# US 12,191,015 B1 · Systems and methods for monitoring medical adherence and compliance > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,191,015 B1 - Document ID: US12191015B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/947,420 - Filed: 2020-07-31 - Granted: 2025-01-07 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-13 - Assignees: Verily Life Sciences LLC - Applicants: Verily Life Sciences LLC - Inventors: James Etzkorn; Todd Whitehurst; Brian Marc Pepin; Robert Francis Wiser - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12191015B1 ## CPC - G16H 20/13: delivered from dispensers - H04W 4/80: Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication - G16H 10/60: for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records - G16H 20/10: relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients - H04W 4/00: Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor - G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract A medication packet bundle includes one or more beacons. Each beacon may transmit a signal representing an event related to patient compliance with a medication regimen, such as removal of a packet of medication from a bundle or opening of a packet. The transmitted beacon signals can be monitored and processed to track patient compliance and adherence. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A medication package system comprising: a packet bundle comprising a plurality of packets of medication, each packet of the plurality of packets frangibly coupled to another packet of the plurality of packets; and a beacon system comprising a power source and a plurality of beacons, the power source configured to power at least one beacon of the plurality of beacons, and wherein at least one beacon of the plurality of beacons configured to transmit a signal in response to receiving a first signal generated by a breaking of a frangible coupling of a packet of medication being separated from the packet bundle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The medication package system of claim 1, wherein the packet bundle comprises a plurality of packets arranged in a continuous format. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The medication package system of claim 2, wherein the packet bundle comprises a reel of packets. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The medication package system of claim 1, wherein the at least one beacon is further configured to detect an opening of the packet and transmit a second signal in response to the packet being opened. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The medication package system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more beacons is affixed to a different packet of the plurality of packets of medication. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The medication package system of claim 1, wherein the at least one beacon is further configured to generate an interrupt based on the packet of medication being separated from the packet bundle, and the transmitting the signal is in response to the interrupt. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The medication package system of claim 1, wherein the at least one beacon comprises a Bluetooth beacon, and wherein the signal comprises a Bluetooth advertisement packet. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The medication package system of claim 7, wherein data carried by the Bluetooth advertisement packet is encrypted. ### Claim 9 A method for monitoring use of a packet bundle of medication, comprising: detecting, by a beacon of a plurality of beacons, a packet of medication being separated from a packet bundle in response to receiving a first signal generated by a breaking of a frangible coupling of the packet of medication being separated from a packet bundle, the packet bundle comprising a plurality of packets of medication, each packet of the plurality of packets frangibly coupled to another packet of the plurality of packets; and transmitting, by the beacon and in response to the detection, a second signal indicating opening of the packet or separation of the packet from the packet bundle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising detecting the packet being opened and, in response to detecting the packet being opened, transmitting a second signal indicating the packet has been opened. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising generating, by the beacon, an interrupt based on the packet of medication being separated from the packet bundle, and wherein the transmitting the signal is in response to the interrupt. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the beacon comprises a Bluetooth beacon, and wherein the signal comprises a Bluetooth advertisement packet. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising encrypting data indicating the separation of the packet from the packet bundle, and forming the Bluetooth advertisement packet including the encrypted data. ### Claim 14 A medication package system comprising: a packet bundle comprising a plurality of packets of medication, each packet of the plurality of packets frangibly coupled to another packet of the plurality of packets; and a beacon system comprising a power source and a plurality of beacons, the power source configured to power at least one beacon of the plurality of beacons, and wherein at least one beacon of the plurality of beacons configured to transmit a signal in response to receiving a first signal generated by a packet of medication being opened. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The medication package system of claim 14, wherein the packet bundle comprises a plurality of packets arranged in a continuous format. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The medication package system of claim 15, wherein the packet bundle comprises a reel of packets. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The medication package system of claim 14, wherein each packet is separable from the packet bundle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The medication package system of claim 14, wherein the at least one beacon comprises a Bluetooth beacon, and wherein the signal comprises a Bluetooth advertisement packet. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The medication package system of claim 18, wherein data carried by the Bluetooth advertisement packet is encrypted. ### Claim 20 A method for monitoring use of a packet bundle of medication, comprising: detecting, by a beacon of a plurality of beacons, a packet of medication being opened in response to receiving a first signal generated by a breaking of a frangible coupling of the packet of medication being separated from a packet bundle, the packet being one of a plurality of packets of medication in a packet bundle, each packet of the plurality of packets frangibly coupled to another packet of the plurality of packets; and transmitting, by the beacon and in response to the detection, a second signal indicating the opening of the packet. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein the packet bundle comprises a plurality of packets arranged in a continuous format. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the packet bundle comprises a reel of packets. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein each packet is separable from the packet bundle. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, further comprising generating, by the beacon, an interrupt based on the packet of medication being opened, and wherein the transmitting the signal is in response to the interrupt. ### Claim 25 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein the beacon comprises a Bluetooth beacon, and wherein the signal comprises a Bluetooth advertisement packet. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, further comprising encrypting data indicating the opening of the packet, and forming the Bluetooth advertisement packet including the encrypted data.