US5289157A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Medicine reminder and storage device
Assignee: Vitafit International Inc
•
Filing: 1991-12-23
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Granted: 1994-02-22
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Expires: 2011-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A portable electronic alarm device containing a plurality of compartments for storing a limited supply of medications and indicating when a medicine should be taken according to a predetermined schedule. The device also records the times that alarms sound and the times that they were acknowledged. The user can review the recorded times to determine compliance with the schedule. Additionally, a base station is provided to support the device, store larger supplies of medicine, and provide amplified alarms.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur G. Rudick
- 👤 Michael Mahle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61J; A61J7/00; A61J7/04; A61J7/0409; A61J7/0481; G; G04; G04B; G04B37/00; G04B37/12; G04B37/127; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/18; G08B21/24; A61J2200/00; A61J2200/30; A61J2205/00; A61J2205/20; A61J7/0418; A61J7/0427; A61J7/0454
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for indicating when medicine should be taken, comprising: clock means for providing a clock time of day; alarm setting means for setting at least one alarm time of day for at least one medicine; alarm means for activating an alarm when said clock time of day is the same as at least one alarm time of day; acknowledgment means for indicating when a medicine has been taken in response to an alarm; and recording means for storing said clock time of day when said alarm was activated and said clock time of day when said acknowledgment in response to an alarm occurred.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for indicating when medicine should be taken, comprising: clock means for providing a clock time of day; alarm setting means for setting at least one alarm time of day for at least one medicine; alarm means for activating an alarm when said clock time of day is the same as at least one alarm time of day; acknowledgment means for indicating when a medicine has been taken in response to an alarm; and recording means for storing said clock time of day when said alarm was activated and said clock time of day when said acknowledgment in response to an alarm occurred.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said alarm setting means includes means for setting at least one alarm for a plurality of medicines.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said alarm means includes indicator means for indicating which of said plurality of medicines should be taken.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: at least one compartment means for holding a plurality of doses of medicine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is portable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: display means for displaying the times stored in said recording means when alarms were activated and when said acknowledgments occurred.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said alarm means includes a visual alarm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said alarm means includes an audio alarm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: non-acknowledgment means for indicating when an acknowledgment has not occurred; and wherein said recording means includes means for storing said non-acknowledgment of an alarm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: support means for holding said apparatus, wherein said support means also includes storage means for holding medicine bottles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said support means includes second alarm means for activating a second alarm upon activation of said first alarm means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-02-21 | 1997-08-23 | 1998-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-21 | 2001-08-23 | 2002-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-21 | 2005-08-23 | 2006-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |