NO343406B1 - Alarm clock with room for storing medicine tablets - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an alarm clock comprising several rooms for storing medicinal tablets, the rooms can be opened for distributing the tablets, in which the alarm clock comprises a locking mechanism connected to each of said rooms, and where the locking mechanism is connected to a control unit for access control to the rooms.

The background of the invention.

For people with ADHD in particular, it would have been a wonderful relief to have such a watch. It had simplified everyday life both for people with ADHD and for many other people who take medication, especially for school children/young people.

The elderly and the demented may also have problems remembering when to take medicine, as well as the fact that it can be difficult to monitor when the medicine has been taken, and will also be a very relevant target group with a corresponding need to take medicine at fixed times.

Discussion of prior art.

From patent literature, reference is made to FR 2709417 A1, which refers to a wristwatch with a compartment under the clock part. The space under the clock part can be used for medicines or contraception, and the space can be a movable drawer. The clock part can be digital.

US 2006/0018200 A1 refers to an alarm clock with a compartment that can hold medication. The rooms can be divided into different configurations. To get to the rooms under the bell section, the bell section is tilted up.

US 5200891 A shows an electronic medicine distribution method and associated dispenser. The dispenser consists of a screen part with a control panel and a drawer part where the drawers contain pills. The drawers are individually controlled electronically via a microswitch controlled by a piston for each drawer. The drawers are opened by pulling them, and when the drawers are opened far enough, the piston will give a signal to the microcontroller and any alarm will be deactivated. A digital clock appears in the display.

US 2012/0006847 shows an interactive medicine organizer with associated software and clock. Medicines are kept in containers in rooms, and the medicines are deposited in drawers at given times. The document discusses access control for a drawer where this drawer is fed from other containers.

CN 205586236 U shows an electronic medicine box with drawers for dispensing medicine at fixed times, where the drawers open automatically when a time lock is activated.

US 5291191 A mentions a medicine dispenser for the safe distribution of medicines.

The medicine dispenser consists of a cabinet with several movable storage compartments. The movable storage compartments are controlled by a locking mechanism, which in turn is controlled by a clock.

Purpose of the present invention.

It is an aim of the invention to produce an alarm clock which provides the correct medication at fixed/selected times.

Summary of the invention

The above-mentioned purpose is achieved with an alarm bell comprising several rooms for storing medicinal tablets, the rooms can be opened for dispensing the tablets, in which the alarm bell comprises a locking mechanism connected to each of said rooms, and in which the locking mechanism is connected to a control unit for access control to the rooms, the locking mechanism allows the respective rooms to be opened after the control unit has emitted a timed alarm signal.

Alternative designs are specified in the respective independent requirements.

A central locking mechanism can be connected to each room. Alternatively, each room can be connected to respective locking mechanisms.

The rooms can be designed as extendable or revolving drawers, and/or the rooms can be equipped with lids that can be opened.

The control unit can be set with alarms and permitted opening of selected rooms for correct medication at fixed/selected times.

The alarm clock can be a digital wristwatch or a digital table clock.

The alarm clock can be equipped with up to four compartments for tablets.

The locking mechanism can be an energized coil, an electromagnetic contact, or a spring-loaded hook.

The clock can further comprise a rotatable disc to allow the opening of the rooms after the locking mechanism on a signal from the control unit has allowed the opening of the respective room. The rotatable disc can be activated using a push button.

Description of figures

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows an alarm clock in the form of a digital wristwatch.

Figure 2 shows the schematic opening of a room in the hand clock shown in Figure 1 after an alarm has gone off.

Figure 3 shows examples of notification options.

Figure 4 shows different designs of drawers and lids for the clock.

Figure 5 shows a locking mechanism on the clock for optional opening of the rooms after the alarm has gone off.

Figure 6 schematically shows an alarm clock in the form of a digital table clock.

Figure 7 shows the schematic opening of a room in the table clock shown in Figure 6 after an alarm has gone off.

Figures 8-11 show examples of open/lock mechanisms for use in the alarm clock.

Description of preferred embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 shows an alarm clock 10 in the form of a wristwatch, i.e. a wristwatch, which can be digital. The alarm clock 10 is shown schematically, and comprises several separate rooms 12 inside the clock for storing tablets 14. For example, there may be three or four separate rooms 12, but also more or fewer. 10 o'clock is set with alarms and opening of selected room 12 for correct medication at fixed/selected times.

Room no. 1, for example, can only be opened after the alarm has gone off, for example at 07:00 and room 2 can only be opened after the alarm at 13:00, etc. This also gives parents more security that the children are taking their medication correctly.

The rooms 12 can be designed as drawers 12b which can be pushed out or turned after the alarm has gone off and which are pushed back into place afterwards. The rooms 12 or the drawers can also be equipped with lids 12a which can be opened.

Figure 2 shows that it is 13:00 and that room 2 is now open or can be opened, while the rest of rooms 1,3,4 are closed.

The clock 10 further comprises a locking mechanism 16 to allow opening of the rooms 12. This can be a central locking mechanism which is adapted to be able to open each room 12 at given times, or it can be a locking mechanism 16 connected to each room 12.

The locking mechanism 16 can be designed as a coil 16a which is energized so that the compartments 12 can be opened, or it can be designed as an electromagnetic contact 16a which, when the current is cut, releases the compartments for opening. In another variant, the locking mechanism can be a spring-loaded hook 16c which engages with a fastener on the drawer or lid. Other alternative locking mechanisms are also conceivable. The essential thing is that the locking mechanism 16 is deactivated when the alarm goes off.

For controlling the locking mechanism 16, the alarm bell 10 is preferably equipped with a control unit 18, preferably an electronic control unit. The control unit 18 can be a separate unit, but preferably an integrated part of the clock's electronics if a digital clock is used, or it can be built into the clock if an analogue clock is used.

The alarm clock, i.e. the control unit 18, can easily be programmed or set to emit an alarm signal at given or fixed times, and when the alarm signal is triggered a signal is sent to the locking mechanism 16 so that the rooms 12 can be opened. The rooms 12 can now be opened for access to the tablets 14. This can be done in a passive or active way. The drawers 12b or the lids 12a can automatically open so that immediate access is given to the tablets 14. In some cases, however, it may be appropriate that access is granted, but that the drawers/lids are not opened automatically. In the latter case, the clock 10 can be equipped with a safety device, for example a ring 26, which prevents the drawer 12b or the lid 12a from opening. When a push button 28 is activated, the ring 26 is turned and allows the drawer or lid to be opened. Other ways of securing are also possible,

As shown in figure 3, the alarm clock can be equipped with flashing light 30, preferably for each room 12, which lights up when the rooms 12 are open or can be opened. In addition, the clock may include means 32 for vibrating, as well as means 34 for emitting an audio signal. One or more of the above notifications can be activated at the same time. This can apply to both the hand clock and the table clock. The control unit 18 is consequently connected to said warning means

Figures 6 and 7 show an example of a table clock 20 according to the invention, which is functionally designed similar to the hand clock 10 discussed above, and which is equipped with a corresponding locking mechanism 16, control unit 18 and drawers 12b and/or lid 12a as discussed.

The digital table clock 20 notifies you of the times to take the medicine. Here, it is also not possible to open the drawer before the alarm has gone off. 8 o'clock is set with alarms and opening of selected meal drawers for correct medication at fixed/selected times. This also gives the elderly more security, so they don't have to worry about whether they have taken medicine or not.

In Figure 6, the time is 07:30 and all rooms 12 are locked. In figure 7, the clock has become 08:01 and the control unit 18 has issued its time-controlled alarm signal at 08:00 so that drawer 1 can be opened. The remaining drawers 2,3,4 are closed and cannot be opened.

The alarm clock according to the invention can have additional functions. The clock can be programmed for alarm and unlocking at various optional times (not just morning, lunch etc.). Access to programming may be protected or locked by code. Control of access can be carried out by trusted/responsible persons (for children/demented).

The lids 12a or drawers 12b can be opened physically by the user, and the locking mechanism is activated again when they are closed. If the lids or drawers are not opened, a reminder alarm can be activated after x number of minutes. This can be repeated x number of times. If the hatch/drawer is not opened within x minutes (for example 30 or 60) then it is locked again to prevent access to outsiders. This can then be unlocked again using a programming code.

The alarm clock can have a possible notification via the web (for example GSM) that the hatch/drawer has been opened (medicine has been taken) to responsible persons.

Programming can be done directly on the watch or via connected software (app). The alarm clock can be a combination of analogue and digital clock, where the programming takes place digitally.

The alarm clock is especially developed for tablets, but can of course also be used for other smaller objects.

Claims (11)

Patent claims 1. Alarm clock (10;20) comprising several compartments (12) for storing medicinal tablets (14), the compartments being openable for dispensing the tablets (14), the alarm clock (10;20) comprising a locking mechanism (16) connected to each of said room (12), and where the locking mechanism (16) is connected to a control unit (18) for access control to the rooms (12), characterized in that the locking mechanism (16) allows opening of the respective room (12) after the control unit (18) has issued a timed alarm signal. 2. Alarm clock (10;20) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that a central locking mechanism (16) is connected to each compartment (12). 3. Alarm clock (10;20) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that each compartment (12) is connected to respective locking mechanisms (16). 4. Alarm clock (10;20) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the compartments (12) are designed as extendable or rotatable drawers (12b). 5. Alarm clock (10;20) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the compartments (12) are equipped with lids (12a) which can be opened. 6. Alarm clock (10;20) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (18) is set with alarms and permitted opening of selected rooms (12) for correct medication at fixed/selected times. 7. Alarm clock (10;20) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the alarm clock is a digital wristwatch (10) or a digital table clock (20). 8. Alarm clock (10;20) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the alarm clock is equipped with up to four compartments (12) for tablets (14). 9. Alarm bell (10;20) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the locking mechanism (16) is an energized coil (16a), an electromagnetic contact (16b), or a spring-loaded hook (16c). 10. Alarm bell (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the bell (10) comprises a rotatable disk (26) to allow opening of the rooms (12) after the locking mechanism (16) has permitted opening on a signal from the control unit (18) of respective rooms (12). 11. Alarm clock (10) in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that the rotatable disc (26) is activated by means of a push button (28).