Module apparatus for garbage collection and operation method for module apparatus

Disclosed are a module apparatus for garbage collection and an operation method for the module apparatus. A module apparatus for garbage collection, according to the present invention, comprises: a case which is provided so as to be attached to a garbage receptacle and has a first hole on the lower end; an integrated circuit module which is accommodated inside the case; a battery for supplying power to the integrated circuit module; and a sensor unit which is electrically connected to the integrated circuit module and is for sensing the volume of garbage accumulated inside the garbage receptacle, wherein the first hole is aligned with a second hole formed on the garbage receptacle and the detection unit detects the volume of the garbage through the first and second holes.

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage Patent Application of PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/KR2014/003908 (filed on May 1, 2014) under 35 U.S.C. § 371, which claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0049332 (filed on Apr. 24, 2014), which are all hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present description relates to a module apparatus for garbage collection, and more particularly to a detachable module apparatus for garbage collection and an operation method thereof, in which the module apparatus for garbage collection may be attached to a garbage receptacle to sense the volume of garbage in the garbage receptacle.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, garbage or recyclable material is placed in garbage receptacles installed on the wayside, in public places, in residential areas, or the like.

Such garbage should be collected properly at a right time. To this end, garbage was previously handled via garbage collection on a regular basis or when garbage receptacles are filled with garbage. However, such regular garbage collection has drawbacks in that: garbage may be collected even when garbage receptacles are not yet filled, such that a higher cost than necessary may be incurred from maintenance related to garbage collection; by contrast, even when garbage receptacles are already filled, garbage may not be collected due to a garbage collection schedule, such that garbage may be spilled out of garbage receptacles, thereby spoiling the appearance of the environment.

Accordingly, in order to reduce the garbage handling cost, a method is required which may maximize garbage collection efficiency to reduce the cost. Two matters should be mainly considered to increase garbage collection efficiency and to reduce the cost. First is the “efficiency in garbage collection time”, indicating at which volume garbage is collected; and second is the “efficiency in loading of garbage”, indicating how much garbage can be placed in a garbage receptacle.

A related art discloses a garbage receptacle, in which in an effort to increase collection efficiency, garbage is compressed by a compression apparatus, and when a garbage receptacle is filled above a certain level, a signal for garbage collection is transmitted remotely to a control center. However, the related art has a problem in that it is required to replace existing garbage receptacles with new ones.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

A technical object of the present invention is to provide a module apparatus for garbage collection and an operation method thereof, in which the module apparatus for garbage collection is attached to a garbage receptacle to sense the volume of garbage in the garbage receptacle and transmit the sensed information to a server, thereby improving garbage collection efficiency.

A technical object of the present invention is to provide a module apparatus for garbage collection and an operation method thereof, in which the module apparatus for garbage collection may be attachable to and detachable from an existing garbage receptacle, such that the cost of replacing garbage receptacles may be reduced, and the efficiency in garbage collection may be improved.

Technical Solution

In one general aspect, the present invention provides a module apparatus for garbage collection, the apparatus including: a case which is attached to a garbage receptacle, and has a first hole on the bottom; an integrated circuit module which is accommodated in the case; a battery configured to supply power to the integrated circuit module; and a sensor unit which is electrically connected to the integrated circuit module and is configured to sense a volume of garbage accumulated in the garbage receptacle.

The first hole may be aligned with a second hole formed on the garbage receptacle, and the sensor unit may sense the volume of garbage via the first hole and the second hole.

The module apparatus for garbage collection may further include a solar cell which converts light energy or heat energy of solar light to electric energy, and charges the battery by using the electric energy.

The sensor unit may include an ultrasonic wave sensor which transmits ultrasonic waves into the inside of the garbage receptacle via the first hole and the second hole, and may measure the height of the garbage by receiving reflected ultrasonic waves.

At the initial state before the garbage is accumulated in the garbage receptacle, the ultrasonic wave sensor may measure a minimum reference value based on a first time taken for the ultrasonic waves to be reflected and received.

The case may further include a third hole on the bottom, and the module apparatus for garbage collection may further include an environment sensor which is electrically connected to the integrated circuit module, and senses flame, smoke, or temperature in the garbage receptacle via the third hole to detect whether fire breaks out.

The module apparatus for garbage collection may further include a communication unit configured to wirelessly transmit information, sensed by the sensor unit, to a remote server.

The communication server may include: a first-type communication module configured to communicate with the server; and a second-type communication module configured to communicate with other module apparatus for garbage collection.

In another general aspect, the present invention provides an operation method of a module apparatus for garbage collection which communicates with a server via a communication network and is attachable to a garbage receptacle, the method including: attaching the module apparatus for garbage collection to a surface of the garbage receptacle so that a first hole formed at the module apparatus for garbage collection is aligned with a second hole formed at the garbage receptacle; sensing a volume of garbage accumulated in the garbage receptacle via the first hole and the second hole; and transmitting the sensed information to the server via a wireless communication network.

The sensing of the volume of garbage may include: transmitting ultrasonic waves into the inside of the garbage receptacle, and measuring a first time taken for the ultrasonic waves to be reflected from an object and returned; and calculating the height of the garbage based on the time.

Advantageous Effects

According to embodiments of the present invention, the module apparatus for garbage collection may be attached to an existing garbage receptacle to sense and transmit the volume of garbage in the garbage receptacle, thereby improving the garbage collection efficiency, and reducing the cost of garbage collection.

Further, according to embodiments of the present invention, the module apparatus for garbage collection may be simply attached in a module form to an existing garbage receptacle, such that there is no need to replace the existing garbage receptacle, and a garbage collection network may be established at a low cost.

BEST MODE

Any structural or functional description specified for embodiments in accordance with the concept of the present invention disclosed in the present specification is simply provided for description of the embodiments in accordance with the concept of the present invention, and it shall be appreciated that the embodiments in accordance with the concept of the present invention may be embodied in various forms and may not be limited to the embodiments described herein.

Since there can be a variety of permutations and embodiments of the present invention, certain embodiments will be illustrated and described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This, however, is by no means to restrict the present invention to certain embodiments, and shall be construed as including all permutations, equivalents and substitutes covered by the ideas and scope of the present invention.

Terms such as “first” and “second” can be used in describing various elements, but the above elements shall not be restricted to the above terms. The above terms are used only to distinguish one element from the other. For instance, the first element can be named the second element, and vice versa, without departing the scope of claims of the present invention. The term “and/or” shall include the combination of a plurality of listed items or any of the plurality of listed items.

When one element is described as being “connected” or “accessed” to another element, it shall be construed as being connected or accessed to the other element directly but also as possibly having another element in between. On the other hand, if one element is described as being “directly connected” or “directly accessed” to another element, it shall be construed that there is no other element in between. Other expressions describing relations between the elements, for example, “between” and “directly between” or “adjacent” and “directly adjacent,” shall be interpreted in the same fashion.

The terms used in the description are intended to describe certain embodiments only, and shall by no means restrict the present invention. Unless clearly used otherwise, expressions in a singular form include a meaning of a plural form. In the present description, an expression such as “comprising” or “including” is intended to designate a characteristic, a number, a step, an operation, an element, a part or combinations thereof, and shall not be construed to preclude any presence or possibility of one or more other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts or combinations thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms, including technical and scientific terms, used herein may be used with meanings commonly understood by a person having ordinary knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains. Any term that is defined in a generally-used dictionary shall be construed to have the same meaning in the context of the relevant art, and, unless otherwise defined explicitly, shall not be interpreted to have an idealistic or excessively formalistic meaning.

Hereinafter, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1is an example of a perspective view of a module apparatus100for garbage collection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating the inside of a module apparatus for garbage collection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view seen from the upper side of a module apparatus for garbage collection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 4is another example of a perspective view of a module apparatus for garbage collection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view seen from the lower side of a module apparatus for garbage collection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 5, the module apparatus100for garbage collection includes a case, an integrated circuit module180, a solar cell panel103, a display107, a battery165, and a sensor unit140(seeFIGS. 7 and 8).

The case may be attached to a lid210(seeFIG. 6) of a garbage receptacle200(seeFIG. 6).

The integrated circuit module180, the battery165, and the sensor unit140may be accommodated in the case.

A lower surface of the case, which contacts the lid210of the garbage receptacle200, may have at least one hole113aand113b.

The case may be configured to include one or more partial cases.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the case includes a main case101, an upper case105, and a lower case111. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number and types of the case may vary. The lower case111has a first hole113aand a second hole113b. The first hole113aand the second hole113bare used to dispose one or more sensors141and142of the sensor unit140, and the number and types of the holes may vary.

The solar cell panel103may be connected to the main case101.

The display107may be connected to the main case101. The display107may be electrically connected to the integrated circuit module180. Further, a shock absorber109may be provided for the main case101. The shock absorber109is a device to reduce shock imparted to the module apparatus100for garbage collection when the lid210of the garbage receptacle200is opened, thereby increasing durability of the module apparatus100for garbage collection.

The shock absorber109may be formed as a projection on an outermost side of the case, e.g., on both sides of the upper portion, and may be made of rubber material, but is not limited thereto.

In the case where the shock absorber109is provided, shock on a surface is transmitted as a shock on a point or a shock on a line, such that the shock may be reduced.

The main case101and the lower case111may be coupled via a case coupling portion116. Further, the case may be attached to the garbage receptacle200via a garbage receptacle coupling portion115.

The garbage receptacle coupling portion115may have a structure to absorb shock of an external pressure. For example, the garbage receptacle coupling portion115may include a hole, a spring formed at the hole, and a projection connected to the spring, in which the projection may be adapted to move in and out of the hole by the spring.

The case has an accommodating space, in which the integrated circuit module180and the battery165may be accommodated.

The sensor unit140is a device to sense the height of garbage accumulated in the garbage receptacle, the inner temperature, smoke, flame, and the like. To this end, the sensor unit140may include one or more sensors141and142. The one or more sensors141and142are electrically connected to the integrated circuit module180, and may be placed inside the garbage receptacle or toward the inside of the garbage receptacle.

The battery165supplies power to the integrated circuit module180and the sensor unit140.

FIG. 6is a view illustrating a module apparatus100for garbage collection attached to an existing garbage receptacle200, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 6, the module apparatus100for garbage collection may be attached to the existing garbage receptacle200. That is, the module apparatus100for garbage collection is an apparatus that is attachable to and detachable from the existing garbage receptacle.

In the exemplary embodiment, the module apparatus100for garbage collection may be attached to the lid210of the garbage receptacle200. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the module apparatus100for garbage collection may be attached to other portions including the side, the front portion, and the like of the garbage receptacle200. For example, the module apparatus200for garbage collection may be attached at an appropriate portion according to shape and form of the garbage receptacle200.

Although not illustrated herein, one or more holes may be formed on the lid210of the garbage receptacle200(for convenience of explanation, hereinafter referred to as “garbage receptacle holes”).

The garbage receptacle holes (not shown) may be aligned with the holes113aand113bof the module apparatus for garbage collection.

Accordingly, the holes113aand113bof the module apparatus for garbage collection are aligned with the garbage receptacle holes, and the one or more sensors may sense the height of garbage, temperature, smoke, flame, and the like in the garbage receptacle200through the holes113aand113bof the module apparatus for garbage collection and the garbage receptacle holes.

FIG. 7is a schematic block view illustrating a module apparatus for garbage collection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 8is a block view illustrating in more detail a module apparatus for garbage collection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 7 and 8, the module apparatus100for garbage collection includes a control unit130, a sensor unit140, a communication unit150, and a power supply unit160.

The control unit130may control the overall operation of the module apparatus100for garbage collection.

The sensor unit140includes a garbage volume sensor141and an environment sensor142. The garbage volume sensor141senses the accumulated volume (i.e., height) of garbage in the garbage receptacle. The sensed signal is transmitted to an external server30(seeFIGS. 9-11), and a manager managing the server handles the transmitted signal.

The garbage volume sensor141may be an ultrasonic wave sensor or an infrared sensor, but is not limited thereto.

In the case where the garbage volume sensor141is an ultrasonic wave sensor, the garbage volume sensor141transmits ultrasonic waves into the garbage receptacle, receives ultrasonic waves reflected from an object (garbage receptacle or the bottom of the garbage receptacle), and measures a delay time taken for the reflected ultrasonic waves to return. In this manner, the garbage volume sensor141may measure the distance to the object, and may detect the accumulated garbage amount (i.e., height) based on the measured distance.

In order to calculate a starting point when the module apparatus100for garbage collection is first installed, the ultrasonic wave sensor141takes the measurement when the garbage receptacle is emptied, so as to calculate a minimum reference value. The minimum reference value may refer to the height when the garbage receptacle is emptied.

Further, the ultrasonic wave sensor141may calculate a maximum reference value by assuming that the garbage receptacle is filled to a maximum level. For example, while a blind patch is arranged on a lower portion of the ultrasonic wave sensor141, the ultrasonic wave sensor141measures the inside of the garbage receptacle to calculate the maximum reference value. In another example, at least either one of the minimum reference value and the maximum reference value may be predetermined according to the height of the garbage receptacle200to which the module apparatus100for garbage collection is to be attached.

When detecting the accumulated garbage volume (i.e. height), the ultrasonic wave sensor141may calibrate the detected height by using the minimum reference value and the maximum reference value.

The calibration of the accumulated garbage volume (i.e., height) may be made by the ultrasonic wave sensor141or by a micro control unit131.

In the case where the garbage volume sensor141is an infrared sensor, the garbage volume sensor141transmits infrared light to the inside of the garbage receptacle, and may measure the distance according to the sensitivity of the reflected infrared light. Based on the measured distance, the garbage volume sensor141may detect the garbage volume (i.e., height).

The garbage volume sensor141may separately include a light emitting unit, which emits ultrasonic waves or infrared light, and a light receiving unit, which receives reflected ultrasonic waves or infrared light, or may include a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that are integrally formed.

The environment sensor142senses the environment of the garbage receptacle200, and may sense fire or an abnormal state based on the sensed environment.

The environment sensor142may sense the case where fire breaks out due to a lit cigarette butt thrown in the garbage receptacle200having combustible material, or the case where fire breaks out when a butane gas tank, in which butane gas remains, is thrown in the garbage receptacle and is heated for various reasons to explode.

Upon sensing fire, smoke, or flame, or sensing temperature higher than a predetermined level, the environment sensor142may be adapted to sound an alarm or transmit information to the server30via the communication unit150.

Here, the environment sensor142may be a flame sensor which senses a flame based on the frequency of flame when fire breaks out, or may be a smoke sensor which senses smoke when fire breaks out. Alternatively, the environment sensor142may be a temperature sensor which senses temperature when fire breaks out.

Operational principles and structures of the flame sensor, smoke sensor, and temperature sensor are well known in the art, and do not constitute the main features of the present invention, such that detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The communication unit150may include at least either one of a first-type communication module151, which enables far-field wireless communication, and a second-type communication module152, which enables near-field wireless communication. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 8, both of the first-type communication module151and the second-type communication module152are provided, but in another embodiment, only the first-type communication module151or the second-type communication module152may be provided.

The communication unit150may transmit information on the module apparatus100for garbage collection to the server30on a regular or irregular basis. The information on the module apparatus100for garbage collection may include information sensed by the sensor unit140, battery charge information, location information of the module apparatus100for garbage collection, state information of the module apparatus100for garbage collection, and the like.

An antenna175may be electrically connected to the communication unit150. The antenna175may be a multi-band antenna that may support a mobile communication frequency and a near-field wireless communication frequency.

The power supply unit160is a device to supply power to the control unit130, the sensor unit140, and the communication unit150, and may include a rechargeable battery165(seeFIG. 7) accommodated in a battery accommodating space119. The rechargeable battery165may be charged via an external source or solar energy.

In the case where the rechargeable battery165is charged by using solar energy, the power supply unit160receives solar energy through a solar cell161, produces electricity from the received solar energy, and uses the produced electricity to charge the rechargeable battery165.

Here, the solar cell161may be adapted to use at least either one of solar light energy or solar heat energy.

The module apparatus100for garbage collection may also include a display107. The display107may be a light emitting diode (LED) or a liquid crystal display (LCD).

The display107may display information on the module apparatus100for garbage collection by receiving power from the power supply unit160. For example, the display107may include at least one LED, and may display a garbage volume at two or more levels (e.g., three levels). For example, in the case where the garbage volume is at a level equal to or lower than a first reference value, the garbage volume may be displayed in green; in the case where the garbage volume is at a level between the first reference value and a second reference value, the garbage volume is displayed in yellow; and in the case the garbage volume is at a level equal to or higher than the second reference value, the garbage volume may be displayed in red. However, the display method is merely an example, and the information on the module apparatus100for garbage collection may be displayed in other various manners.

Referring toFIG. 8, the integrated circuit module180includes a micro control unit131, a power controller133, a protection circuit module (PCM)135, an amplifier137, a communication unit150, and a charge unit170. The integrated circuit module180may further include a memory device (not shown), such as a read-only memory (ROM), Random access memory (RAM), and the like.

The micro control unit131may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, or the like. The micro control unit131may control the overall operation of the module apparatus100for garbage collection.

The amplifier137amplifies a signal sensed by the sensor unit140, and outputs the amplified signal.

The amplified signal may be input to the micro control unit131to be processed, or may be input to the communication unit150without passing through the micro control unit131and may be transmitted to an external device (e.g., the server30or another module apparatus100for garbage collection. The sensed signal may be an analog signal or a digital signal.

In the case where the sensed signal is analog signal, the amplifier137may be an analog amplifier.

The micro control unit131may receive the sensed signal, and may convert (e.g., analog-to-digital conversion) or calibrated the signal.

The communication unit150may include a first-type communication module151and a second-type communication module152.

The first-type communication module151may be a communication module that may transmit and receive a signal by using 2G, 3G, and/or 4G mobile communication systems. The second-type communication module152may be a communication module that may transmit and receive a signal by using a near-field wireless communication system such as Zigbee and Bluetooth.

The first-type communication module151may perform communication with the server30. For example, the first-type communication module151may transmit various types of information (e.g., state signal, sensed signal, etc.) on the module apparatus100for garbage collection to the server30via 2G/3G/4G mobile communication networks. Further, the first-type communication module151may receive a control signal from the server via 2G/3G/4G mobile communication networks.

The second-type communication module151may perform communication with other module apparatus100for garbage collection. For example, the second-type communication module152may receive information (e.g., state signal, sensed signal, etc.) on other module apparatus for garbage collection located nearby, or may transmit previously received information (e.g., state signal, sensed signal, etc.) to other module apparatus100located nearby.

Alternatively, the second-type communication module152may receive information from other module apparatus100for garbage collection and transmit the received information to another module apparatus100for garbage collection.

The charge unit170may rectify voltage output from the solar cell161and may provide the rectified voltage to the protection circuit module (PCM)135. Accordingly, the charge unit170may rectify unstable voltage output from the solar cell161, converts the unstable voltage to fairly stable voltage, and provides the stable voltage to the PCM135.

The PCM135prevents overcharge or over-discharge of a battery to protect a battery, and operates under the control of the power controller133. Upon receiving the voltage supplied by the charge unit170, the PCM135provides charging current to the battery165to charge the battery165. The PCM135may adjust the intensity of the charging current by the control of the power controller133.

Further, the PCM135may detect a charge amount of the battery165and may provide the detected charge amount to the power controller133.

The power controller133may provide the battery charge amount to the micro control unit131. The micro control unit131may control an operational mode of the module apparatus100for garbage collection based on the battery charge amount. For example, in the case where the charge amount of the battery165is above a predetermined threshold, the micro control unit131may control the module apparatus100for garbage collection to operate in a normal mode; and in the case where the charge amount of the battery165is below the predetermined threshold, the micro control unit131may control the module apparatus100for garbage collection to operate in a low-power mode.

In the normal mode, the sensor unit140normally performs sensing and transmits the sensed signals to the server30via the communication unit150.

By contrast, in the low-power mode, the sensing operation of the sensor140and the communication operation of the communication unit150may be disabled.

FIG. 9is schematic block view illustrating a garbage collection system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 9, the garbage collection system includes a first to n-th module apparatuses100-1to100-n(n is a natural number equal to or higher than 2) and a server30. Each of the first to n-th module apparatuses100-1to100-nis the module apparatus for garbage collection according to the aforementioned embodiments of the present invention, and may include the first-type communication module151.

Each of the first to n-th module apparatuses100-1to100-ntransmits their own information to the server30via a communication network20. The communication network20may be the aforementioned 2G/3G/4G mobile communication networks.

Each of the first to n-th module apparatuses100-1to100-ncommunicates with the server30, such that it is easy to select the location of each module apparatus, but the communication cost may be increased, and the traffic of communication carriers may also be increased.

The server30communicates with the first to n-th module apparatuses100-1to100-nvia the communication network20, and may manage the first to n-th module apparatuses100-1to100-n. The first to n-th module apparatuses100-1to100-nmay be registered with the server30at the initial time of installation to be managed by the server30. Accordingly, a manager may access the server30to check or control the registered module apparatuses100for garbage collection. For example, the manager may check the location or information of a specific module apparatus100for garbage collection, and may even adjust a reference value of a garbage volume.

The server20may receive information from the first to n-th module apparatuses100-1to100-n, and may store the received information. Further, the server30may calculate statistical data by using the information received from the first to n-th module apparatuses100-1to100-n. The statistical data may include a summary of statistics, the number of garbage collections, collection efficiency, the collected volume of garbage, battery charge amount, failure history, and the like.

FIG. 10is schematic block view illustrating a garbage collection system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 10, the garbage collection system includes a module group1and a server30. The module group1includes a first-type module apparatus100aand one or more second-type module apparatuses100b-1to100b-k(k is a natural number equal to or higher than 1).

The first-type module apparatus100amay be a module apparatus for garbage collection which includes both the first-type communication module151and the second-type communication module152.

Each of the one or more second-type module apparatuses100b-1to100b-kmay be a module apparatus for garbage collection which includes only the second-type communication module152without the first-type communication module151.

Each of the one or more second-type module apparatuses100b-1to100b-ktransmits their own information to the first-type module apparatus100a, and the first-type module apparatus100acollects information of the second-type module apparatuses100b-1to100b-klocated nearby to transmit the collected information to the server30via the communication network20.

FIG. 11is schematic block view illustrating a garbage collection system according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 11, the garbage collection system includes a module group1and a server30. The module group1includes a third-type module apparatus100cand one or more fourth-type module apparatuses100d-1to100d-k(k is a natural number equal to or higher than 1).

The third-type module apparatus100cmay be a module apparatus for garbage collection which includes both the first-type communication module151and the second-type communication module152.

Each of the one or more fourth-type module apparatuses100d-1to100d-kmay be a module apparatus for garbage collection which includes only the second-type communication module152without the first-type communication module151. The second-type communication module152of the fourth-type module apparatuses100d-1to100d-kmay perform as a repeater that receives information from other module apparatus and transmits the received information to another module apparatus.

Accordingly, each of the one or more fourth-type module apparatuses100d-1to100d-ktransmits their own information to the third-type module apparatus100cdirectly or via one or more other module apparatuses, and the third-type module apparatus100ccollects information of the fourth-type module apparatuses100d-1to100d-kto transmit the collected information to the server30via the communication network20.

In the exemplary embodiments ofFIGS. 10 and 11, only one module apparatus (representative module apparatus) per group communicates with the server30, while other module apparatuses transmit their information to the representative module apparatus, thereby reducing the communication cost. Further, in this manner, the production cost of a module apparatus may be reduced, the load on the server may also be reduced, and management may be performed efficiently.

The module apparatus100for garbage collection may detect its own location information.

The module apparatus100including the first-type communication unit151may receive signals from one or more base stations of the mobile communication network. Accordingly, the first-type communication unit may measure the strength of a signal received from the one or more base stations.

At the initial operation, the module apparatus100for garbage collection may receive signals from a predetermined number (e.g., three) of base stations, measure the strength of each signal, and determine the initial location of the module apparatus based on the initial signal strength and the measured strength of each signal.

Subsequently, the module apparatus100for garbage collection may regularly measure the strength of signals transmitted from the identical base stations, and may detect signal strength variations from the initial signal strength. In the case where the signal strength variation from the initial signal strength is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, a location change may be detected.

In the case where a location is changed beyond a certain range from the initial location, the module apparatus100for garbage collection transmits a location change signal to the server to notify a manager of the location change.

By detecting whether the location is changed or not, theft of the module apparatus may be prevented.

Further, the module apparatus100for garbage collection may further include a wireless charging module (not shown).

The wireless charging module is a device to wireless charge a cellular phone by using power from the solar cell161and the rechargeable battery165. The wireless charging module may include a plate having a coil wrapped therearound and a circuit to flow an induced current to the coil.

While the present invention has been described herein with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, this disclosure is merely illustrative. Further, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments can be derived from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of true technical protection of the present invention should be defined by the technical idea of the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention relates to a module apparatus for garbage collection and an operation method thereof, in which the module apparatus for garbage collection is attachable to a garbage receptacle, and may be used in applications related to garbage collection.