Requests and control of access to waste collection points

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of waste collection, and more particularly to techniques for requesting and controlling access to waste collection sites using mobile user devices.

Background Art

[0002] A waste air transportation system is characterized by transporting waste (e.g., household waste) through a pipe by air suction (i.e., by generating a pressure difference in the pipe). Thereby, waste can be transported over a long distance through the pipe. Such systems are currently used in various facilities such as apartment buildings and shopping malls.

[0003] A waste air transportation system typically includes many waste collection sites (also called feeding stations in this field), and each waste collection site includes a plurality of input containers (also called inlets or input points in this field). Each of the plurality of input containers may be connected to a pipe system. By opening and closing a shut-off means (e.g., valve means) or by using a make-up air shut-off means to adjust the intake amount of make-up air (also called replenishing air), and by sucking from a partial vacuum generating device of the waste transportation system, waste from the corresponding input container can be fed into the pipe system to empty the input container. The pipe system can be connected to a waste collection site as a destination point, e.g., a waste treatment station or plant where waste can be processed (e.g., recycled if possible).

[0004] To receive waste, a hatch is provided in the input container. Currently, the hatches of the input containers at waste collection sites can be opened mechanically by hand, by pressing a button, or by using radio frequency identification (RFID). Among these, only RFID allows a person to open the hatch without contact. However, RFID does not provide efficient access management to waste collection sites.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] This summary of the invention is provided in a simplified form to introduce a selection of concepts that will be further described in the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below. This summary is not intended to identify any important features of the disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0006] This disclosure aims to provide a technical solution that enables authorized users to access waste collection points using their own mobile user devices.

[0007] The above objectives are achieved by the features of the independent claims in the attached claims. Further embodiments and examples are evident from the dependent claims, the detailed description and the attached drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to a first embodiment, a mobile user device is provided that requests access to a garbage collection point. The garbage collection point includes at least one garbage container and at least one hatch (or lock) connected to the at least one garbage container. The mobile user device includes a storage device and a processing device connected to the storage device. The storage device is configured to store processor-executable instructions and a user identifier (ID). The user ID is granted permanent or temporary access to at least one hatch connected to at least one container of the garbage collection point. When the processor-executable instructions are executed by the processing device, the processing device receives, Operation (a) to receive user input including the display of at least one of the at least one waste containers of the waste collection point to be accessed, (b) An action to detect when the mobile user device is near the garbage collection point, The system performs the action (c) of sending at least one access request to the access control system in order to unlock or open at least one hatch connected to the at least one access-targeted waste container.

[0009] The at least one access request includes the user ID and the display of the at least one waste container to be accessed. The mobile user device according to the first embodiment provides efficient access management to the waste collection point by allowing only authorized users to unlock or open the hatches of the waste containers.

[0010] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the indication of the at least one accessible waste container includes at least one type of waste, or at least one ID of the at least one accessible waste container. By using such indication in user input, access can be granted to only one or more waste containers containing one or more desired types of waste, thereby improving the efficiency of access management at the waste collection point.

[0011] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the mobile user device further includes a touchscreen on which buttons are provided. In this embodiment, the processing device is configured to perform an action (a) via the buttons on the touchscreen. This makes it easier and more efficient to perform the action (a).

[0012] In one alternative embodiment of the first aspect, the mobile user device further includes a camera. In this embodiment, the processing device is configured to perform action (a) by causing the camera to read a Quick Response (QR) code. This makes it easier and more efficient to perform action (a).

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

[0014] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the processing device is further configured to perform operation (b) using at least one of the following: Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, short-range radio signals broadcast by a beacon at the waste collection point (e.g., a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon), a QR code (registered trademark) provided at the waste collection point, and an NFC tag provided at the waste collection point. This provides a variety of detection methods and makes the mobile user device according to the first aspect more flexible in use.

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

[0016] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the processing device is further configured to encrypt the at least one access request using an encryption protocol (for example, an Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) or Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol that prevents eavesdropping and reflection attacks) before operation (c). This ensures secure access to the waste containers in the waste collection area.

[0017] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the processing device is further configured to receive statistics from the access control system and output the statistics to the user of the mobile user device. The statistics may be based on the number of times the mobile user device has requested access to at least one waste container of the waste collection point within a predetermined period. The statistics provide feedback to the user of the mobile user device so that the user may have an idea of ​​how he uses the waste collection point (for example, he may determine whether other waste containers (i.e., mixed waste containers) are used frequently, and if so, he may pay more attention to classifying other waste in order to reduce the proportion of other waste in the total amount of waste the user places in the waste collection point within a predetermined period).

[0018] In one embodiment of the first aspect, each of the at least one waste containers in the waste collection point includes a sensor for detecting the presence of infeed waste in the at least one waste container. In this embodiment, the statistics received by the processing unit of the mobile user device are additionally based on detection signals from each of the sensors in the at least one waste container of the waste collection point. By using the detection signals, more accurate statistical data regarding the use of the waste collection point can be obtained.

[0019] According to a second embodiment, a method is provided for requesting access to a waste collection point. The waste collection point includes at least one waste container and at least one hatch connected to the at least one waste container. The method is: Step (a) receiving user input on a mobile user device, which includes the display of at least one of the at least one waste containers of the aforementioned waste collection point to be accessed, (b) the step of detecting when the mobile user device is near the garbage collection point, The procedure includes (c) sending at least one access request from the mobile user device to the access control system to unlock or open at least one hatch connected to the at least one accessible waste container.

[0020] The at least one access request includes a user ID associated with the mobile user device and a representation of the at least one waste container to be accessed. The user ID is granted permanent or temporary access to at least one hatch of at least one waste container in the waste collection area. By using the method according to the second embodiment, the hatches of the waste containers can be unlocked or opened only to authorized users, providing efficient access control to the waste collection area.

[0021] In one embodiment of the second aspect, the indication of the at least one accessible waste container includes at least one type of waste, or at least one ID of the at least one accessible waste container. By using such indication in user input, access can be granted to only one or more waste containers containing one or more desired types of waste, thereby improving the efficiency of access management at the waste collection point.

[0022] In one embodiment of the second aspect, the mobile user device further includes a touchscreen on which buttons are provided. In this embodiment, step (a) is performed by pressing the buttons on the touchscreen. This makes step (a) easier and more efficient to perform.

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

[0024] In another alternative embodiment of the second aspect, the mobile user device further includes a short-range wireless communication device. In this embodiment, step (a) is performed by causing the short-range wireless communication device to read an NFC tag. Thereby, step (a) can be performed more easily and efficiently.

[0025] In one embodiment of the second aspect, step (b) is performed using at least one of a GPS signal, a short-range wireless signal broadcast by a beacon (e.g., a BLE beacon) of the waste collection site, a QR code (registered trademark) provided at the waste collection site, and an NFC tag provided at the waste collection site. Thereby, various detection methods are provided and the method according to the second aspect becomes more flexible during use.

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

[0027] In one embodiment of the second aspect, the method further includes a step of encrypting the at least one access request using an encryption protocol (e.g., the AES or TLS protocol that prevents eavesdropping and reflection attacks) before step (c). Thereby, secure access to the waste container at the waste collection site can be ensured.

[0028] In one embodiment of the second aspect, the method further includes the step of receiving statistics from the access control system on the mobile user device and outputting the statistics to the user of the mobile user device. The statistics may be based on the number of times the mobile user device has requested access to at least one waste container of the waste collection point within a predetermined period. The statistics provide feedback to the user of the mobile user device so that the user may have an idea of ​​how he uses the waste collection point (for example, he may determine whether the other waste container (i.e., mixed waste container) is used frequently, and if so, he may pay more attention to classifying other waste in order to reduce the proportion of other waste in the total amount of waste the user places in the waste collection point within a predetermined period).

[0029] In one embodiment of the second aspect, each of the at least one waste containers in the waste collection point includes a sensor for detecting the presence of incoming waste in the at least one waste container. In this embodiment, the statistics received by the mobile user device are additionally based on detection signals from each of the sensors in the at least one waste container of the waste collection point. By using the detection signals, more accurate statistical data regarding the use of the waste collection point can be obtained.

[0030] According to a third aspect, an access control system is provided for controlling access to a waste collection point. The waste collection point includes at least one waste container and at least one hatch connected to the at least one waste container. The access control system includes a storage device and a processing device connected to the storage device. The storage device is configured to store processor-executable instructions and a database. The database includes user IDs that are granted permanent or temporary access rights to at least one hatch connected to at least one container of the waste collection point. When the processor-executable instructions are executed by the processing device, the processing device receives, An operation to receive from the mobile user device at least one access request including a user ID associated with the mobile user device and an indication of at least one of the at least one waste containers of the waste collection point to be accessed, The operation of determining (determining) that the user ID exists in the database and has been granted permanent or temporary access rights to at least one hatch connected to the at least one waste container to be accessed, The operation of transmitting a control signal to the aforementioned waste collection point is performed.

[0031] The control signal instructs the waste collection point to unlock or open at least one hatch connected to the at least one accessible waste container. The system according to the third embodiment provides efficient access control to the waste collection point by allowing only authorized users to unlock or open the hatches of the waste containers. [Effects of the Invention]

[0032] Other features and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below and reviewing the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0033] The present disclosure will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0034] [Figure 1] A block diagram of a waste pneumatic transport system according to one exemplary embodiment is shown. [Figure 2] A block diagram of a mobile user device requesting access to a garbage collection point is shown, representing one exemplary embodiment. [Figure 3] A flowchart illustrating a method for requesting access to a waste collection point, according to one exemplary embodiment, is shown. [Figure 4]Figure 2 outlines how a mobile user device might display one or more types of waste placed in one or more waste containers at a waste collection point of interest to a user. [Figure 5] A block diagram of an access control system for controlling access to a waste collection point, according to one exemplary embodiment, is shown. [Figure 6] A flowchart illustrating a method for controlling access to a waste collection point, according to one exemplary embodiment, is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

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

[0036] As will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the scope of this disclosure encompasses all embodiments disclosed herein, whether implemented independently or in combination with other embodiments of this disclosure. For example, any device, system, and / or method disclosed herein can be implemented using any number of embodiments provided herein. Furthermore, it should be understood that any embodiment of this disclosure can be implemented using one or more elements described in the appended claims.

[0037] The term “exemplary” is used herein to mean “used as an example.” Unless otherwise specified, none of the embodiments described herein as “exemplary” should be construed as having any advantage over other embodiments.

[0038] As previously mentioned, users (e.g., tenants, residents, etc.) can now open the hatches of garbage containers at their desired waste collection points mechanically or manually, by pressing an activation button on each container, or by using RFID technology. Of these, RFID technology has attracted particular attention because it allows users to open the hatches without touching them (i.e., by displaying or applying an RFID tag to an RFID reader installed at the waste collection point). However, RFID technology does not provide efficient access management to waste collection points. Furthermore, users always need to have a separate RFID tag on hand to access the waste collection point.

[0039] The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein provide technical solutions that can mitigate or even eliminate the drawbacks inherent in the prior art described above. In particular, the technical solutions disclosed herein include accessing a desired waste collection point using a mobile user device. First, the mobile user device is provided with a user ID that grants permanent or temporary access to one or more hatches connected to the waste containers of the waste collection point. The mobile user device sends an access request to an access control system using the user ID and user input including the display of one or more waste containers to be accessed at a given time. In response to the access request, the access control system unlocks or opens the hatch of the accessed waste container(s) if the mobile user device is near the waste collection point. By doing so, efficient access management to the waste collection point can be provided.

[0040] When used in the embodiments disclosed herein, a mobile user device may refer to a mobile terminal, cell phone, cellular phone, smartphone, cordless phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless communication device, laptop computer, tablet computer, netbook, smartbook, ultrabook, wearable device (e.g., smartwatch, smart wristband, etc.), entertainment device (e.g., video player, etc.), vehicle component or sensor, unmanned vehicle (e.g., industrial robot, quadcopter, etc.), industrial manufacturing equipment, Global Positioning System (GPS) device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, Industrial IoT (IIoT) device, machine-type communication (MTC) device, Massive IoT (MIoT) or Massive MTC (mMTC) device / sensor group, or any other suitable mobile device configured to support wireless communication. In some embodiments, a mobile user device may refer to at least two such co-located and internally connected mobile user devices.

[0041] In some embodiments, the waste collection point may be implemented as a fully automated waste collection point or dispensing station in which the hatches of the waste containers can be automatically unlocked or opened in response to access requests from a mobile user device. To perform this automatic opening, the waste collection point should include hatch actuators, such as electric actuators, pneumatic actuators, etc. The type of hatch actuator will be obvious to those skilled in the art, depending on the specific application (e.g., installation location).

[0042] In some other embodiments, the waste collection point may be implemented as a semi-automatic waste collection point or dispensing station in which the hatch of the waste container can be unlocked in response to an access request from a mobile user device but cannot be opened. Once the hatch of the waste container is unlocked, the user can open the hatch manually or by pressing one or more corresponding push buttons provided on the waste collection point.

[0043] Furthermore, the waste collection point may be provided with a single hatch that provides access to one or more waste containers within the waste collection point. In one embodiment, the waste collection point may include waste processing means configured to move different types of waste to corresponding waste containers by sorting the waste placed inside through the single hatch. In another embodiment, the waste collection point may be configured to receive different types of waste at different times through the single hatch (i.e., the waste collection point may have a special mechanism that provides corresponding passages to one of the waste containers for specific types of waste within a predetermined period).

[0044] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a waste pneumatic transport system 100 according to one exemplary embodiment. For simplicity, the system 100 is shown to include one waste collection point, which includes three (input or feed-in) waste containers 102-1, 102-2, and 102-3 that can be mounted on the ground. Each of the waste containers 102-1, 102-2, and 102-3 is intended to contain a different type of waste (circularly indicated in Figure 1 by diagonal circles), such as solid household waste, industrial waste, or recyclable waste. The waste containers 102-1, 102-2, and 102-3 may be appropriately marked (e.g., using different symbols, letters, and / or numbers) so that the user can easily determine which of the waste containers 102-1, 102-2, and 102-3 to use for a particular type of waste. The waste containers 102-1, 102-2, and 102-3 are provided with hatches 104-1, 104-2, and 104-3, respectively. Furthermore, as described above, there may be a single hatch providing access to the waste containers 102-1, 102-2, and 102-3. The system 100 also includes three branch pipes 106-1, 106-2, and 106-3 connected to the waste containers 102-1, 102-2, and 102-3, respectively, and a main pipe 108 connected to the branch pipes 106-1, 106-2, and 106-3 via valves 110-1, 110-2, and 110-3, respectively. The branch pipes 106-1, 106-2, and 106-3 and the main pipe 108 may be located underground. First, valves 110-1, 110-2, and 110-3 are closed so that waste from waste container 102-1 is sent to branch pipe 106-1, waste from waste container 102-2 is sent to branch pipe 106-2, and waste from waste container 102-3 is sent to branch pipe 106-3. If it is determined that one or more of the branch pipes 106-1, 106-2, and 106-3 need to be emptied, a suction device (not shown) provides at least a partial vacuum to the main pipe 108, so that one or more of the corresponding valves 110-1, 110-2, and 110-3 are opened, and the waste is transported through the main pipe 108 to its destination (e.g., a waste treatment plant or station, or an output unit or target waste container for a specific type of waste).

[0045] In one embodiment, the system 100 may be implemented without valves 110-1, 110-2, and 110-3, and the intake amount of replenishment air (also called supplement air) may be controlled by a replenishment air valve. If it is determined that one or more of the branch pipes 106-1, 106-2, and 106-3 need to be emptied, a suction device provides at least a partial vacuum to the main pipe 108, thereby opening one or more of the corresponding replenishment air valves, and the waste is transported through the main pipe 108 to a destination (e.g., a waste treatment plant or station, or an output unit or target waste container for a particular type of waste).

[0046] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a mobile user device 200 requesting access to a garbage collection point according to one exemplary embodiment. As described above, the garbage collection point may be fully automated or semi-automated. As shown in Figure 2, the mobile user device 300 includes a processing unit 202 and a storage device 204. The storage device 204 stores a processor executable instruction 206 and a user ID 208. The user ID 208 is associated with, or granted, permanent or temporary access to, one or more hatches connected to one or more garbage containers of the garbage collection point. When executed by the processing unit 202, the processor executable instruction 206 causes the processing unit 202 to operate in a manner described in more detail below. It should be noted that the number, arrangement, and interconnection (wiring) of the components constituting the mobile user device 200 shown in Figure 2 are not limiting to this disclosure and are merely intended to provide a concept of how the components may be implemented within the mobile user device 200. For example, the processing unit 202 may be replaced by several processing units with different functions, and similarly, the storage device 204 may be replaced by several removable and / or fixed storage devices depending on the specific application. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the mobile user device 200 may further include other input / output means, such as a camera, a touchscreen, an NFC reader, and so on.

[0047] The processing unit 202 shall include different subunits necessary for requesting access to the waste collection point. In particular, the processing unit 202 may include transceiver subunits (not shown) capable of performing different operations necessary for receiving and transmitting data, such as signal modulation / demodulation and encoding / decoding. Generally, the processing unit 302 may include one or more of the following: a CPU, a general-purpose processor, a dedicated processor, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), or a coupled programmable logic circuit.

[0048] The storage device 204 may be implemented as a classic non-volatile or volatile memory used in modern computers. Examples of non-volatile memory include read-only memory (ROM), ferroelectric random-access memory (RAM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), solid-state drives (SSD), flash memory, magnetic disk storage devices (e.g., hard drives, magnetic tapes), and optical disk storage devices (e.g., CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs). Examples of volatile memory include dynamic RAM, synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), and static RAM.

[0049] The processor-executable instruction 206 stored in the memory device 204 may be configured as computer-executable code that causes the processing unit 202 to execute an aspect of the present disclosure. The computer-executable code that performs an operation or step of an aspect of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, such as Java or C++. In some embodiments, the computer-executable code may be in the form of a high-level language or a precompiled form, and may be generated by an on-the-fly interpreter (which is also pre-stored in the memory device 204).

[0050] Figure 3 shows a flowchart of Method 300 for requesting access to a garbage collection point according to one exemplary embodiment. Generally, Method 300 describes the operation of a mobile user device 200. Method 300 begins in step S302, in which the processing unit 202 receives user input from the user of the mobile user device 200. The user input includes indicating one or more garbage containers to be accessed at the garbage collection point. In a preferred embodiment, the garbage collection point is implemented as part of a garbage pneumatic transport system such as System 100. However, this should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure in any way, and in some other embodiments, the garbage collection point may be implemented as a standalone garbage collection point where the garbage containers are emptied, for example, manually. Method 300 then proceeds to step S304, in which the processing unit 202 detects when the mobile user device 200 is near the garbage collection point. Method 300 then proceeds to step S306, in which the processing unit 202 sends one or more access requests to the access control system (described in more detail below) to unlock or open the hatches (e.g., one or more hatches 104-1, 104-2, 104-3) connected to the waste container to be accessed, in other words, the waste container indicated in the user input. Such access requests may be sent by the transmit / receive subunit of the processing unit 202 and include a user ID 208 and an indication of the waste container to be accessed. By using Method 300, the hatches of the waste containers can be unlocked or opened only to authorized users, thereby providing efficient access control to the waste collection point.

[0051] It should be noted that the mobile user device 200 (in other words, the user of the mobile user device 200) may be assigned a user ID 208 in response to registering the user with the access control system. Once the user is registered, the user ID may be transmitted to the mobile user device 200, such as a mobile phone, via QR code®, near-field communication (NFC), Bluetooth® (e.g., BLE), short message service (SMS), and email, or it may be entered manually. For example, the user may install special software (e.g., a mobile application) on the mobile user device 200, and the user ID 208 may be sent from the access control system to the mobile application 200 in response to such installation.

[0052] In one embodiment, the display of the waste containers to be accessed may include one or more types of waste, or one or more IDs of the waste containers to be accessed. Such a display in user input allows access to only one or more waste containers containing one or more desired types of waste, thereby improving the efficiency of access management at the waste collection point.

[0053] In one embodiment, the mobile user device 200 may further include a touchscreen with buttons, and step S302 of method 300 may be performed in response to the user pressing a button on the touchscreen. In an alternative embodiment, the mobile user device 200 may further include a camera, and step S302 of method 300 may be performed by having the camera read a QR code (registered trademark). In another alternative embodiment, the mobile user device 200 may further include a short-range wireless communication device, and step S302 of method 300 may be performed by having the short-range wireless communication device read an NFC tag. Each of these embodiments allows step S302 to be performed more easily and efficiently.

[0054] In one embodiment, the processing unit 202 may perform step S304 of method 300 using a GPS signal (received, for example, via a transmitting / receiving subunit). In another embodiment, the processing unit 202 may perform step S304 of method 300 using a short-range radio signal broadcast by a beacon (e.g., a BLE beacon) placed at the waste collection point. In yet another embodiment, the processing unit 202 may perform step S304 of method 300 using a QR code® or NFC tag provided at the waste collection point. It should also be noted that step S304 of method 300 may be performed using any combination of these embodiments, i.e., for example, using a GPS signal and a QR code®, or using a GPS signal and an NFC tag, etc.

[0055] In one embodiment, the processing unit 202 may perform step S306 of method 300 using short-range wireless communication, the internet, or a combination of both. In the case of a short-range wireless communication network, both the processing unit 202 and the garbage collection point may be equipped with appropriate wireless communication subunits (e.g., Bluetooth®) configured to support short-range wireless communication. By using a combination of a short-range wireless communication network and the internet, a user can request the opening or unlocking of a desired garbage container hatch at the garbage collection point via the internet from their home, and the opening or unlocking of the hatch will be performed automatically using short-range wireless communication or via the internet, only if the mobile user device 200 is near the garbage collection point (once the location of the mobile user device 200 is determined by a GPS signal).

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

[0057] In one embodiment, Method 300 may include an additional step in which the processing unit 202 receives statistics from the access control system and outputs these statistics to the user of the mobile user device 200 (e.g., via a touchscreen or any other user interface). The statistics may be based on the number of times the mobile user device 200 has requested access to the garbage containers of the garbage collection point within a predetermined period (e.g., one year, one month, one week, etc.). The statistics provide feedback to the user of the mobile user device 200 so that the user may have an idea of ​​how they use the garbage collection point (e.g., whether the other garbage container (i.e., mixed garbage container) is used frequently, and if so, the user may pay more attention to classifying other garbage in order to reduce the proportion of other garbage in the total amount of garbage the user places in the garbage collection point within a predetermined period). To make the statistics more accurate, each of the garbage containers in the garbage collection point may include a sensor that detects the presence of incoming garbage in the container, and the statistics may be based in addition to detection signals from the sensors of the garbage containers in the garbage collection point.

[0058] Figure 4 schematically illustrates how a mobile user device 200 displays multiple types of waste placed in the waste containers of a waste collection point of interest to the user. In this case, the mobile user device 200 is implemented as a smartphone configured to display a series of buttons on its touchscreen corresponding to different types of waste, in other words, the waste containers available at the waste collection point of interest. More specifically, the waste collection point of interest has waste containers for other waste (i.e., mixed waste), biowaste, paper, metal, and glass. The user can display one or more desired types of waste by pressing the corresponding buttons. As shown in Figure 4, the smartphone also displays the address of the waste collection point of interest, for example, "Rosalankatu 4B". This address may also be used as the ID of the waste collection point of interest or the waste containers placed in the waste collection point. Accordingly, the access control system should check whether the access rights granted by the user ID apply to the address of the waste collection point of interest. Therefore, users of the mobile user device 200 can access some, but not all, of the waste collection points of a particular manager or waste service company, thereby providing more efficient and flexible access management to different waste collection points.

[0059] In one embodiment, the mobile user device 200 may be owned by a guest user, not a resident or tenant of a particular building. The guest user does not have permanent access to the garbage containers of a garbage collection point located near the building, but may request that a resident or tenant who has such access grant the guest user temporary permission (or temporary right) to use the garbage collection point. This may be done, for example, by installing special software (e.g., a mobile application) on the guest's mobile device that is the same as that used by the resident or tenant to access the garbage collection point. The resident may grant such temporary permission, for example, via a QR code® generated by their own mobile application. As an example, the temporary permission may state, "For the next hour, I will use the bio-waste and cardboard at garbage collection point Rosalankatu 4B." Thus, the guest user can use the garbage collection point using the resident or tenant's user ID, and the guest user's use of the garbage collection point is accumulated as usage statistics for the resident or tenant's user ID.

[0060] Figure 5 shows a block diagram of an access control system 500 for controlling access to a waste collection point, according to one exemplary embodiment. The system 500 may be used by a mobile user device 200 to access the waste collection point. As shown in Figure 5, the system 500 includes a processing unit 502 and a storage device 504. The storage device 504 stores processor-executable instructions 506, which, when executed by the processing unit 502, cause the processing unit 502 to operate in a manner described in more detail below. The storage device 504 further stores a database (DB) 508 of user IDs that have been granted permanent or temporary access rights to one or more waste collection points (e.g., one or more hatches of waste containers placed in a waste collection point). It should be noted that the number, arrangement, and interconnections of the components constituting the system 500 shown in Figure 5 are not limiting to the present disclosure and are merely intended to provide a concept of how the components may be implemented within the system 500. For example, the processing unit 502 may be replaced with several processing units having different functions, and similarly, the storage device 504 may be replaced with several removable and / or fixed storage devices depending on the specific application.

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

[0062] DB508 may be configured as a data container in which each user ID is associated with permanent or temporary access to a hatch of a waste container in a specific waste collection point. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that DB508 may be configured as a Structured Query Language (SQL) database, a graph database, etc., depending on the specific use. Accordingly, processor 504 may be configured to query and maintain DB508 using any suitable programming language (for example, using SQL in the case of an SQL database), depending on the type of DB508.

[0063] Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a method 600 for controlling access to a garbage collection point according to one exemplary embodiment. Generally, method 600 describes the operation of system 500. Method 600 begins in step S602, in which the processing unit 502 receives at least one access request from a mobile user device 200. Each access request includes a user ID 208 associated with the mobile user device 200 and an indication of one or more garbage containers to be accessed at the garbage collection point (where the user of the mobile user device 200 wants to leave their garbage bags). Method 600 then proceeds to step S604, in which the processing unit 504 determines that user ID 208 exists in DB 508 and has been granted permanent or temporary access to the hatch of the garbage container to be accessed. Method 600 then proceeds to step S606, in which the processing unit 502 sends a control signal to the garbage collection point. The control signal instructs the garbage collection point to unlock or open the hatch of the garbage container to be accessed.

[0064] In one embodiment, Method 600 includes an additional step in which the processing unit 502 counts the number of times user ID 208 has been used to unlock or open the hatch of each garbage container in the garbage collection area within a predetermined period. The number of times may be used to obtain various statistics on multiple types of garbage collected in the garbage containers using user ID 208. For example, there may be a target for the amount of a particular type of garbage (e.g., the amount of other garbage should be less than 50% of the total amount of all garbage that the user places in the garbage containers at the garbage collection area within a particular period), and the user can achieve this target by analyzing such statistics. Furthermore, the number of times user ID 208 has been used within a predetermined period may be used to calculate the average weight and / or volume of garbage collected in each garbage container. The average weight and / or volume of garbage in each garbage container may also be used to obtain various statistics on multiple types of garbage collected in the garbage containers using user ID 208.

[0065] As previously mentioned, each waste container in the waste collection area may include a sensor to detect the presence of incoming waste in the container. In this case, the processing unit 502 may receive detection signals from each sensor in the waste container each time waste is sent into the waste container, and calculate the average weight and / or volume of waste collected in each waste container based on the detection signals (i.e., their quantity). Detection signals may be used in lieu of or in addition to the number of times described above.

[0066] In one embodiment, if there are other garbage containers in the garbage container of the garbage collection point, Method 600 includes an additional step in which the processing unit 502 compares the counted number of times User ID 208 was used to unlock or open the hatch of the other garbage container (or the average weight or volume of garbage collected in the other garbage container using User ID 208) with a threshold. If the counted number of times User ID 208 was used to unlock or open the hatch of the other garbage container (or the average weight or volume of garbage collected in the other garbage container using User ID 208) exceeds the threshold, the processing unit 502 may send a first feedback signal to the mobile user device 200 (i.e., processing unit 202). If the counted number of times User ID 208 was used to unlock or open the hatch of the other garbage container (or the average weight or volume of garbage collected in the other garbage container using User ID 208) is less than or equal to the threshold, the processing unit 502 may send a second feedback signal to the mobile user device 200 (i.e., processing unit 202). The second feedback signal is different from the first feedback signal. The first and second feedback signals may be output to the mobile user device 200 in various ways. For example, the first and second feedback signals may be converted into different color signals or audio signals. Furthermore, the processing unit 202 may output both the first and second feedback signals when the mobile user device 200 is at a certain distance from the waste collection point (for example, when the mobile user device 200 leaves the service area of ​​a BLE beacon attached to the waste collection point). By using the first and second feedback signals, the user can understand when they need to pay more attention to sorting their waste, thus reducing the amount of other waste.

[0067] It should be noted that each step or operation of methods 300 and 500, or any combination of steps or operations, can be implemented by various means such as hardware, firmware, and / or software. For example, one or more of the steps or operations described above can be embodied by processor-executable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other suitable data representations. Furthermore, processor-executable instructions that embody the steps or operations described above can be stored in a corresponding data carrier and executed by the processor 202 or the processor 502. This data carrier can be implemented as any computer-readable storage medium configured to be readable by the processor 202 or the processor 502 for executing the processor-executable instructions. Such computer-readable storage media may include volatile media, non-volatile media, removable media, and non-removable media. By example, but not limited to, computer-readable media include any medium suitable for storing information, implemented by any method or technique. More specifically, examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, information delivery media, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technologies, CD-ROMs, digital-purpose discs (DVDs), holographic media or other optical disc storage devices, magnetic tapes, magnetic cassettes, magnetic disk storage devices and other magnetic storage devices.

[0068] While exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, it should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made to these embodiments without departing from the scope of legal protection defined by the appended claims. In the appended claims, the term “comprising” does not exclude other elements, steps, or actions, and the indefinite articles “a” or “an” do not exclude plurals. The mere fact that certain means are described in different dependent claims does not imply that combinations of these means cannot be used advantageously.

Claims

1. A mobile user device that requests access to a waste collection area, which includes at least one waste container and at least one hatch connected to the at least one waste container, A storage device configured to store processor-executable instructions and user identifiers (IDs) that are granted permanent or temporary access rights to at least one hatch connected to at least one waste container of the waste collection area, The processing unit connected to the storage device, It includes a touchscreen with buttons, When the processing unit executes the processor-executable instruction, Operation (a) to receive user input via the buttons on the touchscreen, which includes information indicating at least one of the at least one waste containers in the waste collection area to be accessed, (b) An action to detect that the mobile user device is near the garbage collection point, A mobile user device is configured to perform the action (c) of sending at least one access request to an access control system in order to unlock or open at least one hatch connected to the at least one accessable waste container, wherein the at least one access request includes a user ID and information indicating the at least one accessable waste container.

2. The information indicating the at least one waste container to be accessed is: At least one type of waste, or The mobile user device according to claim 1, comprising at least one ID of the at least one accessible waste container.

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

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

5. The mobile user device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing device is further configured to encrypt the at least one access request using an encryption protocol before operation (c).

6. The mobile user device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing device is further configured to receive statistics from the access control system and output the statistics to the user of the mobile user device, the statistics being based on the number of times the mobile user device has requested access to at least one garbage container of the garbage collection point within a predetermined period of time.

7. The mobile user device according to claim 6, wherein each of the at least one waste containers of the waste collection point includes a sensor for detecting the presence of incoming waste in the at least one waste container, the statistics are additionally based on detection signals from each of the sensors of the at least one waste container of the waste collection point.

8. A method for requesting access to a waste collection area comprising at least one waste container and at least one hatch connected to the at least one waste container, The mobile user device includes a touchscreen with a button, and the mobile user device receives user input including information indicating at least one of the at least one waste containers of the waste collection point to be accessed by pressing the button on the touchscreen of the mobile user device (a), (b) the step of detecting that the mobile user device is near the garbage collection point, A method comprising the step (c) sending at least one access request from the mobile user device to an access control system to unlock or open at least one hatch connected to the at least one accessable waste container, wherein the at least one access request includes a user ID associated with the mobile user device and information indicating the at least one accessable waste container, the user ID is granted permanent or temporary access to at least one hatch connected to the at least one waste container of the waste collection point.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the information indicating the at least one accessible waste container includes at least one type of waste, or at least one ID of the at least one accessible waste container.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein step (b) is performed using at least one of a Global Positioning System (GPS) signal, a short-range radio signal broadcast by a beacon at the garbage collection point, a QR code (registered trademark) provided at the garbage collection point, and an NFC tag provided at the garbage collection point.

11. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein step (c) is performed by using short-range wireless communication and / or over the Internet.

12. The method according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising the step of encrypting the at least one access request using an encryption protocol before step (c).

13. The method according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising the steps of receiving statistics from the access control system on the mobile user device and outputting the statistics to the user of the mobile user device, wherein the statistics are based on the number of times the mobile user device has requested access to at least one garbage container of the garbage collection point within a predetermined period of time.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, if each of the at least one waste containers of the waste collection point includes a sensor for detecting the presence of incoming waste in the at least one waste container, the statistics are additionally based on detection signals from each of the sensors of the at least one waste container of the waste collection point.

15. An access control system for controlling access to a waste collection area, which includes at least one waste container and at least one hatch connected to the at least one waste container, A storage device configured to store processor-executable instructions and a database, The storage device comprises, The database includes user IDs that have been granted permanent or temporary access rights to at least one garbage container in the garbage collection area, and the processing device executes the processor executable instruction, The mobile user device has a touchscreen with buttons, and receives at least one access request from the mobile user device via the buttons on the touchscreen, which includes a user ID associated with the mobile user device and information indicating at least one of the at least one waste containers of the waste collection point to be accessed. It is determined that the user ID exists in the database and has been granted permanent or temporary access to at least one hatch connected to the at least one waste container to be accessed. An access control system configured to transmit a control signal to the waste collection point instructing the waste collection point to unlock or open at least one hatch connected to at least one of the waste containers to be accessed.

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