Abstract
The “Pill Reminder and Medication Tracker Using OCR” is a mobile application designed to help users manage their medication schedules and keep track of their pill intake. Utilizing Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, the app allows users to scan medication labels to automatically capture and store drug information, dosage instructions, and schedules. The app sends reminders to ensure users take their medications on time and provides a comprehensive log of their medication history. This tool is aimed at improving medication adherence and helping users manage their health more effectively.
Existing System
Currently, medication management is often handled manually, with users relying on physical pill organizers, paper schedules, or manual entries in digital apps. These methods can be prone to errors, lead to missed doses, and require significant effort to maintain. While some apps offer reminders and tracking, they may not have the capability to automatically extract medication details from labels or integrate OCR technology effectively.
Proposed System
The proposed “Pill Reminder and Medication Tracker” app will integrate OCR technology to automatically read and interpret medication labels. Users can simply scan their medication bottles or packages to capture key information, such as medication name, dosage, and instructions. The app will then generate reminders based on this information, track adherence, and provide a history of medication usage. The system will also offer features like drug interaction warnings, refill reminders, and medication reports.
Methodologies
- Agile Methodology: The Medication Tracker Using OCR will follow Agile practices to ensure iterative development, continuous feedback, and adaptation to user needs.
- Prototyping: Develop prototypes to test OCR functionality and user interactions, incorporating feedback to refine features and usability.
- Model-View-Controller (MVC) Architecture: Utilize MVC architecture to separate concerns and ensure a modular and maintainable system design.
Technologies Used
- Android SDK: For developing the mobile application, including the user interface and core functionalities.
- Java/Kotlin: Programming languages used for Android development.
- Optical Character Recognition (OCR): Libraries such as Google ML Kit or Tesseract OCR for scanning and interpreting text from medication labels.
- SQLite/Room Database: For local storage of medication data, schedules, and user logs.
- Push Notifications: For sending reminders to users about their medication schedules.
- Cloud Storage (optional): For syncing data across multiple devices and backup purposes.
- Medication Information APIs (optional): For integrating additional drug information and interaction checks.
System Features
- OCR Scanning: Users can take pictures of their medication labels to automatically extract drug names, dosages, and instructions.
- Medication Database: The app maintains a database of scanned medications, including details like dosage, frequency, and instructions.
- Reminders and Notifications: Users receive timely reminders to take their medications, with customizable notification settings.
- Medication Tracking: The app logs each medication intake, allowing users to track their adherence over time.
- Refill Reminders: The app can notify users when it’s time to refill their prescriptions based on the medication schedule.
- Drug Interaction Warnings: (Optional) The app checks for potential drug interactions and provides warnings or recommendations.
- User Profiles: Users can create profiles to manage multiple medications, set personal preferences, and track health information.
- Reports and Analytics: Users can view reports on their medication history, adherence rates, and other relevant metrics.
Benefits
- Improved Adherence: Automated reminders and tracking help users adhere to their medication schedules more effectively.
- Ease of Use: OCR technology simplifies the process of entering medication information, reducing manual effort and errors.
- Comprehensive Tracking: The app provides a detailed log of medication usage, helping users and healthcare providers monitor adherence.
- Enhanced Management: Features like refill reminders and drug interaction warnings support better overall medication management.
- Accessibility: The app is designed to be user-friendly and accessible, including features for users with varying levels of tech-savviness.
Use Cases
- Daily Medication Management: Users can manage their daily medication schedules, receive reminders, and log their pill intake.
- Chronic Condition Management: Individuals with chronic conditions requiring multiple medications can track their adherence and manage refills.
- Caregivers: Caregivers can use the app to manage medications for dependents, ensuring timely administration and tracking.
Implementation Steps
- OCR Integration: Implement OCR functionality to scan and interpret text from medication labels, integrating it with the app’s data processing.
- Database Development: Create a local database to store medication information, schedules, and user logs.
- Reminder System: Develop the reminder system to send notifications based on medication schedules and user preferences.
- Tracking and Reporting: Implement features for tracking medication intake, generating reports, and providing analytics on adherence.
- User Interface Design: Design a user-friendly interface that allows users to easily scan medications, set reminders, and view their medication history.
- Testing and Quality Assurance: Conduct thorough testing to ensure OCR accuracy, app performance, and overall usability.
- User Feedback and Iteration: Collect feedback from users to refine features, address any issues, and release updates based on user needs.
