System for auditing refuse collection
First Claim
1. An apparatus for auditing a refuse collection process performed by a service vehicle for emptying contents from a refuse container into a hopper associated with the service vehicle, for receiving the contents in the hopper, the apparatus comprising:
- signaling means coupled with the container and changeable from a first state signaling that refuse collection is not to be performed to a second state signaling that refuse collection is to be performed, for signaling that the contents of the container are to be accessed; and
identifying means coupled with the service vehicle, for automatically identifying containers having the signaling means in the second state, to indicate that the contents of the identified containers are to be emptied into the receiving hopper of the service vehicle, and for automatically identifying the refuse collection process performed on each of the identified containers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A signaling device is mated with a conventional container to develop a change in state for indicating that the container has been accessed. The change in state can be developed manually, or automatically when the cover of the container is opened, to signal that the container has been accessed, and can be automatically returned to the initial state as part of the procedures used to empty the container. The signaling device is used in combination with a system for auditing a refuse collection process so that subscribers to the service can be charged for service according to usage. This then motivates the subscribers to call for collections of their refuse only from containers that are substantially full, or to compensate the refuse collection service for additional container pick-ups.
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Citations
57 Claims
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1. An apparatus for auditing a refuse collection process performed by a service vehicle for emptying contents from a refuse container into a hopper associated with the service vehicle, for receiving the contents in the hopper, the apparatus comprising:
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signaling means coupled with the container and changeable from a first state signaling that refuse collection is not to be performed to a second state signaling that refuse collection is to be performed, for signaling that the contents of the container are to be accessed; and
identifying means coupled with the service vehicle, for automatically identifying containers having the signaling means in the second state, to indicate that the contents of the identified containers are to be emptied into the receiving hopper of the service vehicle, and for automatically identifying the refuse collection process performed on each of the identified containers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
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37. A method for auditing a refuse collection process performed by a service vehicle for emptying contents from a refuse container into a hopper associated with the service vehicle, for receiving the contents in the hopper, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
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changing an apparatus coupled with the container from a first state signaling that refuse collection is not to be performed to a second state signaling that refuse collection is to be performed, signaling that the contents of the container are to be accessed;
servicing containers having a signaling apparatus in the second state, using the service vehicle, including emptying the contents of the serviced containers into the receiving hopper;
bypassing containers having a signaling apparatus in the first state; and
automatically identifying each of the serviced containers, and the refuse collection process performed on each of the serviced containers.
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Specification