Method and apparatus for monitoring waste removal and administration

• US 9,546,040 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2014
• Issued: 01/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Co.
• Original Assignee: Advanced Custom Engineered Systems & Equipment Co.
• Inventors: Flood, Christopher M., Fisher, Michael S.
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, TUYEN KIM
• Application Number:
  US14/269,771
• Publication Number:
  US 20140239059A1
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 235/451, 235/492, 235/375, 340/572.1, 340/572.2, 340/572.7, 340/10.1, 340/10.2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1473 Receptacles having wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1484 relating to the adaptation of receptacles to carry identification means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2003/0279 the discharging means mounted at the front of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/128 Data transmitting means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/164 Printers
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 3/041 Pivoted arms or pivoted carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/30 Administration of product recycling or disposal
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/26 Government or public services business processes related to the transportation industry G06Q50/40
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 90/00 Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation

Abstract

A method for a municipality to control, track, and monitor waste or refuse receptacles requires a permit for use of a waste receptacle. An issuing organization issues a permit associated with a discreet receptacle identifier. An RFID tag is provided with the permit and attached to a discreet receptacle. The RFID tag transmits a signal carrying data associated with the discreet receptacle identifier. The signal may be read by a portable reader carried by municipal personnel to record violations of municipal code associated with the use of the discreet receptacle.

Claims

1. A method for tracking the condition, pick-up and general use of refuse containers among its users, the method of comprising the steps of:

a) Issuing a tag in the form of a radio frequency identification tag having a unique identifier associated with the tag;

b) Issuing a waste receptacle having a serial number associated with the waste receptacle, wherein the radio frequency identification tag is affixed to the waste receptacle;

c) Establishing an electronically accessible database external to the radio frequency identification tag comprising a plurality of unique identifiers and biographical information associated with a plurality of clients;

d) Causing to be delivered the waste receptacle to the plurality of clients;

e) Scanning the tag with a handheld device for communicating information regarding the unique identifier associated with the tag and the serial number associated with the waste receptacle;

the handheld device comprising a reader for reading the unique identified from the radio frequency identification tag, communicating selectively with a database wherein the handheld device receives information from and transmits information to the electronically accessible database, and a display for displaying information to a user;

f) Sending the unique identifier associated with the tag and the serial number associated with the waste receptacle to the electronically accessible database;

g) Correlating the unique identifier associated with the tag and the serial number with biographical information associated with a user to create identification information;

h) Providing the identification information on a web portal; and

i) Providing service status information of the waste receptacles based upon identification information provided to the portal.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of receiving a signal associated with a waste receptacle unique identifier from a transmitter at a first position relative to the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising the further step of receiving a signal associated with a waste receptacle unique identifier from a transmitter at a second position relative to the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the biographical information associated with a user comprises address, GPS coordinates or location information.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification information correlates to a permit purpose.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification information is one or more of the comprising address, type of container, permit type, validity dates, term or refuse type.