Refuse Vehicle Camera Verification for Missed Bin Pickup Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refuse collection systems struggle with accurately detecting the presence or absence of refuse cans at pickup locations, leading to missed collections and inefficiencies in waste management.
Innovation Solution
A refuse vehicle system equipped with a camera and object detection technology to identify refuse cans, coupled with a control system to verify their presence or absence, and a tracking system to alert users and manage geofences for timely collections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual verification of refuse cans is used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but detection accuracy and collection reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and physical verification with an automated computer vision system using cameras and machine learning algorithms. The system captures images of refuse cans, processes them through object detection algorithms, and automatically verifies presence/absence without human intervention, thereby improving detection accuracy while managing system complexity through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-verification by using the refuse vehicle's own camera system and onboard processing to automatically detect and verify refuse cans. The vehicle independently performs what previously required external manual verification, improving both accuracy and operational efficiency without requiring additional human resources.
2Reliability
If automated camera systems are deployed, then detection accuracy improves, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is designed to serve multiple functions: detecting refuse cans, verifying their presence/absence, capturing evidence photos, and integrating with route optimization. By making the camera system multi-functional, the patent improves collection reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity, as a single system performs multiple critical tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the camera system, object detection algorithms, GPS tracking, and route management into an integrated platform. This merging of previously separate functions into a unified system improves reliability through consistent data flow and coordination, while managing complexity through integrated architecture rather than separate independent systems.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive image capture is performed at every location, then verification accuracy improves, but data storage requirements and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary filtering of image data by using object detection algorithms to identify only relevant frames containing refuse cans or verification-critical moments. Rather than storing and processing all images equally, the system pre-identifies and prioritizes verification-relevant data, maintaining accuracy while reducing overall processing time and storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential verification information from captured images—specifically frames showing refuse can presence/absence at verification points. By extracting and storing only these critical moments rather than continuous video or all images, the system maintains verification accuracy while significantly reducing data storage and processing requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for verifying refuse collection includes a camera system coupled to a refuse vehicle and configured to detect an object on one or more sides of the refuse vehicle and one or more memory devices storing instructions thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to receive image data from the camera system; transmit the image data to an object detection system; determine whether the object is present at a location, whether the object is expected to be present for collection at the location, and whether the object is collected; and instruct the camera system to store an image of the location on the one or more memory devices.