Abstract:
A series of techniques incorporated in two sensing methods that enable fullness detection whilst minimizing the current consumption of the battery operated wireless electronic circuitry that implements the detection.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is in the technical field of waste management. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of sensing the fullness status of containers. 
         [0002]    The fullness of containers used in waste management is an important parameter to measure if it is desired to implement an optimal servicing algorithm. Such fullness information is transmitted to a central repository, where software algorithms can then be implemented to allow the generation of optimal routing schedules for the service vehicles. Sensors that can detect the fullness level are commonplace but these sensors suffer from excessive electrical current consumption. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention is a series of techniques incorporated in two sensing methods that enable fullness detection whilst minimizing the current consumption of the battery operated wireless electronic circuitry that implements the detection mechanism and wireless communication. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are cross-sectional views of a representative container of the invention; 
           [0005]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are schematic diagrams of a preferred embodiment of an IR Emitter module of the present invention; 
           [0006]      FIGS. 3A and 3B and 3C  are schematic diagrams of the timing particulars of a preferred embodiment of IR Emitter modules of the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIGS. 4A and 4B and 4C and 4D  are cross-sectional views of a representative container of the invention showing various states of fullness; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of a sensing module of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Referring now to the invention in more detail, in  FIG. 1  there is shown a container  10  with substantially vertical side walls and a covering lid  30 , and containing a quantum of waste material  20 . The container is fitted with a pair of sensor modules, consisting of an Infra-Red Emitter module  50  and an Infra-Red Receiver module  40 . The Emitter module emits a pulsed beam of near Infra-Red light modulated with a unique coding pattern according to a pre-defined timing schedule. If the container is not full beyond the limit line set by the linear line  60  connecting the emitter and receiver modules, then the unique coding pattern will be received and recognized by the Receiver module and this can be interpreted as an indication that the container is not full. Conversely, if the container is full  80  beyond the limit line set by the linear line connecting the transmitter and receiver elements, then the beam of near Infra-Red light will be blocked  70  and the unique coding pattern will not be received by the Receiver module and this can be interpreted as an indication that the container is full. 
         [0010]    In more detail, still referring to sensing method No.  1 ,  FIG. 2 a    shows that the Emitter module  50  comprises of a battery  200  and a battery powered microprocessor  210  that controls the coding pattern that is applied to an Infra-Red emitting diode  220  that emits near Infra-Red light that travels across the container and is received (or not received—depending on the fullness level of the container). 
         [0011]    In more detail, still referring to sensing method No.  1 ,  FIG. 2 b    shows that the Receiver module  40  comprises of a battery  250  and a battery powered microprocessor  260  that interprets the coding pattern that is received (or not received—depending on the fullness level of the container) by an Infra-Red Receiver diode  240 . The Receiver module also incorporates a wireless communication module  270  that can transmit a summary version of the information received to an internet cloud based central repository. 
         [0012]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a technique that ensures minimal electrical power consumption for each of the Emitter module and Receiver module.  FIG. 3 a    shows the timing diagram of Emitter module.  FIG. 3 b    shows the timing diagram of the Receiver module. It is to be noted that this method of synchronization of the Emitter module and Receiver module ensures minimal power consumption. 
         [0013]    In more details, still referring to  FIG. 3  and to  FIG. 3 a    in particular, the first burst of pulses, also to be called the Wake-up Burst  300 , is emitted. This has the effect of waking up the Receiver module at point  310 . The Receiver module then leaves its standby state of low quiescent current consumption, and is now primed and waiting for a unique modulation code. The Emitter module, after a delay of approx. 500 uSec, then delivers a burst of near Infra-Red pulses  320  than contain a uniquely modulated code. If the Receiver module receives this code, this is confirmation that the container has not yet reached its full state. After a time (typically 1 mSec) the Emitter module turns off at point  330  and remains off (with very low &lt;1 uAmp) quiescent current, until the next cycle which would typically be one hour later. 
         [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 3 c    it can be seen that the effective duty cycle of operation may be calculated as approximately 0.00000028, thus guaranteeing an exceptionally low average current draw from the batteries of both the Emitter module and the Receiver module. 
         [0015]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , sensing method No.  2  is described. This is a technique for detecting the fullness state of a container with hinged lid, as is common in the waste management industry in the form of dumpsters, wheelie bins, etc . . . 
         [0016]    In more detail, still referring to sensing method No.  2 ,  FIG. 4 a    shows a container with a waste level  420  that is below the full state. Also shown is a lid  430  mounted on a hinge  400  and a battery powered Sensing module  410  that is fitted to the lid  430  (in any position, inside or outside, close to the middle, near the back or near the front). The Sensing module  410  can detect the angle of the resting position of the lid in all 3 orthogonal axes, with the earth&#39;s gravitational axis being the primary axis. The Sensing module measures the lid&#39;s tilted position at regular frequent intervals and this information is transmitted to a cloud based server. From the information received, the computing server can interpret the normal resting position of the lid, and this information becomes the reference position. When the container is filled to the point where the lid cannot rest at its normal resting angle, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 b    with lid in position  450  and as illustrated in  FIG. 4 c    with lid in position  470 , the Sensing module can interpret this as a full container as in  FIG. 4 b   , or as an over-full container as in  FIG. 4   c.    
         [0017]    Further, by interpretation of the lid angle  480  and by comparison with the reference resting position  490 , as shown in  FIG. 4 d   , it is possible to assess the degree or amount of over-fullness. It should be noted that this technique works also for non-horizontal reference positions. 
         [0018]    Optionally the Sensing module  410  may also be fitted with a shock detection measurement device which can be activated by a lid opening act and such lid opening acts may be quantified both in terms of their frequency and also in terms of their amplitude. Such information may be used by the computing server to assess the user activity for the container being monitored. 
         [0019]    In more detail, still referring to sensing method No.  2 ,  FIG. 5  shows that the Sensing module  410 , comprising a battery  500  and a battery powered microprocessor  520  that detects title angle and shock. The microprocessor is powered according to an activation pattern  520  that ensures both very low duty cycle of operation and minimal on time when activated by a lid opening activation. The Sensing module also incorporates a wireless communication module  530  that can transmit a summary version of the information received to an internet cloud based central repository. 
         [0020]    The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, that the sensing modules used in each embodiment of the invention can use exceedingly low levels of electrical current, and consequently can use batteries of much lower capacity than would otherwise be used. The invention enables detection of full containers with exceedingly small and easily installed Sensing modules. The invention enables the operation of an Infra-Red sensing technique that is immune to erroneous readings. The invention also allows the use of Sensing modules where the positioning of the Sensing module is not critical. The invention further generates valuable data in relation to user activity of such containers. Such information can be fed into service prediction algorithms providing further insight into the operation of important waste container assets. 
         [0021]    In broad embodiment, the present invention is a series of techniques that enable low cost and low energy consumption detection of container fullness. 
         [0022]    While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.