# US 12,005,032 B2 · Electronic pill bottle tag > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,005,032 B2 - Document ID: US12005032B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/101,956 - Filed: 2020-11-23 - Published: 2021-05-27 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2019-11-21 - Assignees: Helios Center of Engineering Excellence, LLC - Applicants: Helios Center of Engineering Excellence, LLC - Inventors: Jonathan Kaufmann; Benjamin Kaufmann; Nicholas Kaufmann; Doug Conyers - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12005032B2 ## CPC - A61J 7/0418: {with electronic history memory} - A61J 7/0481: {working on a schedule basis} - 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 7/049: {automatically changing in response to a schedule deviation by the patient} - G16H 20/13: delivered from dispensers - A61J 2200/30: Compliance analysis for taking medication - A61J 2200/70: Device provided with specific sensor or indicating means - A61J 2205/10: Bar codes - 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 - G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA ## Abstract An electronic device, method of use, and system for improving medication compliance are disclosed. The device may comprise an upper cover configured to adhere to a pill bottle cap; a printed circuit board (PCB); a battery communicatively linked to the PCB; a sensor communicatively linked to the PCB; and a lower cover through which the sensor is configured to transmit and receive signals. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electronic pill bottle tag device comprising: an upper cover configured to adhere to a pill bottle cap; a printed circuit board (PCB) including a function button formed as part of a mechanical spring within the PCB; a battery communicatively linked to the PCB; a sensor communicatively linked to the PCB; and a lower cover through which the sensor is configured to transmit and receive signals. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a light emitting diode (LED) indicator located on or within the PCB, the LED configured ot emit light through at least one of the upper cover and the lower cover. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is an optical sensor comprising a transmitter configured to emit an initial light signal and a receiver configured to receive a return light signal, and wherein a reflection of the initial light signal produces the return light signal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the receiver is configured to measure at least one of a magnitude or a time of the return light signal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein a mechanical switch is configured to be force activated through the upper cover. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, wherein the mechanical switch is further configured to electronically communicate with the PCB. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a wireless communication sensor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a location tracking device or application. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a barcode or QR code configured to be scanned and identified by a user device or a kiosk device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the battery is configured of operate ni a low-power mode and in a high-power mode. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of an optical sensor, an ultrasound sensor, a radio frequency sensor, an inductive sensor, and a capacitive sensor. ### Claim 12 A system for improving medication compliance comprising a bottle cap; and an electronic bottle cap tag, the tag comprising: an upper cover configured to adhere to the bottle cap; a printed circuit board (PCB) including a function button formed as part of a mechanical spring within the PCB; a battery communicatively linked to the PCB; a sensor communicatively linked to the PCB; and a lower cover through which the sensor is configured to transmit and receive signals. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the bottle cap comprises are movable covering for a bottle holding at least one of a prescription medication, an over-the-counter medication, or a supplement. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the electronic bottle cap tag is disposable. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the electronic bottle cap tag is configured to detect removal of the bottle cap from a bottle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the electronic bottle cap tag is configured to wirelessly communicate with an external network or user device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of an optical sensor, an ultrasound sensor, a radio frequency sensor, an inductive sensor, and a capacitive sensor. ### Claim 18 A method for improving medication compliance comprising: affixing an electronic bottle cap tag to a medication bottle cap; detecting a removal of the medication bottle cap from a corresponding medication bottle based on a signal detected by the electronic bottle cap tag, the signal being at least one of an optical signal, an ultrasound signal, a radiofrequency signal, an inductive signal, or a capacitive signal; communicating the detected removal to a printed circuit board (PCB) of the electronic bottle cap tag, wherein the PCB includes a function button formed as part of a mechanical spring within the PCB; and communicating the detected removal to at least one of an application, a wireless communication network, a phone, a computer, a kiosk, or an external user device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising: collecting removal data, the removal data comprising at least one of a time of the detected removal, a frequency of the detected removal, or a failure to detect the removal; configuring an LED indicator based on the removal data; wherein the electronic bottle cap tag comprises the LED indicator. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein configuring the LED indicator comprises configuring at least one of a timing or a frequency of light emitted by the LED.