CA2191900A1 - Automatic prescription pill dispensing system - Google Patents

Abstract

An Automatic Prescription Pill Dispensing System for home use provides a locked cabinet in which prescription drugs are pre-loaded into a pill array according to the users medication regime. The bottom of the array consists of a series of sliding panels which selectively permit pills to drop into a dispensing location under control of a microcontroller. Certain prescription pills are available upon demand, while other prescription pills are available at preset intervals only. Visual and audible alarms alert the user when the prescription pills are available to be removed from the dispensing location.
A timer ensures that prescription pills which are not removed by the user within a pre-selected time are removed from the dispensing location to a holding bin, thus ensuring that the pills may only be removed at the appropriate time. A removable portable unit housed within the system provides a day's medication.

Description

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AUTOMATIC PRESCRIPTION PILL DISPENSING SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The need for a Prescription Pill Dispensing System for the ill or elderly has been well documented in the teachings. Numerous novel approaches have been advanced. Large, complex and costly systems have been devised to meet the needs of an institution type environment, namely hospitals and nursing homes. None, to my knowledge, address all the needs of people requiring medication in their homes. The need to focus on this application is becoming more appal elll as the trend continues towards home care and away from institutional care. A device that meets all the essential requirements for home use should have the following characteristics:
1. The ability to reliably dispense a plurality of types, sizes and number of pills at a plurality of predetermined time intervals.

2. The ability to alert the user by visual and audible means when these time intervals occur.

3. Have the capability of allowing the user immediate access to a specific type of medication, such as a pain reliever or decongestant, with appropliate safeguards.

4. Provide the capability for the removal of pills from the accessible part of the unit to a user in~cces~ible storage bin if the user does not retrieve the pills within a reasonable waiting perlod.

5. Provide access to one day's supply of medication, in the event that the user is away from the dispenser for a part of the day or if the system is waiting repair, with the appropriate safeguards.

6. Incorporate a reloading procedure which is safe, versatile, operator friendly and can be reloaded at any time, by the user, if capable, a family member, a care giver or a pharmacist.

7. Give extensive attention to safety mech~ni~m~ and ease of use procedures in keeping with the fact that this drug dispensing system is for home use and is operating outside the control of an institution and trained medical staff. Important characteristics to consider are hardware and software fault detection, a local and or a remote alarm indication to ~ 2191~00 insure prompt repair. Any system failure that is not recoverable, must cause a controlled shutdown in such a manner that drugs are prevented from exiting the unit.
In reviewing the prior art, many of the teaching~ claim the basic characteristics as stated in characteristic number one and two above but stops there. This allows for the ejection of drugs into the open environment and possibly into the hands of a forgetful user or a curious child, as opposed to confining the drugs until the user accesses them. Some teachings claim the On Demand capability as stated in number three but these are hand held devices and are specifically designed only for this use. One teaching, to my knowledge, by Daneshvar goes the next essential step in safety, that being, the removal of pills from the access port as stated in number four but exhibits other shortcomings. Other teaching~ focus on the ability to detect the exact time that a pill is taken and record this information for future analysis while others have inventory control capability. These abilities although important for some applications, add complexity and cost to the device with limited value to the average home user. Some teaçhing~ claim the ability of serving many users from the same system.
This could be advantageous in an institution type environment but is not essential in a private residence environment. The prer~lled embodiment of this invention seeks to meet all the characteristics stated above.

PRIOR ART
US PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,998,356 12/1976 Bennett 221/2 4,360,125 11/1982 Martindale 221/2 4,573,606 03/1986 Lewis 221/2 4,674,651 06/1987 Scidmore 221/3 4,717,042 01/1988 MçT ~lghlin 221/3 4,763,810 08/1988 Christi~n~en 221/3 4,785,969 11/1988 MçT .a~lghlin 221/2 4,811,764 03/1989 McT allghlin 221/2 ~- 2191~ ~ ~
4,838,453 06/1989 Luckstead 221/2 4,872,591 10/1989 Konopka 221/3 4,911,327 03/1990 Silberfield 221/3 4,953,745 09/1990 Rowlett 221/5 5,014,875 05/1991 McT ~l1ghlin 221/2 5,044,516 09/1991 Hoar 221/2 5,097,982 03/1992 Kendem 221/3 5,152,422 10/1992 Springer 221/2 5,176,285 01/1993 Shaw 221/3 5,221,024 06/1993 Campbell 221/3 5,246,136 09/1993 Loidl 221/3 5,337,919 08/1994 Spaulding 221/2 5,372,276 12/1994 Daneshvar 221/2 5,431,299 07/1995 Brewer 221/3 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an Automatic Prescription Pill Dispensing System designed for controlling the prescription drug regimes of an individual in his/her home. This invention embodies all the characteristics listed in the previous section.
This invention dispenses a plurality of types, sizes and quantity of pills at four selected periods through out a day and repeats this sequence for fourteen full days as predetermined by the user' s medication regime. Not all of the time periods need be used in any medication regime. There are four time periods, morning, noon, afternoon and evening. Each of these four time periods has two time intervals associated with it. The operator can choose one of the two time intervals when loading the pill array. The morning time period can start at eight a.m. or nine a.m. The noon time period can start at eleven a.m. or twelve p.m. The afternoon time period can start at four p.m. or five p.m. The evening time period can start at eight p.m.
or nine p.m. This time selection arrangement was chosen because prescriptions do not usually specify an actual time when pills should be taken but rather specify "three times a day", "take before/after meals" or "at bed time". The choice of two time intervals for every time period provides flexibility to the user and fits in with his/her life style.
Both visual and audible alert mech~ni~m~ are used to signal the presents of pills and enable the dispenser to allow the user access, to a specific set of pills, by pressing an access bar.
This invention has an On Demand capability which allows the user immediate access to a predetermined type and quantity of medication. To prevent overdosing, the user is allowed four On Demand request per day with a choice of time intervals between requests of one, two or four hours. The system defaults to two hours. The number of requests made are recorded and displayed on the visual panel. The On Demand function is reset at nine p.m. to allow the user access to On Demand medication during the night.
As a safety feature, this invention will remove pills from the active part of the device and place them in the inactive part of the device if not accessed after a thirty minute waiting period. This is to prevent possible overdosing. The pills, in the catch bin, can be retrieved at the next reloading, sorted and reused if positively identified or otherwise disposed of.
This dispenser resolves the issue of supplying medication to the user in the instances when the user is away from the dispenser for part of a day or for that period of time that the main dispenser is waiting for repair, should it fail. This is achieved by a portable automatic dispenser that supplies one day's allotment of critical medicine as prescribed. It also contains one set of On Demand pills in an unlocked section of the device. This is a hand held device composed of four cells, one mounted on each face of the device. The cells are covered by a locked thumb operated slider. The device holds a small number of the types of pills required for the well being of the user. The unit works in unison with the main dispenser in that when removed from the main dispenser, the main dispenser will not dispense pills.
This invention supports an automatic reset mech~ni.~m which is activated when the operator initi~tes the reload function. It purges the pill array of all le~ inil-g pills prior to the reloading procedure. The system has the flexibility of being loaded in two ways. First, a color coded chart serves as an aid if the user or user's family chooses to load the device. Second, 219190~

the system is designed so that an external pill array can be easily attached to the top of the internal array and the pills transferred to the internal array. This locked external array can be loaded by a pharmacist.
This invention contains a number of safety features including a remote failure alert meçh~ni~m that, through a modified telephone, automatically dials a repair service and a member of the family.
This invention is housed in a secure structure which doubles as a locked medicine cabinet for pill containers.
The intent of this invention is to develop an Automatic Prescription Pill Dispensing System that meets all the practical drug dispensing needs of the user, be flexible, economical, easy to operate, easy to reload and incorporate a comprehensive safety capability. It is believed that this invention achieves this goal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. lA is a top perspective illustration of the p[erelled embodiment of the external features of this Automatic Prescription Pill Dispensing System FIG. lB is a left side perspective illustration showing the external features on this side of the system FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view showing the relative positions of the modules and parts of modules that make up this invention FIG. 2B is a sectional front view showing the relationship of the main modules FIG. 3 is a top perspective illustration of the pill array FIG. 4A is a view of an array slider, front paddle, linker and magnetic latch as seen from the front. The pill array is included to show its relationship with the slider FIG. 4B is a partial front view showing the linker FIG. 5 is a front view showing the pill removal slider, paddles, linker and magnetic latch.
The pill array is included to show its relationship with the slider 21~1900 FIG. 6A is a sectional view of the dispenser showing the pill dispenser, the removal and the locking colllpal Iments as would be seen from the front. The removal slider is included to show its relationship with the dispenser FIG. 6B is a top perspective illustration of one of the dispenser sliders including the locking arrangement FIG. 7A is a top perspective illustration showing the trolley, magnetic latches and drive mech~ni~m FIG. 7B is a rear view taken along line 7B-7B of FIG. 7A showing the trolley positioning mech~ni~m FIG.8 is a front view of the external loading array in relation with the internal array FIG.9 is a top perspective illustration of the included automatic portable dispensing system showing its external features FIG.10 is a side sectional view of the internal structures of the portable dispensing unit FIG.l lA is a cross sectional view taken along line 1 lA- 1 lA of FIG.10 showing the pill cells and LED positions of the portable dispensing unit FIG.l lB is a cross sectional view taken along line 1 lB-1 lB of FIG.10 showing the battery, interface connections and setup jack FIG. 12A is a front view of the portable dispenser's slider and locking mech~ni~m FIG. 12B is a top perspective illustration of the portable dispenser's magnetic circuit FIG.13is the system flowchart FIG. 14A,B,C and D shows the schematic drawing ofthe main printed circuit board FIG. 15 is the schematic drawing showing the frame wiring of the main dispenser FIG. 16A and B shows the schematic drawing of the portable dispensing unit FIG. 17 is the schematic drawing showing the frame wiring of the portable dispenser Also enclosed as an appendix is the complete source code for the PIC16C57 microcontroller used in this invention.

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OVERVIEW OF THE INVENTION
As shown in Figure lA, the system in general terms consists of a lockable unit 3, having a top lid 7 which may be opened to allow access to the interior. Ach~ting push bars 17A or 17B (see Figure lB) on the side ofthe unit allows a user to request access to Timed Prescription or On Demand Prescription Pills respectively, which if permitted by the progl~"~"~ g ofthe unit, are dropped into discharge trays 16A and 16B respectively.
A bottom drawer 1 serves as a storage unit for spare pills, and also receives any pills 2 which are not taken by the user within a predetermined time limit, thereby removing these pills from further access by the user.
As seen in Figure 1 A, when viewed from the front and above, the top of the unit when opened has a pill array 5 on the left, and a printed circuit board 21 on the right. Arranged on the printed circuit board are four time interval switches and one On Demand switch 8, the reload controls 10, the visual indicators 12 and a remote maintenance connector 13. A visual indicator port 9 exists in the lid through which the visual indicators can be seen when the lid is closed and locked.
The pill array S consists of a rect~ng~ r array of receptacles or cells for holding pills.
In the embodiment shown, the array measures 8 inches wide and 9.3 inches long, and has a depth of 1.5 inches, resulting in each cell measuring 0.75 inches wide, 0.5 inches long, and 1.5 inches deep. These sizes were chosen to allow for most medication regimes to be accommodated within any cell.
The pill array is arranged in eight horizontal (as seen in Figures 2A and 3) rows of fifteen cells, with the top four rows 5A being reserved for Timed Prescription Pills and the bottom four rows 5B for On Demand Prescription Pills. The dark line dividing section 5A
and SB of the array as shown in Figure 3, is for emphasis only and serves no functional purpose.
Each of the top four horizontal rows corresponds to a particular time period during a day. The first representing morning, the second representing noon, the third representing afternoon and the fourth representing evening. Each vertical column of four cells corresponds to a day of timed medication. Each cell in the bottom four rows contain the same type and 21~19~0 quantity of medication and represents an On Demand request. Each vertical column of four cells corresponds to a day of On Demand medication. In the embodiment shown, for every day of use, the user receives pills at four preset time periods during a day from the Timed Prescription side of the array (the top four cells), and an additional four sets of pills, as requested, from the On Demand prescription Pill side of the array (the bottom four cells).
The top of each cell is open, and pills are retained within each cell by the lid 7 when closed. Therefore, when the lid is open, pills may be loaded into the cells.
The bottom of the pill array consists of eight horizontal sliding bottom panels which will be referred to in this document as sliders 23A through H, each slider being located under one of the horizontal rows of cells, and set into a track 31 in the array module 22. This enables the sliders to be slid back and forth by a panel movement means which will be referred to in this document as a trolley as described below. When the sliders are fully engaged (to the left as shown in Figure 2A), any pills in each cell are retained in the cell by the slider which forms the bottom of the cell.
Each such slider 23 is independently capable of being retracted or slid from a fully closed position as shown in which each cell in the row has a bottom, to a fully open position in which the cells have no bottom, thereby allowing any pills within any given cell to fall downward. By selecting any one of the eight sliders 23 and controlling the degree of retraction of the slider, any given cell may thereby be emptied of its contents.At one end of each of the sliders 23 (the left hand end as shown in Figure 4A) a small vertical rect~n~ r member or sweeper means which will be referred to in this document as the paddle 41 projects downward and stops short of the top surface of the sliding array bottom which will be referred to in this document as the remove slider 24. When the slider is being moved to a fully closed position from a partially opened one, this paddle in cooperation with the top surface of remove slider 24 and the cell walls, which protrude downward on each side of each slider, allows the slider 23 to push forward any pills which have fallen from a cell above, along the surface of the remove slider 24 until they fall through the opening 24A in the remove slider 24 and the opening 25A in the array bottom 25 into the Timed Prescription dispensing area 60A (see Figure 2A).

219190~
-At the opposite end of each of the sliders, another vertical rect~n~]l~r member or a latching means which will be referred to in this document as a linker 42 projects downward.
Each linker has a ferrous metal plate 45 attached to a movable rod section 47 such that it may be magnetically held by the magnetic latch 43 mounted on the trolley, thereby permitting the slider to be moved to the desired location.
Mounted below the sliders is a remove slider 24. The remove slider has a width equal to the width of the overlying four Timed Prescription Pill rows, and is similarly equipped with a downward projecting linker 51 to allow the remove slider to be retracted.
Below the remove slider is the array bottom 25. The array bottom is the same size as the eight by fifteen pill array and forms the bottom of the array section of the array module 22 (as seen in Figure 2A). Within the bottom 25 is an aperture 25A located at the left underneath the four Timed Prescription Pill rows, and a second aperture 25B located at the left underneath the four On Demand Prescription Pill rows.
At the left end (as seen in Figure 2A) of the remove slider 24 are located two downward projecting paddles, a front paddle 50A and a back paddle 50B. These paddles project through aperture 25A of the array bottom 25 and project into the Timed Prescription Pill dispenser cavity 60A stopping short of the Timed Prescription Pill dispenser bar 17A
which forms the floor of this arrangement. The back paddle 50B forms the back wall of this cavity thereby cont~ining the pills.
Although shown in exploded view in Figure 2A, the pill array 5, the cell sliders 23, the remove slider 24 and the array bottom 25 all form part of the single integrally constructed array module 22.
Mounted below the array module are two dispenser areas 60A and 60B, and a retention bin 2. On dem~nd dispenser 60B is located underneath aperture 25B, and receives any On Demand Prescription Pills that are pushed by the sliders into aperture 25B. Timed Prescription dispenser area 60A and retention bin 2 are located underneath aperture 25A and any pills pushed forward into aperture 25A will be received into the Timed Prescription dispensing area 60A. Pills in area 60A will drop straight downward to the Timed Prescription Pill dispensing tray 16A, if the user presses the access bar 17A or will be pushed to the right ~lgl90~

and down through the remove cavity 65 to the catch bin 2 below, if the remove mech~ni~m is activated. Likewise, pills in cavity 60B will drop straight downward to the On Demand Prescription Pill dispensing tray 16B, if the user presses the access bar 17B.
A sliding trolley 70 is located below and to the right side (as seen in Figure 7A) of the array module 22, and may be moved right or left by an electrically powered screw mechani~m 72. Mounted on the trolley are nine electromagnetic latches which are independently controlled by the microcontroller. Eight of these nine latches are located on the top of the trolley 43 so as to be able to engage and magnetically hold the eight linker mech~ni~m~ 42 respectively on the eight sliders 23 when the electromagnets are powered, while the ninth electromagnetic latch 52 is located on the side of the trolley so as to be similarly able to engage and hold the remove linker mechanism 51 on the remove slider 24.
The microcontroller selectively activates any or all eight of the electromagnetic latches, then commands the trolley to move to the right and retract the corresponding slider(s) as it moves, permitting pills to drop onto the top of the remove slider 24 in the case of a Timed Prescription Pill selection or onto the top of the array bottom 2S in the case of an On Demand Prescription Pill selection. The trolley is then reversed by the microcontroller, causing the paddle(s) 41 of the selected slider(s) 23 to push the pills which have dropped onto remove slider 24 toward the aperture 24A or those pill that have dropped onto the array bottom 25 towards aperture 25B. The pills then drop through the aperture 25A or aperture 25B into cavities 60A or 60B where they wait to be accessed by the user or in the case of a Timed Prescription Pill, removed automatically if not accessed within thirty minutes.
In operation, the reload process is initiated by the operator unlocking the system to access the pill array and the control panel. The operator presses a reload button S1, which initiates an automatic purge of any pills ~ ing in the array. This is effected by means of the microcontroller eng~ging all eight magnetic latches 43 on the top of the trolley 70, then çng~ging the motor 74 to cause the trolley to fully retract and then return to the home position. By so doing, any pills le~ inillg within the cells will fall onto the remove slider 24, or array bottom 25 and then be pushed forward into apertures 25A and 25B from where they will fall into the dispenser cavities 60A and 60B from which they can be removed. The 21~1900 .
operator is informed of the end of the purging action by the turning off of a WAIT visual indicator. The operator may then load the desired pills according to the users medication regime into the pill array, beginning with the morning cell and repeating this pill regime in all fifteen cells in the first row. This procedure is repeated using the proper pill regime for the other three Timed Prescription Pill rows. Each cell in the On Demand Prescription Pill rows is filled with the same type and quantity of pills.
Once the system is loaded, the purged pills can be removed by pressing the access bars 17A and 17B. In the case of Timed Prescription Pills, access bar 17A will remain locked until the manual unlock button S2 is pressed. In the case of On Demand Prescription Pills, access bar 17B is always accessible when in the reset/reload mode. This removal process is performed after the loading process since it activates the microcontroller causing the trolley to engage the first prescription slider and the first On Demand slider, and moves them one cell position to the right and then back again, causing the first complement of Timed Prescription Pills and On Demand Prescription Pills to drop down and be flushed into their respective waiting areas. The lid and the storage drawer is closed and locked. The unit is ready for operation for another two full weeks.
In operation, the next set of Timed Prescription Pills is placed in the dispenser after the user accesses the Timed Prescription Pill side of the dispenser or after the remove function is complete. In the case of the On Demand Prescription Pill function, the next set of pills is placed in the dispenser after an On Demand request is made. In both cases, the microcontroller is activated and causes the trolley to engage the next slider for the same day, repeating the process as explained above. Once all four Timed Prescription and On Demand prescription sliders have been actuated in this manner, the microcontroller will cause the trolley to go back to the first such slider and repeat the process, but cause the trolley to retract further in order to uncover the bottom of the cell for the next day.

219190~

OVERVIEW OF OPERATION
The following is a brief overview description of the operation of this Automatic Pill Dispensing System. The best way to describe the four operational functions is by example.
The Timed Prescription Pill function detects that it is eleven a.m. Since this is one of the preprogrammed time intervals, the controller issues a signal that will activate the Timed Prescription Pill audible and visual alert circuit ~csuming that this time interval was selected by the operator. This signal also enables the Prescription Pill access bar which up to this point has been locked. If the user responds within thirty minlltes and presses the access bar, the pills, in the dispenser, will be ejected into the Timed Prescription Pill tray and the pills present visual indicator and chime will turn off. After the access bar is pressed, the software activates the Timed Prescription Pill function which causes the slider associated with the next time period to open allowing the pills in that cell to drop to the floor of the array. If there are no pills in this next time period cell, nothing happens. After dropping the pills, the slider returns to the start position pushing the pills into the dispenser below. This completes the sequence of events of the Timed Prescription Pill function.
The dispenser supports a remove function which is a safety meçh~nism that removes pills from the active part of the system to a storage bin if the user does not respond within thirty minutes. After pills are removed, the pills present visual indicator and chime are turned off and the Timed Prescription Pill function is activated. The Timed Prescription Pill function will proceed to place the set of pills for the next time interval into the prescription side of the dispenser. This completes the sequence of events of the Remove function.
The On Demand Prescription Pill function releases a specific type and quantity of pills when requested by the user with consideration to certain safety conditions. Before a request for pills is acted upon, the following safety factors must be met. All four requests for the day have not been used up and the two hour delay between requests has timed out. The On Demand function is activated and operates in the same manner as the Timed Prescription Pill function. On Demand pills are ejected into the On Demand tray by pressing the On Demand bar. This action prompts the software to initiate the channel select and drive mech~ni~m~ to move the approp~iate slider and place the next set of On Demand pills into the On Demand ~191900 side of the dispenser. It also advances the request counter by one and turns on the two hour delay timer. This completes the sequence of events of the On Demand function.
The system reset is activated by pressing the reload button on the internal control panel which is mounted on the main PCB under the locked lid. This action activates the reset function which purges the pill array of all rem~ining pills. The pills are placed into the dispenser and after the reload wait LED turns offthe loading procedure can commence. The first four rows of the array, starting at the top, are color coded and design~ted on the right by the time periods morning, noon, afternoon and evening. Under this, are the four On Demand rows which are not associated with time. To the right of the time period design~tions is a color coded chart that indicates the type and quantity of pills that go into each cell of that particular row. For example, the user's medication regime could call for one each ofthree dirrel e~l kinds of pills to be placed in the first morning time period cell. This pill regime is then repeated in each of the fourteen rem~inin~ cells in the morning time period row. The switch associated with this row is then set to the user's prerelled time interval say eight a.m.
The example calls for four di~ert;lll types of pills, two of one type and one each of three other types to be placed in the first noon time period cell. This pill regime is then repeated in each of the fourteen re"~inillg cells in the noon time period row. The noon time period switch is then set to the user's plerelled time interval of say eleven a.m. The two rem~ining Timed Prescription Pill time period rows are filled in the same manner. This completes the loading of the Prescription Pill array. The example calls for one heart pill for the On Demand Prescription Pill array. One heart pill is placed in each of the sixty On Demand Prescription Pill cells and the On Demand switch activated. This completes the loading of the On Demand array. The purged pills can now be removed from the dispenser, sorted and reused if positively identified or otherwise disposed of. This action will activate the Timed Prescription Pill and the On Demand Prescription Pill functions sequentially to place the next set of pills into the dispenser. The lid can now be closed. It automatically locks. The drawer is closed, it automatically locks. The pill dispenser is back in service for another full fourteen days.
The use of prescription pills has been stressed through out this description. This Automatic Pill Dispensing System could equally be used to control the dispensing of non-21gl900 prescription drugs. For example Aspirin (a pain reliever) could be loaded into the On Demandside of the array.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
To help understand the prerelled embodiment of this Automatic Prescription Pill Dispensing System, this teaching will proceed from a brief description of the exterior features ofthis invention as shown in Figures lA and lB, then proceed to describe the physical structure and function of the nine interdependent modules/mech~ni~m~ as depicted in the exploded top perspective illustration of the system in Figure 2A and the front view of the system in Figure 2B. In the course of reviewing the function of the nine modules, the reader should constantly refer to Figures 2A and 2B to m~int~in a perspective of the relationship of the module being described to the overall system.
Figures lA and lB show the exterior features of this Automatic Prescription PillDispensing System as referenced by the numeral 3. The cabinet is locked and can be accessed using a key in lock 15. The locking mech~ni~m releases the top 7 which can be opened to the position shown in Figure 1 A and held there by the restraining cable 11. This action also releases the drawer 1 which opens under spring action. The drawer has a compa~ ent 2 called the catch bin which is the repository for pills removed from the system if not retrieved by the user. The rem~in~çr of the drawer 14 is a drug storage area for pill containers that are not part of the active system. On the inside of the top 7, directly over the array, is a desiccant pad 6 to control humidity. On the right hand side of the top is an opening 9 through which the visual status indicators which are mounted on the main PCB 21 (see Figure 2A) can be seen . The pill array consists of eight rows of fifteen cell each. The first four rows 5A are the Timed Prescription Pill cells. The next four rows 5B are the On Demand Prescription Pill cells. The right hand side of the top houses the main PCB on which is mounted a control panel for the reload function 10, time interval setting switches 8, alarm and system status visual indicators 12 and a remote maintenance connector 13. Figure lB shows the Timed Prescription Pill 16A and On Demand Prescription Pill 16B pill exit trays. The Timed 2lslson -Prescription Pill access bar 17A and the On Demand Prescription Pill access bar 17B are also mounted on this side of the cabinet. On the front of the cabinet is an unlocked pull out drawer 4 which houses a day' s supply of pills in an automatic portable dispensing unit.
The system will now be described with reference to Figures 2A and 3. In Figure 2A, sections, 5, 23, 24 and 25 all form part of an integral array module 22. This structure supports a one hundred and twenty cell array, sixty cells 5A are used for the Timed Prescription Pill function and sixty cells SB for the On Demand Prescription Pill function. The four by fifteen Timed Prescription Pill array represents the four time periods in a day and the r~m~ining four by fifteen cells serve the On Demand Prescription Pill function. The system can operate for fourteen full days, regardless of when it was loaded, because of the fifteenth cell in each row. The first row represents the morning time period and can be configured to activate at either eight a.m. or nine a.m. The second row represents the noon time period and can be configured to activate at either eleven a.m. or twelve p.m. The third row represents the afternoon time period and can be configured to activate at either four p.m. or five p.m. The fourth row represents the evening time period and can be configured to activate at either eight p.m. or nine p.m. This choice of two time intervals for each time period was incorporated to provide flexibility to the user. It is not expected that all four time periods would be used in any given prescription drug regime. The columns are labeled day 1, day 2, through day 15. The four On Demand rows are recognized as channels A through D to the software and are sequenced from A through D as requests for pills are made through out the day. Each cell is large enough to accommodate an above average medication regime. The right hand side of this module 32 houses the main PCB 21. The dotted line 31 along the length of the array module is the location of the tracks for the eight sliders 23A through H
that cover the bottoms of the cells. The dotted line 30 is the location of the track for the remove slider 24, both of these will be described in a later section.
The next part of module 22 (refer to Figures 2A, 4A and B), is composed of eightsliders 23A through H. Each slider 23 acts as a bottom for each row of cells and therefore contains the pills within those cells. Protruding from the bottom of each slider at the front is a paddle 41 and at the back is a linker mech~ni~m 42. The linker allows the slider to be moved.

~1919~0 The linker is composed of a member 48 fixed to one end of the slider 23. A rod 47, mounted in a hole in the center of member 48, can move freely over a small distance. The rod is limited in travel by a C clip 49 at one end and a spring 46 at the other end. On the end of the rod is a steel plate 45. In the inactive position, the face of the magnetic latch 43 is touching the face of the linker 45. When the magnetic latch is energized, the two faces are held together by the magnetic field. Therefore, as the trolley moves the slider must follow. The small amount of movement in the linker prevents damage to the system in the event of a trolley run-on failure.
If the trolley failed to stop when it reached home position, it would encounter a microswitch which would shut the motor drive mechanism down. This overrun is prevented from crushing the sliders by collapsing the linker. As a slider moves one cell position to the right, the pills in the uncovered cell fall to either the top of the remove slider 24 or to the top of the array bottom 25 depending on which function was activated. As the slider returns to the home position, the paddle 41 pushes the pills through apertures 24A and 25A or 25B.
The next part of module 22 (refer to Figure S) is the remove slider 24. Figure 5 shows the relationship of the remove slider to the array and its magnetic latch 52. The purpose of this slider is to remove pills in the active part of the dispenser 60A to an internal catch bin 2 in the event that the user fails to remove the pills after an appropliate waiting period. This slider 24 covers the Timed Prescription Pill cells. It has two paddles 50A and 50B protruding from the bottom of the slider at the front and a linker mech~ni~m 51 at the back. The slider has an aperture at the front between the paddles 24A which allows free passage of pills through the slider into the dispenser 60A below (see Figure 2A). If the remove function is activated, pills trapped between the paddles will be swept to the right through the removal colllpal lnlent 65 into the catch bin 2 below. This slider is linked to its magnetic latch in the same manner as described in the section on cell sliders. This function is activated by the timing out of a thirty minute timer. When activated, the microcontroller comm~n(ls the trolley drive mech~ni~m to move three cell positions to the right, stop and return to the home position. This action is sufficient to sweep the pills from the active part of the dispenser to the internal catch bin 2.
When this action is complete, the visual and audible alarms are turned off.

.. ..
The next part of the module 22 (refer to Figure 2A) is the bottom of the array 25. The floor of the array works in conjunction with the cell slider paddles on the On Demand Prescription Pill side to trap the pills and sweep them over the length of the array through apertures in the bottom of the array to the dispenser below.
Below the array module 22 (refer to Figures 6A and B) is the dispenser 26. It is a temporary repository for pills after they have been ejected from the array. This keeps them safely out of reach until the user accesses them. The dispenser is divided into two parts. One side is for Timed Prescription Pills 60A and the other side for On Demand Prescription Pills 60B. The sliding access bars 17A and 17B form the floor of the two parts of the dispenser.
These sliding access bars extend through the left side 61 of the cabinet to the outside of the box. Here, they are held in place through the action of a return spring 62. There is an aperture in each sliding access bar 64 to allow pills to pass. The other end of the sliding access bars have a rod 66 protruding through the remove chamber 65 to a locking mech~ni~m The locking meçh~ni~m is composed of a solenoid 67 and a microswitch 68. In the locked position, the solenoid is de-energized and prevents the rod 66 from moving a sufficient distance to allow the pills in the dispenser to fall through the aperture in the sliding access bar 64 to the external tray 16 below. The rod is allowed to move a small distance, sufficient to activate the microswitch 68 by riding up on the raised section of the rod 63. The solenoid is powered through the microswitch but nothing happens unless the microswitch is enabled.
There are two solenoids and microswitches, one set for each side of the dispenser. The Timed Prescription Pill function and the On Demand Prescription Pill function operate di~eren~ly. In the case of the Timed Prescription Pill function, when the predetermined time interval occurs, the visual and audible alarms are activated and at the same time, the Timed Prescription Pill microswitch 67A is enabled. If the user responds to the alarms and pushes on the Timed Prescription Pill access bar 17A, the associated solenoid 67A will energize and retract its pole piece allowing the rod 66A to pass. This will allow the sliding access bar 17A to be completely depressed and the pills that are sitting on top of this sliding access bar will fall through aperture 64A to the Timed Prescription Pill tray 16A below. When the access bar is fully depressed, it activates the back microswitch 69. The signal from this microswitch ,....
informs the microcontroller that the access bar has been fully depressed and interprets this as the pills have been removed. When the user releases the access bar 17A, the sliding access bar returns to its natural closed position under action of the return spring 62. When the sliding access bar reaches its closed position the microswitch 68A turns offcausing the solenoid to de-energize returning the Timed Prescription Pill access bar to its locked position and signals the microcontroller to select the next set of Timed Prescription Pills and place them into the Timed Prescription Pill side of the dispenser 60A. If the pills are not accessed after thirty minlltes7 they are removed from the active part of the dispenser 60A to an internal catch bin 2 by action of the remove function. The On Demand Prescription function does not require a time related enabling condition. The action of pressing the On Demand Prescription Pill access bar 17B releases pills immediately into the On Demand tray 16B assuming that the safety conditions are met. If these conditions are not met, the On Demand Prescription Pill access bar will remain locked. If access is allowed, a new set of On Demand pills will be placed into the On Demand side of the dispenser 60B using the same mechanism as described above.
The next module (refer to Figures 2A and 2B) is the portable drawer 27. This is simply an unlocked, pull out drawer, that houses the portable pill dispensing unit. It has four contacts on its walls which align with contacts on the portable unit which allows charging and controlling signals to pass between the main dispenser and the portable dispenser. The portable dispenser will be described in detail in a later section.
The next module (refer to Figures 7A and B) is the drive mechanism 28. The drivemech~ni~m consists of a trolley 70 on which nine magnetic latches are mounted 43 and 52.
The trolley slides on a track 78. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the trolley is driven by a reversible direct current motor 74 through a reduction gear 73 and a threaded rod (screw) 72 having sufficient travel to expose all cells. The trolley speed which is set to 0.625 inches per second is governed by the motor speed, gear reduction and the pitch of the screw.
The speed of the motor is controlled by adjusting its voltage. Eight magnetic latches 43 are mounted on the top of the trolley. Four are used for the Timed Prescription Pill function and four for the On Demand Prescription Pill function. One magnetic latch 52 is used for the pill 2191~00 .. ..
removal function. It is mounted on the side of the trolley. They all work the same way. The moving part of this mechanical mechanism could be accomplished using a stepper motor with the appropliate controlling circuitry but was abandoned for economic reasons. In the pr~relled embodiment of this invention, the physical connection of a slider and its associated magnetic latch, referred to as linking (see Figure 4B) is achieved by a device called a linker.
This mechanism could have been achieved using pull or push solenoids or other electronically controlled mechanical latches but were abandoned for economic reasons. The actual linking action will be addressed in the Description Of Operation section of this description.
In the preferred embodiment, a structure 77 with sixteen notches spaced exactly 0.625 inches apart is mounted on the trolley frame 78. A microswitch 71 mounted on the trolley 70, rides in and out of the notches producing a pulse at every 0.625 inches of travel (see Figure 7B). This mech~ni~m could have been achieved using a optical position indicator or the like but was abandoned for economic reasons. A PCB mounted on the side of the trolley 20, makes connections to all nine magnetic latches plus the position switch 71 and takes the signals back to the main PCB 21 through a connector and a flexible ribbon cable 29 (see Figure 2B). There are two end stop microswitches 75 and 76 which are used as a safety shutdown mech~nism in the event of a trolley failure that causes the trolley to overrun the home or the fifteenth positions and drive up against the ends of the unit. This occurrence could cause serious damage to the drive mechanism. This constitutes a system failure and can only be recovered from by plugging an external maintenance control unit into the external remote maintenance connector 13. The external maintenance control unit is also used for setting the time and other maintenance testing. If this capability was not incorporated, a system failure would require major (lism~ntling to reset.

The final module (refer to Figure 2A) is the storage drawer 1. It is a locked drawer mounted at the bottom of the cabinet and can be accessed from the front of the unit when the lid is open. The catch bin 2 is the repository for pills removed from the dispenser, if the user did not access the unit in the allotted time. The remainder of the drawer 14 is used as a storage for pill containers.

~e DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION
The electrical operation of the four functions in the main dispenser namely the Timed Prescription Pill, On Demand Prescription Pill, Pill Removal, and the Reset/Reload will now be addressed. The following description will refer to Figure 13 the system software flowchart and Figure 14A through D, the main PCB schematic. The software details can be referenced in the line by line comments in the source code. The electronic circuits and software required to perfomm the above-mentioned functions will be discussed but the detail operation of the components and software is assumed to be known to a person skilled in the art and will not be addressed.
This teaçhing will start with a discussion of the system flowchart as shown in Figure 13 . The boxes in the flowchart will be referenced by the names on the top of the boxes. As the functions are encountered, the description will deviate to a description of that function and then retum to the flow chart. In the prerel 1 ed embodiment of this invention, a microcontroller PIC16C57 is used. Timing is based on a four megahertz crystal which is divided by four to produce a one megahertz instruction clock. The real time clock/counter RTCC rolls over every 256 cycles to produce a period of approximately four milliseconds. The software adds and subtracts bits periodically to compensate for time errors. Every four milliseconds the microcontroller checks the status of all switches and registers and responds with the appropliate action if a change has occurred. Part of the controller is dedicated to time keeping and updating the four digit time display (hours and minlltes). The rem~in~ler ofthe controller controls the four dispenser functions mentioned above. Every four milliseconds the software goes through the following sequence. Has a second passed? Has a time setting switch been pressed? Refresh the display (CYCLE). Read and record dispenser inputs (READ). Has any dispenser functions been activated (PBOX_BSY)? Test functions (TEST). Retum to main. The flowchart shows the path the software takes when one of the time keeping functions is activated. These functions will not be discussed since they are considered as part of the time keeping functions and not directly pertinent to this invention.
When a second has passed, the software deviates from the above-mentioned sequence and after completing its time keeping and house keeping duties, tests to see if any system is active.

If not, it tests for one of the preprogrammed time intervals (HOUR). If a preprogrammed time interval is not detected, the software returns to main via the maxmin, hex, cycle, read and test loop. If a preprogrammed time interval is detected, say eleven a.m., the time position file COUNT_T is decremented and the software advances to the alarm routine (ALARMS) which issues a signal called T_ INT which is strobed to the output S15 of the transparent latch U9 (see Figure 14A). This signal initiates both the audible and visual alarms. The enabling of the alarm circuit causes the Timed Pill access bar lock to be enabled. After the user accesses the pills or the thirty minute Timed Prescription Pill timer U33 times out, a signal called PILL is read by the controller and the software activates Timed Prescription Pill function by setting the flag PILL_ON. It also sets a system busy flag PBOX_BSY. The system will now replace the pills just removed from the dispenser with the set of pills required for the next time interval. The software issues the four bit code that will select the next magnetic latch. This code is issued on ports RC0 through RC3. The code is fed to a four to sixteen transparent latch U9. The controller issues a strobe called ST that latches the i/p code to the o/p of U9 which activates the appropriate SX o/p. It could be any one from S1 to S8.
This SX signal is fed to the i/p of the magnetic latch drive U12 through the time interval selector switches S6 through S9. This signal is latched to the o/p of U12 using a delayed strobe called ST2. The appropliate magnetic latch is now energized. The signals M,N,A and E on the output pins of the selector switches are ORED through U13A and the resulting signal becomes the drive forward signal. The drive forward signal is detected by the controller on the PILL i/p. This feedback informs the controller that the time interval just issued is a selected one and that the controller should expect pulses. After testing for PILL, the controller issues another signal called INH1 on RC6 which resets the transparent latch U9 thereby turning off all its o/ps. This removes the i/ps to the magnetic latch drive U12 . This in turn prepares the magnetic latch driver for the next strobe ST2 which will turn off all magnetic latch driver o/ps. The software activates a two second timer which if allowed to time out will issue a failure signal. But the system, if operating properly will receive a pulse within one second and turn offthe two second timer. In the case where the time interval is not selected or the time period is not used, the drive forward signal is not generated and there is no 21gl900 ~v feedback signal to the controller. The controller will not expect any pulses and therefore will not activate the two second timer but will turn the Timed Prescription Pill function off. The drive forward signal triggers a five millisecond delay generated by U15A that results in a five microsecond pulse. This pulse latches the drive forward flip flop U23A which in turn, turns on the drive forward relay Kl and the motor. The trolley will move one cell position and will output one pulse. A counter in the software was initi~li7ed to detect one pulse and after detectin~ it will issue a stop pulse by issuing the code 0000 which activates o/p S0 on U9.
The o/p S0 called STP1 is converted to the signal called STOP. This STOP signal turns off the drive forward flip flop U23A and stops the trolley's forward motion. This action results in a new set of pills dropping from the cell just exposed to the top of the remove slider 24. The controller issues a DST signal which gets converted to a ST2 signal which turns offthe magnetic latch driver U12 and therefore the magnetic latch. This is possible since the INH1 signal previously issued removed the i/ps from the latch driver U12. The STOP pulse also triggers a second five millisecond delay generated by U15B which outputs a five microsecond pulse. This pulse latches a toggle U8B whose o/p latches the drive back flip flop U23B which in turn, through relay K2, drives the motor in the reverse direction. The magnetic latch does not have to be on in the drive back mode since the trolley will push the slider(s) as it returns to the start position. On the way back, the paddle 41 on the moving slider pushes the pills to the end of the pillbox and into the dispenser, as described in previous sections. Again, after the software detects one pulse, it issues a second STOP pulse which stops the trolley motion and triggers the toggle flip flop U8B off. This time there is no o/p from the toggle flip flop and therefore no further drive action. This sequence of events will be repeated four times a day with a di~el elll magnetic latch being selected for each time period. At the end of the day, defined as nine p.m. the software performs the following duties: Tests to see if the system is empty, reset the four requests per day counter and synchronizes the portable dispenser.
As mentioned above, the time position counter is decremented at each time interval.
This counter is set equal to eight at the time of loading and will equal zero at the same time the next day. To the controller, this is the indication of the passing of a day. This implies that the interval is fixed but the time is dependent on when the system is loaded. At this time, the 21919~

pulse counter COUNT_P is incremented by one and starting at the next time interval the trolley will move two cell positions, producing two pulses, before stopping. Again, in the reverse direction the trolley will stop after receiving two pulses. The controller detects when the trolley position counter TROL_P reaches fourteen and issues an empty warning signal on S13 of U9. The system still contains pills and will continue to issue these pills at the programmed time intervals. But the system is now working on the fifteenth day and must be turned offif allowed to operate for another eight time intervals. This extra day gives the operator ample time to respond to reset and reload the system. If there is no response, when the time position counter equals zero the system will shut down and issue a failure signal.
One other detail requires discussion, that is the operation of the two time intervals per time period and associated with this the situation where the time period might not be used at all. In the discussion above, eleven a.m. was used as an example. Eleven a.m. and twelve p.m. are the two time intervals for the noon time period. This physically represents the second row of cells in the array. The choice is made with the time period switches during the array loading process. The software issues code for all time intervals. It is the position of a particular time period switch (in this case noon), which will determine which of the two signals (in this case eleven or twelve) will pass. If the switch is in the offposition (center), there are no pills in any of the fifteen cells (in this case the noon time period) and no mechanical movement or alarms are activated but all housekeeping functions are still performed.
The On Demand Prescription Pill function operates in a similar fashion as the Timed Prescription Pill function with one exception. The On Demand function is not triggered by a time interval but is activated when the user presses the On Demand Prescription Pill access bar 17B mounted on the side of the pillbox. There is no alarm associated with the On Demand function but there are four visual indicators which show the user the number of On Demand requests made that day. After four requests, the On Demand function is inhibited and resets only after twenty-four hours has passed. The reset time was set at nine p.m. to allow the user access to the On Demand function during the night. There is also a programmable time delay between requests built into the system which can be programmed according to the users ~- ~191~ 0 0 medication regime. This time delay can be one, two or four hours. It defaults to two hours.
A visual indicator call WAIT is on when the On Demand Prescription Pill function is inhibited. These restrictions are incorporated to reduce the possibility of an overdose.
After the On Demand Prescription Pill function is accessed, a signal call DEMAN is generated that sets a sequences of events in motion which are the same as described in the Timed Prescription Pill section. This set of events results in a new set of On Demand pills being placed in the On Demand side of the dispenser 60B. This sequence is user driven and therefore all four requests if any might not be used in a day. This means that the counter that determines the number of pulses and therefore the number of cells to move must be updated after four requests have been made and not at the loading time as is the case with the Timed Prescription Pill function. This signal also latches a series of four flip flops configured as a ripple counter. The outputs from these flip-flops drive LEDS. As each On Demand request is made, a LED is turned on. When all four LEDS are on, the On Demand function is inhibited by signal ODOF until nine p.m. when they are reset. The LEDS are turned offand the On Demand function is active again for another four requests.
The pl ~rel I ed embodiment of this invention has a pill removal function that is activated not by a time interval but by the thirty minute audible alert timer. When it times out, it generates the signal TDLY which initiates the pill removal routine in the controller, turns off the pills present LED and energizes the pill removal magnetic latch which in turn generates the BIN signal. This BIN signal turns on the drive forward function and turns offthe prescription delay timer U33. The mechanical activities operate in the same manner as the functions described above. The software is programmed to count three pulses. The trolley moves three cell positions, dragging the remove slider with it and stops. This action sweeps the pills, in the Timed Prescription Pill side of the dispenser 60A, to the right allowing the pills to drop into the catch bin 2 below. The pills, in the catch bin, can be retrieved at the next reloading, sorted and reused if positively identified or otherwise disposed of. The STOP
pulse, after a short delay, reverses the trolley direction and pushes the slider towards the start position. After detecting three pulses the controller issues a second STOP pulse which stops the trolley and turns offthe toggle flip flop. The toggle flip flop issues a pulse called END

~ 2191900 that is not used in this function. When this sequence of events is complete, the software initiates the Timed Prescription Pill function which goes through its routine placing the set of Timed Prescription Pills, for the next time interval, into the Timed Prescription Pill side of the dispenser 60A.
The purpose of the automatic reset function is to purge the system of all rern~ining pills in prepal ~lion for reloading. When the sliders are in the home position, the bottoms of all cells are covered. Activating this function is the first step in the reloading procedure.
When activated by pressing S1, a flip flop U2A is latched which outputs signal RLON.
RLON is read by the controller which sets up the reload function. RLON also latches flip flop U2B which applies a signal to all i/ps of the magnetic latch driver U12. It also turns on the RESET ON LED and resets the empty flip flop U8A. The software issues strobe ST2, as described in a previous section, which latches these i/ps to the o/p of the magnetic latch driver U12 thereby turning on all magnetic latches 42. The remove magnetic latch is not energized 51. The o/p from U2B also starts the drive forward sequence which is the same as described above. The software (in the reset mode) is preprogrammed for fifteen pulses. The trolley moves forward dragging all sliders with it to the fifteenth position of the unit before it receives a STOP pulse. This causes all cells to be exposed and any pills rem~ining in the system will drop as described in previous sections. This STOP pulse turns offU2B which removes the i/ps from the magnetic latch driver U12. The turning offofU2B also produces a second ST2 strobe pulse which causes all magnetic latches to de-energize. The trolley reverses direction and returns all sliders to the start position pushing the pills ahead of them into the dispenser.
After fifleen pulses a second STOP pulse is issued by the controller which stops the motor and toggles flip flop U8B. U8B o/ps the signal END which turns off U2A. The controller senses the absence of RLON and turns offthe reset function. The turning off of U2A turns offthe RESET ON LED which informs the operator that the reset function is complete. The reset operation takes approximately thirty seconds.
The Timed Prescription Pill access can be achieved by pressing the manual accessbutton S2 and the Timed Prescription Pill access bar 17A. The excess pills will fall into the Timed Prescription Pill tray 16A. The On Demand Prescription Pills can be accessed by ~- 219190~
pressing the On Demand Prescription Pill access bar. The release of these access bars initi~tes the Timed Prescription Pill and On Demand Prescription Pill functions automatically and the next set of pills are placed in their appropliate sections of the dispenser. As mentioned previously, the pills in the trays can be sorted and reused if positively identified or otherwise disposed of.
When the reset part of the reload function is complete, the operator can proceed with the reloading procedure. A color coded chart aids the operator in this process. The number and types of pill for the morning time period cells, as per the chart, are loaded . When this is complete, the morning switch is placed in the time interval position that fits the life style of the user. The up position represents the eight a.m. time interval and the down position represents the nine a.m. time interval. The other three Timed Prescription Pill rows are loaded in the same manner insuring that the correct prescription regime is used and that their associated switches are set to the desired time interval. If some of the time periods do not have pills according to the user's medication regime, the associated time period switch is set to the off position (center) and there will be no pills in any of the fifteen cells in this time period row. After the prescription cells are loaded, the On Demand Prescription Pill cells can be loaded. All the On Demand cells must be loaded with the same prescription. If the On Demand cells are used, the On Demand switch S4 is activated.
The software is constantly performing functional tests. The system monitors the status of the four main functions and sets priorities to prevent conflicts. The hardware that produces the external indications of this internal testing is standard circuitry and will not be detailed.
The tests and the actions are listed below. Details can be found in the schematics or in the line by line comments of the enclosed software source code.

TEST ACTION
External charger not connected Power indicator flashes, system operating on battery Fuse F2 blown (12v supply) Power indicator flashes, system shuts down On Demand wait On Demand indicator on. Delay defaults to two hours Maximum On Demand requests All Four request indicators on, new requests refused Nine p.m. reached Reset On Demand requests, request indicators off Nine p.m. reached Portable dispenser unit synchronized System empty warning System empty indicator flashes on fourteenth day System empty (fifteenth day) Failure indicator flashes, system shuts down System time faults detected Failure indicator flashes, system shuts down System overrun failure Failure indicator flashes, system shuts down Auto-dialer activated, service people alerted Portable dispenser removed Portable indicator flashes, turns offwhen unit returned The system is powered from a twelve volt high capacity battery which is con~all~ly being charged by a float charger U42 (refer to Figure 14C). An external wall mount converter supplies sixteen volts to the dispenser. This input is monitored and the system issues a visual alarm if this external charging voltage is disconnected. The twelve volt supply directly drives the magnetic latches. A reg~ ted five volts U26 is derived from the twelve volts which powers the logic circuitry and the LEDS. A supervisory circuit U27 is incorporated to control system resets. The motor is driven from the five volt supply. An adjustment is incorporated to set the trolley speed to 0.625 inches per second.
Relays are used to drive the motor so that voltage reversal and dynamic braking can be incorporated. Dynamic braking is essenti~l to reduce motor run-on. A FET H bridge could have been used but was rejected for economic reasons and because dynamic braking could not be incorporated.
As a safety feature, the program monitors the time that it takes for the first position pulse to be detected by the controller. A two second timer is started when the drive forward signal is initi~ted. A position pulse should occur within one second which will turn offthe two second timer. If the pulse is not received within two seconds the controller will issue a system failure alarm.
An optional safety feature involves a remote alert capability. A twenty kilohertz tone is generated for five seconds, triggered by the system failure signal. This tone is emitted through the audible alert speaker and detected by a simple receiver/integration circuit that ~ 219190~
activates one of the auto-dial buttons on a telephone which has been modified and dedicated to this application. The auto-dialer dials a programmed fax number and transmits the identification number of the calling dispenser to a service center. The fax program records the time of the call at the service center and automatically prints out a work order with the name and address of the user. The user's family or care giver is informed that a service person is being dispatched to the user' s residence. The family must be notified since the service person is not allowed to reload the dispenser. A failure requires a system reload.
Another safety feature involves a recovery routine (refer to the source code). The software works sequentially in detecting the time intervals. As each time interval is encountered, a flag is set to allow the program to bypass this code on the next four millisecond pass and run the next time interval code. If this sequence is interrupted/corrupted, for whatever reason, the system is out of synchronization and operation would cease. The software has a recovery routine that will re-synchronize the system (see source code section called recover). The recover routine is activated if the actual time contained in the file called SLOT is not in the range expected by the software as code is executed. For example, the first section of HOUR_SEL code is designed to detect eight a.m. The time in SLOT should be less than or equal eight a.m. If the time is not a.m., the software activates the recover routine and resets the flag2 bits to re-synchronize the system.
The requirement of adjusting the time either backward or forward one hour at specific times of the year can present complications to the operation of the unit and or inconvenience to the operator. The unit should be reset at least two hours after the last time interval for the day i.e. eleven p.m. or at least two hours before the first time interval for the day, i.e. six a.m.
This is inconvenient to the operator. To alleviate this problem, a time initiating switch and associated software have been incorporated. This function work as follows: The system as been preprogrammed as to which time mode it is in, i.e. standard time or day light saving time.
Knowing this, the software either adds one hour or subtracts one hour when triggered to change. On the day of the change, at any time of the day, the operator unlocks the unit, lifts the lid and presses the change time switch which is mounted on the PCB 21. Nothing happens .

until two a.m. At this time, the change time software determines whether to add or subtract one hour and then resets the clock. The system operation is unaffected.

PORTABLE DISPENSER UNIT
The preferred embodiment of this invention provides for a Portable Automatic Dispensing Unit. This te~ching will proceed from a brief description of the exterior features of this portable dispenser as shown in Figure 9 then proceed to describe the physical structure and function of the unit as shown in the Figures 10, 11 and 12.
The portable dispensing unit is a rect~ng~ r device approximately 1.5 inches on a side and 5.0 inches long. The front end of the unit contains four locked time period slots 97.
There is a slot on each face of the device and it is covered by a locked thumb operated slider 96. The pill compartments are labeled morning, noon, afternoon and evening. Under the slider are two sets of contacts 91A and B that work in conjunction with the locking mech~ni~m Each side has a time period LED 98 and a locking mechanism that prevents the slider from opening until the appropriate time, see Figure 12A. The sliders resides in shallow grooves in the surface of the unit 99. These grooves guide the sliders in their back and forth movement. The front of the unit is enclosed with a screw off cap 90 similar to the top of a pill bottle and with a similar latching mechanism. The On Demand pills are housed in a slot 100 behind this cap. The top of the unit 95 is removable to gain access to the electronics. The unit has four contacts, two on each side 92 that allow signals to pass between the main dispenser and the portable dispenser. On the back of the unit is an access port for the setup jack 94 and an access panel for the battery 93. Figure 10 shows the position ofthe electronics 101 and the audible alert 103. Since there is little room for the PCB, surface mount technology is used. The battery is housed below the electronics 102. Figure 1 lA and B
shows some of the features described above from a front and back perspective.
The device is capable of dispensing a day's allotment of pills according to the user's drug regime. The unit is housed in an unlocked drawer 4 in the main dispenser and can be removed at any time. This device can be carried in a purse or pocket and will alert the user both visually and audibly at the appropriate time. This pill dispenser is not designed to carry a ,.
Iarge number of pills but only those essential for the well being of the user for a period of one day. When the portable dispenser is removed from the main dispenser, all Prescription Pills dropped from the time of removal until the unit is returned to the main dispenser will be directed to the internal catch bin. This is to prevent two sets of pills, for the same time period, from being available. The On Demand function is also inhibited. It is the responsibility of the system operator to insure that this portable dispenser is reloaded and returned to the main dispenser before nine p.m. so that it will be synchronized and available if an emergency should arise. A visual alarm will occur on the main dispenser control panel until the portable unit is returned. The portable unit is being charged when it is in its drawer.
The locking mechanism is shown in Figures 12A and B. The thumb slider 96 is composed of three layers of mylar. The top layer 96A extends beyond the center layer 96B
approximately one quarter of the length of the slider. This extension traps the magnetic arm 105 from rising above the slider. The magnetic arm which is pivoted at one end 109 has a tendency to move upward under the action of the weak spring or the like 104. The bottom mylar layer 96C extends beyond the center layer by one sixteenth of an inch. This prevents the magnetic arm from moving downward until the appropriate time. A weak spring 112 provides tension on the thumb slider to hold it against the magnetic arm. Figure 12B depicts the construction of the magnetic circuit. It is composed of a coil 108 mounted on an iron core 106. The ends ofthe core are capped with iron discs 107 that form the pole pieces ofthe magnetic circuit. Four magnetic arms 105 are mounted in a quadrantal fashion on the periphery of one of the discs. The ends of the magnetic arms are bent parallel to the sliders.
The periphery of the other disc is cut and bent to form tabs 110. These tabs present a large pole face area to the opposing magnetic arms and are angled to conform to the angle of the magnetic arms, see Figure 1 2A. The distance between the magnetic arm and the pole face 111 is one sixteenth of an inch. This allows sufficient displacement for the magnetic arm to clear the slider. The location of the pivot point 109 of the magnetic arms are such as to minimi7e the gap between the magnetic arms and their respective pole faces. The magnetic arms extend past their pivot points and are connected with a spring arrangement (wire clip) 104.

., The bottom side of the lower mylar 96C has a conductive strip at the extended end 114. This strip makes a electrical connection with a pair of contacts 91A mounted in the plastic under the slider (see Figure 9). A second pair of contacts 91B is imbedded in the plastic 0.5 inches away from the first pair of contacts and in line with the direction of travel of the slider. When the slider is pushed towards the front, it is allowed to move one quarter of an inch before it is impeded by the stop 113. In this forward position, the cond-lcting strip completes an electrical connection between contacts 91A. This connection energizes the magnetic circuit pulling the magnetic arm to the pole face 110. The magnetic arm is allowed to move downward because the slider has moved ahead, clearing the bottom mylar layer. The other three magnetic arms are trapped since their sliders were not moved ahead, therefore, these sliders remain locked. The slider is now pulled back and rides over the magnetic arm 105. After traveling 0.75 inches, the second pair of contacts 91B are encountered which de-energizes the magnetic circuit causing the magnetic arm to spring up under the action of the wire clip 104 and rest on the underside of the slider. The user continues to pull the slider back to the full back extent uncovering the pill slot. The device is tipped and the pills removed. The user then returns the slider to the front of the device which completes the electrical connection again between contacts 91A disabling the LED and the audible alert.
Also, as the slider moves forward, the bottom of the slider clears the magnetic arm allowing it to spring upward only to be stopped by the top mylar layer of the slider. The user releases the slider which moves back under the action ofthe tension spring 112 and comes to rest against the magnetic arm. This completes the action. The pills have been removed and the device is locked. The mechanism described above is repeated on each of the four faces of the unit.

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION
The electronics works as follows: After the nine p.m. time interval is complete, i.e.
user accesses pills or remove function completes, the main dispenser is triggered to setup for the next time interval namely eight a.m. This process produces a signal called SYNC which is sent to the portable dispenser through one of the contacts 92 (see Figure 1 6A and B). The SYNC signal is conditioned by QlB and U6E because the two dispensers operate from different voltages. The resulting signal resets programmable timer U1 and the two ripple counters U2 and U3. Timer Ul produces a pulse called TRIG on o/p D0 at approximately three hour intervals. The first three pulses occur between nine p.m. and six a.m. the next day.
These pulses are counted by U2 but are not used. The next four pulses represent the four time intervals of the portable dispenser and are called morning, noon, afternoon and evening.
Pulses generated after these four pulses are ignored. The unit is reset again at nine p.m. of that day and the sequence is repeated. When the signal TRIG is generated by the programmable timer U1 (see Figure 16A), it latches the first in a series of four flip flops configured as a ripple counter U2. The fourth pulse enables AND gate U9B and allows the TRIG signal to pass to the clock of a second ripple counter U3. This counter keeps track of the four time intervals. The outputs of this arrangement drive the clocks of four other flip flops U4 A, B and U5 A, B. The outputs from this second set of flip flops drive the four LEDS and the audible alert. Assume, for the purpose of this description, that this is the first time interval TRIG of the day, therefore, it latches the morning flip flop U4A at nine a.m.
U4A's output on Q in turn activates the LED on the morning face of the dispenser and also turns on the audible alert. The user retrieves the dispenser from his pocket or her purse and holds it in his/her hand with the face that has the fl~ching LED facing up. The user places his/her thumb on the slider and pushes it forward. When the slider has traveled one quarter of an inch, an electrical circuit is completed which latches flip flop U8A, which in turn energizes the magnetic circuit. This unlocks the slider allowing it to be pulled back to its full open position. On the way back, a second pair of contacts 91B is encountered producing signal Yl which latches flip flop U8B and de-energizes U8A which turns offthe magnetic circuit.
The energizing of U8B removes the enable from U8A and places an enable on one of the inputs of AND gate U9A. This releases the magnetic arm. The magnetic arm moves up and is trapped under the slider. The user simply turns the device over and the pills fall out into his/her other hand. The slider is then returned to the front of the device where the front pair of contacts 91A are again encountered and the signal that clocks U8A is again generated.
This time U8A cannot latch. This signal goes to the other input of U9A and satisfies the 21~19~0 conditions for the gate thereby causing its output to go to a logic one state. This signal resets U4A, in fact, it resets all the drive flip flops. This action turns offthe LED and the audible alert. The slider returns to its normal position as described above. U8B is reset by the next TRIG signal. This completes the sequence. Subsequent TRIG signals will ripple down U3 selecting the circuitry that controls the other faces of the dispenser. If some of the time periods are not used, the user will not be alerted when these time periods occur. These time periods were disabled during loading. To reset the time sequence the portable dispenser is synchronized once a day. To retrieve the On Demand pills, the user simply unscrews the top cap and pops the pill into his/her hand.
When the portable dispenser unit is in its drawer, the following functions are active:
~ The Prescription Pill and On Demand Pill functions are active ~ The Portable Dispenser's presence is being monitored and a visual alert is off~ The Portable Dispenser's visual and audible alerts are disabled ~ The Portable Dispenser's battery is constantly being charged The Portable Dispenser is being synchronized be the main dispenser PORTABLE DISPENSER LOADING PROCEDURE
It is essential that the portable dispenser be reloaded and returned to the maindispenser before nine p.m. so that it can be synchronized to the crystal controlled time base.
A setup key is inserted into a jack on the back of the unit 94. This connection energizes the magnetic circuit. It also resets, then enables the loading selection flip flops U12 and U13.
This action also holds the timer in a reset mode during the reload procedure. If there are pills to be loaded in the morning time interval, the unit is held with the morning side facing up and the slider is first pushed forward and then pulled back to expose the cell. As a consequences of moving this slider, flip flop U13A will be latched (see Figure 16A and B). This places an enable on the reset pin of U4A allowing it to latch when a trigger appears on its clock pin.
The appropriate pills are placed in the cell and the slider closed. The same procedure is repeated for the noon time interval. If there are no pills for the afternoon time interval, this slider is not moved. This will result in U12A not being latched and therefore a reset will be ~.
placed on U5A. When the afternoon time interval trigger occurs, USA will not respond.
Therefore, the visual and audible alerts will not be activated. After the four time intervals have been processed, the setup key is removed and the unit returned to its drawer. The timer will start counting from this point but will be synchronized to the proper time at nine p.m.
The portable visual alert on the main dispenser control panel will turn off, indicating that the portable unit has been returned to the main dispenser. Also, the main dispenser will return to normal pill dispensing operation. This concludes the description of the portable pill dispensing unit.
It will be appreciated that the invention may be implemented in a variety of ways that would be obvious to those skilled in the art. Some of the more obvious areas are as follows:
1. The drive mech~ni~m could be achieved using a stepper motor and associated driving circuitry.
2. The trolley position could be implemented using a optical position indicator.3. The linking of the sliders to the trolley could be achieved through mechanical means or solenoid means.
4. The movement of the pills to the exit end of the unit could be achieved by a chute mech~ni~m (was done this way in the prototype).
5. The ejection of the pills to the external trays could be achieved using a motorized clearing mechanism (was done this way in the prototype).
6. The electronics could be accomplished with a stronger emphasis on software or conversely on hardware.
7. The electronic circuitry in the main unit could be reduced in size using surface mount technology or even further reduced using large scale integration.

8. The passive, color coded visual loading aid could be accomplished by incorporating a LCD module.
The embodiments of the invention disclosed in this document are therefore to be understood as being by way of example only. The invention is not to be limited by the embodiments shown, but by the claims which follow.

Claims (8)

1. THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
   PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
   
   I . An automatic pill dispensing system, the system consisting of a main unit comprising a horizontal pill-holding array comprising a plurality of rows of pill-retaining cells for holding pills to be dispensed, each of the cells being open at the top for loading of pills therein and open at the bottom to permit pills to fall through the cell;
   a sliding bottom panel under each row of cells forming a pill retaining bottom for each of the cells in said row, each of the panels being able to slide between a closed position such that pills in the cells are prevented from falling through the cells, and an open position such that pills fall through the cells;
   a top cover to retain pills in the pill-holding array and to prevent unauthorized access;
   panel movement means associated with each of the sliding bottom panels for selectively moving any panel a predetermined distance between the open and closed positions to permit pills from a desired cell to drop into a pre-dispensing location;
   user-operable dispenser activation means to cause movement of pills from the pre-dispensing location to a dispensing location where they may be accessed by the user;
   microprocessor means for controlling the movement of the sliding panel movement means to permit timed dispensing of pills.
2. 2. The pill dispensing system of claim 1, wherein each of the sliding bottom panels has a latch end adapted to be engaged by latching means located on the panel movement means to permit movement of the sliding bottom panels, and the panel movement means comprises an array of spaced apart latching means positioned in a fixed position relative to each other so as to be able to engage the latch end on adjacently located sliding bottom panels and which is movable under electric motor control in the direction of sliding of the sliding bottom panels, such that each latching means may be individually actuated to engage the latch end of the adjacent sliding bottom panel to enable said sliding bottom panel to be moved when the panel movement means is moved.
3. 3. The pill dispensing system of claim 2, further including a sliding array bottom under the plurality of rows of sliding bottom panels, the sliding array bottom having a latch end adapted to be engaged by latching means located on the panel movement means to permit movement of the sliding array bottom, and the panel movement means having located upon it a latching means adjacent the sliding array bottom latch end, such that the latching means may be actuated to engage the latch end of the sliding array bottom to enable the sliding array bottom to be moved when the panel movement means is moved.
4. 4. The pill dispensing system of either of claim 2 or claim 3 in the alternative, wherein the latch ends include ferrous material, and the latching means includes electromagnets for magnetically engaging the ferrous material of the latch ends to enable the engaged latch unit to be moved.
5. 5. The pill dispensing system of either of claim 3 or claim 4 in the alternative, further including an aperture in the sliding array bottom through which pills must pass in order to be dispensed, and further including a pill dispensing area to which the user has access and a pill removal area to which the user does not have access located under the aperture, the aperture of the sliding array bottom being selectively located over the pill dispensing area or the pill removal area in order to selectively dispense pills to a user or to remove the pills from access by a user under control of the microcontroller.
6. 6. The pill dispensing system of any one of claims 1 through 5 in the alternative, wherein each of the sliding bottom panels further includes means for moving pills which have dropped from a desired cell into the pre-dispensing location when the sliding bottom panel means is moved back to a closed position.
7. 7. The pill dispensing system of claim 6, wherein the means for moving pills comprises vertically mounted sweeper means attached to each of the sliding bottom panels sized to push any pills which have dropped from a cell onto a lower supporting structure in front of the sweeper means when the sliding bottom panel is moved.
8. 8. The automatic pill dispensing system of any one of claims 1 through 7 in the alternative, further including a hand-held pill dispenser capable of being stored with the main unit of the automatic pill dispensing system when not in use and of being separated for use away from the main unit of the automatic pill dispensing system, the hand-held pill dispenser comprising a body sized to be hand-held by a user and having a plurality of pill-retaining apertures therein for timed dispensing of pills, a sliding cover over each pill-retaining aperture, means for preventing each sliding cover from opening except at a predetermined time, such means comprising a timer means and a locking mechanism associated with each sliding cover to allow the sliding cover to be opened by the user only at predetermined times; and whereby the automatic pill dispensing system is prevented from dispensing pills from the main unit to a user when the hand-held pill dispenser is separated from the main unit.