System and method for managing service and non-service related activities associated with a waste collection, disposal and/or recycling vehicle

• US 10,750,134 B1
• Filed: 03/04/2020
• Issued: 08/18/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WM Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC (Waste Management Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: WM Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC (Waste Management Incorporated)
• Inventors: Skolnick, Barry S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Braniff, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US16/809,335
• Time in Patent Office: 167 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/406 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/70 characterised by an event-triggered choice to display a specific image among a selection of captured images
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 3/00 Vehicles particularly adapted for collecting refuse vehicles in general B60; driving vehicle equipment or auxiliaries B60K; discharging contents by tilting entire vehicles B65G; wheeled apparatus for emptying sewers or cesspools E03F7/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 90/00 Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for using video/still images captured by continuously recording optical sensors mounted on waste collection vehicles used in in the waste collection, disposal and recycling industry for operational and customer service related purposes. Optical sensors are integrated into the in-cab monitor as well as the onboard computer, digital video recorder and other external devices.

Claims

1. A method of auditing service activities performed by a waste service vehicle, the method comprising:

capturing a continuous video recording of an area outside of a cab of the waste service vehicle during the entirety of a service operations period for the waste service vehicle, wherein the continuous video recording is captured by a camera on the waste service vehicle, and wherein the service operations period begins when an inspection of the waste service vehicle is conducted at a facility location prior to performing the service activities, and wherein the service operations period ends when an inspection of the waste service vehicle is conducted after performing the service activities;

storing the continuous video recording on a recording device onboard the waste service vehicle;

capturing a chapter from the continuous video recording, wherein the chapter comprises one or more of a still image and a video clip of 60 seconds or less of a customer location;

associating the chapter with a customer based on stored customer identifying information comprising one or more of a customer identification number, a customer name, a customer address, one or more customer service levels, a franchise name, and a service requirement assigned to the customer and to a waste collection municipal franchise system;

associating the chapter with a user defined scenario relevant to the service activities;

displaying the chapter on an electronic viewing portal in association with an identification of the user defined scenario and with one or more of date, time, an identification number for the waste service vehicle, and an identifying feature of the customer;

making the electronic viewing portal available for viewing by a user; and

receiving instructions from the user regarding whether to provide one or more of a communication, a billing adjustment and a service level adjustment to the customer based on a determination by the user of whether the performance of the waste service shown on the chapter satisfies one or more service level requirements associated with the customer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user defined scenario comprises one or more of an overloaded commercial waste container, an overloaded residential waste container, an open lid on a commercial waste container, an open lid on a residential waste container, a damaged commercial waste container, and a damaged residential waste container.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user defined scenario comprises one or more of a commercial dangerous stop condition, a residential dangerous stop condition, commercial property damage, and residential property damage.