Kali Care, Inc.

John Francis Strong

Sina Fateh

Abhijit Kalamkar

'Smart' functionality is provided to 'dumb' containers. A closure such as tape is provided with structural nonuniformity, such as holes punched to weaken the material or polymer printing to strengthen the material. Data is encoded in structural nonuniformity, so when the closure is torn, cut, or otherwise yields the data is encoded in the acoustic emission. The structural nonuniformity also may be readable optically or otherwise. Encoded data may include event detection (logging containers opening), package/product information (e.g., lot numbers, contents), validation (e.g., validation codes to distinguish authentic from counterfeit products), and user recognition (e.g., brand jingles, warning sounds). Closures may be made/dispensed with structural nonuniformity in place, and/or structural nonuniformity may be added to closures already securing a portal. Hand-held systems may dispense and/or modify closures with structural nonuniformity.

Determining opening of portals through acoustic emissions

Arrangements are provided for 'smart' functionality with 'dumb' containers, such as for determining medication adherence, tracking product use, and validating product authenticity. An acoustic emitter is engaged with a container or other vehicle. Opening the container causes the acoustic emitter to produce an acoustic emission, without requiring power, processing capacity, or sensors. A cell phone or other station receives and registers acoustic emissions, such as by logging opening of the container, verifying authenticity of the acoustic emission, communicating with an oversight system, or similar. Data as may be encoded in an acoustic emission may include vehicle detection data (e.g., logging a container being opened), vehicle information (e.g., lot number, contents name), vehicle validation (e.g., valid or counterfeit numerical code), and audible user recognition (e.g., brand jingles, warning sounds).

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Saratoga, CA, United States of America

John Francis Strong