SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A WASTE CONTAINER AND METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING DATA FROM A WASTE CONTAINER

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for operating a waste container comprising a waste container which has an electronic control device, a first communication interface for transmitting and receiving data and a storage device, and a server which is remote from the waste container and has a second communication interface, wherein usage data can be stored in the storage device by the control device after use of the waste container, wherein the first communication interface has no device for direct data transmission to the second communication interface, wherein an indirect first data transfer between the first communication interface and the second communication interface and/or between the second communication interface and the first communication interface can be initiated via at least one further communication interface, which is provided in a further communication device, which is not associated with the waste container, wherein the stored usage data are transferable via the first data transfer to the server.

Claims

1. A system for operating a waste container comprising a waste container having an electronic control device, a first communication interface for transmitting and receiving data and a storage device, and a server remote from the waste container and having a second communication interface, wherein usage data can be stored in the storage device by the control device after use of the waste container, wherein the first communication interface has no device for direct data transmission to the second communication interface, wherein an indirect first data transfer between the first communication interface and the second communication interface and/or between the second communication interface and the first communication interface can be initiated via at least one further communication interface, which is provided in a further communication device, which is not associated with the waste container, wherein the stored usage data are transferable via the first data transfer to the server.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein a first communication device comprises a third communication interface, wherein the unidirectional or bidirectional first data transfer between the first communication interface and the second communication interface can take place via the third communication interface, wherein an emptying or service vehicle is equipped with the first communication device, wherein the data transfer between the first and the third communication interface takes place via a first communication channel.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein a second communication device comprises a fourth communication interface, wherein the unidirectional or bidirectional first data transfer between the first communication interface and the second communication interface can take place via the fourth communication interface, wherein the second communication device is assigned to a user, wherein the second communication device is a portable data processing device, preferably with a display device, for example a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet or a laptop, wherein the transfer of data between the first and the fourth communication interface takes place via a second communication channel.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein for identifying a user before the use of the waste container, a second data transfer can be initiated between the first communication interface and the fourth communication interface and a subsequent third data transfer can be initiated between the fourth communication interface and the second communication interface of the server, wherein the second data transfer of identification data between the first and the fourth communication interface takes place via the second communication channel, wherein the third data transfer between the fourth communication interface and the second communication interface takes place via an eighth communication channel.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the waste container comprises a receiving device, wherein a fourth data transfer can take place via a third communication channel between the receiving device and the first communication interface, wherein the fourth data transfer can be unidirectional or bidirectional, wherein a fifth data transfer of identification data can be initiated for identifying a user between the receiving device and an identification device by means of a fourth communication channel before the use of the waste container.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the waste container comprises at least one sensor device, wherein a sixth data transfer can take place via a fifth communication channel between the at least one sensor device and the first communication interface, wherein the sixth data transfer can be unidirectional or bidirectional.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein control data are transferable to at least one internal device of the waste container or at least one external device from the first communication interface by means of a seventh data transfer, wherein the seventh data transfer takes place via a sixth communication channel and can be unidirectional or bidirectional, wherein the control data are generated at least partially by the control device and/or at least partially by a sensor device, wherein the at least one internal device or the at least one external device can be an actuator, a locking device, a display device, an output device or a fire extinguisher.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the data transfer via the communication channels one to six is based on wireless technology, wherein the wireless technology has a range below 300 m, preferably below 100 m, preferably below 50 m, preferably below 30 m, preferably below 10 m, preferably below 5 m, preferably below 3 m, preferably below 1 m, particularly preferably below 50 cm, wherein the wireless technology is selected from a group comprising NFC technology, RFID technology, WLAN technology, Bluetooth technology and optical transmission technology.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the data transfer between the third and the second communication interface takes place via a seventh communication channel, wherein the data transfer between the fourth and the second communication interface takes place via an eighth communication channel, wherein the seventh and the eighth communication channel are based at least partially on a wireless technology with a maximum range of over 30 m, preferably over 100 m, preferably over 500 m, preferably over 1 km, more preferably several km, and a transmission technology selected from a group comprising WLAN connection, wireless connection, mobile connection, 2G connection, 3G connection, GPRS connection, 4G connection, 5G connection.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the further communication device has a data processing device which is used for modulation of data for transmission on different communication channels and/or for a coding and/or for a decoding of the data received by the respective communication interfaces before the data are forwarded to the respective other communication interface.

11. A method for data transmission between a waste container which has an electronic control device, a first communication interface for transmitting and receiving data and a storage device and a server remote from the waste container and having a second communication interface, the method comprising the steps of: establishing a data connection by means of a communication channel between the first communication interface and a further communication interface of a further communication device, which is not part of the waste container; authorising the data connection; initiating an indirect first data transfer between the first communication interface and the second communication interface and/or between the second communication interface and the first communication interface via at least one further communication interface.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein a first communication device comprises a third communication interface, wherein the unidirectional or bidirectional first data transfer between the first communication interface and the second communication interface can take place via the third communication interface, wherein an emptying or service vehicle is equipped with the first communication device, wherein the data transfer between the first and the third communication interface takes place via a first communication channel.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first data transfer can take place both via the third communication interface of the first communication device and via a fourth communication interface of a second communication device, wherein the second communication device is assigned to a user, wherein the second communication device is a portable data processing device, preferably with a display device, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet or a laptop, wherein the transfer of data between the first and the fourth communication interface takes place via a second communication channel.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the data transfer via the communication channels one and two is based on a wireless technology, wherein the wireless technology has a range below 300 m, preferably below 100 m, preferably below 50 m, preferably below 30 m, preferably below 10 m, preferably below 5 m, preferably below 3 m, preferably below 1 m, particularly preferably below 50 cm, wherein the wireless technology is selected from a group comprising NFC technology, RFID technology, WLAN technology, Bluetooth technology and optical transmission technology.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the data transfer between the third and the second communication interface takes place via a seventh communication channel, wherein the data transfer between the fourth and the second communication interface takes place via an eighth communication channel, wherein the seventh and the eighth communication channel are based at least partially on wireless technology with a maximum range of over 30 m, preferably over 100 m, preferably over 500 m, preferably over 1 km, particularly preferably several km, and a transmission technology selected from a group comprising WLAN connection, wireless connection, mobile connection, 2G connection, 3G connection, GPRS connection, 4G connection, 5G connection.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0101] Other advantages, aims and properties of the present invention are explained with reference to the following description of the attached drawings. Similar components may have the same reference signs in the various embodiments.

[0102] In the drawings:

[0103] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the system for delivering messages to a user of a waste container according to one embodiment;

[0104] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the system for delivering messages to a user of a waste container according to another embodiment;

[0105] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the system for delivering messages to a user of a waste container according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0106] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a system (1) for operating a waste container (2) comprising a waste container (2) which has an electronic control device (3), a first communication interface (4) for transmitting and receiving data and a storage device (5), and a server (6) which is remote from the waste container and has a second communication interface (7), wherein usage data can be stored in the storage device (5) by the control device (3) after use of the waste container (2), wherein the first communication interface (4) has no device for direct data transmission to the second communication interface (7), wherein an indirect first data transfer between the first communication interface (4) and the second communication interface (7) and/or between the second communication interface (7) and the first communication interface (4) can be initiated via at least one further communication interface (8, 12, 15), which is provided in a further communication device (9, 11, 14), which is not associated with the waste container (2), wherein the stored usage data are transferable via the first data transfer (10) to the server (6).

[0107] Furthermore, FIGS. 1 to 3 show a method for data transmission between a waste container (2) which has an electronic control device (3), a first communication interface (4) for transmitting and receiving data and a storage device (5) and a server (6) remote from the waste container (2) and having a second communication interface (7), the method comprising the steps of: [0108] establishing a data connection by means of a communication channel (13, 17) between the first communication interface (4) and a further communication interface (8, 12, 15) of a further communication device (9, 11, 14), which is not part of the waste container (2); [0109] authorising the data connection; [0110] initiating an indirect first data transfer (10) between the first communication interface (4) and the second communication interface (7) and/or between the second communication interface (7) and the first communication interface (4) via at least one further communication interface (8, 12, 15).

[0111] In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the system (1) comprises a first communication device (9, 11), a third communication interface (8, 12), wherein the unidirectional or bidirectional first data transfer (10) between the first communication interface (4) and the second communication interface (7) can take place via the third communication interface (8, 12). The first communication device (9, 11) is provided in an emptying or service vehicle. The data transfer takes place here between the first (4) and the third communication interface (8, 12) via a first communication channel (13).

[0112] In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the system (1) comprises a second communication device (9, 14), a fourth communication interface (8, 15), wherein the unidirectional or bidirectional first data transfer between the first communication interface (4) and the second communication interface (7) can take place via the fourth communication interface (8, 15). The second communication device (9, 14) is assigned to a user, wherein the second communication device (9, 14) is a portable data processing device, preferably with a display device (16), for example a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet or a laptop. The transfer of data between the first (4) and the fourth communication interface (8, 15) takes place via a second communication channel (17).

[0113] In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the first data transfer (10) can take place both via the third communication interface (8, 12) of the first communication device (9, 11) and via a fourth communication interface (8, 15) of a second communication device (9, 14).

[0114] In order to identify a user before using the waste container (2), a second data transfer (18) can be initiated between the first communication interface (4) and the fourth communication interface (8, 15). Furthermore, a subsequent third data transfer (19) can be initiated between the fourth communication interface (8, 15) and the second communication interface (7) of the server (6). The second data transfer (18) of identification data takes place between the first (4) and the fourth communication interface (8, 15) via the second communication channel (17).

[0115] The third data transfer (19) takes place between the fourth communication interface (8, 15) and the second communication interface (7) via an eighth communication channel (20).

[0116] According to an embodiment, said method may include controlling access to the waste container (2) for a user, comprising the further steps of: [0117] a) initiating a transfer of identification data from the first communication interface (4) to a second communication device (9, 14) which can be assigned to a user and has a fourth communication interface (8, 15) before the waste container (2) is used; [0118] b) transferring the identification data for the waste container (2) and the user from the second communication device (9, 14) having the fourth communication interface (8, 15) to a server (6) having a second communication interface (7); [0119] c) receiving the identification data by the second communication interface (7) and supplying the identification data to an authentication manager (35) of the server (6), [0120] d) assigning user data from a database (36) of the server (6) to the identification data by the authentication manager (35); [0121] e) generating authorisation data to grant or deny access to that waste container (2) for that user; [0122] f) transmission of the authorisation data from the second communication interface (7) to the fourth communication interface (8, 15) and/or the second communication device (9, 14) and optionally conversion of the signal in the second communication device (9, 14); [0123] g) transmitting the authorisation data from the fourth communication interface (8, 15) and/or the second communication device (9, 14) to the first communication interface (4); [0124] h) granting or denying access to this waste container (2) to the user as a function of the authorisation data received at the first communication interface (4).

[0125] The waste container (2) may optionally comprise a receiving device (21). A fourth data transfer (22) can take place via a third communication channel (23) between the receiving device (21) and the first communication interface (4), wherein the fourth data transfer (22) can be unidirectional or bidirectional. To identify a user, a fifth data transfer (26) of identification data between the receiving device (21) and an identification device (24) can be initiated by means of a fourth communication channel (25) before the waste container (2) is used. Such an identification process is a so-called offline use of the waste container (2).

[0126] The waste container (2) may comprise at least one sensor device (27). A sixth data transfer (28) can take place via a fifth communication channel (29) between the at least one sensor device (27) and the first communication interface (4), wherein the sixth data transfer (28) may be unidirectional or bidirectional.

[0127] According to an embodiment, control data can be transmitted from the first communication interface (4) to at least one internal device (32) of the waste container (2) or to at least one external device (33) by means of a seventh data transfer (30). The seventh data transfer (30) takes place via a sixth communication channel (31) and can be unidirectional or bidirectional. The control data are generated at least partially by the control device (3) or at least partially by a sensor device (27). The at least one internal device (32) or the at least one external device (33) may be an actuator, a locking device, a display device, an output device or a fire extinguisher.

[0128] According to a further embodiment, the data transfer via the communication channels one to six (13, 17, 23, 25, 29) is based on wireless technology, wherein the wireless technology has a range of less than 300 m, preferably less than 100 m, preferably less than 50 m, preferably less than 30 m, preferably less than 10 m, preferably less than 5 m, preferably less than 3 m, preferably less than 1 m, particularly preferably less than 50 cm, wherein the wireless technology is selected from a group comprising NFC technology, RFID technology, WLAN technology, Bluetooth technology and optical transmission technology.

[0129] According to a further embodiment, the data transfer between the third (8, 12) and the second communication interface (7) takes place via a seventh communication channel (34). The data transfer takes place between the fourth (9, 14) and the second communication interface (7) via an eighth communication channel (20). The seventh (34) and the eighth communication channel (20) are based at least partially on wireless technology with a maximum range of over 30 m, preferably over 100 m, preferably over 500 m, preferably over 1 km, more preferably several km, and a transmission technology, which is selected from a group comprising WLAN connection, wireless connection, mobile connection, 2G connection, 3G connection, GPRS connection, 4G connection, 5G connection.

[0130] According to a further embodiment, the further communication device (9, 11, 14) has a data processing device which is used to modulate data for transmission on different communication channels (13, 17, 34, 20) and/or for coding and/or for decoding the data received by the respective communication interfaces (4, 7, 8, 12, 15) before the data are forwarded to the respective other communication interface (4, 7, 8, 12, 15).

[0131] In the following, an overview is presented which lists the various communication channels, the data transfers and the communication interfaces (KS)/devices involved. Furthermore, the respective preferred transmission technology/wireless technology is specified.

TABLE-US-00001 Participating Range of Communication Data communication wireless channel transfer interfaces (KS)/devices technology first (13) first (10) first KS (4)/ short third KS (8, 12) second (17) first (10), first KS (4)/ short second (18) fourth KS (8, 15) third (23) fourth (22) first KS (4)/ short receiving device (21) fourth (25) fifth (25) receiving device (21)/ short identification device (24) fifth (29) sixth (28) first KS (4)/ short sensor device (27) sixth (31) seventh (30) first KS (4)/ short internal (32) or external device (33) seventh (34) first (10) third KS (8, 12)/ long second KS (7) eighth (20) first (10) fourth KS (8, 15)/ long third (19) second KS (7)

[0132] The present invention can preferably solve the problem of the automatic unlocking request when the emptying vehicle approaches. Furthermore, persons without a smartphone can open the waste container (2). The advantageous use of a receiving device (21) can preferably be communicated to the control device via a radio link. Conventional RFID media, including RFID cards, key fobs, NFC units, can be used for communication with the receiving device. This additional receiving device (21) can also be used to identify persons with a smartphone for the opening, but not to transfer data to the host, if this is not desired. Advantageously, sensors (for example: level sensor, odour sensor, noise sensor, temperature sensor, acceleration sensor, voice sensor) can be integrated for transmitting information to the control device. Finally, the control device can advantageously evaluate this information and forward the information or control the corresponding actuators (e.g. block access). As a result, wired solutions can be avoided. Other sensors can be avoided which are necessary to detect emptying. Already known systems have the disadvantage that there is an additional cost of wiring and the installation situation of the components is limited. There is a high cost of software for emptying algorithms and the maintenance of the individual systems is time-consuming. A fully integrated digital waste disposal system is advantageously provided.

[0133] All the features disclosed in the application documents are claimed as being essential to the invention, provided that, individually or in combination, they are novel over the prior art.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0134] 1 system [0135] 2 waste container [0136] 3 electronic control device [0137] 4 first communication interface [0138] 5 storage device [0139] 6 server [0140] 7 second communication interface [0141] 8 further communication interface [0142] 9 further communication device [0143] 10 first data transfer [0144] 11 first communication device [0145] 12 third communication interface [0146] 13 first communication channel [0147] 14 second communication device [0148] 15 fourth communication interface [0149] 16 display device [0150] 17 second communication channel [0151] 18 second data transfer [0152] 19 third data transfer [0153] 20 sixth communication channel [0154] 21 receiving device [0155] 22 fourth data transfer [0156] 23 third communication channel [0157] 24 identification device [0158] 25 fourth communication channel [0159] 26 fifth data transfer [0160] 27 sensor device [0161] 28 sixth data transfer [0162] 29 fifth communication channel [0163] 30 seventh data transfer [0164] 31 sixth communication channel [0165] 32 internal device [0166] 33 external device [0167] 34 seventh communication channel [0168] 35 authentication manager [0169] 36 database [0170] 37 data processing device