Construction time waste monitoring

Abstract

According to an aspect, there is provided a controller in an elevator system, the controller being configured to determine a value representing the amount of the waste entering an elevator car; determine a source floor and a destination floor for an elevator run of the elevator car transporting the waste; determine time information associated with the elevator run; and transmit the value representing the amount of the waste or a value determined at least in part based on the value representing the amount of the waste, the source floor, the destination floor and the time information to a backend system for further analysis.

Description

[0001] CONSTRUCTION TIME WASTE MONITORING

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] Elevators may be used in a building construction phase , for example , for construction worker, construction material and equipment transport . The elevators may be used also in transporting waste produced during the construction time . The waste may be transported, for example , in waste containers or garbage bins with the elevators . However, measuring the waste produced during the construction time is challenging . For example , estimations about the waste produced during the constructions time are often based on personal experience of the constructions workers and / or manual checking of the waste . This information is , however, often inaccurate and reported slowly or very late i f at all .

[0004] SUMMARY

[0005] According to a first aspect , there is provided a controller in an elevator system, the controller being configured to : determine a value representing the amount of waste entering an elevator car ; determine a source floor and a destination floor for an elevator run of the elevator car transporting the waste ; determine time information associated with the elevator run; and transmit the value representing the amount of the waste or a value determined at least in part based on the value representing the amount o f the waste , the source floor, the destination floor and the time information to a backend system for further analysis .

[0006] In an implementation form of the first aspect , the controller is further configured to receive information indicative of a waste type of the waste . In an implementation form of the first aspect , the controller is further configured to select a measurement solution based on the information indicative of the waste type of the waste for determining the value representing the amount of the waste .

[0007] In an implementation form of the first aspect , the controller is configured to transmit the information indicative of the waste type of the waste to the backend system .

[0008] In an implementation form of the first aspect , the information indicative of the waste type of the waste comprises at least one of the following : information from a radio frequency identi fier reader ; and information from a camera configured to identi fy identi fication information associated with the waste type .

[0009] In an implementation form of the first aspect , the value representing the weight of the waste entering the elevator car identi fies a fill level of a container comprising the waste .

[0010] In an implementation form of the first aspect , the value representing the weight of the waste entering the elevator car identi fies a fill level of a container comprising the waste , and the controller is further configured to determine the weight of the waste based on the fill level ; and transmit the weight of the waste to the backend system .

[0011] In an implementation form of the first aspect , the controller is further configured to identi fy at least one obj ect accompanying the waste in the elevator car ; determine the weight of the at least one obj ect ; determine the weight of the waste based on the weight of the at least one obj ect and the value representing the weight of the waste entering the elevator car ; and transmit the weight of the waste to the backend system .

[0012] In an implementation form of the first aspect , the value representing the amount of the waste comprises a weight measurement provided by an elevator scale .

[0013] In an implementation form of the first aspect , the controller is configured to obtain the value representing the amount of the waste from a radio frequency identi fier reader .

[0014] According to a second aspect , there is provided an elevator system comprising at least one elevator car ; and a controller according to the first aspect .

[0015] According to a third aspect , there is provided a backend system conf igured to : receive , from a control ler o f an elevator system, a value representing the amount of waste transported in an elevator car , a source floor and a destination floor associated with an elevator run with the waste and time information associated with an elevator run transporting the waste ; and provide the value representing the amount of waste transported in the elevator car, the source floor and the destination floor associated with an elevator run with the waste and the time information associated with an elevator run transporting the waste to at least one external user .

[0016] In an implementation form of the third aspect , the value representing the weight of the waste identi fies a fil l level of a container comprising the waste .

[0017] In an implementation form of the third aspect , the value representing the weight of the waste entering the elevator car comprises the weight of the waste . In an implementation form of the third aspect , the controller is configured to obtain the value representing the amount of the waste from a carriage transporting the waste .

[0018] According to a fourth aspect , there is provided a method for construction time monitoring, the method comprising : determining a value representing the amount of waste entering an elevator car ; determining a source floor and a destination floor for an elevator run of the elevator car transporting the waste ; determining time information associated with the elevator run; and transmitting the value representing the amount of the waste or a value determined at least in part based on the value representing the amount of the waste , the source floor, the destination floor and the time information to a backend system for further analysis .

[0019] According to a fifth aspect , there is provided a method for construction time monitoring, the method comprising receiving, by a controller of a backend system from a controller of an elevator system, a value representing the amount of waste transported in an elevator car, a source floor and a destination floor associated with an elevator run with the waste and time information associated with an elevator run transporting the waste ; and providing, by the controller of the backend system, the value representing the amount of waste transported in the elevator car, the source floor and the destination floor associated with an elevator run with the waste and the time information associated with an elevator run transporting the waste to at least one external user .

[0020] According to a sixth aspect , there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by at least one proces sor , cause a system to perform the method of the fourth or fi fth aspect .

[0021] According to a seventh aspect , there is provided a computer-readable medium comprising a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by at least one proces sor, cause a system to perform the method of the fourth or fi fth aspect .

[0022] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The accompanying drawings , which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this speci fication, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention . In the drawings :

[0024] FIG . 1 illustrates a system according to an example embodiment .

[0025] FIG . 2 illustrates a block diagram of an elevator system according to an example embodiment .

[0026] FIG . 3 illustrates a block diagram of a backend system according to an example embodiment .

[0027] FIG . 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a method according to an example embodiment .

[0028] FIG . 5 illustrates a flow diagram of a method according to an example embodiment .

[0029] FIG . 6 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus according to an example embodiment .

[0030] DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG . 1 illustrates a system according to an example embodiment . The system illustrated in FIG . 1 may be applied, for example , during a construction time use ( CTU) .

[0031] The system comprises a site controller 100 ( or a site hub ) which may be connected to an elevator controller 104 via a site application programming interface (API ) 102 . This enables the site controller 100 to provide instructions to the elevator controller 104 , for example , to allocate elevator calls . In another example embodiment , the functions of the site controller 100 may be implemented by the elevator controller 104 , an elevator group controller or an elevator drive and thus no API 102 and separate site controller 100 are needed . The site controller 100 in general may refer to an entity that is configured to enable an access or a connection to a variety of di f ferent system elements . In an example embodiment , the site controller 100 and the elevator controller 104 may be arranged in an elevator shaft 106 .

[0032] The site controller 100 may comprise a first communication interface configured to provide a connection to at least one local construction site data source 108A, 108B, 108C associated with a construction site 110 , wherein the at least one local construction site data source is configured to track people and / or material flow during the construction time use . In an example embodiment , one or more construction site data sources may be configured to track people flow and one or more construction site data sources may be configured to track material flow . In an example embodiment , one or more construction site data sources may be configured to track both the people flow and the material flow . The connection to the at least one local construction s ite data source 108A, 108B, 108C may be implemented, for example, using at least one the following techniques : a Wi-Fi connection, a physical Ethernet connection or an loT mesh connection depending on the location. The WiFi connection may be used, for example, when high data throughput is needed. The loT mesh connection may be used, for example, for small, cheap and / or battery powered devices that do not send much data.

[0033] In general, the at least one local construction site data source 108A, 108B, 108C may refer to external sensors, automated systems and / or data sources that store and provide information about which tools, materials and people (i.e. transportable entities) are about to be, or are currently being transported in the elevator. Different site data may be arranged in a single data source, for example, a database, or in multiple data sources. Any appropriate tracking and / or identification system may be used to track and / or identify the tools, material and people, for example, Bluetooth, radio frequency identification (RFID) applying RFID tags, wireless positioning etc. The local construction site data source 108A, 108B, 108C and / or back-end systems 116 may comprise identification information associated with each transportable entity. The identification information may be stored, for example, in a remotely readable device or tag, for example, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, attached to or otherwise associated with a transportable entity. The construction site 110 may then comprise one or more readers that are able to remotely read the identification information, when the corresponding transportable entity is loaded / unloaded to / from an elevator. The readers may be arranged in the elevators or outside the elevators at appropriate locations.

[0034] In an example embodiment, the at least one local construction site data source 108A, 108B, 108C may comprise one or more of the following: - a material and waste tracking system

[0035] - a people location and identification system

[0036] - an asset location and usage rate management system

[0037] - a site condition monitoring system.

[0038] The material and waste tracking system may provide information, for example, where material and / or tools are being located, and how much waste is accumulated during the construction phase. The people location and identification system may provide information, for example, on personnel location and identity of the personnel at the location. The asset location and usage rate management system may provide information, for example, on one or more assets that can be used in the construction site 110 and their associated location. An asset may refer, for example, to a material, a tool, an employee etc. The asset location and usage rate management system may also track usage rate of the one or more assets, for example, when, where and / or how long an asset was used during the construction phase, where and / or how long a specific employee has worked in the constructions site 110 during the construction phase etc. This may then provide management information, for example, to a back-end system 116. The site condition monitoring system may provide information, for example, on a status associated with the construction site 110. The status may refer, for example, to a degree of readiness of the construction site 110, safety and health issues (for example, the number of reported accidents, the number of accident-free days) , temperature, humidity, particulate matter levels etc.

[0039] The site controller 100 may further comprise a second communication interface 112, for example, an application programming interface (API) , configured to provide a connection to at least one client application 114 configured to access data provided by the site controller and to at least one back-end system 116 configured to provide construction project data associated with the construction site 110. The second communication interface 112 enables the site controller 100 to connect to external systems and external systems or clients to connect to the site controller 100. For example, elevator calls may be allocated from a mobile device of a person working at the site. Additionally or alternatively, an elevator call may be scheduled and allocated automatically, for example, by a cloud-based managing entity, for example, the back-end system 116. In general, the back-end system or systems 116 may be an entity that processes data receives from the elevator system. The back-end system or systems 116 may store information associated with the construction site 110, for example information on construction workers, tools, materials, construction project schedule, costs of different materials and / or priority of different materials. In another embodiment, the back-end system or systems 116 may have an access to one or more systems that provides this information.

[0040] In an example embodiment, the local construction site data sources 108A, 108B, 108B and / or the back-end systems 116 may store information associated with one or more transportable entities. A transportable entity may refer, for example, to at least one of a material, a tool, a batch of material, a person etc. Further, one or more properties may be associated with a transportable entity and may be known beforehand, for example, a weight, dimensions, a priority, a time window when the transportable entity is needed at a specific location, a destination floor, an identifier etc. Different transportable entities may have different priorities. In other words, the local construction site data sources 108A, 108B, 108B and / or the back-end systems 116 may include any information that somehow characterizes a transportable entity. Then, based on the information stored in the site data sources 108A, 108B, 108C and / or the back-end systems 116, the site controller 100 may be able to optimize the use of the elevators during the CTU.

[0041] In an example embodiment, the client application 114 may be executed in a device, for example, a mobile device of a user. The client application 114 may be used, for example, to place elevator calls, track material, tools and / or people.

[0042] In an example embodiment, the back-end system 116 may refer to one or more external project planning systems or construction management systems from which data indicating where items should be going may be obtained. The project planning system may comprise, for example, a cloud based construction project planning tool providing APIs to read data to other systems.

[0043] In an example embodiment, the back-end system 116 may refer to one or more logistics systems to obtain identification information of different materials, for example, to cloud based systems for tracking material deliveries and supply lines. The logistics systems may provide APIs to access logistics information that can be used by the site controller 100 for decision making.

[0044] In an example embodiment, the back-end system 116 may refer to one or more tool rental systems to obtain information of what kind of tools are being used, how they are used, and for what work tasks they are used during the CTU. The tool rental systems may refer to cloud based systems providing APIs with tool rental information that can be used by the site controller 100 for decision making. FIG . 2 illustrates a block diagram of an elevator system 200 according to an example embodiment .

[0045] The elevator system 200 may comprise a controller 202 configured to control operations relating to providing waste management in a construction site comprising the elevator system . The controller 202 may be , for example , an elevator controller or a separate controller arranged in the elevator system 200 . The waste can be transported, for example , using containers or garbage bins which are then loaded into an elevator car for transporting the waste .

[0046] The controller 202 is configured to determine a value representing the amount of the waste entering an elevator car . In an example embodiment , the controller 202 may be configured to obtain the value representing the amount of the waste from a waste amount provider 204 . The waste amount provider 204 may refer, for example , to an elevator scale weighing the contents of the elevator car . In another example embodiment , the waste amount provider 204 may re fer, for example , to a fill level sensor providing a fill level of a container comprising the waste . In another example embodiment , the waste amount provider 204 may re fer, for example , to a remote identi fier reader, for example , an RFID reader . The controller 202 is further configured to determine a source floor and a destination floor for an elevator run of the elevator car transporting the waste ; determine time information associated with the elevator run; and transmit the value representing the amount of the waste or a value determined at least in part based on the value representing the amount o f the waste , the source floor, the destination floor and the time information to a backend system for further analysis . In an example embodiment , the elevator system 200 may further comprise a waste type identi fication entity 206 configured to provide information indicative of a waste type of the waste . The waste type identi fication entity 206 may refer, for example , to a radio frequency identi fication (RFID) reader reading an RFID tag with the waste or the container compri sing the waste , a camera configured to identi fy colors , QR codes etc .

[0047] FIG . 3 illustrates a block diagram of a backend system 300 according to an example embodiment . A backend system 300 comprises a controller 302 configured process data received from the elevator system 200 . The backend system 300 may be a cloud-based entity that is connected both to the elevator system 200 and at least one construction management system and / or a proj ect planning system .

[0048] FIG . 4 illustrates a block diagram of a method according to an example embodiment . The steps discussed herein may be performed, for example , by the controller 202 of the elevator system 200 .

[0049] At 400 , the controller 202 may be configured to determine a value representing the amount of the waste entering an elevator car . The value representing the amount o f the waste entering an elevator car may re fer to a reading provided by an elevator scale . In one embodiment , the reading provided by the elevator scale may comprise the weight of the waste moved to the elevator car in a container . When the container is loaded to the elevator car , it may be poss ible to load the container by a construction worker so that the elevator scale is able to measure the weight of the container without the weight of the construction worker . In another example embodiment , the controller 202 may be configured to identi fy at least one obj ect ( for example, a construction worker) accompanying the waste in the elevator car. The identification may be based, for example, on a remotely readable identifier (for example, an RFID tag, a QR code etc.) carried by the construction worker. When the at least one object has been identified, it is possible to determine the weight associated with the at least one object based on the remotely readable identifier. For example, a construction worker may have earlier travelled alone in an elevator car and the construction worker was identified in the elevator car, for example, using the remotely readable identifier. At the same time, the elevator scale may have registered the weight of the construction worker, and the controller 202 may have then associated the weight with the remotely readable identifier of the construction worder. In another example embodiment, the controller 202 may access a memory storing correspondences between weights associated with construction workers, tools and / materials to obtain the weight associated with the read remote readable identifier. The determined weight of the at least one object may then be subtracted from the measurement provided by the elevator scale in order to obtain the weight of the waste. In another example embodiment, the value representing the amount of the waste entering an elevator car may refer to a fill level of the container comprising the waste. The fill level may be identifiable from the container using, for example, camera based identification. Alternatively, the container may comprise a fill level sensor, and the controller 202 may be configured to obtain the fill level from the fill level sensor.

[0050] In an example embodiment, the controller 202 may be configured to receive information indicative of a waste type of the waste. As the waste or container comprising the waste may be identifiable using, for example, a RFID tag, colors identi fied by at least one camera, a QR code etc . , the waste type can be determined in response to the identi fication . The controller 202 may be configured to have an access to information that associates the identi fication information with a speci fic waste type . In an example embodiment , the controller 202 may be configured to select a measurement solution based on the information indicative of the waste type of the waste for determining the value representing the amount of the waste . For example , one or more waste types may be weighable waste types . In other words , with respect to these waste types , the controller 202 may be configured to determine the weight of the waste using, for example , the elevator scale . The waste type may also indicate volume based measurement . For example , the waste or the container carrying the waste may be identi fied by a remotely readable identi fier, and the controller 202 may have access to information that provides a volume as sociated with the waste or container . Yet in another example embodiment , the controller 202 may have access to information that provides a weight associated with the waste or container without having to separately weigh the waste of the container .

[0051] In an example embodiment , the controller 202 may be configured to obtain the value representing the amount of the waste from a radio frequency identi fier . For example , the radio frequency identi fier, for example , an RFID tag, may store the weight associated with the waste , and the controller 202 may obtain the weight by reading the tag . The tag itsel f may be associated with the waste or the container compri sing the waste . Alternatively, the tag may be associated with a tool or carriage that is used to transport the waste . The tool or carriage itsel f may comprise a scale to weigh the waste , and the measurement may then be stored in the tag associated with the tool or carriage . At 402 , the controller 202 may be configured to determine a source floor and a destination floor for an elevator run of the elevator car transporting the waste . When the source and the destination floors are known, it also provides information where the waste originates and where it goes .

[0052] At 404 , the controller 202 may be configured to time information associated with the elevator run . The time information tells , for example , when the waste was transported with the elevator car . In an example embodiment , the time information may also tell how long the waste was loaded at the source floor .

[0053] At 406 , the controller 202 may be configured to transmit the value representing the amount of the waste or a value determined at least in part based on the value representing the amount of the waste , the source floor, the destination floor and the time information to a backend system for further analysis . In an example embodiment , the controller 202 may be configured to transmit also the waste type to the backend system i f the waste type is available .

[0054] In an example embodiment , the controller or the elevator system comprising the controller also supports more accurate data from other sources , such as fill level sensor of a waste container, camera systems , weighting devices ( for example , sensors of a robot moving waste to the elevator, or a scale integrated to a waste container ) . Further, in an example embodiment , some types of waste can be tagged or identi fied by cameras or other sensors without dedicated waste containers .

[0055] FIG . 5 illustrates a block diagram of a method according to an example embodiment . The steps discussed herein may be performed, for example , by the controller 302 of the backend system 300 .

[0056] At 500 , the controller 302 may be configured to receive , from a controller 202 of an elevator system, a value representing the amount of waste transported in an elevator car, a source floor and a destination floor associated with an elevator run with the waste and time information associated with an elevator run transporting the waste . As discussed above with respect to FIG . 4 , the value representing the amount of waste may refer to a weight of the waste or the container comprising the waste or a fil l level associated with the waste . In an example embodiment , the controller 302 may additionally receive from the controller of the elevator system information indicative of a waste type of the waste .

[0057] At 502 , the controller 302 may be configured to provide the value representing the amount of waste transported in the elevator car, the source floor and the destination floor associated with an elevator run with the waste and the time information associated with an elevator run transporting the waste to at least one external user . In an example embodiment , the controller 302 may additionally be configured to provide the information indicative o f the waste type of the waste . In an example embodiment , providing the various pieces of information may implemented by of fering an application programming interface (API ) to one or more external users .

[0058] During the construction time , the containers can be moved either on a fixed schedule , or per need, based on, for example , fill level sensor data, measured with other devices or visually and ordered by a construction worker at the construction site , time since last emptying, and estimate of produced waste (based on, for example , known planned or completed tasks and known materials delivered to the floor etc . ) . The obtained data can be used not only to estimate and / or decide the need of emptying containers , but also to estimate the fill level , when fixed schedule is used . Further, the data provided by the backend system can be used to make the future estimates more accurate .

[0059] By obtaining information from the elevator system or the controller operating in the elevator system about waste transported using elevators , the backend system is able of fer a data interface towards one or more construction site related systems , for example , a proj ect management system . Further, the information provided by the backend system provides a feedback loop in the construction site . While it may have earlier be known what materials have been used in the constructions site , now it is also known "how" the materials were used as the amount of waste can be monitored more accurately . Further, from the information provided by the backend system, the entity receiving this information is able to detect based on the waste monitoring, for example , that certain waste types are being transported away from the construction site . This in turn means that work in a speci fic floor providing this waste is either finished or construction material has been wasted . From the information provided by the backend system it is also possible to determine the one or more floors of the construction site are about to be completed and work ef forts can be moved to other floors . In other words , the waste monitoring provides up to date information also about the completion of the construction site .

[0060] FIG . 6 il lustrates a block diagram of an apparatus 600 according to an example embodiment . The apparatus 600 may be , for example , a computer or a server computer, and it may be configured to implement the functions of the controller 202 or the controller 302 .

[0061] The apparatus 600 comprises one or more processors 602 , and one or more memories 604 that comprise computer program code . The apparatus 600 may also include a first communication interface 608 configured to enable communication with other entities or network elements . Although the apparatus 600 is depicted to include only one processor 602 , the apparatus 600 may include more than one processor . In an example embodiment , the memory 604 is capable of storing instructions , such as an operating system and / or various applications .

[0062] Furthermore , the processor 602 is capable of executing the stored instructions . In an example embodiment , the processor 602 may be embodied as a multi-core processor, a single core processor, or a combination of one or more multi-core processors and one or more single core processors . For example , the processor 602 may be embodied as one or more of various process ing devices , such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor ( DSP ) , a processing circuitry with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing devices including integrated circuits such as , for example , an application speci fic integrated circuit (AS IC ) , a field programmable gate array ( FPGA) , a microcontroller unit (MCU) , a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like . In an example embodiment, the processor 602 may be configured to execute hard-coded functionality . In an example embodiment , the processor 602 is embodied as an executor of software instructions , wherein the instructions may speci fically configure the processor 602 to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when the instructions are executed . The memory 604 may be embodied as one or more volatile memory devices , one or more non-volatile memory devices , and / or a combination of one or more volatile memory devices and non-volatile memory devices . For example , the memory 604 may be embodied as semiconductor memories ( such as mask ROM, PROM (programmable ROM) , EPROM ( erasable PROM) , flash ROM, RAM ( random access memory) , etc . ) .

[0063] In an embodiment , the at least one memory 604 may store program instructions 606 that , when executed by the at least one processor 602 , cause the apparatus 600 to perform the functionality of the various embodiments discussed herein . Further, in an embodiment , at least one of the processor 602 and the memory 604 may constitute means for implementing the discussed functionality .

[0064] One or more of the examples and example embodiments discussed above may allow to a waste monitoring solution that enables the monitoring using existing components of an elevator system without having to implement a completely separate waste monitoring system . Further, one or more of the examples and example embodiments discussed above may enable a solution in which data provided by the controller of the elevator system and the backend system can be used to estimate the progress of work phases o f a construction site . Further, one or more of the examples and example embodiments discussed above may enable a solution in which data provided by the controller of the elevator system and the backend system can be used to adj ust waste container emptying schedule at the construction site . Further, one or more of the examples and example embodiments discussed above may enable a solution in which data provided by the controller of the elevator system and the backend system can be used to manage out going waste logistics from the construction site, for example, by optimizing garbage truck ordering. Further, one or more of the examples and example embodiments discussed above may enable a solution in which data provided by the controller of the elevator system and the backend system can be used to identify (and optionally also report) unnecessary waste and / or inefficient use of building materials, for example, by comparing the produced waste to planned work phases of various floors. Further, one or more of the examples and example embodiments discussed above may enable a solution for gathering accurate and automated waste data, for example, for better sustainability reporting .

[0065] Example embodiments may be implemented in software, hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware and application logic. The example embodiments can store information relating to various methods described herein. This information can be stored in one or more memories, such as a hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, RAM, and the like. One or more databases can store the information used to implement the example embodiments. The databases can be organized using data structures (e.g., records, tables, arrays, fields, graphs, trees, lists, and the like) included in one or more memories or storage devices listed herein. The methods described with respect to the example embodiments can include appropriate data structures for storing data collected and / or generated by the methods of the devices and subsystems of the example embodiments in one or more databases.

[0066] The components of the example embodiments may include computer readable medium or memories for holding instructions programmed according to the teachings and for holding data structures, tables, records, and / or other data described herein. In an example embodiment, the application logic, software or an instruction set is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media . In the context of this document, a "computer-readable medium" may be any media or means that can contain, store , communicate , propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus , or device , such as a computer . A computer- readable medium may include a computer-readable storage medium that may be any media or means that can contain or store the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus , or device , such as a computer . A computer readable medium can include any suitable medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution . Such a medium can take many forms , including but not limited to , non-volatile media, volatile media, transmission media, and the like .

[0067] While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features as applied to preferred embodiments thereof , it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those s ki lled in the art without departing from the spirit o f the disclosure . For example , it is expres sly intended that all combinations of those elements and / or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the disclosure . Moreover, it should be recogni zed that structures and / or elements and / or method steps shown and / or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiments may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice . Furthermore , means-plus- function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents , but also equivalent structures .

[0068] The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature described herein and any combination of two or more such features , to the extent that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present speci fication as a whole , in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art , irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims . The applicant indicates that the disclosed aspects / embodiments may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features . In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modi fications may be made within the scope of the disclosure .

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A controller in an elevator system, the controller being configured to : determine a value representing the amount of waste entering an elevator car ; determine a source floor and a destination floor for an elevator run of the elevator car transporting the waste ; determine time information associated with the elevator run; and transmit the value representing the amount of the waste or a value determined at least in part based on the value representing the amount of the waste , the source floor, the destination floor and the time information to a backend system for further analysis .2 . The controller according to claim 1 , further configured to : receive information indicative of a waste type of the waste .3 . The controller according to claim 2 , further configured to : select a measurement solution based on the information indicative of the waste type of the waste for determining the value representing the amount of the waste .4 . The controller according to claim 2 or 3 , further configured to : transmit the information indicative of the waste type of the waste to the backend system .5 . The controller according to any one of claims 2 - 4 , wherein the information indicative of thewaste type of the waste comprises at least one of the following : information from a radio frequency identifier reader; and information from a camera configured to identify identification information associated with the waste type.

6. The controller according to any one of claims 1 - 5, wherein the value representing the weight of the waste entering the elevator car identifies a fill level of a container comprising the waste.

7. The controller according to any one of claims 1 - 5, wherein the value representing the weight of the waste entering the elevator car identifies a fill level of a container comprising the waste, and wherein the controller is further configured to: determine the weight of the waste based on the fill level; and transmit the weight of the waste to the backend system.

8. The controller according to any one of claim 1 - 7, wherein the controller is further configured to: identify at least one object accompanying the waste in the elevator car; determine the weight of the at least one ob ect ; determine the weight of the waste based on the weight of the at least one object and the value representing the weight of the waste entering the elevator car; and transmit the weight of the waste to the backend system.9 . The controller according to any one of claims 1 - 8 , wherein the value representing the amount of the waste comprises a weight measurement provided by an elevator scale .10 . The controller according to any one of claims 1 - 9 , wherein the controller is configured to obtain the value representing the amount of the waste from a carriage transporting the waste .11 . The controller according to any one of claims 1 - 9 , wherein the controller is configured to obtain the value representing the amount of the waste from a radio frequency identi fier reader .12 . An elevator system comprising : at least one elevator car ; and a control ler according to any one of claims 1 - 10 .13 . A backend system configured to : receive , from a controller of an elevator system, a value representing the amount of waste transported in an elevator car, a source floor and a destination floor associated with an elevator run with the waste and time information associated with an elevator run transporting the waste ; and provide the value representing the amount of waste transported in the elevator car, the source floor and the destination floor associated with an elevator run with the waste and the time information associated with an elevator run transporting the waste to at least one external user .14 . The backend system according to claim 13 , wherein the value representing the weight of the wasteidenti fies a fill level of a container comprising the waste .15 . The backend system according to claim 13 , wherein the value representing the weight of the waste entering the elevator car comprises the weight of the waste .16 . The backend system according to any one of claims 13 - 15 , wherein the backend system is configured to receive , from the controller of the elevator system, information indicative of a waste type of the waste .17 . A method for construction time monitoring, the method comprising : determining a value representing the amount of waste entering an elevator car ; determining a source floor and a destination floor for an elevator run of the elevator car transporting the waste ; determining time information associated with the elevator run; and transmitting the value representing the amount of the waste or a value determined at least in part based on the value representing the amount of the waste , the source floor, the destination floor and the time information to a backend system for further analysis .18 . A method for construction time monitoring, the method comprising : receiving, by a controller of a backend system from a controller of an elevator system, a value representing the amount of waste transported in an elevator car, a source floor and a destination floor associated with an elevator run with the waste and time information associated with an elevator run transporting the waste ; andproviding, by the controller of the backend system, the value representing the amount of waste transported in the elevator car, the source floor and the destination floor associated with an elevator run with the waste and the time information associated with an elevator run transporting the waste to at least one external user .

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