Method for deploying large numbers of waste containers in a waste collection system

• US 9,251,388 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2013
• Issued: 02/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Co.
• Original Assignee: Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Co.
• Inventors: Flood, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): HOLLOWAY III, EDWIN C
• Application Number:
  US13/895,138
• Publication Number:
  US 20140340197A1
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.81, 340/10.1, 340/572.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/145 at least one of the further markings being adapted for galvanic or wireless sensing, e.g. an RFID tag with both a wireless and an optical interface or memory, or a contact type smart card with ISO 7816 contacts and an optical interface or memory
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0004 Hybrid readers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10297 arrangements for handling protocols designed for non-contact record carriers such as RFIDs NFCs, e.g. ISO/IEC 14443 and 18092 cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; network security protocols H04L63/00; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; network protocols for data switching network services H04L67/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/10 Image acquisition document image scanning and transmission H04N1/00; control of digital cameras H04N23/60

Abstract

A method of redeploying waste containers in a waste collection system with an active or passive signal means requires a user to aim an optical character recognition reader at a waste container comprising a unique optical waste container identifier. The optical character recognition reader reads unique waste container optical identifier. The unique waste container optical identifier is converted to a unique electronically formatted waste container identifier. A unique radio frequency signal identifier is stored on a radio frequency emitting tag and associated with the unique electronically formatted waste container identifier. The radio frequency emitting tag is attached to the waste container.

Claims

1. A waste removal vehicle having a waste bin having a chamber and an opening to the chamber for receiving and transporting waste material from an external receptacle having a radio frequency identification tag containing information about a customer assigned to the receptacle, the vehicle comprising:

a first receiver and a second receiver on the vehicle for reading the information on the radio frequency identification tag, the first receiver located at first position and the second receiver located at a second position spaced from the first position;

a controller on the vehicle in electronic communication with the first receiver and the second receiver and having a communication device for sending the information to an external database containing information about the customer, and for receiving a signal from the external database of a pass condition or a fail condition and for generating a signal representative of the pass condition or the fail condition; and

a mechanism on the body in electronic communication with the controller for transferring the external receptacle along a path from the first position to the second position in response to receiving the pass condition signal and for deactivating the mechanism in response to receiving the fail condition signal.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the second position is proximal the opening.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the pass condition signal is generated in response to determining with a processor in the external database that the customer has an account in good standing.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising the controller sending a signal to the external database in response to the second receiver reading the information.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a means for activating the first receiver.

6. The vehicle of claim 5 wherein the means for activating comprises a proximity switch, a photo sensor or a mechanical switch.

7. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the first receiver is activated upon contact by the mechanism for transferring with the external receptacle.

8. A waste removal system for a vehicle having a waste bin having a chamber and an opening to the chamber for receiving and transporting waste material from an external receptacle comprising:

a radio frequency identification tag for mounting to the receptacle and having a memory for containing information about a customer assigned to the receptacle;

a first receiver and a second receiver for mounting on the vehicle for reading the information on the radio frequency identification tag, the first receiver for mounting at a first position and the second receiver for mounting at a second position spaced from the first position;

a controller for mounting to the vehicle in electronic communication with the first receiver and the second receiver and having a communication device for sending the information to an external database containing information about the customer, and for receiving a signal from the external database of a pass condition or a fail condition and for generating a signal representative of the pass condition or the fail condition; and

a mechanism for mounting on the vehicle in electronic communication with the controller for transferring the external receptacle along a path from the first position to the second position in response to receiving the pass condition signal and for deactivating the mechanism in response to receiving the fail condition signal.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the second position is proximal the opening.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the pass condition signal is generated in response to determining with a processor in the external database that the customer has an account in good standing.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the controller is adapted to send a signal to the external database in response to the second receiver reading the information.

12. The system of claim 8 further comprising a means for mounting on the vehicle for activating the first receiver.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the means for activating comprises a proximity switch, a photo sensor or a mechanical switch.

14. The system of claim 8 wherein the first receiver is activated upon contact by the mechanism for transferring with the external receptacle.

15. The system of claim 8 further comprising an optical waste container identifier on the external receptacle.

16. The system of claim 15 further comprising a hand-held optical character recognition reader.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising a first software module for converting the optical waste identifier to a unique electronically formatted waste container identifier.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the first software module is stored in a memory in the hand-held optical character recognition reader.

19. The system of claim 17 further comprising a second software module for associating a radio frequency signal identifier stored on the radio frequency identification tag with the unique electronically formatted waste container identifier.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the second software module is stored in a memory in the hand-held optical character recognition reader.