Refuse container identification using parcel data

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11580799-B2
Application number	US-202117553167-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 16, 2021
Priority date	Jun 19, 2018
Publication date	Feb 14, 2023
Grant date	Feb 14, 2023

Abstract

Techniques are described for correlating entity identification information with refuse containers being serviced by a refuse collection vehicle (RCV). Location data can be collected by location sensor(s) on the RCV at a time when a triggering condition is present, such as a time when a lift arm is operating to empty a refuse container into the hopper of the RCV. The location data can be provided as input to an algorithm that estimates a container location through a vector offset to account for the distance and direction of the RCV lift arm relative to the location sensor in the RCV. The container location can be correlated with parcel data to determine the parcel that the container was on or near to when it was serviced, and the customer or other entity associated with the parcel can be correlated to the particular container based on the analysis.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
at least one processor; and
memory communicably coupled to the at least one processor, the memory storing instructions which, when executed, cause the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:
receiving, by the at least one processor, data indicating an operational state of at least one body component of a refuse collection vehicle (RCV);
analyzing, by the at least one processor, the data to detect a particular operational state of the at least one body component, the particular operational state corresponding to the RCV servicing a container;
receiving, by the at least one processor, location data comprising global positioning system (GPS) coordinates corresponding to a location of the RCV;
applying, by the at least one processor, an algorithm to the location data to offset the GPS coordinates by a predetermined vector to determine a location of the container; and
correlating, by the at least one processor, the location of the container to parcel data to identify an entity associated with the container.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the data is generated by at least one body sensor device on the RCV.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the particular operational state comprises a lift arm of the RCV being at a particular position in a lift cycle to lift the container.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the particular operational state comprises a top lid of a hopper of the RCV being opened.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the particular operational state comprises a grabber of the RCV being in a particular position.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the location data is provided by a receiver on the RCV, the receiver configured to receive signals from a global positioning system (GPS).

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined vector includes:
a first distance in a first direction;
a second distance in a second direction that is different than the first direction; or
the first distance in the first direction and the second distance in the second direction that is different than the first direction.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the first direction is along a long axis of the RCV.

10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the first distance is less than the second distance.

11. A computer-implemented method performed by at least one processor, the method comprising:
receiving, by the at least one processor, data indicating an operational state of at least one body component of a refuse collection vehicle (RCV);
analyzing, by the at least one processor, the data to detect a particular operational state of the at least one body component, the particular operational state corresponding to the RCV servicing a container;
receiving, by the at least one processor, location data comprising global positioning system (GPS) coordinates corresponding to a location of the RCV;
applying, by the at least one processor, an algorithm to the location data to offset the GPS coordinates by a predetermined vector to determine a location of the container; and
correlating, by the at least one processor, the location of the container to parcel data to identify an entity associated with the container.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein the data is generated by at least one body sensor device on the RCV.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein the particular operational state comprises a lift arm of the RCV being at a particular position in a lift cycle to lift the container.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein the particular operational state comprises a top lid of a hopper of the RCV being opened.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein the particular operational state comprises a grabber of the RCV being in a particular position.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein the location data is provided by a receiver on the RCV, the receiver configured to receive signals from a global positioning system (GPS).

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein the predetermined vector includes:
a first distance in a first direction;
a second distance in a second direction that is different than the first direction; or
the first distance in the first direction and the second distance in the second direction that is different than the first direction.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 17 , wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 17 , wherein the first direction is along a long axis of the RCV.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 17 , wherein the first distance is less than the second distance.

Assignees

• Heil Co

Inventors

• Romano Anthony
• Geary Michael Dean

Classifications

• Y02W90/00

  Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation · CPC title

• G06Q10/08

  Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management · CPC title

• G01C21/3697

  Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level (G01C21/3679 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G07C5/085 Primary

  using electronic data carriers · CPC title

• G01C21/3667

  Display of a road map (G01C21/3614 takes precedence; guidance using 3D or perspective road maps G01C21/3635) · CPC title