Abstract:
In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a collection vehicle capable of weighing refuse deposited by each customer and transferring the data to a billing system. The weight of a full and empty waste container may be calculated at an arm arrangement using stain gauges. The weight of the contents may be determined after the contents are dumped in a compartment. The compartment may also be capable of sorting out hazardous waste. The vehicle may also be capable of accepting containers having certain contents not normally collected by the vehicle and storing the containers on the vehicle. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority under 35 USC §119 of Provisional Application 61/176,289 entitled “REFUSE DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM” filed on May 7, 2009 and having Charles E. Dickens as inventor. Application 61/176,289 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety but is not prior art. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Currently, customers pay a fixed fee for refuse collection regardless of the amount of refuse collected. This is not ideal for either the refuse collector or the customer, for a number of reasons. Firstly, the refuse collector is charged a dumping fee at a landfill based on the weight of refuse dumped. Additionally, more trips will be required to the landfill if a greater amount of refuse is collected. Thus, the costs to the refuse collector are largely dependent on the amount of refuse collected. Customers also often feel that it is unfair to charge them the same rate when others may leave a much greater amount of refuse for collection. Another aspect is the desirability of motivating customers to separate out recyclable material from their refuse. Clearly, the motivation would be substantially greater if they could thereby reduce their refuse collection bill. Thus, there is currently a great demand for a system which will permit charging of customers for refuse collection based on the weight of refuse collected. If the weight of both refuse and recyclable material can be effectively and accurately weighed as it is collected, and the weight recorded during curbside collection, customers can be fairly billed based on the weight of refuse collected, and can be credited for recycling appropriate materials. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    The features and advantages of the various embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description in which: 
           [0004]      FIGS. 1A-1B  illustrate a side view and a front cross-sectional view respectively of an example collection vehicle used for collecting refuse or recycling, according to one embodiment; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  illustrates an example arm arrangement utilized by a collection vehicle, according to one embodiment; 
           [0006]      FIGS. 3A-B  illustrate an example weighing technique where operations of the example arm arrangement are temporarily stopped, according to one embodiment; 
           [0007]      FIGS. 4A-B  illustrate operational time diagrams for weighing operations being initiated for the raising and lowering of the container, according to one embodiment; 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  illustrates an example weighing technique where the weight of the contents may be determined after it is dumped into the vehicle, according to one embodiment; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 6A-B  illustrate side and front cross-sectional views of the vehicle including a compartment mounted to the top that can be used to weigh the contents after the contents are dumped from the container but before the contents are dumped into the vehicle with the rest of the refuge, according to one embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 7A-B  illustrate the use of the compartment in operation, according to one embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 8A-E  illustrate the compartment utilized to sort hazardous materials, according to one embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 9A-C  illustrate the compartment may also be capable of segregating ferrous (metal) materials and placing them in a separate section in the vehicle, according to one embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 10A-E  illustrate various views of an example refuse container, according to one embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 11A-B  illustrate side views of an empty and full example recycling container, according to one embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 12  illustrates the compartment being utilized to sort recyclables, according to one embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 13  illustrates a container (refuse and/or recycling) that is equipped to have another container secured to the top of it, according to one embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 14A-D  illustrate the container being removed from the container using the compartment, according to one embodiment; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 15  illustrates the top of the vehicle receiving the container, according to one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]      FIGS. 1A-1B  illustrate a side view and front cross-sectional view respectively of an example collection vehicle  100  used for collecting refuse or recycling. The collection vehicle  100  may include an arm arrangement  110  for grabbing containers  120  (e.g., refuse containers, recycling containers) and lifting the container  120  to dump the contents (e.g., refuse, recycling) in an opening  130  in the top of the truck  100 . After the contents of the container  120  is dumped through the opening  130  it may be compressed and/or relocated to a storage unit  140  in some fashion. The manner and location in which the compression and relocation is performed is beyond the current scope.  FIG. 1A  illustrates how the arm arrangement  110  is tucked away (possibly behind the cab of the vehicle  100 ) when not in use.  FIG. 1B  illustrates how the arm arrangement  110  extends out from the vehicle  100  in order to grab the containers  120 . 
         [0020]    The weight of the contents may be weighed in some fashion by the arm arrangement  110  (weigh point 1). The arm arrangement  110  may make certain measurements and provide the measurements to an in-vehicle central processing unit (CPU). The CPU may include a processor and processor readable storage medium. The processor readable storage medium may include data and processor executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform certain functions. The CPU may process the measurements and determine the weight based thereon. The measurements may be made and the weight may be determined while the full container  120  is being raised and then again while an empty container  120  is being returned. The weight of the contents may be the full weight minus the empty weight. 
         [0021]    The CPU may associate the weight with a customer. The customer may be determined in various means that will be described in detail later. The vehicle  100  may include a display that the operator can utilize to track operations, issue commands and/or document certain activities during the weighing process. The use of the display will be described in more details later. The weight assigned to various customers may be stored in an in-vehicle memory device. The weight assigned to the customers may be transferred in some fashion from the vehicle to a billing system. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates a close up view of an example arm arrangement  110  utilized by an example collection vehicle  100 . The arm arrangement  110  may include a main shaft  200  that may be pivoted upward or downward around a pivot point  210 , an arm  220  that may be pivoted around the main shaft  200 , claws  230  that may be pivoted around the arm  220 , a pivoting arm  240  that may cause the main shaft  200  to pivot, a lifting shaft  250  for lifting the pivot point  210  and the main shaft  200 , and a hydraulic controller  260  to control the hydraulics (not illustrated) utilized therein in order to control the operation thereof. The claws  230  may be used to grab an example container  120 . 
         [0023]    The movement of the arm arrangement  110  may not be smooth as it begins movement in a direction (e.g., as the full container is initially lifted, empty container is being decent) or is about to stop movement (e.g., full container is about to dumped, empty container is about to be placed on ground). Likewise, the movement of the arm arrangement  110  may not be smooth as various parts of the arm are beginning or ending movement or are moving together. In addition, various other parameters such as the slope of the vehicle  100  and the condition of the hydraulics may make weighing the containers  120  a challenge. 
         [0024]    According to one embodiment, the lifting and returning of the container  120  may be temporarily stopped in order for weighing to be performed. The stopping of the operation of the arm arrangement  110  enables measurements to be made that do not have to take movement into account. While this embodiment may provide more accurate or easier to calculate weight measurements the delay in operation may limit the commercial applicability. The less time taken and the more accurate the readings the more likely it may be used commercially. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 3A-B  illustrate an example weighing technique where operations of the example arm arrangement  110  are temporarily stopped. The arm arrangement  110  may include valves  300  that can be utilized to isolate the hydraulic lines (e.g., connect them to an isolation valve  310 ) and connect the main shaft  200  to, for example, a pressure sensor  320 . The pressure sensor  320  may take measurements and provide the measurements to the CPU to determine the weight. Once the weight is determined the valves  300  may be switched back and the hydraulics may continue operating. The weight may be measured in the upward (full load) and download (empty load) directions. The movement of the arm arrangement may be stopped at a defined point. For example, it may be stopped after the container  120  has been lifted a certain amount off the ground. The defined distance above the ground may be determined utilizing a proximity sensor  330  to determine, for example, when the main shaft  200  is at a defined angle A above a reference point (e.g., horizontal position). By way of example only, the defined angle A may be 10 degrees above the reference point. The proximity sensor  330  may be located, for example, on the pivot point  210 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 3A  illustrates the arm arrangement  110  moving in an upward direction before reaching the reference angle A where the hydraulics are operational (the valves  300  are switched such that the hydraulic lines are connected to the arm arrangement  110 ).  FIG. 3B  illustrates the arm arrangement  110  as it reaches reference angle A and the hydraulics are isolated (the valves  300  are switched such that the hydraulic lines are connected to the isolation valve  310 ) and the arm arrangement  110  is connected to the pressure sensor  320 . Once the measurement are made the valves  300  are switched back and operation may continue. In the downward motion the arm arrangement  110  may again stop at the reference angle A to take measurements and then continue to place the container  120  on the ground after the measurement is made. 
         [0027]    If the stopping of the arm arrangement  110  is not an acceptable alternative for weighing the container, the weighing may need to performed while the arm arrangement is moving. As previously mentioned, when the arm arrangement  110  is in operation multiple parts may be moving, possibly at the same time, and all the starting and stopping of movement and movement of multiple parts at once may cause the arm arrangement  110  to operate in a jumpy fashion. According to one embodiment, the weight measurements may be made while the main shaft  200  is being pivoted within a certain range where most accurate weight readings can be made (e.g., where the movement is the smoothest). 
         [0028]    Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the amount of pivoting of the main shaft  200  may be defined between certain angles from a reference point (e.g., between angle A and angle B). By way of example only, the measurements may be made between 6 and 14 degrees from the horizontal. Proximity sensors  270 , for example located on the pivot point  210 , that correspond to the defined angles may be used to determine when the main shaft  200  is within the defined angles. When the main shaft  210  passes the proximity sensors  270  the weight measurements will either be activated or deactivated. In an upward direction the weighing operations may begin once the main shaft  200  crosses reference angle A (proximity sensor  270  associated with reference angle A is activated) and cease when the main shaft  200  crosses reference angle B. In the downward direction it may be the opposite. 
         [0029]    In order to make weight measurements based on consistent operations, the hydraulic control  260  may attempt to maintain the main shaft  200  moving at a steady speed while the weight measurements are being made. As the speed that the hydraulics move the main shaft  200  may depend on any number of parameters as noted above measurements related to the speed may be made and feed back to the hydraulic controller  260  so adjustments can be made. For example, the arm arrangement  110  may include an accelerometer  272  located, for example, on the main shaft  200  that measures the acceleration of the main shaft  200  and these measurements may be feed back to the hydraulic controller  260 . The arm arrangement  110  may include an gyroscope  274  located, for example, on the main shaft  200  that measures the angle of the main shaft  200  and these measurements may be feed back to the hydraulic controller  260 . The hydraulic controller  260  may adjust its operation to attempt to keep a steady speed with the weight measurement window. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 4A-B  illustrate operational time diagrams for weighing operations being initiated for the raising and lowering of the container  120 .  FIG. 4A  illustrates the raising mode passing sensor A first and then sensor B. When the sensor A is activated  400 , for example, when the main shaft  200  passes thereby, the accelerometer  272  and/or the gyroscope  274  may be activated  410  and the hydraulic controller  260  may enter a speed control mode  420  and receive feedback from the accelerometer  272  and/or the gyroscope  274  and make adjustments thereto. The weighing operations are then begun  430  (the various weighing options will be discussed in detail later). When the sensor B is activated  440 , for example when the main shaft  200  passes thereby, the weighing operations are concluded  450  and the accelerometer  272  and/or the gyroscope  274  may be deactivated  460  and the hydraulic controller  260  may exit speed control mode  470  and normal operations may resume  480 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 4B  illustrates the lowering mode passing sensor B first and then sensor A. When the sensor B is activated  440  the accelerometer  272  and/or the gyroscope  274  may be activated  410 , the hydraulic controller  260  may enter speed control mode  420 , and the weighing operations may begin  430 . When the sensor A is activated  400 , the weighing operations are concluded  450 , the accelerometer  272  and/or the gyroscope  274  may be deactivated  460  and the hydraulic controller  260  may exit speed control mode  470  and normal operations may resume  480 . 
         [0032]    During the weighing window (from  430  to  450 ), multiple measurements may be made and the multiple measurements may be provided to the CPU for conversion to weight. The CPU may utilize an algorithm to convert the multiple measurements to a weight. The weight associated with the down motion may be subtracted from the weight of the up motion to get the weight associated with the contents. 
         [0033]    Referring back to  FIG. 2  we will describe various means for weighing the containers  120 . The pivot point  210  may include a rotary torque sensor  280  that measures the torque caused by the downward pulling forces (e.g., weight of the container  120 ) at this point. The rotary torque sensor  280  may either be a shaft or gear mounted sensor. The torque measured by the rotary torque sensor  280  may include contributions from, for example, the main shaft  200 , the arm  220 , and the claws  230 . However, since measurements are being made in both directions the torque associated with the arm arrangement  110  may be factored out. 
         [0034]    According to one embodiment, other measurements may be provided to the CPU and the CPU may utilize these measurements to help determine the weight. For example, the acceleration and angle measurements from the accelerometer  272  and the gyroscope  274  may be provided to the CPU. In addition, sensors measuring temperature, humidity and other factors may be included (not illustrated) and the measurements from these devices may be provided to the CPU. These monitors may be provided, for example, in close proximity to the rotary torque sensor  280 . 
         [0035]    According to one embodiment, strain sensors  285  may be included on the main shaft  200  to determine the amount of strain (e.g., bending, displacement) on the main shaft  200 . Any number of strain sensors  285  could be utilized including optical, acoustics and foil sensors. Each of these sensors  285  may determine the effect that the strain on the main shaft  200  causes on the sensor  285 . For example, the strain sensor  285  may determine the change in light or sound waves being transmitted along a surface of the main shaft  200 . The measurements may be transmitted to the CPU where the CPU may convert the measurements to weight. Again, other parameters may be captured and transmitted to the CPU and the CPU may utilize these measurements in the determination of weight. The measurements of the other parameters may be made in close proximity to the stress sensors  285 . 
         [0036]    According to one embodiment, a load cell  290  may be included in the lifting arm  250 . The load cell  290  may be utilized to measure displacement of the plate  290  from a reference point and these measurements may be utilized by the CPU to determine weight. As the load cell  290  may need to physically be located within the arm arrangement  110  it may be difficult to locate it in the main shaft  200  like the other measurement techniques due to the hydraulics contained therein. The load cell  290  may be located in the lifting arm  250  in close proximity to the pivot point  210 . The measurements from the load cell  290  may be provided to the CPU for weight determination and other measurements may be provided thereto as well and these measurements may be utilized by the CPU in the weight determination. The measurements of the other parameters may be made in close proximity to the load cell  290 . 
         [0037]    According to one embodiment, more then one of these weight measurement techniques may be included and the CPU may determine the weight based on all the information provided thereto. 
         [0038]    It should be noted that the various weighing methods taking place at the arm arrangement  110  described in  FIGS. 2-4  were active based on movement of the main shaft  200  with relation to reference angles. It should be noted that the invention is in no way intended to be limited thereby. Rather, the weighing methods could be active based on fairly constant acceleration of the main shaft  200  as determined by the measurements from the accelerometer. Furthermore, the weighing methods are not limited to being active based on movement of the main shaft  200 . Rather, the weighing measurements may be active based on movements of the arm  220  or the claws  230 . Moreover, the weighing methods were based on measurements made (e.g., torque, load, strain, acceleration, angle) at or around the main shaft  200 . It should be noted that the measurements are not limited to those locations but rather can be made at various locations on the arm arrangement  110  (e.g., the arm  220 , the claws  230 ). Additionally, the arm arrangement  110  was simply an example arrangement. The weight measurements can be made in various different arm arrangements without departing from the current scope. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment in which the weight of the contents may be determined after it is dumped into the vehicle  100 . The bottom of the vehicle  100  may include a load bearing medium  500  (weigh point 2). The load bearing medium  500  may include one or more strain sensors (e.g., acoustic) to measure the strain on the medium  500 . The strain sensor may include a source (e.g., acoustic source)  510  and a receiver (e.g., acoustic receiver)  520 . The difference is the signal transmitted from the source  510  and the signal received by the receiver  520  may determine the strain on the medium  500 . The measured (or determined) strain may be provided to the CPU that can convert the strain to weight. The CPU may then subtract the previous weight (before the just added contents) from the current weight (including the just added contents). Other parameters (e.g., temperature, humidity) may be provided to the CPU and the CPU may utilize these additional parameters in determining the weight. Weigh point 2 may be utilized instead of or in addition to weigh point 1. 
         [0040]    The load bearing medium  500  tracks the overall weight of the load in order to determine the weight of each individual dump of a container  120 . Knowing the overall weight of the load may enable the CPU to transmit the overall weight to a dump station rather then requiring the dump station to have a scale to determine the weight of the load. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 6A-B  illustrate side and front cross-sectional views of an embodiment in which the vehicle  100  includes a compartment  600  mounted to the top of the vehicle  100  that can be used to weigh the contents after the contents are dumped from the container  120  but before the contents are dumped into the vehicle  100  with the rest of the refuge (weigh point 3). Weigh point 3 may be utilized instead of weigh point 1 or weigh point 2 or in addition to some combination of those. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 7A-B  illustrate the use of the compartment  600  (weigh point  3 ) in operation. As illustrated, the compartment  600  covers a portion of the opening  130  that the refuge would normally enter the storage unit  140 . The compartment  600  includes a floor that is a load bearing medium  700  that may be equipped with a weighing mechanism (e.g., acoustic strain gauge) to measure the strain that may be provided to the CPU for the CPU to calculate weight of the contents. In addition to a weighing mechanism the compartment  600  may also include sensors that measure other parameters that may affect the weight such as temperature and humidity. These sensors may be located anywhere in the compartment  600  including on, in, or under the load bearing medium  700 . The compartment  600  may also include side walls  710  mounted to the vehicle  100  and utilized to secure the load bearing medium  700 , a back wall  720  to maintain the contents on the load bearing medium  700 , and a top wall  730  that may be used to guide the receptacle  120  and to protect the load bearing medium  700  from the elements. 
         [0043]      FIG. 7A  illustrates the contents being dumped from the container  120  to the compartment  600 . The back wall  720  prevents the contents from rolling off the load bearing medium  700  and into the storage unit  140 . The contents are weighed by the load bearing medium  700  after they are received. It should be noted that the measurements can be made while the container  120  is being returned to the ground.  FIG. 7B  illustrates the load bearing medium  700  pivoting down to allow the contents to enter the storage unit  140  after the contents have been weighed. 
         [0044]    The compartment  600  may be capable of sorting the contents in addition to or instead of weighing the contents. For example, the compartment  600  may include sensors that can detect hazardous materials. The sensors may be located in the load bearing medium  700 . If the sensors detect that hazardous materials are included in the contents the contents may be dumped in a hazardous material bin. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 8A-E  illustrate an embodiment in which the compartment  600  is utilized to sort hazardous materials. The storage unit  140  may be divided into sections where a first (front as illustrated) section  810  is for refuse and a second (back as illustrated) section  820  is for hazardous waste using a wall  830 . The compartment  600  may include an array of multi-functional sensors  840  to detect hazardous materials and/or unauthorized refuse. For example, the sensors may include chemical, vapor and particulate sensors. If the contents is determined to be hazardous the contents are dumped into the second section  820  and if they are not they are dumped into the first section  810 . The sensors  840  may be located on the load bearing medium  700 . The sensors  840  may take measurements and report the measurements to the CPU and the CPU may determine if the contents are hazardous and direct the compartment  600  which way to dump. Alternatively, the sensors  840  may determine if the material is hazardous and based on this determination the compartment  600  may determine which way to dump the contents. 
         [0046]      FIG. 8A  illustrates the contents being determined to be hazardous and being dumped into the second section  820 . In order to dump the contents into the second section  820  the load bearing medium  700  is tilted backwards and the back wall  720  is swung down.  FIG. 8B  illustrates the contents being determined to be non-hazardous and being dumped into the first section  810 . The load bearing medium  700  is pivoted forward to allow the contents to enter the first section  810 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 8C-E  illustrate several views of the load bearing medium  700  utilized to detect hazardous materials.  FIG. 8C  illustrates a top view that shows the array of sensors  840  on an upper surface thereof, and portions of a weight sensor (e.g., acoustic strain gauge) source  852 , weight sensor receiver  854 , temperature sensor  860 , and humidity sensor  870  exiting the sides thereof.  FIG. 8D  illustrates a frond side view showing a weight sensor  850  traversing the length of the load bearing medium  700  with the source  852  on one side and the receiver  854  on the other side. As described previously, the difference between the acoustic waves at the source  852  and the receiver  854  is utilized to determine the strain which is then utilized to determine the weight.  FIG. 8E  illustrates a right side view showing the weight sensor receiver  854 , the temperature sensor  860 , and the humidity sensor  870 . 
         [0048]    According to one embodiment, the containers  120  may include an array of multi-functional sensors  840  to detect hazardous materials and/or unauthorized refuse. The sensors  840  may be located on bottom of the refuse container  120 . The refuse container  120  and the vehicle  100  may be equipped with wireless communications. The vehicle  100  and the container  120  may communicate with regard to hazardous materials being included in the container. If the vehicle  100  receives an indication from the container  120  that the refuse contained therein is hazardous the vehicle  100  may opt to not take the refuse or it may utilize the indication to direct the compartment  600  to dump the refuse into the second (hazardous) section  820 . The sensors  840  in the container may be in place of the sensors in the compartment  600  or may be in addition thereto. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 9A-C  illustrate an embodiment in which the compartment  600  may also be capable of segregating ferrous (metal) materials and placing them in a separate section  900  in the vehicle  100  that is separated from the rest of the storage unit  140  (possibly divided into sections  810 ,  820 ) via a wall  910 . The vehicle  100  may include a moveable magnetic plate  920  located at an upper edge of the wall  910  and in alignment with the load bearing medium  700 . When activated the magnetic plate  920  may pull metal contents theretowards. After the metal contents are pulled toward the magnetic plate  920  the magnetic plate  920  may be retracted such that the section  900  is accessible. The magnetic plate  920  may then be deactivated and the contents may fall into the section  900 . 
         [0050]    According to one embodiment, the metal refuse may be provided separate from the rest of the refuse if the container  120  has a separate section (e.g., on top) for storing metallic refuse (to be discussed in more detail later). Alternatively, all the refuse may be dumped into the compartment  600  together and the magnetic plate  920  may be utilized to pull the metallic refuse to the front for segregating to the section  900 . 
         [0051]    In order for the weight associated with the refuse collected to be associated with a customer the customer needs to be identified. One way to identify the customer would be for the vehicle  100  to contain a route map that the CPU could present on a display in the vehicle  100 . An operator of the vehicle  100  may select the customer from the route map. The vehicle  100  may include a GPS system to track the vehicles location and indicate this on the route map to aid the operator in selecting the appropriate customer. 
         [0052]    A more automated way to identify the customers is to mark the containers  120  with a radio frequency identification code (RFID) tag or bar code that contains the customer&#39;s data. The vehicle  100  may include an RFID reader or bar code reader that can read the RFID tag or bar code in order to gather the customer&#39;s data. Use of barcodes would require that the reader be in close proximity to the barcode in order for reading to occur. Use of RFID would not require that the reader be that close in order for reading to occur (RFID has a greater range). The RFID/barcode reader may be located at various locations on the vehicle (e.g., arm arrangement  110 , compartment  600 ). For existing containers  120  a bar code or RFID tag may be placed thereon. For new containers a bar code or RFID tag may be integrated thereinto. 
         [0053]    The vehicle may include a GPS and a route map to validate that the address associated with the RFID tag (or barcode) read for the container  120  is accurate. The operator may be prompted when there is a discrepancy. The CPU may also include an algorithm that tracks how far the vehicle has traveled from a confirmed pickup in case the GPS signal is lost it may determine an approximate location and place the approximate location on the route map. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 10A-E  illustrate various views of an example refuse container  120 . The container  120  may include a body  1000 , a hinged lid  1010 , wheels  1020  located on one end of the bottom in order to roll the container  120 , and a handle  1030  to pull the container  120 . The container  120  may include a locking mechanism  1015  to secure the lid  1010  in a closed position so refuse can not be placed by others in the container  120 . This may be important if customers are going to be charged by weight. The locking mechanism  1015  may be capable of manual being opened by the customer and electronically opened by the vehicle. The locking mechanism may be capable of wireless communications so that it can receive a code from the vehicle that will cause the locking mechanism to unlock. 
         [0055]    An RFID device  1040  may be integrated into the container  120 , for example, it may be integrated into the hinge mechanism. Alternatively, an RFID tag  1045  may be secured to an exterior of the container  120 . The container  120  may include guide strips  1050  that may be utilized to assist the vehicle  100  in correctly engaging the container  120 . The vertical guide strips  1050  may be utilized to assist the vehicle  100  align with the container  120  while the horizontal strip  1050  may be utilized to determine when the container  120  has been lifted to the appropriate height. The vehicle  100  may include a camera or optical sensors in order to utilize the guide strips  1050 . 
         [0056]    The container  120  may include a retractable wheel  1060  that may be used to assist in moving the container  120 . The retractable wheel  1060  may be dropped utilizing a wheel release lever  1035  integrated into the handle  1030 . Stabilizer weights  1070  mat be integrated into the container to prevent the container  120  from tipping over or being blown away. 
         [0057]    The container  120  may include a second hinged lid  1012  within the container  120  and a second locking device  1017 . The second hinged lid  1012  may create a second compartment  1019  within the container  120  that can be used to store, for example, metal objects. If the customer wanted to deposit refuse in the container  120  they would lift the second lid  1012  providing access to the bottom container  1000 . If they wanted to deposit metal objects they would lift the first lid  1010  (and the second lid  1012  would remain closed) providing access to the second compartment  1019 . 
         [0058]    The container  120  may include an array of multi-functional sensors  1080  to detect hazardous materials and/or unauthorized refuse. For example, the sensors  1080  may include chemical, vapor and particulate sensors. The sensors  1080  may be located on the bottom of the container  120 . The sensors  1080  may include a wireless transceiver to communicate with the vehicle  100  with regard to inclusion of hazardous contents. 
         [0059]      FIG. 10A  illustrates a side view of the container  120  with the retractable wheel  1060  retracted and  FIG. 10B  illustrates a side view with the wheel  1060  extended.  FIG. 10C  illustrates a rear view showing the guide stripes  1050 .  FIG. 10D  illustrates a side view of a container  120  including the second lid  1012  and compartment  1019 .  FIG. 10E  illustrates a cross sectional view of the bottom of the container  120  showing the sensors  1080 . 
         [0060]    The compartment  600  may also be utilized on a recycling vehicle. The compartment may weigh the recyclables and/or may sort them. If the recyclables are going to be sorted a container that is separated may be required. 
         [0061]      FIGS. 11A-B  illustrate side views of an example recycling container  120  empty and full. The container  120  may include a dividing wall  1100  that divides the container  120  into two sides  1110 ,  1120 . One side  1110  may be used to collect, for example, bags of bottles and bags of cans and the other side  1120  may be used to collect, for example, paper products (e.g., newspaper). The dividing wall  1100  may include a groove  1130  for receiving the load bearing medium  700 . According to one embodiment the dividing wall  1100  may be removable. 
         [0062]      FIG. 12  illustrates the compartment  600  being utilized to sort recyclables. The load bearing medium  700  is received by the groove  1130  when the container  120  is to be dumped and the back wall  720  is dropped. The storage unit  140  includes a wall  1200  to divide it into two sections  1200 ,  1210 . This arrangement enables the contents (e.g., newspaper) from the side  1120  to enter section  1210  and the contents (cans, bottles) to enter section  1220 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 13  illustrates an embodiment of a container  120  (refuse and/or recycling) that is equipped to have another container  1300  secured to the top of it. The container  1300  may be used for storing contents that typically require special pick-up such as electronics, oil, paint, and batteries. The top of the lid on the container  120  may include a rail  1310  and the bottom of the container  1300  may include a groove  1320 . The rail  1310  and the groove  1320  may be used to secure the two containers  120  and  1300 . The bottom of the container  1300  may also include a channel  1330  to be used to route and secure the container to top of the vehicle  100 . 
         [0064]      FIGS. 14A-D  illustrate the container  1300  being removed from the container  120  using the compartment  600 . The upper wall  730  may include a removal arm  1400  extending therefrom. The removal arm  1400  may be inserted into the groove  1320  and disengage the rail  1310  therefrom and accept the container  1300  thereon. The container  1300  mat continue to slide onto the top of the upper wall  730  where the side walls  710  may stop it. The upper wall may also have a channel formed therein in alignment with the channel  1330  in the bottom of the container  1300 . After the container  1300  is removed the remainder of the contents in the container may be dumped as previously discussed. 
         [0065]      FIG. 15  illustrates the top of the vehicle  100  receiving the container  1300 . The top of the vehicle  100  may be configured to secure the containers  1300  thereto. A catch  1500  may slide back and forth along a track or on a pulley  1510  to retrieve the containers  1300  from the upper wall  730  and pull them onto the vehicle roof. The containers  1300  may be pulled to the next open spot. The containers  1300  may be removed from the vehicle  100  at an off-load location  1520 . The catch  1500  may enter the channel on the upper wall in order to secure to the channel  1330  of the container  1300  and then may pull the container off 
         [0066]    Although the disclosure has been illustrated by reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent that the disclosure is not limited thereto as various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope. Reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described therein is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” appearing in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
         [0067]    The various embodiments are intended to be protected broadly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.