IoT Bin Sensor System for Automated Waste Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Enterprise-sized companies face challenges in monitoring and managing multiple waste disposal receptacles, as there is no self-contained system to detect when a receptacle is full or in need of attention, leading to inefficient manual inspections by janitorial staff.
Innovation Solution
An IoT-based system that includes sensor systems removably attached to bins to measure characteristic variables such as weight, full status, and temperature, transmitting maintenance requests to mobile devices or email addresses when conditions are met, enabling automated scheduling and notification of sanitation staff.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual inspection by janitorial staff is used, then the system complexity is low, but the productivity and reliability of waste disposal management deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system automatically monitors bin fill status and transmits notifications without requiring manual inspection by janitorial staff. The system serves itself by detecting when bins are full and initiating communication to schedule maintenance, eliminating the need for human intervention in the monitoring process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual inspection process with an electronic sensor-based system. Sensors detect bin fill status and transmit data electronically, substituting the mechanical action of staff physically checking bins with automated electronic detection and communication.
2Reliability
If automated sensor systems are deployed, then the productivity and reliability improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: sensor systems attached to bins for local monitoring, a communication layer for data transmission, and a processing system for analyzing data and generating notifications. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and independent while the overall system achieves high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system performs multiple functions within a single integrated unit: detecting bin fill status, monitoring bin location, determining maintenance needs, and transmitting notifications. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems while maintaining high reliability through centralized processing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system optimizes waste disposal management by automating the detection of full bins and scheduling maintenance tasks, reducing manual labor and improving operational efficiency, allowing sanitation staff to focus on priority areas.
Implementation Method 1
each of the sensor systems measures characteristic variables of a respective space located proximate to the sensor system
Implementation Method 2
each of the sensor systems measures characteristic variables of a respective space located proximate to the sensor system
Data Source
AI summary
A method executed by an electronic device includes receiving measurements from one or more one sensor systems, wherein each of the sensor systems measures characteristic variables of a respective space located proximate to the sensor system and is removably attached to a bin that defines the respective space. The method includes determining, for each of the respective spaces, whether a measured characteristic variable of the respective space satisfies one or more conditions for generating a maintenance request. For each of the respective spaces, the method includes: in response to determining a condition, from among the one or more conditions for generating a maintenance request, is satisfied by a measured characteristic variable of the respective space, generating the maintenance request in association with an identifier of the sensor system. For each of the respective spaces, the method includes: transmitting a message to a mobile device, the message including the maintenance request.