RFID Pill Dispenser

Executive description

Secure Pill Bottle is a product intended to help medical patients with taking their medication. Using an on-board microcontroller, it tracks the time since the patient has taken their pills and notifies them when they should take the next dose. The pill compartments are locked away securely using an RFID lock, so that no other person can access the contents of the box. The patient also cannot access the contents before the dose time is due. The pharmacist sets up the device by putting the needed pills and setting the frequency of use. They use a master key that gives them privileged access to the device's settings. Secure Pill Bottle is powered with rechargeable batteries and can work for an extended amount of time without the need for recharging.

User story

Patty the Patient has suffered a major injury and was prescribed potentially addictive opioids. As evidenced by the current opioid crisis in the United States, she realizes the addictive risk of these pills despite only taking them at the start of her recovery. To be more careful and effective in taking her pills, she is looking for a system that ensures dosage delivery at the prescribed times. She would like for the system to be used securely by Phineas the Pharmacist to load her pills and set the timing and size of dosages. Also, Patty would like to securely dispense her pills so that only she can access them. This ensures that dosages are not given to the wrong patients so that she does not contribute to the crisis. In addition, Patty would like to be reminded when she is in the room to take her pills. For this, she would also like a system that provides an audible notification for her so that even if she forgets, she can be reminded to take her medicine on time to ensure a faster and less painful recovery. Lastly, Patty lives in an area prone to power outages and far from the hospital. To accommodate this, she would also like for the system to run by itself for extended periods of time while being portable enough for her to take between trips.