Requesting and controlling access to waste dumps

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of waste collection, and more particularly to techniques for requesting and controlling access to a waste dump using a mobile user device. Initially, a mobile user device is provided with a user ID that has been granted permanent or temporary access to one or more hatches of one or more trash bins at the dump. The mobile user device transmits an access request to an access control system using the user ID and user input including an indication of one or more to-be-accessed trash bins at the dump at a given time. In response to the access request, the access control system unlocks or opens the hatches of the to-be-accessed trash bins when the mobile user device is in the vicinity of the dump. By doing so, efficient access management can be provided to the dump.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates generally to the field of waste collection, and more particularly to techniques for requesting and controlling access to waste dumps using mobile user devices. [Background technology]

[0002] A pneumatic waste transport system is characterized by transporting waste (e.g., household waste) through pipes by air suction (in other words, by creating a pressure difference in the pipes). This allows the waste to be transported long distances through the pipes. Such systems are currently used in various facilities such as apartment complexes, shopping malls, etc.

[0003] A waste pneumatic transport system typically includes a number of waste dumps (also referred to in the art as feed stations), each of which includes a number of input receptacles (also referred to in the art as inlets or input points). Each of the multiple input receptacles may be connected to a piping system. By opening and closing shutoff means (e.g. valve means) or by adjusting the amount of make-up air (also referred to as supplementary air) intake using make-up air shutoff means to suck from a partial vacuum generating device of the waste transport system, waste from the corresponding input receptacle can be pumped into the piping system to empty the input receptacle. The piping system may connect the waste dumps to a destination, e.g. a waste treatment station or plant where the waste can be treated (e.g. collected, if possible).

[0004] To receive the waste, a hatch is provided in the dump bin. Currently, the hatches of the dump bins can be opened mechanically by hand, by pressing a button, or by using radio frequency identification (RFID). Of these, only RFID allows a person to open the hatch contactlessly. However, RFID does not provide an efficient access control to the dump. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features of the disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide a technical solution that allows authorized users to access a waste dump using their mobile user devices.

[0007] This object is achieved by means of the features of the attached independent claims. Further embodiments and examples are evident from the dependent claims, the description and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to a first aspect, there is provided a mobile user device for requesting access to a waste dump, the waste dump including at least one waste receptacle and at least one hatch (or lock) connected to the at least one waste receptacle. The mobile user device includes a storage device and a processing device connected to the storage device. The storage device is configured to store processor executable instructions and a user identifier (ID), the user ID having been granted permanent or temporary access to at least one hatch connected to the at least one receptacle of the waste dump. The processor executable instructions, when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to: (a) receiving a user input including an indication of at least one receptacle to be accessed from the at least one receptacle at the waste dump; (b) detecting when the mobile user device is near the waste dump; and (c) transmitting at least one access request to an access control system to unlock or open at least one hatch connected to said at least one receptacle to be accessed.

[0009] The at least one access request includes the user ID and an indication of the at least one trash receptacle to be accessed. The mobile user device according to a first aspect provides efficient access management to a trash dump by allowing a trash receptacle hatch to be unlocked or opened only by authorized users.

[0010] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the indication of the at least one receptacle to be accessed comprises at least one type of waste or at least one identification of the at least one receptacle to be accessed. Using such indication in the user input may allow access to be granted only to one or more receptacles containing one or more desired types of waste, thereby increasing the efficiency of access management at the waste dump.

[0011] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the mobile user device further comprises a touch screen provided with buttons, and in this embodiment, the processing device is configured to perform operation (a) via the buttons of the touch screen, thereby making operation (a) easier and more efficient to perform.

[0012] In an alternative embodiment of the first aspect, the mobile user device further includes a camera, and in this embodiment, the processing unit is configured to perform operation (a) by causing the camera to read a Quick Response (QR) code, thereby making operation (a) easier and more efficient to perform.

[0013] In another alternative embodiment of the first aspect, the mobile user device further includes a short-range wireless communication device. In this embodiment, the processing device is configured to perform operation (a) by causing the short-range wireless communication device to read a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag, thereby making operation (a) easier and more efficient to perform.

[0014] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the processing device is further configured to perform operation (b) using at least one of a Global Positioning System (GPS) signal, a short-range radio signal broadcast by a beacon (e.g. a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon) at the waste dump, a QR code provided at the waste dump, and an NFC tag provided at the waste dump, thereby providing different detection methods and making the mobile user device according to the first aspect more flexible in use.

[0015] In an embodiment of the first aspect, the processing device is configured to perform operation (C) by using short-range wireless communication (e.g. BLE) and / or over the Internet, making the mobile user device according to the first aspect more flexible in use.

[0016] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the processing device is further configured to encrypt the at least one access request prior to operation (c) using a cryptographic protocol (e.g., Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) or Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol to prevent eavesdropping and replay attacks), thereby ensuring secure access to waste receptacles at a waste dump.

[0017] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the processing device is further configured to receive statistics from the access control system and output the statistics to a user of the mobile user device. The statistics may be based on the number of times the mobile user device requests access to at least one waste receptacle at the waste dump within a predetermined time period. The statistics provide feedback to the user of the mobile user device so that the user may have an idea of ​​how he or she uses the waste dump (e.g., determining whether other waste receptacles (i.e. mixed waste receptacles) are used frequently and, if so, the user may focus more on the classification of other waste to reduce the proportion of other waste in the total amount of waste the user places at the waste dump within a predetermined time period).

[0018] In one embodiment of the first aspect, each of the at least one trash receptacle of the waste dump includes a sensor that detects the presence of infeed trash in the at least one trash receptacle. In this embodiment, the statistics received by the processing device of the mobile user device are additionally based on a detection signal from each of the sensors of the at least one trash receptacle of the waste dump. By using the detection signal, more accurate statistical data regarding utilization of the waste dump can be obtained.

[0019] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of requesting access to a waste dump, the waste dump including at least one waste receptacle and at least one hatch connected to the at least one waste receptacle, the method comprising: (a) receiving a user input at a mobile user device, the user input including an indication of at least one receptacle to be accessed from the at least one receptacle at the waste dump; (b) detecting when the mobile user device is in the vicinity of the waste dump; and (c) sending at least one access request from said mobile user device to an access control system to unlock or open at least one hatch connected to said at least one receptacle to be accessed.

[0020] The at least one access request includes a user ID associated with the mobile user device and an indication of the at least one trash receptacle to be accessed, the user ID having been granted permanent or temporary access to at least one hatch of at least one trash receptacle at the trash dump. By using the method according to the second aspect, trash receptacle hatches can be unlocked or opened only to authorized users, providing efficient access management to the trash dump.

[0021] In one embodiment of the second aspect, the indication of the at least one receptacle to be accessed comprises at least one type of waste or at least one identification of the at least one receptacle to be accessed. Using such indication in the user input may allow access to be granted only to one or more receptacles containing one or more desired types of waste, thereby increasing the efficiency of access management at the waste dump.

[0022] In one embodiment of the second aspect, the mobile user device further comprises a touch screen provided with a button, in this embodiment, step (a) is performed by pressing a button on the touch screen, which makes step (a) easier and more efficient to perform.

[0023] In an alternative embodiment of the second aspect, the mobile user device further includes a camera. In this embodiment, step (a) is performed by having the camera read a QR code. This makes step (a) easier and more efficient to perform.

[0024] In another alternative embodiment of the second aspect, the mobile user device further comprises a short-range wireless communication device, in which step (a) is performed by having the short-range wireless communication device read an NFC tag, making step (a) easier and more efficient to perform.

[0025] In one embodiment of the second aspect, step (b) is performed using at least one of a GPS signal, a short-range radio signal broadcast by a beacon (e.g. a BLE beacon) at the waste dump, a QR code provided at the waste dump, and an NFC tag provided at the waste dump, thereby providing different detection methods and making the method according to the second aspect more flexible in use.

[0026] In one embodiment of the second aspect, step (c) is performed by using short-range wireless communication (e.g. BLE) and / or over the Internet, which makes the method according to the second aspect more flexible in use.

[0027] In one embodiment of the second aspect, the method further comprises, before step (c), encrypting the at least one access request using a cryptographic protocol (e.g. AES or TLS protocol to prevent eavesdropping and replay attacks), thereby ensuring secure access to waste receptacles at the waste dump.

[0028] In one embodiment of the second aspect, the method further comprises receiving statistics from the access control system at the mobile user device and outputting the statistics to a user of the mobile user device. The statistics may be based on the number of times the mobile user device requests access to at least one trash receptacle at the trash dump within a predetermined time period. The statistics provide feedback to the user of the mobile user device so that the user may have an idea of ​​how he or she uses the trash dump (e.g., determining whether other trash receptacles (i.e. mixed trash receptacles) are used frequently and, if so, the user may focus more on other trash categories to reduce the proportion of other trash in the total amount of trash the user places at the trash dump within a predetermined time period).

[0029] In one embodiment of the second aspect, each of the at least one bins of the waste dump includes a sensor that detects the presence of incoming waste in the at least one bin. In this embodiment, the statistics received by the mobile user device are additionally based on a detection signal from each of the sensors of the at least one bins of the waste dump. By using the detection signal, more accurate statistical data regarding utilization of the waste dump can be obtained.

[0030] According to a third aspect, there is provided an access control system for controlling access to a waste dump, the waste dump including at least one waste receptacle and at least one hatch connected to the at least one waste receptacle. The access control system includes a storage device and a processing device connected to the storage device. The storage device is configured to store processor executable instructions and a database. The database includes user identities that have been granted permanent or temporary access to at least one hatch connected to the at least one receptacle of the waste dump. The processor executable instructions, when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to: receiving at least one access request from a mobile user device, the request including a user ID associated with the mobile user device and an indication of at least one receptacle to be accessed from the at least one receptacle at the waste dump; determining that the user ID is present in the database and has been granted permanent or temporary access to at least one hatch connected to the at least one target bin; and transmitting a control signal to the waste dump.

[0031] The control signal instructs the waste dump to unlock or open at least one hatch connected to the at least one accessed waste receptacle. The system according to the third aspect provides efficient access control to the waste dump by allowing the hatches of the waste receptacles to be unlocked or opened only by authorized users. Effect of the Invention

[0032] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and review of the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a garbage pneumatic transport system according to an exemplary embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 illustrates a block diagram of a mobile user device requesting access to a trash dump according to one exemplary embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 illustrates a flowchart of a method for requesting access to a waste dump according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 4]1 illustrates generally how a user of a mobile user device as shown in FIG. 2 may view one or more types of waste that may be placed in one or more bins at a waste dump of interest. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an access control system for controlling access to a waste dump according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates a flowchart of a method for controlling access to a waste dump according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be further described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many other forms and should not be construed as being limited to the specific structures or functions described in the following description. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided to provide a detailed and complete description of the present disclosure.

[0036] With the detailed description, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the scope of the present disclosure encompasses all embodiments disclosed herein, whether implemented independently or in combination with other embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the devices, systems, and / or methods disclosed herein may be implemented using any number of the embodiments provided herein. Furthermore, it should be understood that any embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented using one or more elements recited in the appended claims.

[0037] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example." Unless specifically stated otherwise, any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0038] As mentioned previously, a user (e.g., a renter, a resident, etc.) can currently open the hatches of the trash receptacles of a desired trash dump by mechanically opening them by hand, by pressing an activation button provided on each trash receptacle, or by using RFID technology. Of these, RFID technology has been of particular interest because it allows a user to open the hatch without contacting the hatch (i.e., by simply displaying or applying an RFID tag to an RFID reader attached to the trash dump). However, RFID technology does not provide efficient access management to the trash dump. Furthermore, the user must always have a separate RFID tag on hand to access the trash dump.

[0039] The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein provide a technical solution that can mitigate or even eliminate the drawbacks inherent in the prior art discussed above. In particular, the technical solution disclosed herein includes accessing a desired waste dump using a mobile user device. First, the mobile user device is provided with a user ID that has been granted permanent or temporary access rights to one or more hatches connected to the waste receptacles of the waste dump. The mobile user device transmits an access request to an access control system with the user ID and a user input that includes an indication of one or more to-be-accessed waste receptacles of the waste dump at a given time. In response to the access request, the access control system unlocks or opens the hatches of the to-be-accessed waste receptacle(s) when the mobile user device is in the vicinity of the waste dump. By doing so, an efficient access management can be provided to the waste dump.

[0040] As used in the embodiments disclosed herein, a mobile user device may refer to a mobile terminal, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smartphone, a cordless phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless communication device, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a netbook, a smartbook, an ultrabook, a wearable device (e.g., a smartwatch, a smart wristband, etc.), an entertainment device (e.g., a video player, etc.), a vehicle part or sensor, an unmanned vehicle (e.g., an industrial robot, a quadcopter, etc.), an industrial manufacturing device, a global positioning system (GPS) device, an Internet-of-Things (IoT) device, an Industrial IoT (IIoT) device, a machine-type communication (MTC) device, a Massive IoT (MIoT) or Massive MTC (mMTC) device / sensor group, or any other suitable mobile device configured to support wireless communication. In some embodiments, a mobile user device may refer to at least two collocated and interconnected mobile user devices thus defined.

[0041] In some embodiments, the waste dump may be implemented as a fully automatic dump or drop-off station where the trash receptacle hatch can be automatically unlocked or opened in response to an access request from a mobile user device. To perform this automatic opening, the dump should include a hatch actuator, e.g., an electric actuator, a pneumatic actuator, etc. The type of hatch actuator will depend on the particular application (e.g., installation location), as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0042] In some other embodiments, the dump may be implemented as a semi-automatic dump or drop station where the bin hatch can be unlocked but not opened in response to an access request from a mobile user device. Once the bin hatch is unlocked, a user can open it manually or by pressing one or more corresponding push buttons provided on the dump.

[0043] Additionally, the waste dump may be provided with a single hatch that provides access to one or more waste bins at the waste dump. In one embodiment, the waste dump may include waste handling means configured to sort waste placed therein via the single hatch, thereby moving different types of waste to corresponding bins. In another embodiment, the waste dump may be configured to receive different waste at different times via the single hatch (i.e., the waste dump may have a special mechanism that provides a corresponding passage to one of the waste bins for a particular type of waste within a given time period).

[0044] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a pneumatic waste transport system 100 according to one exemplary embodiment. For simplicity, the system 100 is shown to include one waste dump including three (input or feed) waste receptacles 102-1, 102-2, 102-3 that can be mounted on the ground. Each of the receptacles 102-1, 102-2, 102-3 is intended to accommodate a different type of waste (schematically shown in FIG. 1 by a cross-hatched circle), such as solid household waste, industrial waste, or recyclable waste. The receptacles 102-1, 102-2, 102-3 may be appropriately marked (e.g., with different symbols, letters, and / or numbers) so that a user can easily determine which of the receptacles 102-1, 102-2, 102-3 to use for a particular type of waste. The receptacles 102-1, 102-2, 102-3 are provided with hatches 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, respectively. Also, as mentioned above, there may be a single hatch providing access to the waste bins 102-1, 102-2, 102-3. The system 100 also includes three branch pipes 106-1, 106-2, 106-3 connected to the waste bins 102-1, 102-2, 102-3, respectively, and a main pipe 108 connected to the branch pipes 106-1, 106-2, 106-3 via valves 110-1, 110-2, 110-3, respectively. The branch pipes 106-1, 106-2, 106-3 and the main pipe 108 may be located below ground. Initially, valves 110-1, 110-2, 110-3 are closed such that waste from bin 102-1 is directed to branch line 106-1, waste from bin 102-2 is directed to branch line 106-2, and waste from bin 102-3 is directed to branch line 106-3. If it is determined that one or more of branch lines 106-1, 106-2, 106-3 needs to be emptied, a suction device (not shown) provides at least a partial vacuum to main line 108, which then opens the corresponding one or more of valves 110-1, 110-2, 110-3 such that waste is transported via main line 108 to a destination (e.g., a waste treatment plant or station, or an output or target bin for a particular type of waste).

[0045] In one embodiment, the system 100 may be implemented without the valves 110-1, 110-2, 110-3, and the amount of makeup air (also called replacement air) intake may be controlled by the makeup air valves. When it is determined that one or more of the branch lines 106-1, 106-2, 106-3 needs to be emptied, the suction device provides at least a partial vacuum to the main line 108, which then opens the corresponding one or more of the makeup air valves and transports the waste via the main line 108 to a destination (e.g., a waste treatment plant or station, or an output or target waste receptacle for a particular type of waste).

[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a mobile user device 200 requesting access to a trash dump, according to one exemplary embodiment. As mentioned above, the trash dump may be fully automated or semi-automated. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile user device 300 includes a processing unit 202 and a storage unit 204. The storage unit 204 stores processor executable instructions 206 and a user ID 208. The user ID 208 is associated with or has been granted permanent or temporary access to one or more hatches connected to one or more trash receptacles at the trash dump. The processor executable instructions 206, when executed by the processing unit 202, cause the processing unit 202 to operate in a manner that will be described in more detail below. It should be noted that the quantity, arrangement, and interconnections (wiring) of the components that make up the mobile user device 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 are not intended to limit the disclosure in any way, but are merely intended to provide an idea of ​​how the components may be implemented within the mobile user device 200. For example, the processing unit 202 may be replaced by several processing units with different capabilities, and similarly, the storage unit 204 may be replaced by several removable and / or fixed storage units depending on the particular application. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the mobile user device 200 may further include other input / output means, such as a camera, a touch screen, an NFC reader, etc.

[0047] The processing unit 202 is intended to include different subunits necessary to request access to the dump. In particular, the processing unit 202 may include a transmitting / receiving subunit (not shown) capable of performing different operations necessary to perform data reception and transmission, such as, for example, signal modulation / demodulation, encoding / decoding, etc. In general, the processing unit 302 may include one or more of a CPU, a general purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), a combined programmable logic circuit, etc.

[0048] The storage device 204 may be implemented as any of the classical non-volatile or volatile memories used in modern electronic computers. By way of example, non-volatile memory may include read-only memory (ROM), ferroelectric random-access memory (RAM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), solid-state drive (SSD), flash memory, magnetic disk storage (e.g., hard drives, magnetic tape), optical disk storage (e.g., CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray disks, etc.), etc. Examples of volatile memory include, for example, dynamic RAM, synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), static RAM, etc.

[0049] The processor-executable instructions 206 stored on the storage device 204 may be configured as computer-executable code that causes the processing device 202 to perform aspects of the present disclosure. The computer-executable code that performs the operations or steps of aspects of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, such as Java, C++, etc. In some embodiments, the computer-executable code may be in the form of a high-level language or in a pre-compiled form, or may be generated by an on-the-fly interpreter (which may also be pre-stored on the storage device 204).

[0050] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of a method 300 for requesting access to a trash dump, according to one exemplary embodiment. In general, the method 300 describes the operation of the mobile user device 200. The method 300 begins at step S302, in which the processing unit 202 receives user input from a user of the mobile user device 200. The user input includes an indication of one or more trash receptacles at the trash dump to be accessed. In a preferred embodiment, the trash dump is implemented as part of a trash pneumatic transport system, such as the system 100. However, this should not be construed as limiting the disclosure in any way, and in some other embodiments, the trash dump may be implemented as a stand-alone trash dump, where trash receptacles are emptied, for example, manually. The method 300 then proceeds to step S304, in which the processing unit 202 detects when the mobile user device 200 is in the vicinity of the trash dump. Method 300 then proceeds to step S306, in which processing device 202 transmits one or more access requests to an access control system (described in more detail below) to unlock or open the receptacle to be accessed, i.e., hatches (e.g., one or more of hatches 104-1, 104-2, 104-3) connected to the receptacle indicated in the user input. Such access requests may be transmitted by a transceiver subunit of processing device 202 and include a user ID 208 and an indication of the receptacle to be accessed. Using method 300, receptacle hatches can be unlocked or opened only to authorized users, thereby providing efficient access management to the waste dump.

[0051] It should be noted that the mobile user device 200 (in other words, the user of the mobile user device 200) may be given a user ID 208 in response to registering the user with the access control system. Once the user is registered, the user ID may be transferred to the mobile user device 200, such as a mobile phone, via QR code, Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth (e.g., BLE), Short Message Service (SMS), email, or may be entered manually. For example, the user may install special software (e.g., a mobile application) on the mobile user device 200, and the user ID 208 may be transmitted from the access control system to the mobile application 200 in response to such installation.

[0052] In one embodiment, the indication of the receptacle to be accessed may include one or more types of trash or one or more identifications of the receptacle to be accessed. Such indication in the user input may allow access to be granted only to one or more receptacles that contain one or more desired types of trash, thereby increasing the efficiency of access management at the dump.

[0053] In one embodiment, the mobile user device 200 may further include a touch screen with buttons and may perform step S302 of the method 300 in response to a user pressing a button on the touch screen. In an alternative embodiment, the mobile user device 200 may further include a camera and may perform step S302 of the method 300 by having the camera read a QR code. In another alternative embodiment, the mobile user device 200 may further include a short-range wireless communication device and may perform step S302 of the method 300 by having the short-range wireless communication device read an NFC tag. Each of these embodiments may make step S302 easier and more efficient to perform.

[0054] In one embodiment, the processing device 202 may perform step S304 of the method 300 using a GPS signal (e.g., received via a transceiver subunit). In another embodiment, the processing device 202 may perform step S304 of the method 300 using a short-range wireless signal broadcast by a beacon (e.g., a BLE beacon) located at the waste dump. In another embodiment, the processing device 202 may perform step S304 of the method 300 using a QR code or an NFC tag located at the waste dump. It should also be noted that step S304 of the method 300 may be performed using any combination of these embodiments, i.e., for example, using a GPS signal and a QR code, or using a GPS signal and an NFC tag, etc.

[0055] In one embodiment, the processing device 202 may perform step S306 of the method 300 using short-range wireless communication, the Internet, or a combination of both. In the case of a short-range wireless communication network, the processing device 202 and the waste dump may both be equipped with a suitable wireless communication subunit (e.g., Bluetooth) configured to support short-range wireless communication. Using a combination of a short-range wireless communication network and the Internet, a user can request the opening or unlocking of a hatch of a desired waste receptacle at the waste dump via the Internet at home, and the opening or unlocking of the hatch is automatically performed using short-range wireless communication (once the location of the mobile user device 200 is determined by GPS signals) or over the Internet only if the mobile user device 200 is near the waste dump.

[0056] In one embodiment, the method 300 may include an additional step before step S306, in which the processing unit 202 encrypts the access request(s) using a cryptographic protocol (e.g., AES or TLS protocol), thereby preventing eavesdropping and replay attacks.

[0057] In one embodiment, the method 300 may include an additional step in which the processing unit 202 receives statistics from the access control system and outputs the statistics to the user of the mobile user device 200 (e.g., on a touch screen or via any other user interface). The statistics may be based on the number of times the mobile user device 200 requests access to a trash receptacle at the trash dump within a predetermined period (e.g., a year, a month, a week, etc.). The statistics provide feedback to the user of the mobile user device 200 so that the user may have an idea of ​​how he or she uses the trash dump (e.g., determining whether the other trash receptacle (i.e., mixed trash receptacle) is used frequently, and if so, the user may focus more on the classification of other trash to reduce the proportion of other trash in the total amount of trash the user places at the trash dump within a predetermined period). To make the statistics more accurate, each of the trash receptacles at the trash dump may include a sensor that detects the presence of infeed trash in the receptacle, and the statistics may be additionally based on the detection signal from the sensor of the trash receptacle at the trash dump.

[0058] FIG. 4 illustrates diagrammatically how a user of the mobile user device 200 may display multiple waste type(s) to be placed in the waste bins of a waste dump of interest. In this case, the mobile user device 200 is implemented as a smartphone configured to display on a touch screen a series of buttons corresponding to different types of waste, in other words waste bins available at the waste dump of interest. More specifically, the waste dump of interest has waste bins for other waste (i.e. mixed waste), bio-waste, paper, metal and glass. The user may display one or more required types of waste by pressing the corresponding buttons. As shown in FIG. 4, the smartphone additionally displays the address of the waste dump of interest, e.g. "Rosalankatu 4B". This address may be used as an ID of the waste dump of interest or of a waste bin placed at the waste dump. Accordingly, the access control system should check whether the access rights granted by the user ID apply to the address of the waste dump of interest. Thus, a user of the mobile user device 200 may have access to some but not all of the dump sites of a particular operator or waste service company, thereby providing more efficient and flexible access management to different dump sites.

[0059] In one embodiment, the mobile user device 200 may be owned by a guest user, rather than a resident or tenant of a particular building. Although the guest user does not have permanent access to the garbage receptacles of a garbage dump located in the vicinity of the building, the guest user may request that a resident or tenant who has such access grant the guest user temporary permission (or temporary right) to use the garbage dump. This may be done, for example, by installing special software (e.g., a mobile application) on the guest's mobile device that is the same as that used by the resident or tenant to access the garbage dump. The resident may grant such temporary permission, for example, via a QR code generated by his or her mobile application. As an example, the temporary permission may be "For the next hour, use the garbage dump Rosalankatu 4B for bio-waste and cardboard." Thus, the guest user may use the garbage dump through the resident's or tenant's user ID, and the guest user's usage of the garbage dump is accumulated as usage statistics for the resident's or tenant's user ID.

[0060] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an access control system 500 for controlling access to a waste dump, according to one exemplary embodiment. The system 500 may be used by a mobile user device 200 to access a waste dump. As shown in FIG. 5, the system 500 includes a processing unit 502 and a storage unit 504. The storage unit 504 stores processor-executable instructions 506 that, when executed by the processing unit 502, cause the processing unit 502 to operate in a manner described in more detail below. The storage unit 504 further stores a database (DB) 508 of user IDs that have been granted permanent or temporary access to one or more waste dumps (e.g., one or more hatches of a waste receptacle located at the waste dump). It should be noted that the quantity, arrangement, and interconnection of components that make up the system 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 are not intended to limit the disclosure in any way, but are merely intended to provide an idea of ​​how the components may be implemented within the system 500. For example, the processing unit 502 may be replaced by several processing units with different capabilities, and similarly, the storage unit 504 may be replaced by several removable and / or non-removable storage units depending on the particular application.

[0061] It should be noted that the processing unit 502, memory device 504, and processor-executable instructions 506 may be implemented in the same or similar manner as the processing unit 202, memory device 204, and processor-executable instructions 206, respectively, described above.

[0062] DB 508 may be configured as a data container in which each user ID is associated with permanent or temporary access rights to the bin hatches of a particular dump site. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that DB 508 may be configured as a Structured Query Language (SQL) database, a graph database, etc., depending on the particular application. Accordingly, processor 504 may be configured to query and maintain DB 508 using any suitable programming language (e.g., using SQL in the case of a SQL database) depending on the type of DB 508.

[0063] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart of a method 600 for controlling access to a waste dump, according to one exemplary embodiment. Generally, the method 600 describes the operation of the system 500. The method 600 begins at step S602, where the processor 502 receives at least one access request from a mobile user device 200. Each access request includes a user ID 208 associated with the mobile user device 200 and an indication of one or more to-be-accessed receptacles at the dump (where the user of the mobile user device 200 wishes to leave his or her bag of trash). The method 600 then proceeds to step S604, where the processor 504 determines that the user ID 208 exists in the DB 508 and has been granted permanent or temporary access to the hatch of the to-be-accessed receptacle. The method 600 then proceeds to step S606, where the processor 502 transmits a control signal to the dump. The control signal instructs the dump to unlock or open the hatch of the to-be-accessed receptacle.

[0064] In one embodiment, the method 600 includes an additional step in which the processing device 502 counts the number of times the user ID 208 is used to unlock or open the hatch of each trash receptacle at the trash dump within a predetermined time period. The number of times may be used to obtain various statistics regarding the types of trash collected in the trash receptacles using the user ID 208. For example, there may be a target for the amount of trash of a particular type (e.g., the amount of other trash should be less than 50% of the total amount of all trash that the user places in the trash receptacles at the trash dump within a certain time period), and the user may achieve this target by analyzing such statistics. Furthermore, the number of times the user ID 208 is used within a predetermined time period may be used to calculate an average weight and / or volume of trash collected in each trash receptacle. The average weight and / or volume of trash in each trash receptacle may also be used to obtain various statistics regarding the types of trash collected in the trash receptacles using the user ID 208.

[0065] As previously mentioned, each of the receptacles in the waste dump may include a sensor that detects the presence of incoming waste in the receptacle. In this case, the processing device 502 may receive a detection signal from the sensor in each of the receptacles each time waste is fed into the receptacle, and calculate the average weight and / or volume of waste collected in each of the receptacles based on the detection signals (i.e., their quantities). The detection signal may be used instead of or in addition to the times mentioned above.

[0066] In one embodiment, if there are other trash receptacles among the trash receptacles at the trash dump, the method 600 includes an additional step in which the processing unit 502 compares the counted number of times the user ID 208 is used to unlock or open the hatches of the other trash receptacles (or the average weight or volume of trash collected in the other trash receptacles using the user ID 208) to a threshold value. If the counted number of times the user ID 208 is used to unlock or open the hatches of the other trash receptacles (or the average weight or volume of trash collected in the other trash receptacles using the user ID 208) exceeds the threshold value, the processing unit 502 may send a first feedback signal to the mobile user device 200 (i.e., the processing unit 202). If the counted number of times the user ID 208 is used to unlock or open the hatches of the other trash receptacles (or the average weight or volume of trash collected in the other trash receptacles using the user ID 208) is equal to or less than the threshold value, the processing unit 502 may send a second feedback signal to the mobile user device 200 (i.e., the processing unit 202). The second feedback signal is different from the first feedback signal. The first feedback signal and the second feedback signal may be output to the mobile user device 200 in various ways. For example, the first feedback signal and the second feedback signal may be converted into different color signals or sound signals. Furthermore, the processing unit 202 may output both the first feedback signal and the second feedback signal when the mobile user device 200 is a predetermined distance from the garbage dump (e.g., when the mobile user device 200 leaves the service area of ​​the BLE beacon attached to the garbage dump). By using the first feedback signal and the second feedback signal, the user can know when he or she needs to pay more attention to sorting the garbage, thereby reducing the amount of other garbage.

[0067] It should be noted that each step or operation of methods 300 and 500, or any combination of steps or operations, can be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, and / or software. By way of example, one or more of the steps or operations described above can be embodied by processor-executable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other suitable data representations. Furthermore, the processor-executable instructions embodying the steps or operations described above can be stored on a corresponding data carrier and executed by the processing device 202 or the processing device 502. The data carrier can be implemented as any computer-readable storage medium configured to be readable by the processing device 202 or the processing device 502 to execute the processor-executable instructions. Such computer-readable storage media can include volatile media, non-volatile media, removable media, and non-removable media. By way of example and not limitation, the computer-readable medium includes a medium suitable for storing information, implemented in any manner or technology. More specifically, examples of computer readable media include, but are not limited to, information delivery media, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVDs), holographic media or other optical disk storage, magnetic tape, magnetic cassettes, magnetic disk storage, and other magnetic storage devices.

[0068] Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein, it should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of legal protection defined by the appended claims. In the appended claims, the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements, steps or actions, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

1. 1. A mobile user device for requesting access to a waste dump including at least one waste receptacle and at least one hatch connected to the at least one waste receptacle, a storage device configured to store processor executable instructions and a user identifier (ID) that is granted permanent or temporary access to at least one hatch connected to at least one bin at said dump; a processing unit connected to the storage device; The processing unit, when executing the processor-executable instructions, (a) receiving a user input including an indication of at least one receptacle to be accessed from the at least one receptacle at the waste dump; (b) detecting when the mobile user device is in the vicinity of the waste dump; and (c) sending at least one access request to an access control system to unlock or open at least one hatch connected to the at least one receptacle to be accessed, the at least one access request including a user ID and an indication of the at least one receptacle to be accessed.

2. The indication of the at least one target waste receptacle is At least one type of waste, or The mobile user device of claim 1 including at least one identification of the at least one receptacle to be accessed.

3. 3. A mobile user device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a touch screen provided with buttons, the processing unit being configured to perform an action (a) via the buttons of the touch screen.

4. 3. The mobile user device of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a camera, the processing unit being configured to perform action (a) by causing the camera to read a Quick Response (QR) code.

5. 3. The mobile user device of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a short-range wireless communication device, the processing unit being configured to perform operation (a) by causing the short-range wireless communication device to read a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag.

6. 3. The mobile user device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing device is configured to perform operation (b) using at least one of a Global Positioning System (GPS) signal, a short-range radio signal broadcast by a beacon at the waste dump, a QR code (registered trademark) provided at the waste dump, and an NFC tag provided at the waste dump.

7. 3. A mobile user device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing unit is configured to perform operation (c) by using short-range wireless communication and / or over the Internet.

8. The mobile user device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing unit is further configured to, prior to operation (c), encrypt the at least one access request using a cryptographic protocol.

9. 3. The mobile user device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing unit is further configured to receive statistics from the access control system and output the statistics to a user of the mobile user device, the statistics being based on the number of times the mobile user device has requested access to at least one waste receptacle at the waste dump within a predetermined period of time.

10. 10. The mobile user device of claim 9, wherein, when each of at least one trash receptacle of the trash dump includes a sensor for detecting the presence of input trash in the at least one trash receptacle, the statistics are additionally based on a detection signal from each sensor of the at least one trash receptacle of the trash dump.

11. 1. A method for requesting access to a waste dump including at least one waste receptacle and at least one hatch connected to the at least one waste receptacle, comprising: (a) receiving a user input at a mobile user device, the user input including an indication of at least one receptacle to be accessed from the at least one receptacle at the waste dump; (b) detecting when the mobile user device is in the vicinity of the waste dump; and (c) sending at least one access request from the mobile user device to an access control system to unlock or open at least one hatch connected to the at least one trash receptacle to be accessed, the at least one access request including a user ID associated with the mobile user device and an indication of the at least one trash receptacle to be accessed, the user ID having been granted permanent or temporary access rights to at least one hatch connected to the at least one trash receptacle of the trash dump.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the representation of the at least one receptacle to be accessed includes at least one type of trash or at least one identification of the at least one receptacle to be accessed.

13. 13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the mobile user device includes a touch screen provided with buttons, and step (a) is performed by pressing a button on the touch screen.

14. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the mobile user device includes a camera and performs step (a) by having the camera read a QR code.

15. 13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the mobile user device includes a short-range wireless communication device, and step (a) is performed by having the short-range wireless communication device read an NFC tag.

16. 13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein step (b) is performed using at least one of a Global Positioning System (GPS) signal, a short-range radio signal broadcast by a beacon at the waste dump, a QR code provided at the waste dump, and an NFC tag provided at the waste dump.

17. 13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein step (c) is carried out by using short-range wireless communication and / or over the Internet.

18. The method of claim 11 or 12, further comprising, prior to step (c), the step of encrypting the at least one access request using a cryptographic protocol.

19. 13. The method of claim 11 or 12, further comprising receiving statistics from the access control system at the mobile user device and outputting the statistics to a user of the mobile user device, the statistics being based on the number of times the mobile user device has requested access to at least one trash receptacle at the trash dump within a predetermined period of time.

20. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein, when each of at least one trash receptacle of the trash dump includes a sensor for detecting the presence of incoming trash in the at least one trash receptacle, the statistics are additionally based on a detection signal from each sensor of the at least one trash receptacle of the trash dump.

21. 1. An access control system for controlling access to a waste dump including at least one waste receptacle and at least one hatch connected to the at least one waste receptacle, comprising: a storage device configured to store processor executable instructions and a database; a processing unit connected to the storage device; The database includes user identities that have been granted permanent or temporary access to at least one bin at the waste dump, and the processing device, when executing the processor-executable instructions, performs the following steps: receiving at least one access request from a mobile user device, the request including a user ID associated with the mobile user device and an indication of at least one receptacle to be accessed from the at least one receptacle at the waste dump; determining that the user ID is present in the database and has been granted permanent or temporary access to at least one hatch connected to the at least one accessed bin; an access control system configured to transmit a control signal to the waste dump instructing the waste dump to unlock or open at least one hatch connected to the at least one receptacle to be accessed.

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