Garbage collection status management system

Abstract

To provide a garbage collection status management system that can easily obtain garbage collection status data without requiring the labor of workers. [Solution] A garbage collection status management system 100 is operated by connecting a wearable terminal 1 carried by a worker who stops at a garbage collection point and capable of acquiring the worker's location information to a management server 3 that manages information about the garbage collection points via a public communication line NW.The management server 3 is equipped with a management server storage means 90 that stores a garbage collection point list 91 that associates pre-registered garbage collection points with the location information of the garbage collection points, a determination means 81 that determines whether garbage has been collected at a garbage collection point registered in the garbage collection point list 91, and a data generation means 82 that generates garbage collection status data 92 that associates a garbage collection point that has been determined by the determination means 81 to have garbage collected with the garbage collection status.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a garbage collection status management system that is operated by connecting a wearable device carried by a worker who stops at a garbage collection site and capable of acquiring the worker's location information to a management server that manages information about the garbage collection site via a public communication line. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, combustible waste and non-combustible waste are accumulated at a waste collection point, then collected by a garbage collection truck (compact truck), and transported to an incineration facility, etc. A garbage collection status management system has been proposed to manage whether or not such garbage at a waste collection point has been collected by a garbage collection truck (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The waste collection status management system described in Patent Document 1 includes a mobile terminal and a management server. In this waste collection status management system, the management server selects candidate waste collection points based on location information acquired by the mobile terminal and transmits the candidate waste collection points to the mobile terminal. A worker can select a completed waste collection point (where waste has been collected) from the candidate waste collection points transmitted by the management server by operating the mobile terminal, thereby generating waste collection status data that associates the selected waste collection point with the waste collection status. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7473140 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the waste collection status management system in Patent Document 1 requires workers to select each waste collection site that they have already worked on, which is time-consuming and burdensome for the workers. Also, if a worker forgets to operate their mobile device, the information will not be updated, which is a problem.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a garbage collection status management system that can easily obtain garbage collection status data without requiring the workers to take time and effort. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The garbage collection status management system according to the present invention, which solves the above problems, has the following characteristic configuration: A garbage collection status management system that is operated by connecting a wearable device that is carried by a worker who stops at a garbage collection point and can acquire location information of the worker to a management server that manages information about the garbage collection point via a public communication line, The management server a management server storage means for storing a list of pre-registered garbage collection points associated with location information of the garbage collection points; a determination means for determining whether or not garbage has been collected from a garbage collection point registered in the garbage collection point list; a data generating means for generating garbage collection status data that associates the garbage collection site where the determining means has determined that garbage has been collected with the garbage collection status; Equipped with The determination means determines that the garbage at a garbage collection point has been collected if a garbage collection point registered in the garbage collection point list is present within a predetermined range based on a location identified from the location information acquired by the wearable terminal.

[0008] In this waste collection status management system, the wearable device is held by the worker, and the location information acquired by the wearable device corresponds to the worker's location information. If a waste collection site registered in the waste collection site list is located within a predetermined range based on the location identified from the location information acquired by the wearable device, the management server determines that waste at that waste collection site has been collected. Therefore, waste at a waste collection site is determined to have been collected when the worker approaches the waste collection site to collect the waste. This eliminates the need for the worker to select a waste collection site that has already been worked on, thereby reducing the worker's effort. Furthermore, waste collection status data is generated that associates the waste collection status with the waste collection site determined by the determination means to have collected waste. This makes it easy to obtain the waste collection status data.

[0009] In the waste collection status management system according to the present invention, The predetermined range is preferably set in a plurality of stages.

[0010] According to the garbage collection status management system of this configuration, the specified range is set in multiple stages, so that among the garbage collection points where it is determined that garbage has been collected, it becomes clear which garbage collection points are considered to have been collected with certainty and which garbage collection points may not have been collected, making it possible to obtain more accurate garbage collection status data.

[0011] In the waste collection status management system according to the present invention, The wearable terminal preferably includes a detection means for detecting a collection action of a worker.

[0012] According to this waste collection status management system, the wearable device is equipped with a detection means, which allows it to detect the collection actions of workers and accurately determine whether or not the workers have actually collected waste, thereby obtaining more accurate waste collection status data.

[0013] In the waste collection status management system according to the present invention, The wearable device is preferably a smart watch.

[0014] With this waste collection status management system, the wearable device is a smartwatch, so workers can keep both hands free while collecting waste. Furthermore, the wearable device is less likely to be dropped while workers are collecting waste, preventing damage to the device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a waste collection status management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the waste collection status management system of this embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the selection of a garbage collection point in the garbage collection status management system of this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure for managing the waste collection status carried out in the waste collection status management system of this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The following describes the waste collection status management system of the present invention. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the configurations shown in the following embodiments and drawings. In this specification, the term "waste collection point" literally refers to the waste collection point itself, and also refers to information (data) related to the waste collection point.

[0017] <Overall structure> FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a waste collection status management system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The waste collection status management system 100 is used to manage whether or not waste at a waste collection point has been collected by a waste collection truck. On a waste collection day, the waste collection truck travels to multiple waste collection points in sequence to collect waste and ultimately transport it to an incineration facility or the like. A worker aboard the waste collection truck performs collection work by picking up waste at each waste collection point and loading it into the waste collection truck. As shown in FIG. 1, the waste collection status management system 100 includes a wearable device 1 carried by a worker and capable of acquiring the worker's location information, and a management server 3 that manages information related to the waste collection points. The wearable device 1 and management server 3 are connected and operated via a public communication line (such as the Internet) NW.

[0018] 2 is a functional block diagram of the waste collection status management system 100 of this embodiment. The functions of the wearable device 1 and the management server 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0019] <Wearable devices> The wearable device 1 is held by a worker (lended by the waste collection company) and connected to the management server 3 via a public communication line NW. The wearable device 1 is a device that the worker can wear on a part of their body, such as their arm or head. Examples of the wearable device 1 include wristband-type or watch-type devices worn on the wrist, clip-type devices attached to clothing or a belt, eyeglass-type devices worn on the face, and ring-type devices worn on the finger. A small device such as a smartphone can also be used as the wearable device 1 by wearing it on the arm using an attachment such as an armband. In this embodiment, a wristband-type or watch-type device worn on the wrist is preferably used as the wearable device 1, and a smartwatch is particularly suitable. Since the wearable device 1 is a smartwatch, both hands of the worker are free, so it does not interfere with the waste collection operation. Furthermore, the wearable device 1 is less likely to be dropped by the worker while collecting waste, preventing damage to the wearable device 1.

[0020] The wearable terminal 1 includes a communication unit 10 and a processing unit 20.

[0021] [Communications Department] The communication unit 10 has a wearable terminal transmission means 11, and communicates with the management server 3 via a public communication line NW, as shown in Fig. 1. The wearable terminal transmission means 11 transmits information acquired by the wearable terminal 1 (worker position information acquired by a worker position information acquisition means 21 described later, and behavior information acquired by a detection means 22 described later) to the management server 3. The communication unit 10 is configured with a communication module that complies with a communication standard (cellular system) such as LTE or 5G, for example.

[0022] [Processing section] As shown in FIG. 2, the processing unit 20 includes a worker position information acquisition unit 21 and a detection unit 22.

[0023] [Worker location information acquisition means] The worker position information acquisition means 21 acquires position information indicating the current position of the wearable device 1. In other words, since the wearable device 1 is held by the worker, the position information indicating the current position of the wearable device 1 acquired by the worker position information acquisition means 21 corresponds to position information indicating the current position of the worker (worker position information). The worker position information acquisition means 21 acquires the worker position information based on a positioning signal from GPS, which is one of the GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). The worker position information acquisition means 21 may also use Michibiki as a QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System). The worker position information acquired by the worker position information acquisition means 21 includes position-related data such as latitude, longitude, and altitude. The worker position information may also include information (date and time) regarding the time when the position information was acquired. In this embodiment, the worker position information acquisition means 21 is configured to automatically acquire the position information of the wearable device 1 at regular intervals (for example, every 1 to 30 seconds). By automatically acquiring location information at regular intervals, it becomes possible to identify garbage collection points where workers have completed their work without any effort on the part of the workers. The wearable device 1 may also be configured to automatically acquire location information by detecting the movement of the worker (for example, by detecting vertical vibrations when walking). By automatically acquiring location information of the wearable device 1 by detecting the movement of the worker, data is not acquired when the worker is not moving, so it is possible to obtain the necessary worker location information while keeping the overall amount of data down.

[0024] [Detection method] The detection means 22 detects the collection actions (behavior) of the worker. The detection means 22 is not particularly limited as long as it can detect information indicating the worker's movements (behavior information), but an example is a gyro sensor. A gyro sensor detects angular velocity data by measuring angular velocity in each of three mutually perpendicular axial directions. Therefore, if the wearable device 1 has a built-in gyro sensor, by holding the wearable device 1 on the worker's wrist, it can detect information indicating the worker's movements (behavior information), such as the worker's collection actions when lifting and collecting trash and the worker's walking movements. Furthermore, the detection means 22 may be, for example, a camera that captures the worker's movements. If the wearable device 1 is a pair of smart glasses, the image captured by the camera of the smart glasses captures the trash picked up by the worker, thereby detecting the worker's collection actions when lifting and collecting trash. The inclusion of the detection means 22 makes it possible to accurately determine whether the worker actually collected trash.

[0025] <Administration Server> The management server 3 manages information related to waste collection sites and is connected to the wearable device 1. The management server 3 is mainly composed of a computer equipped with a CPU, memory, storage, etc. The management server 3 is preferably a cloud server, but may also be installed in the office of the local government or company that operates the waste collection status management system 100.

[0026] The management server 3 includes a communication unit 70, a processing unit 80, and a storage unit 90.

[0027] [Communications Department] The communication unit 70 has a management server receiving means 72 and communicates with the wearable device 1 via a public communication line NW, as shown in Fig. 1. The management server receiving means 72 receives information (worker position information and behavior information) acquired by the wearable device 1 and transmitted from the wearable device 1. The communication unit 70 is configured, for example, with a wired LAN module, a wireless LAN module, or a communication module compliant with a communication standard (cellular system) such as LTE or 5G.

[0028] [Processing section] The processing unit 80 includes a determination unit 81 , a data generation unit 82 , and an image generation unit 83 .

[0029] [Judgment means] The determination means 81 determines whether or not garbage has been collected at a garbage collection point registered in the garbage collection point list 91. The determination means 81 determines that garbage at the garbage collection point has been collected if a garbage collection point registered in the garbage collection point list 91 is located within a predetermined range based on a location identified from location information acquired by the wearable device 1 (worker location information acquired by the worker location information acquisition means 21). Therefore, since garbage at a garbage collection point is determined to have been collected when a worker approaches the garbage collection point to collect garbage, the worker does not need to select a garbage collection point that has already been visited each time, which saves the worker time. Note that the error in the worker location information transmitted from the wearable device transmission means 11 may be estimated in advance, and if there is worker location information estimated to have a large error, the worker location information may be excluded from use by the determination means 81, for example, by setting a flag. The error estimation method is not particularly limited, and the error may be estimated by, for example, performing processing such as the moving average method, outlier removal, and spike removal. Furthermore, if the coordinates of the acquired worker position information are coordinates of a location that requires the worker to move at a speed faster than the worker's movement speed (for example, 12 m / s or more), it is estimated that the error in the acquired worker position information is large. By excluding worker position information with a large error, it is possible to more accurately select the waste collection site where the waste was collected.

[0030] Furthermore, it is preferable that the determination means 81 determine whether or not garbage has been collected at a garbage collection point registered in the garbage collection point list 91 based on the behavior information in addition to the worker position information. By configuring in this manner, the actions of the worker at the position identified from the worker position information (the collection actions when the worker lifts up and collects garbage, the walking actions of the worker, etc.) become clear, and for example, a garbage collection point where a worker went to the garbage collection point but did not collect any garbage will not be determined to have garbage collected, thereby improving the determination accuracy of the determination means 81.

[0031] The determination means 81 preferably finds a point where the coordinates of the worker's location information converge. When a worker collects garbage, he or she stops walking to collect the garbage, and therefore, the coordinates of multiple worker's location information converge at the location where the worker stopped walking. Therefore, by finding the point where the coordinates of the worker's location information converge, it becomes clear where the worker is heading and where he or she stopped. The determination means 81 also preferably determines the collection action of the worker when lifting and collecting garbage from the behavioral information. For example, typical behaviors observed when walking include a temporary decrease in vertical movement, a strong forward movement of the arms, and a change in acceleration. These behaviors are observed when the worker stops walking, bends down to pick up garbage, or stands up to pick up garbage. Therefore, a score is assigned to each of these actions, and if the total score exceeds a threshold, it is determined that a collection action is likely to have been performed. Based on this information, for example, if a collection action is performed at the point where the coordinates of the worker's location information converge, the determination means 81 determines that garbage at a garbage collection site has been collected, thereby more accurately determining which garbage collection site the worker approached to collect garbage.

[0032] Furthermore, the determination means 81 may determine whether garbage has been collected at a garbage collection point registered in the garbage collection point list 91 by using an algorithm that has been trained in advance on learning data such as the previous day's worker position information and sample data of behavior information (sensor waveforms and actual behaviors labeled). Since the likelihood that a worker is actually collecting garbage increases when a worker stops walking near a garbage collection point or turns around while walking, weighting these actions during machine learning makes it possible to quickly and efficiently determine which garbage collection point has collected garbage. Furthermore, by training a model that classifies and identifies specific behavior patterns during machine learning, the determination accuracy of the determination means 81 is improved and the model can also be used to determine whether or not a problem has occurred.

[0033] In this embodiment, the predetermined range is preferably within a 50-meter radius from the location identified from the worker location information, more preferably within a 10-meter radius, and particularly preferably within a 5-meter radius. Setting the predetermined range to this range allows for more accurate identification of the garbage collection site that the worker approaches to collect garbage. The predetermined range is also preferably set according to the frequency with which the worker location information acquisition means 21 acquires the worker location information. For example, if the worker location information acquisition means 21 acquires the worker location information every short time (e.g., every 1 to 10 seconds), the predetermined range is set to a short distance range (e.g., within a 10-meter radius from the location identified from the worker location information). However, if the worker location information acquisition means 21 acquires the worker location information at regular intervals (e.g., every 20 to 30 seconds), the predetermined range is set to a wide range (e.g., within a 50-meter radius from the location identified from the worker location information). In this way, by setting the predetermined range according to the frequency with which the worker position information acquisition means 21 acquires the worker's position information, it is possible to accurately determine the garbage collection point that the worker approached to collect garbage. Furthermore, if there are multiple garbage collection points registered in the garbage collection point list 91 within the predetermined range, the determination means 81 may determine that garbage from the nearest garbage collection point has been collected. Furthermore, the determination means 81 may have a function to correct the predetermined range, for example, taking into account the curvature of the Earth. By having such a correction function, it is possible to more accurately select the garbage collection point where garbage has been collected.

[0034] The predetermined range used by the determination means 81 when determining whether garbage has been collected at a garbage collection point is preferably set to multiple levels. Setting the predetermined range to multiple levels allows for ranking, for example, by assigning an "A" to a garbage collection point where garbage has been reliably collected, a "B" to a garbage collection point where garbage is likely to have been collected, and a "C" to a garbage collection point within the predetermined range but where garbage is unlikely to have been collected. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of how garbage collection points are determined in the garbage collection status management system 100 of this embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a garbage collection point list 91 registers garbage collection points 91a to 91c in a certain collection area, and the predetermined range is set to three levels, A to C, based on a position P identified from the position information (worker position information) acquired by the wearable device 1. In this case, the determination means 81 determines that garbage collection point 91a, which is located within predetermined range A, is "garbage collected (A)." Because garbage collection point 91b is not within predetermined range A but is within predetermined range B, it is determined to be "garbage collected (B)." Garbage collection point 91c is not within the ranges A and B, but is within the range C, so it is determined to be "garbage collected (C)." In this way, among the garbage collection points where it is determined that garbage has been collected, it becomes clear which have been collected reliably and which have not, and more accurate garbage collection status data 92 can be obtained.

[0035] [Data generation method] The data generation means 82 generates garbage collection status data 92 that associates garbage collection sites where the determination means 81 has determined that garbage has been collected with the garbage collection status. The garbage collection status includes "garbage not collected," which indicates that garbage collection has not yet been completed, and "garbage collected," which indicates that garbage has been collected. The creation of the garbage collection status data 92 begins from an initial state in which the garbage collection status of all garbage collection sites registered in the garbage collection site list 91 on the garbage collection day is "garbage not collected." The data generation means 82 generates garbage collection status data 92 that associates garbage collection sites where the determination means 81 has determined that garbage has been collected with the garbage collection status of "garbage collected." The generated garbage collection status data 92 is stored in the memory unit 90.

[0036] [Image generation method] Based on the waste collection status data 92 generated by the data generation means 82, the image generation means 83 generates an image to be displayed on a display device (not shown) installed in a location where the waste collection headquarters, local government administrator, or administrative administrator can check, for example, data indicating how many waste collection points in a given area have been collected for each day. The image preferably represents the daily data for the given area in real time. The generated image is transmitted from the communication unit 70 to the display device.

[0037] [Storage section] The memory unit 90 is a storage device in a computer and functions as a management server storage means for storing and saving various data. The memory unit 90 stores a garbage collection site list 91 that associates pre-registered garbage collection sites with location information for those garbage collection sites, and reads this list as needed. The memory unit 90 also stores garbage collection status data 92 generated by the data generation means 82. The memory unit 90 may also store information acquired by the wearable device 1 (worker location information and behavior information) transmitted from the wearable device 1, as well as the date and time when the worker location information and behavior information were acquired and the device name of the wearable device 1 (worker name and garbage collection truck name). Storing this information allows the location information of the wearable device 1 to be displayed on a map at a later date, and the collection history for each worker and garbage collection truck to be reviewed.

[0038] The garbage collection point list 91 associates garbage collection points with at least the location information of the garbage collection points. For example, the garbage collection point list 91 associates the location information of the garbage collection points with images, names of the garbage collection points, addresses, and registration information. The garbage collection point list 91 is registered in advance. It is preferable that the location information, images, names, and addresses of registered garbage collection points can be edited later. By configuring the information registered in the garbage collection point list 91 to be editable later, errors in the location information of the garbage collection points and changes in the location of the garbage collection points can be corrected, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of the garbage collection point list 91. The garbage collection point list 91 can have any data structure.

[0039] <Operation of the garbage collection status management system> FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure for waste collection status management implemented in the waste collection status management system 100 of this embodiment. The procedure for waste collection status management will be explained below using FIG. 4. The symbol "S" in FIG. 4 represents a step. The procedure shown in the flowchart in FIG. 4 starts on the day of waste collection when the waste collection status data 92 is in its initial state, i.e., when the waste collection status at all waste collection points is "waste not collected," and is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle time at least during the time period when waste collection work is carried out.

[0040] <S101~S102> The wearable device 1 acquires information (S101). The information acquired by the wearable device 1 includes worker position information acquired by the worker position information acquisition means 21 and behavior information acquired by the detection means 22. Then, the wearable device transmission means 11 transmits the information acquired by the wearable device 1 (worker position information and behavior information) to the management server 3 (S102). By repeating the processes of S101 to S102, the wearable device 1 operates to periodically transmit the information acquired by the wearable device 1 to the management server 3.

[0041] <S301~S304> In the management server 3, the management server receiving means 72 receives information (worker position information and behavior information) acquired by the wearable device 1 that is transmitted from the wearable device 1 (wearable device transmitting means 11) (S301). Next, the determination means 81 determines whether or not a garbage collection point registered in the garbage collection point list 91 exists within a predetermined range based on the position identified from the position information acquired by the wearable device 1 (S302). If a garbage collection point exists (S302: YES), it determines that garbage at the garbage collection point existing within the predetermined range has been collected (S303). If a garbage collection point does not exist (S302: NO), the process returns to S301. For a garbage collection site where garbage has been collected, that is, a garbage collection site where garbage has been determined to have been collected in S303, the garbage collection status of the garbage collection site is changed from "garbage not yet collected," which indicates that garbage collection has not yet been completed, to "garbage collected," which indicates that garbage has been collected, and garbage collection status data 92 is generated that associates a garbage collection site where garbage has been determined to have been collected by the determination means 81 with the garbage collection status of "garbage collected" (S304). By repeating the processes of S301 to S304, the management server 3 operates to update the garbage collection status data 92 every time it receives information acquired by the wearable device 1.

[0042] In the waste collection status management system 100 of this embodiment, information acquired by the wearable device 1 (worker location information and behavior information) is transmitted to the management server 3 via the public communication line NW. If a waste collection site registered in the waste collection site list 91 is located within a predetermined range based on the location identified from the location information acquired by the wearable device 1, the management server 3 determines that waste at that waste collection site has been collected. Therefore, when a worker approaches a waste collection site to collect waste, the management server 3 uses information acquired by the wearable device 1 to determine whether waste at the waste collection site has been collected. This eliminates the need for the worker to select a waste collection site that has already been worked on each time, thereby reducing the worker's effort. Furthermore, waste collection status data 92 is generated, which associates the waste collection site determined by the determination means 81 to have collected waste with the waste collection status, making it easy to obtain the waste collection status data 92. [Industrial Applicability]

[0043] The waste collection status management system of the present invention is intended to be used primarily to manage the collection status of general household waste, but can also be used to manage the collection status of other types of waste, such as industrial waste. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1. Wearable devices 3 Management Server 22 Detection means 81 Judgment means 82 Data Generation Methods 90 Storage unit (management server storage means) 91 List of garbage collection points 92 Garbage collection status data NW public communication line

Claims

1. A garbage collection status management system that is operated by connecting a wearable device carried by a worker who stops at a garbage collection site and capable of acquiring location information of the worker to a management server that manages information related to the garbage collection site via a public communication line, and that manages whether garbage at the garbage collection site has been collected by a garbage collection truck, The management server a management server storage means for storing a list of pre-registered garbage collection points associated with location information of the garbage collection points; a determination means for determining whether or not garbage has been collected from a garbage collection point registered in the garbage collection point list; a data generating means for generating garbage collection status data that associates the garbage collection site where the determining means has determined that garbage has been collected with the garbage collection status; Equipped with the wearable terminal includes a detection means for detecting a collection action of a worker; The determination means is a garbage collection status management system that determines that garbage from the garbage collection point has been collected if there is a garbage collection point registered in the garbage collection point list within a predetermined range based on a location identified from the location information acquired by the wearable device, finds a concentration point where the coordinates of multiple location information acquired by the wearable device are concentrated, and performs the collection operation at that concentration point.

2. The waste collection status management system according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined range is set in a plurality of stages.

3. The waste collection status management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wearable terminal is a smart watch.

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