the lid is mechanically engaged with the base. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The automated pill dispensing device of claim 2, wherein the touchscreen is rectangular. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The automated pill dispensing device of claim 2, wherein the touchscreen is round. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The automated pill dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising a button that is configured to be depressed when the lid is mechanically engaged with the base. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The automated pill dispensing system of claim 5, wherein the button is coupled to the motor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The automated pill dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising a locking feature. ### Claim 8 A method for early dispensing a medication for a system, the method comprising: providing an automated pill dispensing system comprising: a base; a lid configured to mechanically engage with the base, the lid defining an aperture; a carousel configured to be arranged between the base and the lid when the base and the lid are mechanically engaged, the carousel defining a plurality of bins each having a size corresponding to that of the aperture; the carousel defining a slot; and the carousel having a zero position indicator with a size corresponding to that of the aperture; a motor affixed to the base and also coupled to a tooth, wherein the tooth is configured to mechanically engage with the slot of the carousel; and a touchscreen, wherein the lid comprises a second aperture such that the touchscreen is accessible when the lid is mechanically engaged with the base; using the touchscreen to navigate to an early dispense option; dispensing the medications associated with a particular bin of the plurality of bins before an associated dispensing time has occurred; and applying a software lock to prevent dispensing a subsequent medication before its associated dispensing time. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) A method for dispensing medication in a travel mode, the method comprising: (a) providing an automated pill dispensing system as recited by claim 2; (b) activating travel mode; (c) determining when a pill dispensing time for one of the plurality of bins occurs, (d) prompting the user, via the touchscreen, to dispense the medication; (e) detecting that the medication has been dispensed; and (f) repeating steps (c) through (e) until all of the medication is dispensed or until the user leaves travel mode. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising determining whether the automated pill dispensing system is oriented right side up between (c) and (d). ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising producing an alarm if the automated pill dispensing system is not oriented right side up between (c) and (d). ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein activating travel mode comprises unplugging the automated pill dispensing system. ### Claim 13 A method for determining compliance with a predetermined medication regimen, the method comprising: providing an automated pill dispensing system comprising: a base; a lid configured to mechanically engage with the base, the lid defining an aperture; a carousel configured to be arranged between the base and the lid when the base and the lid are mechanically engaged, the carousel defining a plurality of bins each having a size corresponding to that of the aperture; the carousel defining a slot; and the carousel having a zero position indicator with a size corresponding to that of the aperture, wherein each of the plurality of bins define a gap and the zero position indicator defines a gap end; an indicator strip configured to fit within the gaps corresponding to the plurality of bins; a motor affixed to the base and also coupled to a tooth, wherein the tooth is configured to mechanically engage with the slot of the carousel; and a touchscreen, wherein the lid comprises a second aperture such that the touchscreen is accessible when the lid is mechanically engaged with the base; providing a graphical user interface remote from the automated pill dispensing system; and displaying, at the graphical user interface, information indicative of whether a user has complied with the predetermined medication regimen. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising: sending an alert based on an event selected from the group consisting of: pills dispensed, pills missed, refill needed, and pills waiting to be taken. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the alert is sent to a phone number. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the alert is sent by email.