System and program for managing waste

Abstract

To suitably and easily dispose wastes accumulated in a temporary repository.SOLUTION: A system for managing wastes comprises: a stationary camera 2 that is installed in a utility-pole material yard W where waste concrete columns H are piled up and temporarily stored, for taking a picture of a storage state of the waste concrete columns H; and a waste-managing computer 4 for arithmetically operating a remaining number of possible storage indicative of how many waste concrete columns H can be stored at the present time in the utility-pole material yard W based on a regulatory height as an upper limit of a height of a pile of the waste concrete columns H and an image taken by the stationary camera 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a waste management system and a waste management program for managing waste disposal. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, concrete poles (electric poles made of concrete) that have been removed due to aging have conventionally been treated as waste and reused (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this case, the electric power company or the like that removed the concrete poles temporarily stored them in a designated electric pole material storage area and requested a waste disposal company to remove and dispose of the concrete poles based on the accumulated quantity and number. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-109749 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventionally, a person in charge of a utility company or the like would visit each utility pole material storage site and visually check how many concrete poles had accumulated. This required time and effort, especially when the utility pole material storage site was in a remote location. Moreover, because the person in charge had to decide when to remove the concrete poles based on the accumulated quantity, there was inconsistency in the judgment of each person in charge.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a waste management system and a waste management program that enable proper and easy disposal of waste accumulated in temporary storage locations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the invention of claim 1 is a waste management system that is arranged in a temporary storage location where waste is piled up and temporarily stored, and is characterized by comprising: a photographing means for photographing the storage state of the waste; and a calculation means for calculating a remaining storage capacity that indicates how much of the waste can be stored in the temporary storage location based on a regulated height that is the upper limit of the pile height of the waste and the image taken by the photographing means.

[0007] The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the waste management system described in claim 1, it is provided with an in-delivery schedule storage means for storing an in-delivery schedule indicating the planned date and quantity of the waste to be delivered to the temporary storage location, and the calculation means calculates the arrival date on which the piled-up height of the waste will reach the regulated height based on the remaining storage quantity and the in-delivery schedule.

[0008] The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the waste management system of claim 1 or 2, it is provided with an ordering means for placing an external request to remove the waste from the temporary storage location based on the calculation result by the calculation means.

[0009] The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in the waste management system described in claim 1, the calculation means uses a learning model for waste management that has been machine-learned based on past performance data so that when the regulated height and the image are input, the remaining storage capacity is output.

[0010] The invention of claim 5 is a waste management program characterized by causing a computer to function as a calculation means for calculating the remaining storage capacity, which indicates how much waste can be stored in the temporary storage location, based on an image of the waste piled up and temporarily stored in the temporary storage location and a regulated height, which is the upper limit of the height of the waste piled up.

[0011] The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in the waste management program described in claim 5, the computer functions as a delivery schedule storage means that stores a delivery schedule indicating the planned date and quantity of the waste to be delivered to the temporary storage location, and the calculation means calculates the arrival date on which the piled height of the waste will reach the regulated height based on the remaining storage quantity and the delivery schedule.

[0012] The invention of claim 7 is characterized in that, in the waste management program of claim 5 or 6, the computer functions as an ordering means that places an external request for removal of the waste from the temporary storage location based on the calculation results by the calculation means.

[0013] The invention of claim 8 is characterized in that, in the waste management program described in claim 5, the calculation means uses a learning model for waste management that has been machine-learned based on past performance data so that when the regulated height and the image are input, the remaining storage capacity is output. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the inventions of claims 1 and 5, the remaining amount of waste that can be stored (remaining storage capacity) is calculated based on an image of the waste storage status and the regulated height, making it possible to properly determine when the waste should be removed from the temporary storage location. Moreover, since it is only necessary to take a photograph of the waste storage status, there is no need for a person to go to the temporary storage location to check, which significantly reduces time and labor. In this way, waste accumulated in the temporary storage location can be properly and easily disposed of.

[0015] According to the inventions of claims 2 and 6, the date on which the piled-up height of waste will reach the regulated height is calculated and predicted based on the remaining storage capacity and the delivery schedule, and arrangements for removal and disposal of waste can be made appropriately based on this arrival date. As a result, waste accumulated in temporary storage locations can be appropriately disposed of. In other words, waste can be piled up to the appropriate height in temporary storage locations, and then removed and disposed of safely and in the maximum possible storage state, preventing waste from being removed unnecessarily frequently or from being stored excessively in temporary storage locations.

[0016] According to the inventions described in claims 3 and 7, a request for removal of waste is automatically placed with an external party based on the remaining storage capacity and arrival date, making it possible to properly and easily dispose of waste accumulated in temporary storage locations.

[0017] According to the inventions of claims 4 and 8, the remaining storage capacity is output using a machine-learned learning model for waste management, making it possible to calculate and obtain a more appropriate remaining storage capacity. As a result, waste accumulated in temporary storage locations can be more appropriately disposed of. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a waste management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a waste management computer of the waste management system of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of a management task of the waste management computer of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing the pile-up status and regulated height of waste concrete pillars in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a waste management learning model of the waste management computer of FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention will be described below based on the illustrated embodiments.

[0020] 1 to 6 show an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a waste management system 1 according to this embodiment. This waste management system 1 is a system for managing the disposal of waste, and in this embodiment, a case will be described in which the waste is waste concrete poles H. Here, it is assumed that an electric power company or the like temporarily stores removed waste concrete poles H by piling them up in a utility pole material storage area (temporary storage location) W, and requests a waste disposal company (outside) to remove and dispose of the concrete poles H based on the accumulated quantity and number.

[0021] The waste management system 1 mainly comprises a fixed camera (photographing means) 2, a construction management computer (delivery schedule storage means) 3, and a waste management computer 4, and the waste management computer 4 is connected to the fixed camera 2 and the construction management computer 3 so as to be able to communicate freely.

[0022] The fixed camera 2 is a camera that is installed in the utility pole material storage area W and photographs the storage state (stacking state) of the waste concrete poles H. It also has a communication function, and in this embodiment, it periodically photographs the storage state and transmits the images to the waste management computer 4. Alternatively, it may photograph the storage state in response to a photography request from the waste management computer 4 and transmit the images. Here, if multiple utility pole material storage areas W are provided, the fixed camera 2 in each utility pole material storage area W may transmit the photographed image together with the identification information of the fixed camera 2 and the utility pole material storage area W to the waste management computer 4.

[0023] The construction management computer 3 is a computer that manages and stores a construction schedule (delivery schedule) that indicates the planned date and quantity of waste concrete poles H to be delivered to the utility pole material storage area W. That is, it manages and stores a construction schedule that includes the construction date, construction location, location and identification information of the utility pole material storage area W to which the waste concrete poles H will be delivered, the planned delivery date to the utility pole material storage area W, and the quantity and number of waste concrete poles H for each concrete pole removal construction work carried out by the electric power company or the like. Here, the planned delivery date may be calculated from the construction date (for example, calculated as a predetermined period after the construction date) instead of directly managing and storing the date. Such a construction schedule is input by a construction person in charge of the electric power company or the like.

[0024] The waste management computer 4 is a computer server that manages and supports waste disposal, and in this embodiment is installed in the office of the electric power company. As shown in Figure 2, this waste management computer 4 mainly comprises an input unit 41, a display unit 42, a communication unit 43, a memory unit 44, a management task (calculation means) 45, an ordering task (ordering means) 46, a learning task 47, and a central processing unit 48 that controls these. The waste management computer 4 may be configured as multiple computer servers, or the construction management computer 3 and the waste management computer 4 may be configured as a single computer server.

[0025] The input unit 41 is an interface for inputting various information and commands, and specifically inputs a command to start the management task 45 and waste information, which will be described later. The display unit 42 is a display that displays various data and information, and specifically displays the results of calculations performed by the management task 45 and purchase orders performed by the ordering task 46. The communication unit 43 is an interface for communicating with the outside via the Internet network, telephone communication network, etc., and specifically sends a request to shoot to the fixed camera 2, receives images from the fixed camera 2, or sends a purchase order to the waste disposal company computer G, which will be described later.

[0026] The storage unit 44 mainly includes a waste information database (waste information storage means) 441, a waste management learning model 442, and a waste management performance database 443. Here, the waste information database 441 will be explained, and the waste management learning model 442 and the waste management performance database 443 will be explained later.

[0027] The waste information database 441 is a database that stores information (waste information) related to the waste concrete poles H. In other words, it stores the diameter and length of the waste concrete poles H stored in the utility pole material storage areas W, the regulated height K which is the upper limit of the stack height from the ground G (maximum height that stacking is allowed), and so on. In this case, if the regulated height K differs depending on the utility pole material storage area W, the regulated height K for each utility pole material storage area W is stored. Furthermore, if the type of waste stored at each utility pole material storage area W differs, the type of waste, dimensions, regulated height K, and so on are stored for each utility pole material storage area W.

[0028] The management task 45 is a program task that calculates the remaining storage capacity, which indicates how many more waste concrete poles H can be stored in the utility pole material storage area W from the current time, and calculates the date on which the piled-up height of the waste concrete poles H will reach the regulated height K. In this embodiment, it is activated when an image is received from the fixed camera 2. Alternatively, it may be activated when a start command is input from the input unit 41, send a photographing request to the fixed camera 2, receive an image, and perform similar processing.

[0029] First, as shown in Fig. 3, the remaining storage capacity is calculated based on the image received from the fixed camera 2 and the regulated height K (step S1). That is, the image is analyzed to determine the number of waste concrete pillars H currently being stored (waste concrete pillars H shown by solid lines in Fig. 4). Furthermore, based on the diameter of the waste concrete pillars H, it is determined how many more waste concrete pillars H (waste concrete pillars H shown by two-dot chain lines in Fig. 4) can be stored if the maximum amount of waste concrete pillars H is stored from the current storage state up to the regulated height K.

[0030] At this time, if the waste concrete pillars H continue to be piled up in the current storage state and the topmost waste concrete pillar H reaches the regulated height K and stores the maximum number of waste concrete pillars H, the remaining number of waste concrete pillars H that can be stored is calculated. For example, if there are a large number of waste concrete pillars H at the bottom, the total number that can be stored will be large, and if there are a small number of waste concrete pillars H at the bottom, the total number that can be stored will be small. The remaining number that can be stored is calculated by subtracting the number of waste concrete pillars H currently being stored from this total number. Here, the regulated height K is the regulated height K at the utility pole material storage site W where the fixed camera 2 is installed, obtained from the waste information database 441. The remaining number that can be stored thus calculated is also displayed on the display unit 42 and / or transmitted to the manager's communication terminal.

[0031] Next, in this embodiment, it is determined whether the number of waste concrete pillars H currently stored (current storage number) is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (step S2). That is, it is determined whether the current storage number is relatively large and whether the day when the pile height will reach the regulated height K is approaching (whether preparation for waste removal is necessary). Therefore, the predetermined number is set to a number appropriate for making such a determination and is set based on the current storage state. For example, as described above, if the total number of waste concrete pillars H that can be stored when the number of waste concrete pillars H at the bottom is large is 30, the predetermined number is set to around 20, and if the total number of waste concrete pillars H that can be stored when the number of waste concrete pillars H at the bottom is small is 20, the predetermined number is set to around 10. Note that by providing such step S2, it is possible to reduce the processing of steps S4 and S5, which will be described later.

[0032] If the current storage number is less than the predetermined number ("N" in step S2), the process waits for the next startup. On the other hand, if the current storage number is equal to or greater than the predetermined number ("Y" in step S2), it is determined whether the piled height of the waste concrete pillars H has reached the regulated height K (step S3). In other words, it is determined whether the current storage number has reached the total number that can be stored (whether the maximum number has been stored up to the regulated height K).

[0033] As a result, if the total number of waste concrete poles H reaches the storage capacity ("Y" in step S3), the ordering task 46 is started with the arrival date and input parameter set to the current date, and an order for removal of the waste concrete poles H is placed with the waste disposal company (step S6). On the other hand, if the total number of waste concrete poles H does not reach the storage capacity ("N" in step S3), the construction schedule for the transport to the utility pole material storage area W where the fixed camera 2 is installed is obtained from the construction management computer 3 (step S4).

[0034] Next, based on the acquired construction schedule and the remaining storage capacity number calculated in step S1, the arrival date when the piled-up height of the waste concrete pillars H will reach the regulated height K is calculated (step S5). In other words, based on the planned date and quantity of future waste concrete pillars H to be carried into the utility pole material storage area W, it is calculated how many days from the current time it will take for the remaining storage capacity number of waste concrete pillars H to be carried into the utility pole material storage area W. Specifically, the quantities and numbers of pillars to be carried into the removal construction works closest in order of their planned delivery date are added, and the planned delivery date when the added number and total reach (or are just about to exceed) the remaining storage capacity number is calculated as the arrival date.

[0035] Then, the ordering task 46 is started using the calculated arrival date as an input parameter, and an order is placed with the waste disposal company to remove the waste concrete pillar H (step S6). The calculated arrival date is also displayed on the display unit 42 and transmitted to the manager's communication terminal.

[0036] Here, in step S1 of the management task 45, when the restriction height K and an image are input, a learning model for waste management 442 that has been machine-learned based on past performance data is used so that the remaining storage capacity is output. This learning model for waste management 442 is created by the learning task 47.

[0037] That is, as shown in Fig. 5, the learning task 37 uses past performance data recorded and accumulated in a waste management performance database 443 to create a waste management learning model 442 using a known machine learning algorithm such as a neural network. This waste management performance database 443 is a database in which performance data is recorded and accumulated, including the remaining storage capacity calculated by experts in the management of waste concrete pillars H and experts in image analysis, based on the restriction height K and images of the storage state as input information. The past performance data includes the actual restriction height K and images, the remaining storage capacity actually calculated by experts and experts, as well as data created through advance training, etc.

[0038] This learning task 37 uses machine learning and deep learning using a neural network to create a neural network based on performance data recorded in the waste management performance database 443, with, for example, the restriction height K and an image as an input layer, the remaining storage capacity as an output layer, and analysis processing from the input layer to the output layer as an intermediate layer. Then, the learning task 37 uses the performance data of the waste management learning model 442 as learning data to learn various parameters in the intermediate layer. In other words, the learning task 37 learns various parameters in the intermediate layer so that the remaining storage capacity is appropriately output based on the restriction height K and an image.

[0039] The ordering task 46 is a program task that issues a removal request to a waste disposal company (external) to remove the waste concrete poles H from the utility pole material storage area W based on the calculation result by the management task 45. In this embodiment, as described above, the ordering task 46 is started by the management task 45, but it may also be started when a start command is input from the input unit 41 with the arrival date and the like as input parameters.

[0040] This ordering task 46 creates an order form based on the arrival date calculated by the management task 45. That is, the order form form is stored in advance, and the location of removal, desired removal date, etc. are entered. Here, the utility pole material storage site W targeted by the management task 45 is entered as the removal location, and the arrival date is entered as the desired removal date. The order form created in this way is then sent to the waste disposal contractor's computer G via the communication unit 43.

[0041] According to the waste management system 1 configured as described above, the storage state of the waste concrete poles H in the utility pole material storage area W is photographed periodically by the fixed camera 2, and the images are sent to the waste management computer 4. In response to this, the management task 45 is started, and as described above, the remaining number of waste concrete poles H that can be stored (remaining storage capacity) and the arrival date when the stacked height will reach the regulated height K are calculated. Then, based on the arrival date, the ordering task 46 is started, and as described above, a request for removal of the waste concrete poles H is placed with the waste disposal company.

[0042] In this way, based on the image of the storage state of the waste concrete pillars H and the regulated height K, the remaining number of waste concrete pillars H that can be stored (remaining storage capacity) is calculated, making it possible to properly determine when the waste concrete pillars H should be removed from the utility pole material storage area W. Moreover, since it is only necessary to take a photograph of the storage state of the waste concrete pillars H, there is no need for a person to go to the utility pole material storage area W to check, which makes it possible to significantly reduce time and labor. In this way, it becomes possible to properly and easily dispose of the waste concrete pillars H that have accumulated in the utility pole material storage area W.

[0043] Moreover, since the remaining storage capacity is output using the machine-learned waste management learning model 442, it becomes possible to calculate and obtain a more appropriate remaining storage capacity. As a result, it becomes possible to more appropriately dispose of the waste concrete poles H accumulated in the utility pole material storage area W.

[0044] Furthermore, since the date on which the piled-up height of the waste concrete pillars H will reach the regulated height K is calculated and predicted based on the remaining storage capacity and the construction schedule, it becomes possible to appropriately arrange for the removal and disposal of the waste concrete pillars H based on this arrival date. As a result, it becomes possible to appropriately dispose of the waste concrete pillars H accumulated in the utility pole material storage area W. In other words, the waste concrete pillars H can be piled up to the appropriate height in the utility pole material storage area W, and then removed and disposed of in a safe and maximally stored state, making it possible to prevent the waste concrete pillars H from being removed unnecessarily frequently and from being stored excessively in the utility pole material storage area W.

[0045] In addition, a request for removal of the waste concrete poles H is automatically placed with a waste disposal company based on the arrival date, making it possible to properly and easily dispose of the waste concrete poles H accumulated in the utility pole material storage area W.

[0046] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and the present invention also includes design changes within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the waste material is waste concrete pillars H, but the present invention can also be applied to other waste materials. Furthermore, in the management task 45, the above step S2 may be omitted.

[0047] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the carry-out request is placed based on the arrival date, but the carry-out request may also be placed based on the remaining storage capacity. That is, whether or not an order is necessary is determined based on the current remaining storage capacity, and if it is determined that an order is necessary because the remaining storage capacity is below a predetermined number, a purchase order may be created and sent with the desired carry-out date set as a date after the number of days corresponding to the remaining storage capacity (for example, a longer number of days if the remaining storage capacity is high).

[0048] On the other hand, the waste management system 1 and waste management computer 4 described above may be configured by installing the following waste management program on a general-purpose computer.

[0049] In other words, it is a waste management program that causes a computer to function as: a calculation means (management task 45) that calculates the remaining storage capacity, which indicates how much waste can be stored in a temporary storage location, based on images of the waste piled up and temporarily stored in the temporary storage location and the regulatory height K, which is the upper limit of the piled height of the waste; a delivery schedule storage means that stores a delivery schedule that indicates the planned date and quantity of waste to be delivered to the temporary storage location; and an ordering means (ordering task 46) that issues an external request to remove the waste from the temporary storage location based on the results of the calculation by the calculation means.The calculation means calculates the date on which the piled height of the waste will reach the regulatory height K based on the remaining storage capacity and the delivery schedule, and also uses a waste management learning model 442 that has been machine-learned based on past performance data so that when the regulatory height K and an image of the storage state are input, the remaining storage capacity is output. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Waste Management System 2 Fixed camera (photography means) 3 Construction management computer (delivery schedule storage means) 4 Waste Management Computer 441 Waste information database (waste information storage means) 442 Learning Model for Waste Management 45 Management Tasks (Calculation Means) 46 Ordering Task (Ordering Method) H Waste concrete pillar (waste) W Utility pole material storage area (temporary storage area) K Regulated Height

Claims

1. a photographing means disposed in a temporary storage location where waste is piled up and temporarily stored, for photographing the storage state of the waste; a calculation means for calculating a remaining storage capacity indicating how much of the waste can be stored in the temporary storage location based on a regulated height that is an upper limit of the pile height of the waste and the image taken by the photographing means; A waste management system comprising:

2. a delivery schedule storage means for storing a delivery schedule indicating the planned date and quantity of the waste to be delivered to the temporary storage location; The calculation means calculates the date on which the piled-up height of the waste will reach the regulated height based on the remaining storage capacity and the carry-in schedule.

2. The waste management system according to claim 1.

3. an ordering means for placing an external order for transporting the waste from the temporary storage location based on the calculation result by the calculation means; 3. The waste management system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the calculation means uses a learning model for waste management that has been machine-learned based on past performance data so that the remaining storage capacity is output when the restriction height and the image are input; 2. The waste management system according to claim 1.

5. Computer, a calculation means for calculating a remaining storage capacity indicating how much of the waste can be stored in the temporary storage location based on an image of the waste piled up and temporarily stored in the temporary storage location and a regulated height that is the upper limit of the height of the waste piled up; A waste management program characterized by functioning as a

6. Computer, functioning as a delivery schedule storage means for storing a delivery schedule indicating the planned date and quantity of the waste to be delivered to the temporary storage location; The calculation means calculates the date on which the piled-up height of the waste will reach the regulated height based on the remaining storage capacity and the carry-in schedule.

6. The waste management program according to claim 5.

7. Computer, and causing the waste management device to function as an ordering device that issues a carry-out request to an external party to carry out the waste from the temporary storage location based on the calculation result by the calculation device.

7. The waste management program according to claim 5 or 6.

8. the calculation means uses a learning model for waste management that has been machine-learned based on past performance data so that the remaining storage capacity is output when the restriction height and the image are input; 6. The waste management system according to claim 5.

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