Odor-Based Garbage Collection Scheduling for User Discomfort Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current garbage collection techniques do not effectively address the discomfort caused by strong odor intensities at garbage collection sites, leading to user dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize odor sensors to detect odor intensities at multiple garbage collection sites, determining a collection order based on these readings, and employing an autonomous garbage collection device, such as a drone, to sequentially collect garbage from sites with higher odor intensities first.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If garbage collection is performed using conventional methods without odor detection, then the collection process is simple and fast, but user discomfort increases due to strong odors persisting at collection sites
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of odor intensity at garbage collection sites before collection occurs. By measuring odor levels in advance and prioritizing sites with high odor intensity, the system proactively addresses the harmful effect (odor) before it causes maximum user discomfort, rather than using simple first-come-first-served collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where odor sensor measurements are continuously acquired and used to dynamically adjust the collection priority order. The odor intensity data feeds back into the determination process, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to actual odor conditions at each site rather than following a fixed collection schedule.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the system prioritizes collecting garbage from sites with strong odors, then user discomfort is reduced, but the time required to determine collection order increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual or complex mechanical decision-making processes with automated electronic odor detection and computational algorithms. Odor sensors electronically measure gas concentrations, and a control device automatically processes this data to determine collection priorities, substituting what would otherwise require time-consuming human assessment or complex scheduling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter used for prioritization from simple metrics (such as collection queue order or site location) to odor intensity measurements. By using odor concentration as the primary sorting parameter, the system efficiently identifies which sites need immediate attention without requiring complex multi-factor analysis, thus reducing determination time while effectively addressing user discomfort.
3Productivity
If odor sensors are deployed at multiple garbage collection sites, then collection priority can be optimized, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The odor sensors deployed at garbage collection sites serve multiple functions: they detect odor intensity for priority determination, provide real-time monitoring data for operational decisions, and can potentially detect other environmental parameters. This multi-functionality justifies the addition of sensors by extracting maximum value from each device installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables garbage collection sites to essentially self-report their priority status through the odor sensors installed at each location. Each sensor autonomously measures local odor conditions and transmits data to the central control device, eliminating the need for manual site assessments or complex centralized monitoring infrastructure. The distributed sensor network serves itself through automated data collection and transmission.
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
This approach reduces user discomfort by prioritizing the collection of garbage from sites with strong odors, thereby minimizing the duration that unpleasant smells persist.
Implementation Method 1
acquiring odor information indicating an odor intensity of each of a plurality of garbage collection sites, the odor intensity being detected by an odor sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A method executed by a control device includes: acquiring odor information indicating an odor intensity of each of a plurality of garbage collection sites, the odor intensity being detected by an odor sensor; determining an order in which garbage is collected from each of the garbage collection sites based on the odor information; and causing a garbage collection device to sequentially collect the garbage from each of the garbage collection sites according to the order.