ES2893149A1 - Residual container and associated waste management procedure (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Waste container and associated waste management procedure comprising at least one frame and a lid, characterized in that it comprises at least: a removable main container, a removable secondary container, an artificial vision chamber located in the main container, lighting means Artificial located in the main container, residue derivation means connecting the main container with the secondary container, memory storage means, a control system operably connected to the above means, where the method comprises a recognition, detection and/or Classification of residues placed in the main container by the artificial vision chamber and the control system. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

WASTE CONTAINER

AND ASSOCIATED WASTE MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The present invention falls within the technical field of garbage and/or waste classification means, in particular, garbage classification means included in a garbage and/or waste container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Domestic containers used for the storage of rubbish and generated waste, which will later be transferred to the rubbish bins for collection and disposal, belong to the state of the art.

Numerous documents related to intelligence systems included in containers or bins, which classify and manage the waste introduced according to means of detection and a waste control system, also belong to the state of the art.

For example, document GB2569736 belongs to the state of the art, in which an intelligent bin is described that can scan and identify the recyclable containers in a container module located inside the bin.

Document CN110371541 also belongs to the state of the art, in which an intelligent garbage can is described, characterized in that it comprises a control column and a set of garbage containers distributed along a straight line, comprising at least two groups of types of trash cans According to this invention, the control column is used for identity authentication of users who need to put garbage in the bin, so that identity authentication will be performed and the garbage container closest to the bin will be opened. control column, and that it is not full.

Document IN201841003701 also belongs to the state of the art, in which an intelligent bin is described that includes a microcontroller, an infrared sensor, an ultrasound sensor, a rain sensor and an IoT module, so that when the sensor of ultrasound detects a certain level of dirt, the controller will be notified that the bin is full. This status can be updated in real time thanks to the IoT module.

Document WO2016160783 is also known, and as the closest document to the state of the art, in which a product scanner and product list manager is described, comprising a frame, with a barcode reader and a control circuit, which is configured to scan a barcode of a product thrown into a container; with a motion sensor that will activate the reader when necessary.

As can be seen, there are numerous systems on the market that allow a smart bin or garbage container to be obtained, which allows a certain degree of self-management of the waste introduced into it, but which imply numerous limitations when it comes to detecting and classify products, since they only allow their identification through the use of bar codes, which makes it impossible to detect and characterize objects that do not include them.

There are also no smart bins on the market that make suggestions to the user about the goods that need to be returned based on the rubbish thrown into the container. And much less that they are capable of managing, autonomously, a supposed shopping list that will ensure the stock of certain products through online shopping tools.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The intelligent bin by means of artificial vision that the invention proposes is configured, therefore, as a remarkable novelty within its field of application, since according to its implementation and in an exhaustive manner, the aforementioned objectives are satisfactorily achieved, with the characterizing details that make it possible and that distinguish them conveniently collected in the final claims that accompany this description.

The technical problem arises from the need to obtain a functional and completely autonomous system that, based on food waste or certain consumer goods, is capable of detecting, managing and generating a list based on the needs of users with respect to to discarded products, such as the suggestion of a later replacement to avoid running out of stock.

Currently, the replacement of discarded products is done manually and it is up to the user to determine which foods are needed, which are lacking and which would be needed. For this reason, an autonomous system is proposed that, based on discarded products, is capable of learning and generating a personalized list of the necessary consumer goods for a person or family unit.

Subsequently, this information can be used to program a shopping list that can be used by supermarkets, for the replacement of products consumed by the household or personal recommendations based on consumption or personal characteristics.

To achieve this, a set consisting of one or more bucket-shaped containers or containers, an automatic opening mechanism, a proximity sensor, a waste diverter mechanism, one or more artificial vision cameras, an electronic control and processing system image, artificial light source, waste container, outer casing.

The process to which the invention refers can be divided into three main stages:

1. Automatic opening

2. Residue detection

3. Intelligent management and customization needs

The first stage refers to an automatic opening system. Said opening will depend on a proximity detection sensor. When the user is at a certain distance, the proximity sensor will detect the need to open the door. doors, allowing the user to introduce the waste.

Subsequently, the gates will close, keeping the product or waste inside the bin in a first container. Said gates to which the invention refers will be located in the upper part and will have, in a preferred way, an opening mechanism that, by means of a motor or a servomotor, is capable of allowing the user to place a product inside. from the bin.

The first container will consist of an opaque housing that will also prevent the passage of light through the upper part where the gate system will be located.

The detection of residues in the first container will be carried out by means of a camera system and artificial light. The light generated and the cameras will be used to create a detection system using artificial vision.

Said system will be able to differentiate certain products, both organic and inorganic, and each detection will be stored for the creation of a global database that will allow, through experience, to improve its capacities and detections.

In this way, depending on the type of object detected, the residue will be distributed to some buckets located in the lower part. Said distribution will depend on the type of waste detected, organic, packaging or others. The purpose of the waste derivation mechanism is to separate the waste by its composition, being able to present recycling options for those wastes that are susceptible to said recycling. For example, it can enable the most sensitive electronic components to be recycled, separating them from general waste.

To achieve this, the main container will be transferred to secondary buckets with a greater capacity and separated by the type of product detected. Said waste selector mechanism will distribute the waste once the detection has been carried out and send the type of waste detected to its specific bucket.

The intelligent management will start from the detections made, determining, based on the consumption of each domestic unit, the products necessary to always maintain a constant flow of consumption in the home.

The ultimate purpose of this invention is the generation of an adapted and personalized shopping list for each domestic unit in order to achieve a constant flow of food and the incorporation of recommended products based on the preferences and characteristics of each individual.

The associated advantages of this invention seek to facilitate the life of the domestic unit by carrying out the entire recycling process, by separating waste, and creating a shopping list based on consumption, needs and personal characteristics.

It also contains a highly potential benefit for the various supermarket chains as this system can be an easy and effective way to maintain a constant flow of consumption of their products and add variety and balance to consumers' diets.

On the other hand, the decision process is eliminated when determining which foods are needed, which ones we have consumed and which ones I may need. Therefore, it invests directly in the quality of life of users.

The smart bin with artificial vision and the set of elements described represent an innovation with structural and constitutive characteristics unknown until now, reasons that, together with its practical utility, provide it with sufficient grounds to obtain the privilege of exclusivity that is requested.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, where for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented: following:

Figure 1.- General view of the invention

Figure 2.- Side view of the invention

Figure 3.- Top view of the invention

Figure 4.- Sectional view with two secondary containers and the waste diversion means in a rest position

Figure 5.- Sectional view of the invention with two secondary containers and the waste diversion means in one of the working positions.

List of references and figures:

1. frame

2. main container

3. secondary container

4. machine vision camera

5. waste bypass media

6. auto open media

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which there are shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be used and logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and/or chemical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. To avoid details not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to carry out the detailed description should therefore not be taken in a limiting sense.

Specifically, the present invention proposes a waste container and an associated waste management method, comprising at least one frame 1 and a lid, and is characterized in that it comprises at least:

- a removable main container 2,

- a removable secondary container 3,

- an artificial vision camera 4 located in the main container 2,

- means of artificial lighting located in the main container 2,

- waste diversion means 6 connecting the main container 2 with the secondary container 3,

- memory storage media,

- a control system operatively connected to the above means, where the procedure comprises recognition, detection and/or classification of the waste placed in the main container 2 by the artificial vision camera 4 and the control system.

According to this embodiment, we are faced with a garbage container, which may be of the domestic or public type, which will have an upper lid, which gives access to a main interior container 2, in which the garbage is deposited.

Once the rubbish has been placed inside it, and once the lid of the container is closed, the artificial light and the artificial vision camera will be activated, capturing the image of the waste, and it will be sent to the control system, which will carry out a recognition, detection and/or classification.

In this way, the present invention is capable of achieving an identification of the waste placed inside it, being able to establish certain characteristics of composition and materials, as well as achieving memory storage of the waste placed.

In a preferred embodiment, the memory storage means will comprise a relationship between the different types of waste and the secondary containers 3; and the waste diversion means 6 will comprise at least one rest position and at least one additional position for each secondary container 3.

Therefore, for example and without the intention of being limiting, there may be a main container connected to three secondary containers 3, the waste diversion means 6 having at least three positions, one for each secondary container 3, where in each position there will be connecting the main container 2 with the corresponding secondary container. In addition to the resting position.

According to this last embodiment, after a recognition, detection and/or classification of the waste placed in the main container 2, the control system detects the type of waste introduced and, depending on the waste introduced, the control system will make a comparison with those stored in memory, identifying the secondary container 3 related to the type of introduced waste, and placing the waste bypass means 7 in the correct position that connects the main container 2 with the secondary container 3.

This is why the present invention can carry out a task of selecting and disposing of waste, depending on the type of waste. Being able to perform separation tasks for later recycling.

In another preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a proximity sensor and automatic opening means 8 for the lid, where, upon activation of the proximity sensor, the automatic opening means 8 open the main container.

So that, when the user approaches the container to introduce a waste, the proximity sensor is activated and sends a signal to activate the automatic opening means 8 of the lid; allowing the user to place the waste in the container 1, and beginning the aforementioned recognition, identification and selection procedure.

In a last preferred embodiment, the control system will store in memory storage the products consumed and thrown into the container. So that you can generate consumption patterns that control spending and replacement of consumable objects already used.

In this way you can generate a list adapted and personalized to each domestic unit, with the aim of achieving a constant flow of consumables and/or recommended products, based on the information collected from the usual behavior of the components of said domestic unit.

Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the way of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any person skilled in the art understands its scope and the advantages that it they derive from it, stating that, within its essential nature, it may be put into practice in other forms of embodiment that differ in detail from the one indicated by way of example, and to which it will also reach the protection that is sought provided that it is not alter, change or modify its fundamental principle.

Claims (4)

1. Waste container and associated waste management procedure comprising at least one frame (1) and a lid, characterized in that it comprises at least: ^or a removable main container (2), ^or a removable secondary container (3), ^or an artificial vision camera (4) located in the main container (2), ^or artificial lighting means located in the main container (2), ^or waste diversion means (5) that connect the main container (2) with the secondary container (3), ^or memory storage media, ^or a control system operatively connected to the above means, where the procedure comprises a recognition, detection and/or classification of the waste placed in the main container (2) by the artificial vision camera (4) and the control system. 2. Waste container and associated waste management procedure according to the preceding claim, characterized in that ^or the memory storage means comprise a relationship between the different types of waste and the secondary containers (3); ^or and in that the waste bypass means (5) comprise at least one rest position, and at least one additional position for each secondary container (3); where, ^o after recognition, detection and/or classification of the waste placed in the main container (2), the control system detects the type of waste introduced; ^or depending on the type of waste introduced, the control system makes a comparison with those stored in memory, and identifies the secondary container (3) related to the type of waste introduced; ^or the waste diversion means (5) will dump them into the secondary container (3) indicated by the control system; 3. Waste container and associated waste management method according to the first claim, characterized in that it comprises at least: a proximity sensor and automatic lid opening means (6) operatively connected to the control system where, upon activation of the proximity sensor, the automatic opening means (6) of the lid open the main container (2). 4. Waste container and associated waste management procedure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control system saves the consumed products in memory storage.