Actions
Forum Thread Details
  • Replies 5 replies
  • Subscribers 30 subscribers
  • Views 387 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Related

Challenge: Smart bottle/Pill reminder

Former Member

I have a prescription that I'm supposed to take once a day every day, most people don't have a problem with that. I, however, have a problem remembering. I put the bottle in a place that I will always see it, but i can never remember if I have taken the pill yet or not. Unfortunately it only take a few minutes for me to forget. I have tried setting alarms, but if I'm busy or distracted with something at the moment, I turn off the alarm and forget to take the pill.

 

I have a unique build challenge for you that I know a lot of people would love to have. I want you to build a pill reminder that fits in a pill bottles cap. I have found something similar to what I want (http://www.epill.com/timecap.html) but that is too complicated and way too expensive. What I propose with have a single alert LED with a 3 smaller indicator LEDs and a single mode button or switch.

 

Opening the bottle should reset the internal timer based on the mode setting. The mode button or switch would be inside the cap and flush so you would need something small to push it. There would be three modes, 8 hour with 1 hour alert, 12 hour with 2 hour alert, and 24 hour with 4 hour alert. I never take my pill at exactly the same time so the indicator will turn orange 1, 2, or 4 hours before the modes deadline. At the 8, 12, or 24 hour mark, the indicator would turn red, and 1 hour later it would blink red. After the cap is removed, the timer would be reset, and the indicator would turn green for an hour to remind me that I already took the pill. Obviously the timing could be adjusted to compensate for power needs.

 

Now it would be nice for this to fit into the cap but it doesn't have to. It does, however, need to be reset only by removing the cap so I won't run into the same problem as the alarm. I know this is a build that you would be able to do and I hope to see your ideas on the matter. And of course, input from anyone else is very welcome.

  • Well brian, i can understand the dilima. I to, have op take pills regularly and at times it can be confusing.i have a small noard mounted on my pill carrierwith a reminder light and a go/no go switch. Designing a small unit to fit a single bottle would bean intresting challenge. I have 4 sizes of bottles, the size constraints would differ as well as wether or notit is  a child safe bottle cap or a normal cap.

      I put the idea on my board.

     

    Gerald Hoppa

  • in reply to Former Member

    For safety reasons, i would deffinately go with a child-safe cap. For my use, I only need a regular sized bottle for 30 capsules, but it could certainly be designed with a bigger or smaller bottle. There are too many different cap styles to just design a cap to use on new bottles, so I would have to transfer the new pills to the smart bottle every month. I almost always get my drugs from walmart, but if a cap is designed for their bottle, what happens when they change the design?

  • Not to over complicate things, but what if a pill counter could be added to the lid as well. Just a 2 digit counter that starts at 30, 60, or 90 and counts down one every time the lid is removed. I'm afraid that the bottle I want may end up the size of a pop can. If size will be a problem, how about an external alert and counter system with and wireless transmitter in the lid that merely pulses a signal every time the lid is removed and replaced.

     

    Just typing it out is making me think up new ideas.

  • The e-pill TimeCap (patented) DOES NOT require any settings and therefore may be your best bet. It is a Made in Japan professional grade pill timer and will last for many years. This e-pill (www.epill.com/timecap.html) automatically indicates the last DAY and TIME medications have been taken.

    $29.95 includes SHIPPING and a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee. You should try it before you develop your own! It also has been studied in the clinic.

     

    How this e-pill Medication Reminder works: (www.epill.com/lastopened.html)

     

    List of all e-pill Medication Reminders: www.epill.com/bysku.html

    Attachments:
    image

  • Yes that's a great idea, but as the link shows, appears to already exist.

     

    Basically if something has been manufactured, you can't make it yourself as cheaply.

     

    "Don't build what you can buy"

     

    Great idea though!