[0001] The present disclosure relates to the systems and methods for monitoring and alerting. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a dispensing and alerting apparatus.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Generally senior citizens happen to forget various things, like location at which they have kept their belongings, taking medicines, especially at fixed time intervals, when and which medicine to take, from where to take medicines, and contacts. Moreover, due to such a busy schedule in present times, even young people also happen to forget such things.
[0004] Senior citizens also find it difficult to travel alone and complete their daily chores, hence it becomes very tough for them to go and meet a doctor at time of need, due to delay in making an appointment, they may not be able to see doctor in time that may result in further deterioration in their health. If any how they may go and meet the doctor, after that it becomes a toll-taking task for them to stand in queue and wait for buying medicines written in prescription of the doctor.
[0005] There is, therefore, a need in the art to provide a solution to mitigate above-mentioned and other problems, and to provide a reliable, cost-effective, easily efficient, and user-friendly apparatus.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0006] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus to alert a person after pre-defined time-intervals about his/ her medicine.
[0008] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus to accommodate various tablets and capsules.
[0009] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus to facilitate dispensing of said tablets and capsules, as and when required.
[00010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus that includes various equipment such as, sphygmomanometer, and other such equipment to monitor blood pressure, glucometer, and oximeter to monitor health of a person.
[00011] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus that facilitates scheduling of an appointment with doctor.
[00012] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus that can automatically order medicines based on prescription of the doctor.
[00013] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an efficient, reliable, user-friendly, and cost-effective apparatus.

SUMMARY
[00014] The present disclosure relates to the systems and methods formonitoring and alerting. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a dispensing and alerting apparatus.
[00015] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a dispensing and alerting apparatus comprising: a receptacle having one or more compartments adapted to confine one or more objects; a lid hingedly coupled to the receptacle, wherein the receptacle comprises one or more buttons, wherein each of the one or more buttons is associated with at least one of the one or more compartments of receptacle; one or more sensors operatively coupled to the one or more buttons and the receptacle, wherein when a person opens the lid and exerts a pre-determined pressure on at least one of the one or buttons, the one or more sensors sense said pressure, and correspondingly generate a first set of signals; and a control unit operatively coupled to the one or more sensors and the receptacle, wherein the control unit comprises one or more processors coupled with a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processors and configured to: receive the first set of signals from at least one of the one or more sensors; and generate a set of dispensing signals to enable controlled dispensing of at least one of the one or more objects from the apparatus.
[00016] In an aspect, the receptacle comprises: a casing having one or more compartments adapted to confine one or more objects; one or more caps movably coupled to the casing, wherein at least one of the one or more caps is coupled to each of the one or more compartments, such that movement of the one or more caps in a first direction may facilitate in opening of the one or more compartments and movement of the one or more caps in a second direction may facilitate in closing of the one or more compartments, wherein at least one of the one or more objects is disposed when at least one of the one or more compartments gets opened; a collecting plate positioned at a pre-determined position below the casing, and configured to collect the one or more disposed objects; and a dispenser coupled to an end portion of the collecting plate, the dispenser facilitates in dispensing the one or more collected objects.
[00017] In an aspect, each of the one or more compartments may have distinct parameters, wherein said parameters may comprise any or a combination of shape, size, dimensions, and colour.
[00018] In an aspect, the apparatus comprises a timer operatively coupled to the control unit, wherein the timer may be configured to notify real-time, and correspondingly the control unit generates a set of reminder signals after a pre-defined time-interval.
[00019] In another aspect, the apparatus comprises a sound generator operatively coupled to the control unit, wherein the set of reminder signals is transmitted to the sound generator, and correspondingly the sound generator generates a set of signals pertaining to a pre-defined sound.
[00020] In another aspect, the sound generator may include any or a combination of microphone, speaker, and buzzer.
[00021] In another aspect, a camera may also be included in the apparatus to facilitate in video calling with doctor.
[00022] In an aspect, the one or more sensors may be configured to detect a number of the one or more objects confined in each of the one or more compartments.
[00023] In another aspect, the one or more sensors may comprise any or a combination of pressure sensor and load-cell.
[00024] In yet another aspect, the control unit may compare the detected number with a pre-defined limit, wherein the control unit may be configured to generate a set of alert signals when the detected number is found to be less than the pre-defined limit.
[00025] In an aspect, the apparatus may comprise a communication module operatively coupled to the control unit, and configured to communicatively couple, based on the set of alert signals generated, the apparatus with one or more mobile computing devices pertaining to entities including doctors, practitioners, and pharmaceutical shops.
[00026] In another aspect, the communication module may comprise any or a combination of Bluetooth, WiFi module, LiFi module, optical fiber, and Zigbee module.
[00027] In an aspect, the one or more objects may be any or a combination of capsules and tablets made up of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical ingredients.
[00028] In another aspect, the apparatus includes various equipment such as, sphygmomanometer, and other such equipment to monitor blood pressure, glucometer, and oximeter to monitor health of a person.
[00029] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
[00030] Within the scope of this application it is expressly envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[00031] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.
[00032] FIG. 1 illustrates block diagram of the proposed dispensing and alerting apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, to elaborate upon its working.
[00033] FIGs. 2A-2D illustrate exemplary structural diagrams associated with the proposed dispensing and alerting apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00034] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary flow diagram associated with working of the proposed dispensing and alerting apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00035] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary,
[00036] The intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[00037] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability.
[00038] The present disclosure relates to the systems and methods formonitoring and alerting. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a dispensing and alerting apparatus.
[00039] FIG. 1 illustrates block diagram of the proposed dispensing and alerting apparatus 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, to elaborate upon its working.
[00040] In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG.1,the proposed dispensing and alerting apparatus 100 (interchangeably referred to as dispensing and alerting apparatus 100, or apparatus 100, hereinafter) includes a receptacle 102 that can have one or more compartments(collectively referred to as compartments, and individually referred to as compartment, hereinafter), where said compartments can be adapted to confine one or more objects(collectively referred to as objects, and individually referred to as object, hereinafter)such as, but not limited to, capsules and tablets made up of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical ingredients.
[00041] In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes a lid 104 that can be hingedly coupled to the receptacle 102. In an exemplary embodiment, the lid 104 can be positioned above the receptacle 102. In another embodiment, the receptacle 102caninclude one or more buttons, such that each of the one or more buttons is associated with at least one of the one or more compartments of the receptacle.
[00042] In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes one or more sensors 106 (collectively referred to as sensors 106, and individually referred to as sensor106, hereinafter) that can be operatively coupled to said buttons and the receptacle 102. In an implementation, when a person exerts a pre-determined pressure on at least one of the one or buttons, the sensors106 can sense the exerted pressure, and can correspondingly generate a first set of signals. In another embodiment, the sensors 106 can be configured to detect a number of objects confined in each of the compartments. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensors 106 can include, but not limited to, pressure sensor and load-cell.
[00043] In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes a control unit 110 that can be operatively coupled to the sensors 106 and the receptacle 102. In an embodiment, the control unit 110 can receive the first set of signals from at least one of the sensors 106, and based on the received first set of signals, it can generate a set of dispensing signals to enable controlled dispensing of at least one of the objects from the apparatus 100. In another embodiment, the control unit 110 can be configured to compare the detected number of objects with a pre-defined limit, and the control unit 110 can generate a set of alert signals when the detected number is found to be less than the pre-defined limit. In an exemplary embodiment, the control unit 110 can include, but not limited to, a microcontroller and a microprocessor, having one or more processors coupled with a memory.
[00044] In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle 102 can include a casing having compartments, where the compartments can be adapted to confine the objects. In another exemplary embodiment, the receptacle 102 can include one or more caps that can be movably coupled to the casing, such that at least one of the one or more caps is coupled to each of the compartments. In yet another exemplary embodiment, movement of the one or more caps in a first direction can facilitate in opening of the corresponding compartments and movement of the one or more caps in a second direction can facilitate in closing of said compartments.
[00045] Further, in yet another embodiment, movement in the first direction can pertain to movement of the caps away from the compartments, and movement in the second direction can pertain to movement of the caps towards the compartments, such that the caps can get fixed at the compartments without leaving any cavity. In an embodiment, at least one of the objects can be disposed when at least one of the compartments gets opened.
[00046] In an embodiment, the receptacle 102 can include a collecting plate that can be positioned at a pre-determined position below the casing, and thereby the collecting plate can collect the objects disposed from the casing.
[00047] In another embodiment, the receptacle 102 can include a dispenser that can be coupled to an end portion of the collecting plate, such that the dispenser can facilitate in dispensing of the objects that are collected at the collecting plate.
[00048] In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes a timer 108 that can be operatively coupled to the control unit 110. In another embodiment, the timer 108 can be configured to notify real-time to the control unit 110, and the control unit 110 can correspondingly generate a set of reminder signals after a pre-defined time-interval. In an exemplary embodiment, the timer 108 can be in-built and integrated in the control unit 110. In another exemplary embodiment, the timer 108 can be an external device that can be coupled with the control unit 110.
[00049] FIGs. 2A-2D illustrate exemplary structural diagrams associated with the proposed dispensing and alerting apparatus 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00050] In an embodiment, FIG. 2A illustrates exemplary diagram representing functional components of the dispensing and alerting apparatus 100. In an embodiment, as illustrated, the receptacle 102 can be coupled to the control unit 110 through a communication module 202 (also, referred to as transceiver 202, hereinafter) that can be operatively coupled to the control unit 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the transceiver 202 can include, but not limited to, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi module, Li-Fi module, optical fiber, and Zigbee module.
[00051] In an implementation, the transceiver 202 can facilitate exchange of signals between the receptacle 102 and the control unit 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the lid 104 can be positioned at the top of the apparatus 100.
[00052] In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes a sound generator that can be operatively coupled to the control unit 110. In another embodiment, the set of reminder signals can be transmitted to the sound generator, and correspondingly the sound generator generates a set of signals pertaining to a pre-defined sound. In an exemplary embodiment, the sound generator can include any or a combination of microphone, speaker, and buzzer. In another exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 100 can also include acamera.
[00053] In an embodiment, FIG. 2B illustrates front view of the apparatus 100. In an embodiment, the front view can include the apparatus 100that can have a display, preferably a LED-based display 204. In an illustration, the display 204 can represent various tabs, such as, camera, microphone, Bluetooth, and speaker. In an exemplary embodiment, if a person wants to communicate with the doctor, he/she can communicate at cell phone 230 of the doctor. In another exemplary embodiment, if a person wants to communicate with the doctor via video call may opt to select the tap pertaining to camera. In yet another exemplary embodiment, if a person wants to speak to the doctor, he/ she may opt to select the taps pertaining to microphone and speaker. Further, in yet another exemplary embodiment, if a person want to communicate with the doctor via apparatus 100 then he/she may opt to select the tap pertaining to Bluetooth that may facilitate in establishing of channel between the apparatus 100 and doctor cell phone via calling interface. Further, in yet another exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 100 can facilitate ordering of medicines, as prescribed by the doctor, through a medicine website 232.
[00054] In an embodiment, FIG. 2C illustrates exemplary diagram representing isometric view of the receptacle 102 of the dispensing and alerting apparatus 100. In an embodiment, the receptacle 102 can include a casing 212 that can have one or more compartments 214-1, 214-2… 214-N (collectively referred to as compartments 214, and individually referred to as compartment 214, hereinafter), where the compartments 214 can be adapted to confine the objects. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the compartments 214 can have distinct parameters, such as, but not limited to, shape, size, dimensions, and colour.
[00055] In another embodiment, the receptacle 102 can include one or more caps 216-1, 216-2… 216-N(collectively referred to as caps 216, and individually referred to as cap 216, hereinafter) that can be movably coupled to the casing 212, such that a first cap 216-1 can be coupled to a first compartment 214-1, a second cap 216-2 can be coupled to a second compartment 214-2, and similarly an Nth cap 216-Nis coupled to an Nth compartment 214-N. In yet another embodiment, the receptacle 102 can include a collecting plate 218 that can be positioned at a pre-determined position below the casing 212, thereby facilitating collection of the objects disposed from the casing 212. Further, in yet another embodiment, the receptacle 102 can include a dispenser 220 that can be coupled to an end portion of the collecting plate 218, such that the dispenser 220 can facilitate in dispensing of the objects, collected at the collecting plate 218, from the apparatus 100.
[00056] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the caps 216 can include a button, which can, in turn include a sensor 106 that can sense a pressure exerted by a person on the button, and can correspondingly generate a first set of signals. In another embodiment, the control unit 110 can receive the first set of signals from the sensor 106, and based on the received first set of signals if the exerted pressure is found to be equal to or greater than a pre-defined pressure, the control unit 110 can generate a set of dispensing signals to enable controlled dispensing of at least one of the objects from the apparatus 100.
[00057] In an exemplary embodiment, movement of the one or more caps in a first direction can facilitate in opening of the corresponding compartments and movement of the one or more caps in a second direction can facilitate in closing of said compartments. In another exemplary embodiment, each of the compartments 218 can be configured with a hole that can facilitate in disposing of at least one object based on the set of dispensing signals transmitted by the control unit 110.
[00058] In an embodiment, FIG. 2D illustrates exemplary diagram representing connection of the apparatus 100 with one or more mobile computing devices pertaining to doctors, practitioners, and pharmaceutical shops. In an embodiment, the apparatuscan include aglucometer 226 that aids in measuring glucose level of a person, an oximeter 228 various equipment such asthat aids in measuring oxygen level of in body of the person, sphygmomanometer, and other such equipment 228 (also referred to as blood pressure monitor 228, herein) to monitor blood pressure of the person. Said equipment can facilitate in monitoring health of the person and readings obtained by said equipment can be transmitted to the doctor, and based on the obtained readings doctor can prescribe a new prescription to the person.
[00059] In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 can be coupled to a database 222 via various applications and websites, where the database 222 can include contacts of doctors, practitioners, and pharmaceutical shops. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 100 can automatically suggest the person/ user about consulting a doctor, that can be displayed as: “Are you interested to consult the doctor”. If the user presses yes then he/ she can be automatically connected with the doctor via a calling interface.
[00060] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary flow diagram associated with working of the proposed dispensing and alerting apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00061] In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the apparatus 100 can be operated in modes that are Module 1 (Mode 1) and Module 2 (Mode 2). In an embodiment, in the Mode 1, firstly, a doctor prescription can be added into database of the apparatus 100. In another embodiment, distinct medicines can be filled in distinct compartments of the apparatus. In an embodiment, the user can pre-set an alarm according to the prescription of the doctor. In another embodiment, the alarm buzzes to remind the user about taking the medicine.
[00062] In an embodiment, when the user opens the lid, a list of medicine can be displayed in the LED display that can be configured at the lid. In an exemplary embodiment, the list can contain a names of medicines in a tabular format representing time when a medicine is needed to be taken, which medicine is to be taken before and after meal, etc. the user can press the button according to the list, and said medicine can come out from the apparatus 100 that can be collected by the user and can be consumed.
[00063] . In an embodiment, in the Mode 2, the user can consult the doctor when one day medicine is left in the apparatus. The doctor can prescribe a fresh prescription according to the condition of the user, and this prescription can be updated in the database. In another embodiment, according to the prescription, medicines can be ordered from various websites that can be customized according to user requirement.
[00064] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ….N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
[00065] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[00066] The proposed disclosure provides an apparatus to alert a person after pre-defined time-intervals about his/ her medicine.
[00067] The proposed disclosure provides an apparatus to accommodate various tablets and capsules.
[00068] The proposed disclosure provides an apparatus to facilitate dispensing of said tablets and capsules, as and when required.
[00069] The proposed disclosure provides an apparatus that facilitates scheduling of an appointment with doctor.
[00070] The proposed disclosure provides an apparatus that can automatically order medicines based on prescription of the doctor.
[00071] The proposed disclosure provides an efficient, reliable, user-friendly, and cost-effective apparatus.

Claims:1. A dispensing and alerting apparatus comprising:
a receptacle having:
one or more compartments adapted to confine one or more objects;
one or more buttons, wherein each of the one or more buttons is associated with at least one of the one or more compartments of the receptacle;
a lid hingedly coupled to the receptacle;
one or more sensors operatively coupled to the one or more buttons and the receptacle,
wherein when a person exerts a pre-determined pressure on at least one of the one or buttons, the one or more sensors sense said pressure, and correspondingly generate a first set of signals; and
a control unit operatively coupled to the one or more sensors and the receptacle, wherein the control unit comprises one or more processors coupled with a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processors and configured to:
receive the first set of signals from at least one of the one or more sensors; and
generate a set of dispensing signals to enable controlled dispensing of at least one of the one or more objects from the apparatus.
2. The dispensing and alerting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises:
a casing having one or more compartments adapted to confine one or more objects;
one or more caps movably coupled to the casing, wherein at least one of the one or more caps is coupled to each of the one or more compartments, such that movement of the one or more caps in a first direction facilitates in opening of the one or more compartments and movement of the one or more caps in a second direction facilitates in closing of the one or more compartments,
wherein at least one of the one or more objects is disposed when at least one of the one or more compartments gets opened;
a collecting plate positioned at a pre-determined position below the casing, and configured to collect the one or more disposed objects; and
a dispenser coupled to an end portion of the collecting plate, the dispenser facilitates in dispensing the one or more collected objects.
3. The dispensing and alerting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the one or more compartments is having distinct parameters, and wherein said parameters comprise any or a combination of shape, size, dimensions, and colour.
4. The dispensing and alerting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a timer operatively coupled to the control unit, wherein the timer is configured to notify real-time, and correspondingly the control unit generates a set of reminder signals after a pre-defined time-interval.
5. The dispensing and alerting apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the apparatus comprises a sound generator operatively coupled to the control unit, wherein the set of reminder signals is transmitted to the sound generator, and correspondingly the sound generator generates a set of signals pertaining to a pre-defined sound, and
wherein the sound generator includes any or a combination of microphone, speaker, and buzzer.
6. The dispensing and alerting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors are configured to detect a number of the one or more objects confined in each of the one or more compartments, and wherein the one or more sensors comprise any or a combination of pressure sensor and load-cell.
7. The dispensing and alerting apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the control unit compares the detected number with a pre-defined limit, and wherein the control unit is configured to generate a set of alert signals when the detected number is less than the pre-defined limit.
8. The dispensing and alerting apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the apparatus comprises a communication module operatively coupled to the control unit, and configured to communicatively couple, based on the set of alert signals generated, the apparatus with one or more mobile computing devices pertaining to entities including doctors, practitioners, and pharmaceutical shops, and
wherein the communication module comprises any or a combination of Bluetooth, WiFi module, LiFi module, optical fiber, and Zigbee module.
9. The dispensing and alerting apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the apparatus comprises a camera to facilitate video calling with the entities associated with the one or more mobile computing devices, and wherein the apparatus comprises a glucometer, oximeter and blood pressure monitoring equipment to facilitate monitoring of health of the person.
10. The dispensing and alerting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more objects are any or a combination of capsules and tablets made up of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical ingredients.