Optical Sensor Auditing for Waste Container Fill Status

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Solution Overview

Problem

Waste services providers face inefficiencies and inaccuracies in visually assessing the fill status and contamination of customer waste containers, leading to safety issues and increased processing costs due to overloaded or contaminated containers.

Innovation Solution

A system equipped with an optical sensor on waste collection vehicles captures image data of customer waste containers, using machine learning to determine if the fill status exceeds a predetermined threshold, allowing for real-time scoring, ranking, and communication of results to users for appropriate action, including container delivery adjustments and customer notifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If visual auditing by driver or employees is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauditing system complexityVSAvoidfill status assessment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual visual auditing mechanism with an automated image processing system. Optical sensors capture images of containers, and computer vision algorithms automatically analyze fill status and contamination, eliminating the need for driver-based visual assessment while significantly improving measurement precision and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates digital copies (images) of the physical containers and analyzes these copies to determine fill status and contamination. This copying approach allows for precise, objective measurement without requiring direct physical inspection by personnel, thereby improving accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Device complexity

If visual auditing by driver or employees is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauditing system complexityVSAvoidcontamination status assessment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective human visual assessment with objective computer vision algorithms that consistently apply the same evaluation criteria. This substitution eliminates variability in human judgment and ensures reliable, repeatable contamination status assessments across all containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides automated feedback on contamination status and fill level to operators and customers. This feedback mechanism ensures consistent and reliable assessment by continuously monitoring container status and providing objective data-driven conclusions rather than subjective human evaluations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Quantity of substance

If manual visual assessment is used, then processing costs are reduced, but productivity and efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing costVSAvoidcontainer auditing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical sensing and image processing system operates continuously during waste collection operations, automatically analyzing every container without interruption. This continuous automated processing eliminates downtime associated with manual assessment and significantly improves productivity while keeping processing costs manageable through efficient resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces labor-intensive manual visual assessment with automated optical and computational systems. This substitution dramatically increases the number of containers that can be audited per unit time, improving productivity and efficiency while the system's automated nature keeps operational costs predictable and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system enhances accuracy in identifying overloaded or contaminated containers, improving safety, reducing processing costs, and enabling proactive customer education, thereby optimizing waste management operations and customer service.

Implementation Method 1

an optical sensor disposed on a waste collection vehicle and configured to capture image data of the customer waste container that is indicative of the fill status of the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical imaging: Photography

Data Source

PatentUS11488118B1System and method for auditing overages and contamination for a customer waste container by a waste services provider during performance of a waste service activity

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 WM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for using video/still images captured by continuously recording optical sensors mounted on waste collection vehicles used in in the waste collection, disposal and recycling industry for operational and customer service related purposes. A system is provided for auditing the fill status of a customer waste container by a waste services provider and right sizing the container during performance of a waste service activity.