US 8,556,728 B2 · Method and apparatus for outputting a result of a game via a container

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed that documents and authenticates cap removal data. According to a first aspect of the present invention, the apparatus measures a parameter indicative of the number of times that a cap has been removed by a user. The apparatus also encodes at least the parameter indicative of the cap removal data, thereby deriving encoded cap removal data. The apparatus outputs the encoded cap removal data to a user. According to a second aspect of the present invention, another apparatus receives the encoded cap removal data and decodes it to authenticate the cap removal data. According to a third aspect of the present invention, a medicine container is operable to output a result of a game based on cap removal data associated with the medicine container.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A method, comprising:

receiving, from a patient via an authentication device, a code comprising encrypted data descriptive of one or more cap removals of a medicine container;
decrypting the code via the authentication device;
and
providing a benefit to the patient if the decrypted code indicates that the patient is eligible for the benefit.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

11/424,008Filed 14 Jun 2006 · continuation

Priority

22 Nov 1995

Published

US 2006/0234793 A119 Oct 2006

Granted

15 Oct 2013

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

A61J 7/04
Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoons ; Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine:…
G07F 7/06
Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus:…
G07F 17/32
Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services: for games, toys, sports, or amusements
G07F 17/3218
Construction aspects of a gaming system, e.g. housing, seats, ergonomic aspects: wherein at least part of the system is portable

Family

Application08/561,668Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 22 Nov 1995

Application08/628,920Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 8 Apr 1996

Application08/677,544Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 8 Aug 1996

Application09/165,089Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 1 Oct 1998

Application10/835,422Parent of this continuation · filed 29 Apr 2004

US 2006/0234793 A1Pre-grant publication · published 19 Oct 2006

US 7,553,234 B2Parent of this continuation

US 6,751,730 B1Parent of this continuation-in-part

Application10/835,422Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 5,970,143 AParent of this continuation-in-part

US 5,768,382 AParent of this continuation-in-part

US 5,828,751 AParent of this continuation-in-part

US 2004/0236944 A1Published application

US 8,556,728 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Method and apparatus for outputting a result of a game via a container

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for outputting a result of a game via a container

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28