Refuse removal reminders

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017193798-A1
Application number	US-201615375116-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 11, 2016
Priority date	Sep 9, 2014
Publication date	Jul 6, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

According to at least one embodiment, a computer-implemented method to communicate refuse reminders to a user of an automation system is disclosed. A proximity of at least one refuse bin to a base station may be detected at a predetermined time period prior to the refuse removal day using one or more sensors. The user may be alerted to move the at least one refuse bin to a removal location based at least in part on the detecting. In some embodiments, the refuse removal scheduled may be linked with the automation system, wherein the refuse removal schedule may comprise a schedule of refuse pick-up days for a first category of refuse.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . A method to communicate reminders, comprising:
detecting, via a sensor, a proximity of a first refuse bin to a first removal location at a predetermined time period before a first refuse removal period; producing an alert relating to the first refuse bin and the first removal location based at least in part on the detecting; and alerting a user, via a device, when to move the first refuse bin based at least in part on producing the alert.

22 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
detecting the proximity of the first refuse bin to a base station at a second predetermined time period after a scheduled refuse removal; and alerting the user to return the first refuse bin to the base station when the proximity of the first refuse bin to the base station is not within a predetermined distance based at least in part on the detecting.

23 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
alerting an administrator of an automation system when the first refuse bin is within a predetermined proximity of a base station at the predetermined time period before a scheduled refuse removal.

24 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
detecting a location of a refuse removal vehicle; comparing the location of the refuse removal vehicle to a refuse removal route; determining the refuse removal vehicle has passed the location of an automation system on the refuse removal route; alerting the user of a missed opportunity to have refuse removed when the first refuse bin is within a predetermined proximity of a base station based at least in part on the determining.

25 . The method of claim 24 , further comprising:
alerting the user that the refuse removal vehicle emptied the first refuse bin when the first refuse bin is not within the predetermined proximity of the base station.

26 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
detecting, via the sensor, a proximity of a second refuse bin to a second removal location for the second refuse bin at a second predetermined time period before a second refuse removal period, the second refuse bin being different from the first refuse bin, the second refuse removal period being different from the first removal period; producing a second alert to move the second refuse bin to the second removal location based at least in part on the detecting.

27 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
identifying a type of refuse associated with the first refuse bin; and identifying the first refuse removal period based at least in part on the type of refuse.

28 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
detecting, via the sensor, the proximity of the first refuse bin to the first removal location at a second predetermined time period after the first refuse removal period; and producing a second alert to move the first refuse bin to a first base station location based at least in part on the detecting.

29 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
detecting a location of a refuse removal vehicle; and determining that the refuse removal vehicle is at a predetermined position on a refuse removal route positioned before the first removal location, wherein producing the alert is based at least in part the refuse removal vehicle being at the predetermined position.

30 . A method to communicate reminders, comprising:
detecting, via a sensor, a proximity of a first refuse bin to a first removal location at a predetermined time period after a first refuse removal period; producing an alert related to the first refuse bin and the first removal location based at least in part on the detecting; and alerting a user, via a device, when to move the first refuse bin based at least in part on producing the alert.

31 . The method of claim 30 , further comprising:
detecting, via the sensor, that the first refuse bin is empty of refuse.

32 . The method of claim 30 , further comprising:
detecting that the first refuse bin has been tilted based at least in part on a second sensor, wherein producing the alert is based at least in part on detecting that the first refuse bin has been tilted.

33 . The method of claim 30 , further comprising:
detecting, by an olfactory sensor positioned in the first refuse bin, a reduction in smell within the first refuse bin, wherein producing the alert is based at least in part on detecting the reduction in smell.

34 . The method of claim 30 , further comprising:
detecting a location of a refuse removal vehicle; and determining that the refuse removal vehicle is at a predetermined position on a refuse removal route positioned after the first removal location, wherein producing the alert is based at least in part the refuse removal vehicle being at the predetermined position.

35 . The method of claim 30 , further comprising:
detecting, via the sensor, a proximity of a second refuse bin to a second removal location for the second refuse bin at a second predetermined time period after a second refuse removal period, the second refuse bin being different from the first refuse bin, the second refuse removal period being different from the first removal period; producing a second alert to move the second refuse bin to a second base station location based at least in part on the detecting.

36 . The method of claim 30 , further comprising:
alerting the user to return the first refuse bin to a base station when the proximity of the first refuse bin to the base station is not within a predetermined distance based at least in part on the detecting.

37 . The method of claim 30 , further comprising:
alerting an administrator of an automation system when the first refuse bin is within a predetermined proximity of a base station at a second predetermined time period after a scheduled refuse removal.

38 . The method of claim 30 , further comprising:
detecting a location of a refuse removal vehicle; comparing the location of the refuse removal vehicle to a refuse removal route; determining the refuse removal vehicle has passed the location of an automation system on the refuse removal route; alerting the user of a missed opportunity to have refuse removed when the first refuse bin is within a predetermined proximity of a base station based at least in part on the determining.

39 . The method of claim 38 , further comprising:
alerting the user that the refuse removal vehicle emptied the first refuse bin when the at least one refuse bin is not within the predetermined proximity of the base station.

40 . An apparatus to communicate reminders, comprising:
a processor; a memory in electronic communication with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to:
detect, via a sensor, a proximity of a first refuse bin to a first removal location at a predetermined time period after a first refuse removal period;
produce an alert related to the first refuse bin and the first removal location based at least in part on the detecting; and
alert a user, via a device, when to move the first refuse bin based at least in part on producing the alert.

Assignees

• Vivint Inc

Inventors

• Call Brian
• Brown Nicholas
• Carter Jason
• Noble Darren

Classifications

• G08B25/004

  Alarm propagated along alternative communication path or using alternative communication medium according to a hierarchy of available ways to communicate, e.g. if Wi-Fi® not available use GSM · CPC title

• G08B21/182

  Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold · CPC title

• B30B9/3007

  Control arrangements · CPC title

• G08B21/24 Primary

  Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms · CPC title

• H04L12/2825

  Reporting to a device located outside the home and the home network (access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with telemetering systems H04M11/002) · CPC title