This disclosure describes a collection bin for a waste collection vehicle. The collection bin includes a weighing system with a processor for measuring the weight of material collected from each waste container and associating this weight with appropriate data, such as the owner of the waste container.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for controlling electrically-powered trash receptacles and monitoring fullness levels. The system can include a storage enclosure and a bin contained inside the storage enclosure, the bin configured to receive and store items deposited in the storage enclosure, wherein an inside portion of the bin is at least partially covered by a bag placed inside the bin to hold the items deposited in the storage enclosure. The system can also include a sensor configured to sense a content fullness state of the bin and a processor configured to control operations performed by the sensor. In addition, the system can include a sleeve configured to be installed over an inside portion of the bin and the bag, the sleeve at least partially restricting a movement of the bag.

A waste sorting system uses various sensors to automatically determine whether a piece of waste is recyclable, and to dispense the waste into an appropriate waste bin of a multi-bin device, at least one of which is a recyclable waste bin. The system also uses sensors to determine a type of the waste, and it causes a display device or speaker to output information about the type of waste.

The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for trash collection management. In an example embodiment, a dumpster monitoring apparatus may determine that an amount of garbage in a dumpster exceeds a threshold level (such as, for example, above a full-level marked on the dumpster). If the garbage exceeds the threshold level, the dumpster monitoring apparatus automatically transmits a request to a dumpster management apparatus to dispatch a garbage truck. In an example scenario, the dumpster monitoring apparatus may further determine that a current location of the dumpster is stationed is inaccessible to the garbage truck. Consequently, the dumpster monitoring apparatus may automatically transmit a request to a robot vehicle (such as robotic forklift) to move the dumpster from the current location to a new location that is accessible to the garbage truck. The dumpster monitoring apparatus may then inform the dumpster management apparatus of the new location.

A waste transporting mobile unit includes a waste container that collects waste, a sensor configured to sense the amount of waste accumulated in the waste container, and a travel device configured to travel when the amount of waste sensed by the sensor reaches a predetermined amount.

Recyclable identification systems and methods are disclosed. A recyclable identification system, for example, may include a collection vehicle having a container and an imaging system disposed on the collection vehicle and positioned on the collection vehicle to image objects as the objects pass into the container. The recyclable identification system may also include a transceiver and a controller communicatively coupled with the imaging system and the transceiver. The controller may receive a plurality of images from the imaging system, the plurality of images includes images of objects that have been dumped into the container; determine a location associated with the plurality of images; combine the video or the plurality of images with the location; select an image or images of interest from frames of the plurality of images that include images of recyclables; and transmit the image of interest to a cloud computing system via the transceiver.

Systems and methods of monitoring a characteristic of a waste container operation via a sensor node co-located with a waste container are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method performed by a first network node comprises receiving, by the first network node, from the sensor node, an image representing a perspective view of an interior of the container, the first network node being operable to estimate an available capacity of the container to hold waste based on that image so that a second network node is operable to schedule a task associated with the available capacity of the container, with the image being obtained by an optical sensor operationally coupled to the sensor node, with the sensor being disposed on a side or corner of the container and having a viewing angle towards an opposite side or corner of the container.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for dynamically adjusting sensors for use in compactors and receptacles. A receptacle first sends a signal from a transmitter on a first module in a receptacle to a receiver on a second module in the receptacle, wherein the first module is located on a first inner wall of the receptacle and the second module is located on a second inner wall of the receptacle, and wherein at least part of the first module and the second module is located a distance above a bin inside the receptacle. Next, the receptacle determines a signal-detection characteristic including a signal detection status or a number of signal pulses associated with a signal detection. Based on the signal-detection characteristic, the receptacle determines an operating condition of the receptacle, the operating condition including a fullness level or an obstruction level associated with the first or second sensors.

Systems and methods for determining shrinkage of a commodity sold by a store are provided which may include: identifying data indicative of a volume of the commodity, associating a label with a container that holds the commodity, collecting the label information with a reader and transmitting collected label information to at least one server, automatically determining data characterizing the material in the container, associating the label information and the data characterizing the material in the container, and determining performance data related to the commodity by comparing the data indicative of the volume of the commodity supplied to the store, the data indicative of the volume of the commodity sold by the store, and the data characterizing the material in the container.

Provided is a method for managing garbage disposal credit reporting. The method comprises: a smart garbage can performing online real-time marking of bagged garbage, photographing scattered garbage after it is disposed of, and a system obtaining information transmitted by the smart garbage can, after each time garbage is disposed of, the smart garbage can saving for a certain period of time the traceable information generated by the disposed garbage; when inspecting the disposed garbage, if a delivery error is discovered, the inspecting client uploading the erroneous marking information on the garbage bag and uploading the erroneous scattered garbage photograph, in order to evaluate the credit of the person who throws garbage into the garbage according to whether the information about the type of garbage disposed is correct.