Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
  • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
  • G06Q10/04—Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem"
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
  • B65F2210/00—Equipment of refuse receptacles
  • B65F2210/108—Authorization means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
  • B65F2210/00—Equipment of refuse receptacles
  • B65F2210/128—Data transmitting means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
  • B65F2210/00—Equipment of refuse receptacles
  • B65F2210/138—Identification means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
  • B65F2210/00—Equipment of refuse receptacles
  • B65F2210/144—Level detecting means
  • B65F2210/1443—Electrical
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
  • B65F2210/00—Equipment of refuse receptacles
  • B65F2210/148—Locking means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
  • B65F2210/00—Equipment of refuse receptacles
  • B65F2210/168—Sensing means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
  • B65F2210/00—Equipment of refuse receptacles
  • B65F2210/20—Temperature sensing means

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method for managing and controlling waste containers in a waste collection system, as well as to a waste collection system.
• containers provided with a connectivity device configured to collect data on the filling level of the container and to transmit them to a control center, from which an optimized path of waste collection is provided based on the data transmitted by each device, are known from the prior art.
• the progress status of the filling level of each container may be monitored, thus allowing a waste collection transport means to be provided with a path for collecting the greatest amount of waste, for example with the lowest consumption of fuel and/or in the shortest time possible and/or with the smallest number of operators.
• document EP2516974 discloses a device for detecting the filling status of a container comprising capacitive type means which, depending on the change in electric capacitance, determine the filling status of the container, in which the filling status of the container is directly sent to a data collection and processing station, or indirectly to a movable device associated with a waste collection means which then sends the filling status of the container to the data collection and processing station so that a waste collection path is generated for such a container when a filling level threshold is exceeded.
• the problem underlying the present invention is that of devising an optimized waste collection system and method which have such structural and functional features as to meet the aforesaid needs, while obviating the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the known art and meeting the aforesaid needs.
• the suggested solution allows calculating the percentage of waste containers that will not be filled on a historical basis to thus extend the range of action of a collection means, i.e., by increasing the actual emptying stops it may perform and decreasing the cost of the means and the personnel required to cover the waste collection in a given area.
• the collection paths may be accurately planned based on a filling cycle history, i.e., on daily, monthly and seasonal analyses of the filling levels of each monitored waste container.
• FIG. 1 shows a partially diagrammatic axonometric view of an optimized waste collection system according to the present invention, comprising a waste container provided with a monitoring device in operating connection with a server and an optimization unit according to the present invention;
• FIGS. 2a-2c show a side view of the monitoring device installed on three different types of waste containers, having side opening, bell-shaped, and underground, respectively;
• FIG. 3 shows a sectional side view along a longitudinal median plane of the container in Figure 1, so as to show certain components of the monitoring device shown in Figure 1 mounted inside the container;
• FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic view of an optimized waste collection system according to the present invention, showing a plurality of containers provided with a respective monitoring device, which are shown in Figure 1, and a waste collection means operatively connected to the optimization unit.
• Said waste collection system 100 comprises a plurality of waste containers 20, in which each waste container 20 comprises a respective monitoring device 1, at least one server 4 operatively connected to each monitoring device 1, at least one optimization unit 23 operatively connected to said server 4 and to each monitoring device 1, and at least one transport means 21 for collecting the waste from said plurality of waste containers 20, in which said transport means (21) is operatively connected to said optimization unit 23 by means of a data receiving module (22).
• Each monitoring device 1 comprises data transceiver means 2 installed on a respective waste container of said plurality of waste containers 20 and operatively connected to said server 4 and to said optimization unit 23; a processor 3 installed on said respective waste container 20 connected to said data transceiver means 2 and at least one level sensor 5 installed on said respective waste container 20 operatively connected to said processor 3.
• Said at least one level sensor 5 is configured to detect at least one filling level of the respective waste container 20 for each filling cycle of said waste container 20. Said filling level changes in each filling cycle from a minimum filling level to at least one preset threshold filling level. According to an operating method, said threshold filling level is lower than a maximum filling level.
• the method comprises the steps of:
• Said expected filling parameter is representative of at least one expected filling level and of an expected time instant or interval in which said expected filling level will reach said threshold filling level, in which said expected filling level is determined based on an analysis of the filling levels stored on said server 4 related to at least one filling cycle prior to said current filling cycle. In other words, said expected filling level is determined based on an historical analysis of the filling levels stored on said server 4.
• the method further comprises the steps of:
• said expected filling level is calculated at least by means of said plurality of filling levels for at least said previous filling cycle acquired from said server 4, preferably for each previous filling cycle acquired from said server 4.
• step c- in which the optimization unit 23 is configured to generate the expected filling parameter representative of the expected filling level calculated based on the filling levels received for at least the previous filling cycle, the instant or time interval in which each container will reach the preset filling threshold may be estimated by analyzing the filling level trend of the container in the previous filling cycles.
• said data transceiver means 2 comprise a data transceiver module 6 and a GPS tracker 7, in which said GPS tracker 7 is configured to detect at least one current geographical position of the respective waste container 20 for each filling cycle.
• the method comprises the step of a4-detecting, in real time or at preset time intervals, by means of said monitoring device 1, the current geographical position of each container 20 for each filling cycle.
• the method comprises the step of a5-transmitting, by means of said monitoring device 1, each detected geographical position to said server 4.
• the method comprises the step of storing each detected geographical position on said server
• said expected filling parameter is representative of the detected current geographical position for the respective container 20.
• the method comprises the step of b2-selecting, by means of said optimization unit 23, a geographical collection area.
• said optimization unit 23 comprises a map in which said containers 23 are located and is configured to select at least one of the containers on said map.
• the number of collection stages is equal to the number of said expected filling parameters related to each container 20 having a geographical position located inside said selected geographical waste area having an expected filling level, which is at least equal to said expected filling threshold.
• the method comprises the step of b3-selecting, by means of said optimization unit 23, a time interval of historical analysis of said at least one filling cycle prior to said current filling cycle.
• step c- said historical analysis of the filling levels stored on said server relates to the filling cycles prior to said current filling cycle completed in said selected time interval of historical analysis.
• said time interval comprises at least one day and/or at least one month and/or a season.
• the method comprises the step of a7-determining, by means of said optimization unit 23, at least one filling speed of the respective container for each filling cycle.
• said expected filling parameter is further representative of said filling speed for said current cycle determined by said optimization unit 23 and of said filling speed for at least said previous filling cycle determined by said optimization unit 23.
• said expected filling parameter is further representative of an expected filling speed determined by said optimization unit 23, in which said expected filling speed is determined at least based on said filling speed for at least said previous filling cycle.
• said plurality of containers 20 comprises at least a first group of containers 24.
• the monitoring device 1 of each waste container of said at least a first group of containers 24, or of said plurality of waste containers 20 comprises: an electromechanical lock 8 installed on said container 20 for controlling the opening and closing of an aperture of said container 20, and a motor 9 for operating said electromechanical lock 8, in which said motor 9 is connected to said processor 3 and to said electromechanical lock 8.
• said monitoring device 1 is configured to operate said electromechanical lock 8.
• said monitoring device 1 is configured to avoid said filling level from being detected when the respective electromechanical lock 8 is active.
• said method comprises the steps of b4-selecting, by means of said optimization unit 23, at least one container of said first group of containers 24, and b5- sending, by means of said optimization unit 23, a locking signal to the monitoring device 1 of each selected container of said first group of containers 24 for closing the respective electromechanical lock 8.
• said number of collection stages is equal to the difference between said number of said expected filling parameters having an expected filling level which is at least equal to said expected filling threshold, and a number of containers equal to the number of said selected containers of said first group of containers 24.
• steps b4 and b5 certain containers 20 of system 100 may be selected and users of containers may be prevented from disposing of waste in such containers, and then they may be excluded from the configured waste collection.
• certain containers may be selected, for example located in geographical areas involved in a scheduled event, such as a demonstration, to prevent access to the selected containers in step b4 for a predetermined time period, for example equal to at least the duration of the demonstration.
• the containers of said at least a first group of containers 24 are arranged close to one another in a collection zone.
• each container of said first group of containers 24 is selected in said step b4-.
• the method comprises, prior to step b4, a step of selecting a locking geography area, in which step b4 provides selecting at least one container or all the containers of said first group of containers that are in said locking geography area.
• the method comprises a step of selecting a locking time period.
• the method avoids sending, by means of said optimization unit 23, an opening signal to the monitoring device of the containers of said first group of containers 24 selected in said step b4 for opening electromechanical lock 8 thereof, for said locking time period.
• said method comprises the step of i-sending, by means of said optimization unit 23, an opening signal to the monitoring device of a first selected container 25 of said first group of containers 24 for opening the electromechanical lock 8 of said first container 25 of said first group of containers 24.
• step i is provided after steps b4 and b5, following a preset closing period of the selected containers in step b4.
• step i allows accessing each container selected in step b4 for a preset opening period. Thereby, access to the selected containers may be allowed, for example in a geographical area involved in a scheduled event, such as a neighborhood party, and keeping the selected containers open, for example at least for the duration of the scheduled event.
• said method comprises the step of ii-sending, by means of said optimization unit 23, said closing signal to the monitoring device of said first container 25 for closing the respective electromechanical lock 8 when the filling level of said first container 25 exceeds said preset filling threshold, and consequentially sending, by means of said optimization unit 23, said opening signal to the monitoring device of a second container 26 of said first group of containers 24, in which the filling level of said second container 26 is less than said preset filling threshold.
• said method comprises the step of iii-repeating said step ii- until each container of said first group of containers 24 has a greater filling level than said preset filling threshold.
• said number of collection stages is equal to the difference between said number of said expected filling parameters having an expected filling level which is at least equal to said expected filling threshold added to a number of above-threshold containers equal to the number of said selected containers of said first group of containers 24 having an expected filling level which is greater than or equal to said preset filling threshold, and said number of containers equal to the number of said selected containers of said first group of containers 24.
• the monitoring device 1 of each waste container of said at least a first group of containers 24, or of said plurality of waste containers 20, comprises a user identification unit 10 configured to receive a user recognition signal from a user desiring to dispose of waste in the respective container 20, said user identification unit 10 being operatively connected to said processor 3.
• said method comprises the step of hl-detecting, by means of said monitoring device 1, said user recognition signal.
• said method comprises the step of h2-transmitting, by means of said monitoring device 1 said user recognition signal to said server 4.
• said method comprises the step of h3-storing each transmitted user recognition signal on said server 4.
• said method comprises the step of h4-comparing, by means of said optimization unit 23, each stored user recognition signal with a list of recognition signals stored on said server 4.
• said method comprises the step of h5-sending, by means of said optimization unit 23, an opening signal to the monitoring device of the respective container.
• said method comprises the step of h6-counting, by means of said optimization unit, a number of authorized openings of said electromechanical lock 8 for each filling cycle and storing them on said server 4 for each filling cycle.
• said expected filling parameter is further representative of said number of authorized openings for said current filling cycle, and of said number of authorized openings for at least said previous filling cycle.
• the monitoring device 1 of each waste container of said at least a first group of containers 24, or of said plurality of waste containers 20, comprises a disposed waste identification unit 11 configured to detect a waste recognition signal from said at least one waste item disposed of by said user, said disposed waste identification unit 11 being operatively connected to said processor 3.
• said method comprises the step of gl-acquiring, by means of said monitoring device 1, said waste recognition signal.
• said method comprises the step of g2-transmitting, by means of said monitoring device 1, said waste recognition signal to said server 4.
• said method comprises the step of g3-storing each acquired waste recognition signal on said server 4.
• said method comprises the step of g4-associating, by means of said optimization unit 23, said waste recognition signal with said user recognition signal by generating a user-waste association signal and storing said user- waste association signal on said server.
• said expected filling parameter is further representative of said waste recognition signal for said current filling cycle.
• said system 100 comprises at least one control and maintenance operation center operatively connected to said optimization unit 23.
• said device 1 comprises at least one temperature sensor 18 installed inside said container 20 and configured to detect at least one temperature, over time, inside said container 20, said at least one temperature sensor 18 being operatively connected to said processor 3.
• said method comprises the step of 11-detecting, in real time or at preset time intervals, by means of said monitoring device 1, at least one temperature for each filling cycle of said waste container 20.
• said method comprises the step of 12-sending, by means of said monitoring device 1, each detected temperature to said server 4 and storing it on said server
• said method comprises the step of 13-comparing, by means of said optimization unit 23, said at least one detected temperature for said current cycle with a preset temperature threshold.
• said method comprises the step of 14-sending, by means of said optimization unit 23, a temperature alarm signal associated with a geographical position of said container 20 to said control and maintenance operation center if said at least one detected temperature is greater than said preset temperature threshold.
• said expected filling parameter is further representative of the temperature detected by said temperature sensor 20.
• said device 1 of each container 20 comprises at least one humidity sensor 18 installed inside said container 20 and configured to detect at least one humidity level, over time, inside said container 20, said at least one humidity sensor 18 being operatively connected to said processor 3.
• said method comprises the step of ml-detecting, in real time or at preset time intervals, by means of said monitoring device 1, at least one humidity level for each filling cycle of said waste container 20.
• said method comprises the step of m2-sending, by means of said monitoring device 1, each detected humidity level to said server 4 and storing it on said server 4.
• said method comprises the step of m3-comparing, by means of said optimization unit 23, said at least one detected humidity level with a preset humidity threshold.
• said method comprises the step of m4- sending, by means of said optimization unit 23, a humidity alarm signal associated with a geographical position of said container 20 to said control and maintenance operation center when said detected humidity level is greater than said preset humidity threshold so as to schedule an inspection of the respective container 20.
• said expected filling parameter is further representative of the humidity level detected by said humidity sensor 18.
• device 1 of each container 20 comprises at least one accelerometer 19 configured for at least one acceleration change for each filling cycle of said waste container 20 and operatively connected to said processor 3.
• said method comprises the step of nl- detecting, in real time or at preset time intervals, by means of said monitoring device 1, said at least one acceleration change for each filling cycle of said waste container 20.
• said method comprises the step of n2-sending, by means of said monitoring device 1, each detected acceleration change to said server 4 and storing it on said server 4.
• said method comprises the step of n3- comparing, by means of said optimization unit 23, said at least one acceleration change with a preset acceleration change threshold.
• said method comprises the step of n4- sending, by means of said optimization unit 23, a shock alarm signal associated with a geographical position of said container 20 to said control and maintenance operation center when said at least one acceleration change is greater than said preset acceleration change threshold, so as to schedule an inspection of the respective container 20.
• said expected filling parameter is further representative of the acceleration change detected by said device 1.
• the present invention also relates to a waste collection system 100 for implementing one or more of the operating methods described above.
• said system 100 comprises a plurality of waste containers 20, in which each waste container 20 comprises a respective monitoring device 1, at least one server 4 operatively connected to each monitoring device 1, and at least one transport means 21 for collecting the waste from said plurality of waste containers 20, in which said transport means 21 is operatively connected to said waste collection optimization unit 23 by means of a data receiving module 22.
• Each monitoring device 1 comprises data transceiver means 2 operatively connected to said server 4 for processing and storing data, and to said optimization unit 23, a processor 3 connected to said data transceiver means 2, and at least one level sensor 5 for detecting, over time, a filling level of the respective waste container 20 and connected to said processor 3.
• the filling level in a filling cycle of each container 20 grows from a minimum filling level to at least one threshold filling level.
• said system 100 is configured to operate the method described.
• each monitoring device 1 is configured to:
• said server 4 is configured to store each filling level detected on a server storage.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to:
• an expected filling parameter for each waste container 20 for a current filling cycle in which said expected filling parameter is representative of at least one expected filling level and of an expected time instant or interval in which said expected filling level will reach said threshold filling level, in which said expected filling level is determined with respect to an historical analysis of the filling levels stored on said server related to at least one filling cycle prior to said current filling cycle,
• said expected filling parameter is associated with an expected filling level and with a time instant or time interval in which said expected filling level in said current filling cycle will reach a greater filling level than said preset filling threshold.
• said expected filling level is calculated by means of said plurality of filling levels for each previous filling cycle acquired from said server 4.
• said data transceiver means 2 comprise a data transceiver module 6.
• said data transceiver means 2 comprise a GPS tracker 4 configured to detect at least one current geographical position of the respective waste container 20 for each filling cycle.
• said processor 3 is configured to detect, in real time or at preset time intervals, by means of said GPS tracker 7, said current geographical position for said current filling cycle.
• said processor 3 is configured to transmit each detected geographical position to said server 4 so as to store it on said server 4.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to acquire at least said current geographical position for said current filling cycle from said server 4.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to associate said expected filling parameter with the current geographical position detected by said GPS tracker 7.
• the containers comprising said device 1 may be localized in highly accurate manner on a map, both to provide optimized waste collection paths and to track possible displacements of said containers in the case of scheduled events, such as parties or demonstrations, or in the case of accidental events, such as adverse weather or vandalism.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to determine at least one filling speed of the respective container for each filling cycle, for each waste container 20.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to store each filling speed determined for each current and previous filling cycle for each waste container 20, on said server 4.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to associate said expected filling parameter with said filling speed for said current cycle determined by said optimization unit 23, and with said filling speed for at least said previous filling cycle determined by said optimization unit 23.
• said optimization unit is configured to associate said expected filling parameter with an expected filling speed determined by said optimization unit 23, in which said expected filling speed is calculated at least based on said filling speed for at least said previous filling cycle.
• said expected filling speed is calculated based on said filling speed for said current cycle determined by said optimization unit 23.
• said device 1 comprises an electromechanical lock 8 installed on said container 20 for controlling the opening and closing of a door 27 of said container 20 for accessing a containment cavity of said container.
• said device 1 comprises a motor 9 for operating said electromechanical lock 8, in which said motor 9 is connected to said processor 3 and to said electromechanical lock 8.
• said processor 3 is configured to activate said electromechanical lock 8.
• said processor 3 is configured to avoid detecting said filling level when said electromechanical lock 8 is active.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to independently send a locking or unlocking signal to lock or unlock the respective electromechanical lock 8, to each processor 3 of each monitoring device 1.
• electromechanical lock 8 which may be operated by the optimization unit 23 and by processor 3, a controlled opening of a group of containers may be scheduled so that the containers of the group of containers are filled in sequence.
• each container may be remotely controlled by virtue of the provision of said electromechanical lock 8.
• the electromechanical lock 8 which may be operated by the optimization unit 23 and by processor 3, a controlled opening or closing of a group of containers in a predetermined geographical area and in a predetermined time period may be scheduled, for example in the geographical areas involved in scheduled events, such as parties or demonstrations, for the duration of the scheduled events, or in accidental events, such as adverse weather or vandalism, for an estimated duration of the accidental events.
• said device comprises a user identification unit 10 installed on the respective waste container 20 and configured to receive a user recognition signal from a user desiring to dispose of waste in said container 20, said user identification unit 10 being operatively connected to said processor 3.
• said user identification unit 10 comprises a Bluetooth receiver.
• said user identification unit 10 comprises an RFID reader for identifying a tag associated with said user.
• said processor 3 is configured to detect said user recognition signal. [00136]. According to an embodiment, said processor 3 is configured to transmit said user recognition signal to said server 4.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to acquire said user recognition signal from said server 4 and to compare said user recognition signal with a list of recognition signals stored on said server 4.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to send said locking or unlocking signal to said processor 3 to lock or unlock the respective electromechanical lock 8 if said user recognition signal is on said list of recognition signals.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to count a number of authorized openings of said electromechanical lock 8 for each filling cycle of the respective container 20.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to associate said expected filling parameter with said number of authorized openings for said current filling cycle and with said number of authorized openings for at least said previous filling cycle.
• said device 1 comprises a disposed waste identification unit 11 installed on the respective waste container 20 and configured to detect a waste recognition signal from said at least one waste item disposed of by said user, said disposed waste identification unit 11 being operatively connected to said processor 3.
• said disposed waste identification unit 11 comprises an RFID reader configured to identify a tag associated with the bag containing the waste.
• said processor 3 is configured to acquire said waste recognition signal detected by said disposed waste identification unit 11.
• said optimization unit is configured to associate said waste recognition signal with said user recognition signal by generating a user-waste association signal.
• said optimization unit is configured to store said user-waste association signal on said server 4.
• said optimization unit is configured to associate said expected filling parameter with said waste recognition signal for said current filling cycle.
• said device 1 comprises at least one container opening and closing detection sensor 12 of said door 27 for covering an aperture of said container 20.
• said device 1 comprises at least one rechargeable battery 13 for electrically feeding said device 1, i.e., at least said processor 3, said data transceiver means 2 and said level sensor 5, and any further electronic components of said device 1.
• said device 1 comprises at least one solar panel 14 for recharging said rechargeable battery
• said device 1 comprises a user interface 15 provided with an interactive screen 16 operatively connected to said processor 3.
• said data transceiver module 2 comprise a GSM module.
• said GPS tracker 7 comprises a GPS module.
• said at least one level sensor 5 is an ultrasound sensor and is arranged inside said container 20 and secured to said container 20 in a central position with respect to an upper surface of said container.
• said device 1 comprises a clock for temporally scheduled functions, which is operatively connected to said processor 3.
• said device 1 comprises at least one temperature sensor 18 installed inside said container 20 and configured to detect at least one temperature, over time, inside said container 20, said at least one temperature sensor 18 being operatively connected to said processor 3.
• said processor 3 is configured to detect, in real time or at preset time intervals, by means of said temperature sensor 18, at least one temperature for each filling cycle of said waste container 20.
• said processor 3 is configured to send said at least one detected temperature for each filling cycle of the respective waste container 20, to said server 4.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to acquire said at least one detected temperature for each filling cycle of the respective waste container 20, from said server 4.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to compare said at least one detected temperature for said current cycle with a preset temperature threshold.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to generate a temperature alarm signal associated with a geographical position of the respective container 20.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to send said temperature alarm signal associated with said geographical position of the respective container 20 to an operation center so as to schedule an inspection of the respective container 20.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to associate said expected filling parameter with the temperature detected by said temperature sensor 20.
• said device 1 comprises at least one humidity sensor 18 installed inside said container 20 and configured to detect at least one humidity level, over time, inside said container 20, said at least one humidity sensor 18 being operatively connected to said processor 3.
• said processor 3 is configured to detect, in real time or at preset time intervals, by means of said humidity sensor 18, at least one humidity level for each filling cycle of said waste container 20.
• said processor 3 is configured to send said at least one humidity level for each filling cycle of the respective waste container 20, to said server 4.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to acquire said at least one detected humidity level from said server 4.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to compare said at least one detected humidity level with a preset humidity threshold.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to generate a humidity alarm signal associated with a geographical position of the respective container 20.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to send said humidity alarm signal associated with said geographical position of the respective container 20 to an operation center so as to schedule an inspection of the respective container 20.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to associate said expected filling parameter with the humidity level detected by said humidity sensor 18.
• said device comprises at least one accelerometer 19 installed on said container 20.
• said processor 3 is configured to detect, in real time or at preset time intervals, by means of said accelerometer 19, at least one acceleration change for each filling cycle of said waste container 20.
• said processor 3 is configured to send said at least one acceleration change to said server 4.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to acquire said at least one acceleration change from said server 4.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to compare said at least one acceleration change with a preset acceleration change threshold.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to generate a shock alarm signal associated with a geographical position of said container 20 when said at least one acceleration change is greater than said preset acceleration change threshold.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to send said shock alarm signal associated with said geographical position of the respective container 20 to an operation center so as to schedule an inspection of the respective container 20.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to associate said expected filling parameter with said at least one acceleration change.
• said device comprises at least one gas detection sensor installed on said container 20.
• said device comprises at least one smoke detection sensor installed on said container 20. [00181]. According to an embodiment, said device comprises at least one liquid detection sensor installed on said container 20.
• said container 20 comprises at least one containment body which has an access opening inside the cavity of the containment body.
• said container 20 comprises a door which is movable between a closing position of said access opening and at least one opening position of said access opening, to allow the introduction of at least one waste item into the container.
• said data receiving module 22 is associated with a movable device, for example a smartphone or a tablet.
• said waste collection optimization unit 23 comprises a computer platform configured to analyze the plurality of data stored on said server 4 by means of artificial intelligence algorithms.
• said server 4 comprises said waste collection optimization unit 23.
• said waste collection optimization unit 23 is configured to independently set at least one respective preset filling threshold for each device 1 for each container 20.
• said waste collection optimization unit 23 is configured to select a geographical area in which at least a portion of said plurality of containers 20 is arranged.
• said waste collection optimization unit 23 is configured to select a collection time instant or collection time interval.
• said waste collection optimization unit 23 is configured to generate a waste collection path having a number of collection stages equal to the number of expected filling parameters related to each device 1 having a geographical position located within said selected geographical area which have an expected filling level which is greater than said preset filling threshold in said selected collection time instant or in said selected collection time interval.
• said plurality of waste containers 20 comprises at least a first group of containers 24 arranged close to one another in a collection zone.
• device 1 of each container of said first group of containers 24 comprises said electromechanical lock 8 and said motor 9 according to at least one of the embodiments described above.
• said waste collection optimization unit 23 is configured to: send said locking signal for locking the respective electromechanical lock 8 to each processor 3 of said first group of containers 24; send said unlocking signal to processor 3 of a first container 25 of said first group of containers 24 for unlocking the respective electromechanical lock 8, while keeping locked the electromechanical locks 8 of the remaining containers of said first group of containers 24.
• said waste collection optimization unit 23 is configured to send said locking signal for locking said electromechanical lock 8 of said first container 25 of said first group of containers, and consequentially send said unlocking signal to processor 3 of a second container 26 of said first group of containers 24 for unlocking the respective electromechanical lock 8, in which the filling level of said second container 26 is less than said preset filling threshold, this latter operation being repeated until each container of said first group of containers 24 has a respective filling level which is greater than said preset filling threshold.
• said optimization unit 23 is configured to: select a geographical area in which at least a portion of said plurality of containers 20 is arranged; select an electromechanical lock locking time instant or time interval; send said lock locking signal to each device 1 having a geographical position located within said selected geographical area to lock the respective electromechanical locks 8.
• said number of collection stages is equal to the difference between a total number of containers present along said path, a number of containers below the threshold equal to the number of containers present along said path which have a lower filling level than said preset filling threshold and having said lock unlocked, and a number of locked containers equal to the number of containers of said first group of containers having said lock locked and which have a lower filling level than said preset filling threshold.
• the number of waste containers to be emptied may be automatically identified based on the preset filling threshold levels, and waste collection paths with related analysis of the collection efficiency may be provided based on historical data of filling levels of the waste containers related to previous filling cycles.
• waste collection paths may be generated based on overbooking criteria, i.e., based on an over-allocation of the waste collection means with respect to the actual capacity while considering that, on statistical basis with respect to the expected filling parameters, at least one portion of the containers will be partially or completely empty.
• the collection paths may be optimized by virtue of the system 100 and the method described, with related economical savings and pollution reduction.

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• 2021
  • 2021-03-22 IT IT102021000006863A patent/IT202100006863A1/it unknown
• 2022
  • 2022-03-21 WO PCT/IB2022/052545 patent/WO2022200986A1/en active Application Filing
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