Method to control refuse management fleets

• US 6,510,376 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2001
• Issued: 01/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James W. Barnthouse, Matthew Burnstein
• Original Assignee: James W. Barnthouse, Matthew Burnstein
• Inventors: Barnthouse, James W., Burnstein, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US09/803,837
• Publication Number:
  US 20010049583A1
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 701/117, 701/213, 701/50, 342/357.06, 342/357.07
• US Class Current: 701/117
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1484 relating to the adaptation of receptacles to carry identification means
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs

Abstract

A method is provided for monitoring and controlling the pick up of waste trash which includes providing an identifier visible to the operator of the trash on the trash bin of predetermined customers. The operator or an electronic eye communicating with a computer matches the identifier to a list of the customer names. If the identifier matches a name on the list, the operator proceeds to empty the trash bin. The computer may activate a switch to activate certain components on the trash vehicle and to record data regarding the trash pick up time and location.

Claims

1. A method for controlling refuse management fleets of trucks which has a lift for picking up refuse bins and a compactor, said method empties refuse bins of predetermined customers into a container attached to each truck, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a computer controller on the truck, said computer controller having an internal clock for monitoring realtime;

providing an identifier for each predetermined customer;

providing a list in the truck of predetermined customer names;

comparing the identifier with the list of the predetermined customers'"'"' names;

providing at least one of an audible and light signal if the identifier matches one of the predetermined customers'"'"' names; and

emptying the customer'"'"'s refuse bin when the identifier matches one of the predetermined customers'"'"' names.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier is a bar code placed on the refuse bin.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing the realtime in the computer when the identifier matches one of the predetermined customers.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of determining and storing the actual location of the truck when emptying the customer'"'"'s refuse bin.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of determining the actual location of the truck includes the step of using global positioning signals from a satellite.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of determining the actual location of the truck includes the step of using one of radio and cellular signals.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the list of predetermined customers is stored in the computer.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of emptying the customer'"'"'s refuse bin when the identifier matches one of the predetermined customers'"'"' names includes the steps of providing a switch for allowing the lift to pivot downwardly, and activating the switch via the computer if the identifier matches one of the predetermined customers'"'"' names to allow the lift on the truck to pivot toward the trash bin.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of deactivating the switch via the computer for preventing the lift from pivoting to retrieve the customer'"'"'s refuse bin when the identifier does not match one of the predetermined customers'"'"' names.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of recording the time into the computer when the identifier matches one of the predetermined customer names.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of weighing the customer'"'"'s refuse bin before emptying the refuse bin.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of determining and recording at least one of the time and location of the truck when weighing the refuse bin.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of recording the time and location of the customer'"'"'s refuse bin only when the weight of the customer'"'"'s bin is over a predetermined amount.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of compacting the trash after emptying the customer'"'"'s refuse bin.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of determining and recording at least one of the time and location of the truck when compacting the trash.

16. A method to control refuse management fleets of trucks which has a lift for picking up refuse bins and a compactor, said method empties refuse of predetermined customers into a container attached to each truck, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a computer controller, said computer controller having a list of predetermined customers names and associated identifiers;

comparing the identifier on each refuse bin;

comparing the identifier to the list of predetermined customer names and associated identifiers;

providing a computer operable switch for activating the lift when the identifier matches one of the associated identifiers; and

emptying the refuse bin when the identifier matches one of the associated identifiers.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the identifier is a bar code placed on the refuse bin.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the identifier is an output signal generated by one of a transmitter and computer chip attached to the trash bin.