Waste collection status management program and waste collection status management system

Abstract

A waste collection status management program and a waste collection status management system are provided that enable a waste collection vehicle to determine with high accuracy the timing to head to a waste disposal site. [Solution] In a waste collection status management system consisting of a management server and a user terminal, the management server registers the amount of waste collected by waste collection vehicles that day for each collection location P1 to P7, records the amount of waste collected over a specified period in the past for each collection location, calculates the average amount of waste collected in the past for each collection location, adds up the amount of waste collected by waste collection vehicles at each collection location on that day, calculates the excess load on the waste collection vehicle, calculates the sum of the average collection amounts at N collection locations that the waste collection vehicle will collect from immediately after on the collection route R1 on which it is collecting that day (the most recent scheduled collection amount), and displays an overload alert on display unit α3 if the most recent scheduled collection amount exceeds the excess load amount.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a waste collection status management program for managing the status of waste collection by waste collection vehicles, and a waste collection status management system using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] When collecting waste generated by businesses and households, waste collection trucks follow pre-set collection routes and collect waste at each collection point. One collection route may include more than 100 collection points, meaning that one waste collection truck will visit more than 100 collection points in a single day. As such, it is not always easy to efficiently visit a large number of collection points without making any mistakes.

[0003] In light of this situation, the status of waste collection by waste collection vehicles has been managed on a computer. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a program that displays a collection route consisting of multiple collection locations on a map, as shown in Figure 2 of the document, and allows collection workers to view it on their computer terminals. This enables collection workers to efficiently visit the collection locations that should be collected that day, preventing them from missing any waste. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7273431 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, waste collection vehicles have a set maximum load capacity, and driving on public roads with a load exceeding this maximum is a violation of the Road Traffic Act, and it is difficult to ensure driving safety in the first place. For this reason, collection workers check the load capacity (current load) of the waste collection vehicle at that time every time they collect waste at a collection site, and when the load approaches the maximum load (the excess load obtained by subtracting the current load from the maximum load approaches zero), they deviate from the collection route and go to a waste disposal site to unload the waste.

[0006] However, even if a collection worker thinks, "There is still excess load capacity, so we can collect it at the next collection point," when he actually goes to the next collection point, the amount of waste at that collection point may be greater than expected, and he may not be able to collect the waste at that collection point. In this case, instead of collecting the waste at that collection point, he will head to a waste disposal site, unload the waste at the waste disposal site, and then return to the collection point. In other words, the waste collection vehicle will have to travel an increased distance, making waste collection inefficient.

[0007] Conversely, a collection worker may think, "I have no more excess load, so it's impossible to collect at the next collection point," and head to a waste disposal site, unload the waste there, and then head to the next collection point, only to find that the amount of waste at that collection point is less than expected. In fact, they could have visited one or two more collection points without going to the waste disposal site earlier. Therefore, even though they would have only needed to visit the waste disposal site once, they may end up going there more than once. In other words, in this case, the increased travel distance of the waste collection truck makes waste collection inefficient. Because waste disposal sites are often located far from collection routes, the increased number of trips to the waste disposal site can easily result in significant losses.

[0008] In this regard, if collection workers could roughly grasp the collection volume for each collection location on their collection route that day, they could prevent the above-mentioned misjudgments and collect waste more efficiently. However, as already mentioned, one collection route may include more than 100 collection locations, making it difficult for collection workers to grasp the collection volume at all of those locations. In the first place, the same collection workers do not necessarily work the same collection route, and the collection workers working the route may change from day to day.

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a waste collection status management program that enables a computer to determine with high accuracy when a waste collection vehicle should head to a waste disposal site, thereby reducing the burden on collection workers and enabling more efficient collection of waste. Another object of the present invention is to provide a waste collection status management system that uses this waste collection status management program. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The above issues are: A waste collection status management program for causing a computer to function as a means for managing the status of waste collection by a waste collection vehicle, Computer, a collection location registration means for registering a collection location of waste in advance; a collection date registration means for registering in advance the collection date of the waste for each collection location; a collection route setting means for setting in advance a collection route consisting of a plurality of collection locations; a collection amount registration means for registering the amount of waste collected by the waste collection vehicle on each day for each collection location; a past collection amount recording means for recording the amount of waste collected over a predetermined period of time for each collection location; an average collection amount calculation means for calculating an average value of past collection amounts of waste (hereinafter referred to as "average collection amount") for each collection location; a daily collection amount accumulating means for accumulating the amount of waste collected by the waste collection vehicle at each collection location on that day; an excess load calculation means for calculating the difference (hereinafter referred to as "excess load") between the maximum load capacity of the waste collection vehicle and the accumulated value (hereinafter referred to as "current load capacity") of the daily collection amount accumulation means; a means for calculating a most recent scheduled collection amount that calculates the sum of average collection amounts (hereinafter referred to as the "most recent scheduled collection amount") at N collection locations (N is an integer of 1 or more) that will be collected immediately after the waste collection vehicle has made collection on that day on the collection route; an overload alert output means for outputting an alert (hereinafter referred to as an "overload alert") when the latest scheduled collection amount exceeds the excess load amount; Waste collection status management program characterized by functioning as This is solved by providing

[0011] It is preferable that the waste collection status management program of the present invention also functions as an overload alert reset means that, when it detects that waste has been unloaded from a waste collection vehicle, cancels an overload alert and resets the accumulation by the day's collection amount accumulation means.

[0012] Furthermore, the waste collection status management program of the present invention preferably also causes the computer to function as collection map display means for displaying on a map each collection location on a collection route in a manner that makes it possible to see the order of collection.

[0013] When the waste collection status management program of the present invention is used, the computer outputs an overload alert when the sum of the average collection amounts (the most recent planned collection amount) at the next collection location exceeds the surplus load amount. This overload alert can be confirmed on a terminal (user terminal) held by the collection worker. Therefore, when a collection worker confirms the overload alert, they can easily determine, "Maybe it's time to head to the waste disposal site." In addition, because the amount of waste to be collected at the next collection location is predicted based on past performance (especially the most recent performance) at that collection location, the timing to head to the waste disposal site can be determined with high accuracy. This prevents waste losses such as unnecessary trips to the next collection location or unnecessary trips back and forth to the waste disposal site, enabling efficient waste collection.

[0014] However, even if collection locations are included in the same collection route, it is common for collection days to differ (for example, collection days of the week to differ). In other words, among the multiple collection locations that make up a collection route, there is a mixture of collection locations that have collections on that day and collection locations that do not have collections on that day. In this case, the waste collection truck will skip collection locations that do not have collections on that day and will travel around the collection route by following only collection locations that have collections on that day. In this case, the nearest scheduled collection amount calculation means calculates the nearest scheduled collection amount by excluding collection locations that do not have collections on that day.

[0015] Furthermore, the amount of waste collected at a collection location where no waste is collected that day will be recorded as zero. However, if the average collection amount calculation means includes the amount of waste collected on days when no waste was collected (i.e., zero) when calculating the average collection amount for each collection location, there is a risk that the calculated average collection amount will be low. For this reason, it is preferable that the average collection amount calculation means calculates the average collection amount using only the amount of waste collected on days when waste was actually collected at each collection location. This makes it possible to more accurately determine the timing when a waste collection vehicle should head to a waste disposal site.

[0016] In the waste collection status management program of the present invention, the number of collection locations (the above-mentioned value of N) that the most recent planned collection amount calculation means adds up when calculating the most recent planned collection amount is not particularly limited as long as it is 1 or greater. If the value of N is 1, when an overload alert is issued, it can be determined that "you should head to the waste disposal site immediately." Also, if the value of N is 2 or greater, even if an overload alert is issued, it can be determined that "waste can still be collected at N-1 collection locations after this. You should head to the waste disposal site after collecting waste at the next N-1 collection locations."

[0017] There is no particular upper limit to the value of N (the number of collection locations that are totaled when the latest scheduled collection amount calculation means calculates the latest scheduled collection amount), but if the value of N is too large, an overload alert will be output at a fairly early stage, which will be annoying to collection workers. For this reason, the value of N is usually set to 10 or less. The value of N is preferably set to 7 or less, and more preferably set to 5 or less. A value of N of around 3 is optimal.

[0018] While driving a waste collection vehicle along a collection route, collection workers may want to check the average collection volume at each collection location. For example, if the road leading to the next collection location is congested and the next location can be reached more quickly, skipping the next collection location and collecting waste at the next location first may result in a more efficient route. In such a case, the collection worker must determine whether the maximum load capacity will be reached even if the waste is collected at the next collection location first. To make this determination, the collection worker must check the average collection volume at the next collection location. For this reason, the waste collection status management program of the present invention preferably also functions as an average collection volume display means for displaying the average collection volume for each collection location.

[0019] In addition, the above problem is a management server in which the waste collection status management program is implemented; Multiple user terminals that can connect to the management server Waste collection status management system equipped with This can also be solved by providing

[0020] If collection workers are given user terminals, they can immediately know when they need to head to the waste disposal site. Also, if user terminals are installed at the waste collection company's business premises, the waste collection company manager can keep track of the collection status of each waste collection vehicle while at the business premises. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] As described above, the present invention makes it possible to provide a waste collection status management program that enables a computer to accurately determine when a waste collection vehicle should head to a waste disposal site, thereby reducing the burden on collection workers and enabling more efficient waste collection. It also makes it possible to provide a waste collection status management system that uses this waste collection status management program. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall view of a waste collection status management system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a login screen of the waste collection status management system. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a waste collection map display screen of the waste collection status management system. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a weight input screen of the waste collection status management system. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a disposal site map display screen of the waste collection status management system. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a waste collection list display screen of the waste collection status management system. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the collection location registration screen (first half) of the waste collection status management system. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the second half of the collection location registration screen of the waste collection status management system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The waste collection status management system and the waste collection status management program used therein of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the configurations described below are merely preferred embodiments. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations described below. The waste collection status management system and the waste collection status management program used therein of the present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope that does not detract from the spirit of the invention.

[0024] 1. Overview of the waste collection status management system The waste collection status management system of the present invention is intended to enable efficient waste collection by managing the status of waste collection by waste collection vehicles. In particular, its main purpose is to reduce the number of trips to waste disposal sites by determining with high accuracy the timing at which waste collection vehicles should head to waste disposal sites.

[0025] 1 is a diagram showing an overall view of a waste collection status management system. As shown in FIG. 1, the waste collection status management system of the present invention is made up of a management server 10 and a user terminal 20.

[0026] A general server computer can be used as the management server 10. The waste collection status management program described above is installed (stored) in this management server 10 and is in an executable state (a state in which the management server 10 can function as a means for managing the status of waste collection by waste collection vehicles).

[0027] Examples of the user terminal 20 include computer terminals such as personal computers, smartphones, and tablet terminals. A plurality of user terminals 20 are usually provided. For convenience of illustration, three user terminals 20 are shown in FIG. 1, but in reality, four or more user terminals 20 are often provided.

[0028] Of the user terminals 20, the desktop user terminal 21 is usually installed in the business premises of the waste collection company, and the mobile user terminals 22 and 23 are usually carried by collection workers who collect waste in waste collection vehicles. Since two collection workers often ride in one waste collection vehicle and collect waste in pairs, it is recommended that at least one collection worker who rides in the waste collection vehicle (the collection worker who is not driving the waste collection vehicle) carry the user terminal 20.

[0029] The user terminals 20 are connected to the management server 10 by wire or wirelessly. In this embodiment, of the user terminals 20, the desktop user terminal 21 is connected to the management server 10 by wire (wired LAN), and the mobile user terminals 22 and 23 are connected to the management server 10 by wireless (mobile broadband or Wi-Fi communication via the Internet, etc.). Therefore, the user terminal 20 and the management server 10 can communicate with each other.

[0030] The user terminal 20 is equipped with a terminal application for connecting to the management server 10. This allows the user terminal 20 to connect to the management server 10 via the terminal application to check the waste collection status and register the amount of waste collected at each collection location. A user of the waste collection status management system can use the terminal application to perform the above operations on the management server 10. In this embodiment, a general web browser is used as the above terminal application.

[0031] 2. Operation and behavior of the waste collection status management system The operation and behavior of the waste collection status management system will be described below. In the following, an example will be given in which a user connects to the management server 10 from a user terminal 20 and performs various operations while referring to various screens displayed on the web browser of the user terminal 20.

[0032] 2.1 Login screen When using the waste collection status management system, a user connects (accesses) to the management server 10 from a user terminal 20. When the management server 10 is accessed, a login screen S1 is displayed on the display unit (monitor, etc.) of the user terminal 20. Figure 2 shows an example of the login screen S1.

[0033] This login screen S1 is used to authenticate users of the waste collection status management system. As shown in FIG. 2, the login screen S1 has a user name input section, a password input section, and a login button. A user of the waste collection status management system enters the user name and password assigned to them into the user name input section and password input section, respectively, and presses the login button (by tapping, clicking, etc.). This allows the user to log in to the waste collection status management system. If the user name and password entered into the user name input section and password input section do not match those pre-stored in the management server 10, login to the waste collection status management system will be denied.

[0034] 2.2 Waste collection map display screen (basic screen) When a user logs in to the waste collection status management system through the login screen S1 (FIG. 2), the display unit (monitor, etc.) of the user terminal 20 switches to a waste collection map display screen S2 (basic screen). FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the waste collection map display screen S2. The upper part of the waste collection map display screen S2 is a menu display unit α1, and below that is a content display unit α2. Various menu buttons are arranged in the menu display unit α1, and the name of the currently logged-in user is displayed to the right of them. In this embodiment, the menu buttons include a "Collection Map" button, a "Contact Management" button, a "Maintenance Management" button, a "Collection Management" button, and a "Login History" button. When these buttons are pressed (clicked), items corresponding to the menu are displayed in a pull-down menu. By selecting a desired item from the pull-down menu, the display in the content display unit α2 switches to that corresponding to the item. Meanwhile, the menu display unit α1 is always displayed, even when the internal table display unit α2 is switched.

[0035] The pull-down menu of the "Collection Map" button displays the items "Waste Collection Map" and "Waste Collection List." The pull-down menu of the "Contact Management" button displays various items that allow the waste collection company's manager to contact each collection worker. The pull-down menu of the "Maintenance Management" button displays various items for registering each collection worker and managing their work days. The pull-down menu of the "Collection Management" button displays various items for registering waste collection locations and collection routes consisting of multiple collection locations. The pull-down menu of the "Login History" button displays items for checking the login history of each collection worker and manager.

[0036] In this embodiment, when you first log in to the waste collection status management system, a map of the surrounding area is displayed in the internal display section α2 of the waste collection map display screen S2, as shown in Fig. 3. If the content display section α2 has switched to another screen (a screen other than the map), you can display the map shown in Fig. 3 again by selecting "Waste Collection Map" in the pull-down menu of the "Collection Map" button.

[0037] The map displayed on the waste collection map display screen S2 displays the location of the collection worker (waste collection vehicle) holding the user terminal as an icon (in the example of FIG. 3, the icon of the waste collection vehicle). The location of the waste collection vehicle can be recognized from the GPS coordinates of the user terminal or the waste collection vehicle, etc.

[0038] Additionally, on this map, each collection location on the collection route (collection route R1 in the example of FIG. 3) that the collection worker (waste collection vehicle) is responsible for is displayed as an icon (a balloon-shaped icon with a number in the example of FIG. 3). The numbers on the icons indicating each collection location indicate the collection order on collection route R1. In this specification, a map that shows each collection location on a specific collection route in such a way that the collection order can be seen is called a "waste collection map."

[0039] By displaying this waste collection map on their own user terminals, collection workers can easily understand which collection locations they need to visit and in what order they need to visit each day. In addition, they can visit each collection location without getting lost. The waste collection map display screen S2 is a screen that causes the computer to function as a collection map display means that displays each collection location on a map along a collection route in a manner that makes it clear the collection order.

[0040] In addition, on the right side of the content display section α2 (the right side of the waste collection map), there are arranged in a vertical row a "Weight input" button, buttons labeled "Collection location P1" to "Collection location P7", a "Go to disposal site" button, and a "Return to company" button.

[0041] The "Input weight" button is pressed when collecting waste at each collection site. When this "Input weight" button is pressed, the content display section α2 displays a weight input screen S3 ( Figure 4 ), and it becomes possible to input the weight (amount of collected waste) collected at that collection location. This weight input screen S3 will be explained in detail later.

[0042] The buttons labeled "Collection Location P1" to "Collection Location P7" do not actually say "Collection Location P1" to "Collection Location P7," but rather the names of the collection locations (store names, etc.) such as "Yakiniku Restaurant..." or "Beauty Salon...". These buttons labeled with the names of collection locations (the buttons labeled "Collection Location P1" to "Collection Location P7") are arranged in ascending order of the names of the next collection locations (seven collection locations P1 to P7 in the example of Figure 3) that the waste collection truck will head to on the collection route R1 that it is traveling that day. Hereinafter, the group of buttons labeled "Collection Location P1" to "Collection Location P7" may be referred to as the "collection order display button group."

[0043] In the example of Figure 3, the waste collection truck is currently collecting waste at collection location P1, and the button for "Collection Location P1" where the waste is currently being collected is displayed in gray, while the button for "Collection Location P2," where the waste collection truck will head next after collection location P1, is highlighted in yellow. The other buttons for "Collection Location P3" to "Collection Location P7" are displayed in light blue. Collection workers can easily grasp the current situation and the next collection locations to visit from the arrangement and display status of these collection order display buttons.

[0044] When a button with the name of a collection location (such as a button labeled "Collection Location P1" to "Collection Location P7") is pressed, detailed customer information for the collection location corresponding to the pressed button is displayed in a pop-up. Examples of detailed customer information include the customer name, the address of the collection location, a photo of the collection location, notes about the collection location, the collection date, and past collection performance at the collection location (such as the average collection volume described below). Depending on the collection location, it may be difficult to find where the waste is placed, or the location may be locked. However, by looking at the photo and notes of the collection location in the detailed customer information, it is possible to easily determine where the waste is placed and how to unlock the door. Detailed customer information can also be displayed when the icon indicating each collection location on the collection map is pressed.

[0045] In this way, by checking the collection map and the arrangement and status of the collection order display buttons located to the right of it, or by displaying detailed customer information, collection workers can efficiently visit each collection location included in the collection route.

[0046] The "Go to Disposal Site" button is pressed when the waste collection vehicle heads to the waste disposal site. In other words, the "Go to Disposal Site" button is pressed when the waste collection vehicle has finished collecting waste at all collection points on its collection route for that day, or when the waste collection vehicle's load capacity (current load capacity) is approaching its maximum load capacity even when it is halfway along its collection route. When the "Go to Disposal Site" button is pressed, the content display section α2 switches to a disposal site map display screen S4 (FIG. 5) which will be described later. This disposal site map display screen S4 will be described in detail later.

[0047] The "return to company" button is pressed when the waste collection vehicle returns to the company. In other words, the "return to company" button is pressed when the waste collection vehicle has collected waste from all collection locations that it was supposed to visit that day and has unloaded the waste at the waste disposal site. When the "return to company" button is pressed, a map (not shown) showing the location of the company is displayed in the content display section α2. This allows the waste collector to return to the company without getting lost.

[0048] On the waste collection map display screen S2, the waste collection map displayed in the content display section α2 can be switched to one of other collection routes by pressing the pull-down menu at the top of the content display section α2 and selecting a route other than "collection route R1." This allows the manager of the waste collection company to grasp in real time the collection status, such as which collection route each collection worker has currently taken and to which collection location.

[0049] In this embodiment, a message display section α3 is provided in the upper section of the content display section α2 of the waste collection map display screen S2. In the example of FIG. 3, the message display section α3 displays a message saying, "This week is Road Safety Week. Please drive even more safely than usual." Messages to be entered into the message display section α3 can be entered from "Contact Message Management" in the pull-down menu of "Contact Management" in the menu display section α1. Furthermore, in the waste collection status management system of the present invention, as will be described later, an overload alert is displayed when the current load capacity of a waste collection vehicle approaches the maximum load capacity, and this overload alert is also displayed in the message display section α3.

[0050] 2.3 Weight input screen FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the weight input screen S. As already mentioned, the weight input screen S3 is displayed when the "Weight Input" button on the waste collection map display screen S2 is pressed. A numeric keypad is located in the center of the content display section α2 of the weight input screen S3, and waste type selection buttons are located to the right of the content display section α2. The numeric keypad is made up of number buttons from "0" to "9," a "BS" button, a "CLR" button, and an "ENTER" button. The waste type selection buttons are made up of a "Combustible Waste" button, a "Non-Combustible Waste" button, a "Recyclable Waste" button, and an "Other" button. An input weight display field is provided to the left of the content display section α2, where the input content is displayed.

[0051] At each collection site, the type of waste collected and its weight (collection amount) are entered on this weight input screen S3. For example, at a collection site that collects 50 kg of combustible waste and 40 kg of non-combustible waste, the user presses the "Combustible Waste" button, the "5" button, the "0" button, the "ENTER" button, the "Non-Combustible Waste" button, the "4" button, the "0" button, and the "ENTER" button, in that order. After inputting the total amount of waste collected at that collection site, the user presses the "Weight Registration" button in the lower right of the content display section α2. This registers the amount of waste collected at that collection site that day in the waste collection status management system. In other words, this weight input screen S3 is a screen that causes the computer (user terminal and management server) to function as a "collection amount registration means" that registers the amount of waste collected by waste collection vehicles that day for each collection site.

[0052] When the "weight registration" button is pressed, the waste collection status management system determines that collection work at that collection location has been completed. At this time, the screen of the user terminal switches to the waste collection map display screen S2 (Figure 3). However, the waste collection map display screen S2 is in an updated state. For example, after registering the collection amount at the first collection location P1, the collection status in the content display section α2 is updated from "0 / 91" (meaning that collection has not yet been completed at the first collection location on the collection route R1 consisting of 91 collection locations) to "1 / 91" (meaning that collection has been completed at the first collection location on the collection route R1 consisting of 91 collection locations).

[0053] Furthermore, the "Collection location P1" button disappears from the collection order display button group on the right side of the screen display section α2 and is moved up, and a button indicating the next collection location ("Collection location P8" button) is displayed at the bottom (below the "Collection location P7" button). Furthermore, of the icons indicating each collection location on the waste collection map, the icon indicating the collection location where the collection amount has been registered (the icon displayed as "1") is made inconspicuous (displayed in an inconspicuous color or deleted from the waste collection map). This allows the collection worker to easily know when to head to the next collection location (collection location P2) and where that location is.

[0054] When the waste collection vehicle reaches the next collection point, the collection worker repeats the above-mentioned operation, and continues to do so until the waste collection vehicle (collection worker) has completed collection at all collection points on its collection route (collection route R1).

[0055] Incidentally, each time a collected amount of waste is registered, the management server accumulates the collected amount for each collection route (for each waste collection vehicle). In other words, the management server also functions as a "daily collection amount accumulation means" that accumulates the amount of waste collected by waste collection vehicles at each collection location on that day. The accumulated value should match the total amount of waste loaded on that waste collection vehicle (i.e., the current load amount). As will be described later, this current load amount is used to manage the waste collection vehicle so that it does not become overloaded.

[0056] In addition, the collected amount for each registered collection location is stored in the waste collection status management system (management server) for a predetermined period of time in the past. In other words, the management server also functions as a "past collection amount recording means" that records the amount of waste collected for each collection location over a predetermined period of time in the past. The collected amount for a collection location where no collection took place that day (a collection location that is not a collection day) is zero, and the waste collection truck skips that collection location and moves on to the next collection location. For this reason, for collection locations where no collection took place that day, instead of registering a collected amount of zero, a "SKIP" flag is set. The past collected amount of waste for each collection location is used to calculate the average value of the past collected amount of waste (average collected amount) for each collection location, as will be described later.

[0057] 2.4 Disposal site map display screen FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the disposal site map display screen S4. As already mentioned, the disposal site map display screen S4 is displayed when the "Go to disposal site" button on the waste collection map display screen S2 is pressed. This "Go to disposal site" button is pressed when the collected waste is to be taken to the waste disposal site. In other words, it is pressed when the waste collection vehicle has finished collecting waste at all collection locations on the collection route it is traveling that day. Also, when the current load capacity of the waste collection vehicle (the accumulated value calculated by the above-mentioned "daily collection amount accumulation means") is approaching the maximum load capacity of the waste collection vehicle, the "Go to disposal site" button is pressed and the vehicle heads to the waste disposal site, even if the waste collection vehicle is still traveling along the collection route.

[0058] In this regard, as will be described later, the waste collection status management system of the present invention is configured to output an overload alert when the current load of a waste collection vehicle increases and there is a risk of overloading. The overload alert is output by displaying a message on the screen of a user terminal held by a collection worker or by outputting a sound from the speaker of the user terminal. In addition, when an overload alert is issued, a notification is also sent by email or the like to the manager or user (president, etc.) of the waste collection company. This allows collection workers, managers, etc. to reliably and easily know when to head to the waste disposal site.

[0059] On the left side of the content display section α2 of the disposal site map display screen S4, a map (disposal site map) is displayed in which waste disposal sites are indicated by icons (balloon-shaped icons with white circles). The locations of waste disposal sites are registered in advance in the waste collection status management system. By looking at this disposal site map, collection workers can navigate to the waste disposal site without getting lost.

[0060] After unloading the waste at the waste disposal site, if there are still collection locations to be collected (if the user heads to a waste disposal site while traveling along the collection route), the user presses the "Start Collection" button in the upper right corner of the content display section α2 of the disposal site map display screen S4. This switches the screen of the user terminal to the waste collection map display screen S2 (Figure 3), and the user is ready to head to the next collection location.

[0061] On the other hand, if there are no more collection points remaining after unloading the waste at the waste disposal site (if waste has been collected at all collection points on the collection route), the user presses the "Return to Company" button at the bottom right of the content display section α2 of the disposal site map display screen S4. This switches the screen of the user terminal to a company map display screen (not shown). This company map display screen displays a map (company map) where companies are indicated by icons.

[0062] 2.5 Waste collection list display screen In this embodiment, the collection status at each collection location can be displayed as a list for each collection route. The list of collection status for each collection route can be confirmed on the waste collection list display screen S5. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the waste collection list display screen S5. This waste collection list display screen S5 can be displayed by selecting the "Waste Collection List" item from the pull-down menu of the "Collection Map" button in the menu display section α1.

[0063] The content display section α2 of the waste collection list display screen S5 displays a list (waste collection list) of the collection status of a specific collection route (collection route R1 in the example of FIG. 6). The collection route for which the waste collection list is displayed can be selected from a pull-down menu provided in the upper part of the content display section α2. This waste collection list is in the form of a table, with the following columns from left to right: "Order," "Customer Name," "Collection Location," "Type of Waste," "Weight," "Collection," and "Registration."

[0064] The "Order" column displays the collection order of each collection location on the selected collection route R1. In principle, the "Order" column displays the collection order in ascending order, but in this embodiment, collection locations that have not yet been visited (in the example of FIG. 6, from the 61st collection location P61 to the 91st collection location P91) are displayed at the top. Collection locations that have already been visited (in the example of FIG. 6, from the first collection location P1 to the 60th collection location P60) are displayed below them. Furthermore, collection locations that were not visited to collect waste because the day was not a collection day (such as the 5th collection location P5 or the 59th collection location P59 in the example of FIG. 6) are displayed further below them.

[0065] The "Customer Name" column displays the customer name (company name, etc.) of each collection location. The "Collection Location" column displays the name of each collection location (store name, etc.). The "Garbage Type" column displays the type of waste collected at each collection location (burnable waste, non-burnable waste, recyclable waste, etc.). The "Weight" column displays the weight (amount collected) of waste collected at each collection location. The "Collection" column displays whether or not collection has been performed (collection locations that have not yet collected are left blank, and collection locations that have already collected are marked with the word "Completed"). The "Registration" column displays whether or not the weight (amount collected) of waste collected at each collection location has been registered (unregistered collection locations are marked with "Not Registered," registered collection locations are marked with a blank, and collection locations that have been skipped because the current day was not a collection day are marked with "SKIP").

[0066] In addition, the total weight of waste collected up to that point (the total value calculated by the "daily collection amount accumulating means" described above) is displayed at the bottom of the waste collection list. This allows collection workers and others to check the current load of the waste collection vehicle.

[0067] 2.6 Collection location registration screen The collection locations and collection routes described above can be registered on the collection location registration screen S6. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the collection location registration screen S6 (first half), and Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the collection location registration screen S6 (second half). This collection location registration screen S6 can be displayed from the pull-down menu of the "Collection Management" button on the menu display section α1.

[0068] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, on the collection location registration screen S6, it is possible to register the "customer name" (company name, etc.), "type of waste", "contract date", "collection location" (store name, etc.), "address", "latitude and longitude", "remarks", whether or not the contract is terminated, "termination date", "collection cycle", "specific date", "collection route", "specified collection cycle", "whether or not collection is performed on holidays", "non-collection period", "exceptional collection date", "next collection date", "billing type", "late fee", "additional fee", etc.

[0069] A "collection route" can be registered by selecting a collection route that includes that collection location from a pull-down menu. Whether or not to collect at that collection location on a certain day (whether or not to set the "SKIP" flag) is automatically determined by the computer based on the registered information such as "collection cycle designation," "whether or not to collect on holidays," "non-collection periods," and "exceptional collection days."

[0070] In this way, the collection location registration screen S6 allows the user to register a collection location and set the collection date and collection route for that collection location. In other words, this collection location registration screen S6 is a screen that causes the computer (user terminal and management server) to fulfill the functions of a "collection location registration means" that registers waste collection locations in advance, a "collection date registration means" that registers waste collection dates in advance for each collection location, and a "collection route setting means" that sets in advance a collection route consisting of multiple collection locations.

[0071] 3. Overload alert As already mentioned, in the waste collection status management system of the present invention, when the current load of a waste collection vehicle increases and there is a risk of overloading, an overload alert is output. In this embodiment, a first overload alert and a second overload alert are output as the overload alert.

[0072] 3.1 First Overload Alert The first overload alert is issued when the current load of the waste collection vehicle (the accumulated value of the "daily collection amount accumulation means" described above) exceeds a set value. For example, if the maximum load of the waste collection vehicle is 2,000 kg, the alert is issued when the current load exceeds 1,900 kg (a set value) which is close to that. The set value at which the first overload alert is issued is preferably set to approximately 0.8 to 0.95 times the maximum load of the waste collection vehicle.

[0073] However, the first overload alert may cause collection workers to misjudge the timing of going to the waste disposal site. For example, if the first overload alert is set to 1,900 kg and the waste collection truck's maximum load capacity is 2,000 kg, when the first overload alert is issued, collection workers may tend to think, "I can still load a little less than 100 kg of waste, so I guess I can go to one more collection site." However, when they actually head to the next collection site, the amount of waste collected there may be more than they expected, exceeding 100 kg. In this case, they will not collect waste at that collection site, but will head to the waste disposal site, unload the waste, and then return to that collection site. Therefore, they will lose time traveling from the previous collection site to the new collection site.

[0074] In this way, the first overload alert alone may lead to a misjudgment of the timing to head to the waste disposal site, but the waste collection status management system of the present invention also issues a second overload alert, which will be described later, making it less likely that such a misjudgment will occur.

[0075] 3.2 Second Overload Alert The second overload alert is more reliable than the first overload alert. The second overload alert is generated by having the computer perform the following process. [Process 1] The excess load capacity of the waste collection vehicle is calculated. This excess load capacity can be found by the difference between the maximum load capacity of the waste collection vehicle and the accumulated value of the "means for accumulating the amount of waste collected on that day." [Process 2] The average value of the past collected waste amount (average collected amount) is calculated for each collection location. [Process 3] The sum of the average collection amounts (the most recent planned collection amount) at N collection locations (N is an integer of 1 or more) that will be collected immediately after the waste collection vehicle has made collection on that day on its collection route is calculated. [Process 4] The most recent scheduled collection amount for process 3 is compared with the excess load amount for process 1, and if the most recent scheduled collection amount exceeds the excess load amount, a second overload alert is output.

[0076] In this way, overloading is predicted based on past performance (and most recent performance) at the upcoming collection site, so the timing to head to the waste disposal site can be determined with greater accuracy. Therefore, it is less likely that a vehicle will head to the next collection site thinking it is still safe, only to find that the amount of waste collected at that collection site is larger than expected, and will have to head to the waste disposal site without loading any waste at that collection site, making waste collection more efficient.

[0077] As already mentioned, the number of collection locations (the value of N above) to be totaled when calculating the most recent scheduled collection amount is not particularly limited as long as it is 1 or more, but is preferably 2 to 5. In this embodiment, the value of N is set to 3. That is, immediately after collection at the Mth collection location (M is any natural number), if the sum of the average collection amount at the M+1th collection location, the average collection amount at the M+2th collection location, and the average collection amount at the M+3th (=M+Nth) collection location exceeds the excess load amount, a second overload alert is output.

[0078] In this case, it is preferable that the collection worker can check the average collection amount of the (M+1)th to (M+3)th collection locations that he or she will visit in the future. The average collection amount of each collection location can be checked, for example, by pressing the button for the relevant collection location in the collection order display button group on the waste collection map display screen S2, or by pressing an icon (icon indicating the collection location) on the waste collection map.

[0079] Furthermore, the average collection amount for each collection location used to calculate the most recent scheduled collection amount is the average value over a specified period of time in the past, and there are no restrictions on how many past average values ​​to use (the number of days to calculate the average collection amount). However, if the number of days to calculate the average collection amount is too short, the impact of days when the collection amount happens to be high or low will be significant, which may reduce the accuracy of determining the timing to head to the waste disposal site. For this reason, it is preferable to calculate the average collection amount over three days or more. It is preferable to calculate the average collection amount over seven days or more, and more preferably over ten days.

[0080] However, if the number of days for calculating the average collection amount is set too long, there is a risk that the accuracy of determining the timing of sending to the waste disposal site will decrease. This is because, at businesses such as restaurants, the amount of waste can change depending on the season, and if the number of days for calculating the average collection amount is set too long, for example, even if collection is carried out in winter, the average collection amount will be calculated including the summer collection amount. For this reason, it is preferable to calculate the average collection amount within 50 days. It is more preferable to set the number of days for calculating the average collection amount within 40 days, and even more preferable to set it within 30 days.

[0081] However, in this embodiment, the average collection amount is calculated excluding the collection amount (=0 kg) at collection locations that were skipped while traveling along the collection route (collection locations where the collection day did not arrive and the above-mentioned "SKIP" flag was set). This is because if the average collection amount is calculated including the collection amount (=0 kg) when the "SKIP" flag was set, the average collection amount at that collection location will be calculated to be less than the actual average collection amount, which could reduce the accuracy of determining the timing to head to the waste disposal site.

[0082] 3.3 Other The above-mentioned overload alerts (first overload alert and second overload alert) are output by displaying a message on the screen of a user terminal held by the collection worker or by outputting a sound from the speaker of the user terminal. Examples of messages include, "Please head to the waste disposal site soon," or "There is a risk of overloading." It is preferable that the message and sound used when outputting the first overload alert are different from the message and sound used when outputting the second overload alert. This allows the collection worker to distinguish between the first overload alert and the second overload alert.

[0083] The location where the overload alerts (first overload alert and second overload alert) are displayed is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, a message display section α3 is provided in the upper part of the content display section α2 of the waste collection map display screen S2 (FIG. 3) or the disposal site map display screen S4 (FIG. 5), and the overload alert is displayed in this message display section α3. By displaying the overload alert in such a conspicuous location, collection workers will not overlook the overload alert.

[0084] In addition, when an overload alert is issued, the waste collection company's manager and user (president, etc.) are also notified by email, etc. This is because when a vehicle is overloaded, not only the driver (collection worker) but also the business (waste collection company) is penalized. By receiving an overload alert notification, the manager and user can check whether the waste collection vehicle is heading to the waste disposal site. Therefore, when a manager or user finds a waste collection vehicle that does not appear to be heading to the waste disposal site despite an overload alert being issued, the manager or user can call the collection worker in charge of the waste collection vehicle to tell them to head to the waste disposal site. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent overloading.

[0085] However, it is common for waste collection companies to own multiple waste collection vehicles, and for multiple waste collection vehicles to travel their respective collection routes on the same day. In such cases, it is not necessarily easy for the waste collection company's manager, etc., to keep track of the movements of all of these waste collection vehicles. For this reason, a computer can be configured to automatically detect waste collection vehicles that have not yet headed toward a waste disposal site despite an overload alert (especially a second overload alert) being issued, and when such a waste collection vehicle is detected, a notification can be sent to the manager, etc., stating, "There is a waste collection vehicle that has not yet headed toward a waste disposal site despite an overload alert being issued. Please contact us immediately."

[0086] Waste collection vehicles that are not heading to a waste disposal site despite an overload alert being issued can be easily detected, for example, by detecting waste collection vehicles that do not press the "Go to disposal site" button even after a predetermined time has passed since an overload alert was issued, or by detecting waste collection vehicles that press the "Weight registration" button at the next collection location despite an overload alert being issued.

[0087] The overload alerts (first overload alert and second overload alert) are canceled when the computer detects that waste has been unloaded from the waste collection vehicle. In this embodiment, after displaying the disposal site map display screen S4 and heading to the waste disposal site, when the "Start collection" button or the "Return to company" button is pressed, the overload alerts (first overload alert and second overload alert) are canceled. At the same time, the accumulated value (current load amount) of the above-mentioned "daily collection amount accumulation means" is reset to zero. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 10 Management Server 20 User terminal 21 Desktop user terminals 22 Mobile user terminals S1 login screen S2 Waste collection map display screen S3 weight input screen S4 disposal site map display screen S5 Waste collection list display screen S6 Collection location registration screen α1 menu display α2 content display area α3 message display section

Claims

1. A waste collection status management program for causing a computer to function as a means for managing the status of waste collection by a waste collection vehicle, Computer, a collection location registration means for registering a collection location of waste in advance; a collection date registration means for registering in advance the collection date of the waste for each collection location; a collection route setting means for setting in advance a collection route consisting of a plurality of collection locations; a collection amount registration means for registering the collection amount, which is the physical weight of the waste collected by the waste collection vehicle on that day, for each collection location; a past collection amount recording means for recording the collection amount, which is the physical weight of waste, for each collection location over a predetermined period of time in the past; an average collection amount calculation means for calculating an average value of the collection amount, which is the physical weight of waste, for each collection location over a predetermined period in the past (hereinafter referred to as "average collection amount"); a means for accumulating the amount of waste collected that day, which is the physical weight of the waste collected by the waste collection vehicle at each collection location that day; an excess load calculation means for calculating the difference between the maximum load capacity of the waste collection vehicle and the accumulated value of the daily collection amount accumulation means (hereinafter referred to as "excess load capacity"); a means for calculating a most recent scheduled collection amount that calculates the sum of average collection amounts (hereinafter referred to as the "most recent scheduled collection amount") at N collection locations (N is an integer of 1 or more) that will be collected immediately after the waste collection vehicle has made collection on that day on the collection route; an overload alert output means for outputting an alert (hereinafter referred to as an "overload alert") when the latest scheduled collection amount exceeds the excess load amount; A waste collection status management program characterized by functioning as a

2. The average collection amount calculation means calculates the average collection amount using only the collection amount, which is the physical weight of the waste on the day when the waste was actually collected at each collection location. The waste collection status management program according to claim 1.

3. Computer, Average collection amount display means for displaying the average collection amount for each collection location Also function as The waste collection status management program according to claim 1.

4. Computer, an overload alert reset means for canceling the overload alert and resetting the accumulation by the day's collection amount accumulation means when it is detected that waste has been unloaded from the waste collection vehicle; Also function as The waste collection status management program according to claim 1.

5. Computer, A collection map display means for displaying each collection location on a collection route on a map in a manner that shows the collection order. Also function as The waste collection status management program according to claim 1.

6. a management server in which the waste collection status management program according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is installed; Multiple user terminals that can connect to the management server A waste collection status management system equipped with

Images