Embedded Lab

Forgetting to take a medication is a common problem in older people. This instructable describes how to make a pill reminder, dispenser, and logger to ensure that your dear ones are taking their medications on time. It uses a Parallax Propeller micro-controller at its heart and keep track of when a patient should take their medications.

Pill dispenser

It displays a count down timer one hour before dosage time and then when the time arrives, it generates audible messages, LED 7 Segment messages and lights an LED under the correct compartment to be opened. When the patient opens a compartment, a sensor detects this and records the event to an internet accessible log file (thereby allowing relatives or health care providers to verify meds are being taken on time). More importantly the P.I.L Box logs the fact that a patient has missed their serving time and even sends a Twitter message to alert relatives and health care providers.