The present disclosure relates to the field of waste management.
More particularly the present disclosure relates to an apparatus that assists in sorting waste based on type of the waste using learning techniques and notifying concerned authorities when garbage is found overloaded in the apparatus.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the
information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed
invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Recycling and land-filling are used to demolish waste as part of
waste management. Smart management of waste is always challenging. Waste can be divided into several categories, each of which is normally noticed in the home. Liquid waste, solid waste, organic waste, recyclable waste, and hazardous waste are all examples.
[0004] The existing waste management systems are based on manual
systems which are unable to identify the waste category accurately due to the huge quantity. It is often possible that users do not bother to sort waste into its different components, but instead mix all waste in the same waste bag or waste bin. In this case mixed waste is produced, the reclamation of which is difficult. Later this waste is collected by the waste management department and now it is quite difficult for them to filtering of mixed waste. Resulting, most of the waste can be not be recycled and it can be caused for increasing pollution as some unsuitable material, e.g. metal, might have been mixed in the different waste component.
[0005] Nowadays, the government installed garbage bins in every
sector/city, where each bins is labelled at least one of the organic waste, plastic waste, metal waste, glass waste, and paper waste, which enables the user to recognise and throw the waste in respective bin. But, people are still not throwing

bin accordingly, any waste can be thrown in any of the bin. Thus, a proper
solution is required to store waste in respective bins.
[0006] Existing dustbins installed by municipality are overloaded always,
and people start throwing garbage bag near the dustbins, and a heap of garbage is
produced there. Therefore, we need a solution for cleaning the dustbins on time,
when they are overloaded.
[0007] There is, therefore, a need of an improved waste collector for
sorting collected waste accurately and which is free from aforementioned
problems.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one
embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for
sorting collected waste.
[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for
sorting collected waste based on type of the waste.
[0011] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for
improving waste recycling process.
[0012] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for
reducing pollution level.
[0013] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for
promoting the cleanness habit among civilians.
[0014] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for
sorting waste, which requires less maintenance cost.
[0015] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for
monitoring waste collectors placed at public places and avoid overflowing of bins.
SUMMARY
[0016] The present disclosure relates to the field of waste management.
More particularly the present disclosure relates to an apparatus that assists in

sorting waste based on type of the waste using learning techniques and notifying
concerned authorities when garbage is found overloaded in the apparatus.
[0017] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to an apparatus for
sorting waste, the apparatus may include a primary container configured to
receive and accommodate waste, a plurality of secondary containers may be
configured to receive and accommodate a predefined type of waste, an image
capturing unit may be configured to capture a set of images of the waste
accommodated in the primary container, a plurality of conveying means may be
configured to transfer the waste from the primary container to at least one of the
plurality of secondary containers, a processing unit may be operatively coupled
with said image capturing unit, and the plurality of conveying means.
[0018] In an aspect, the processing unit may be configured to execute a set
of instructions, stored in a memory, which, on execution, causes the apparatus to receive, from the one or more image capturing unit, the set of images, extract, type of waste, from the received set of images, actuate a robotic arm to pick the waste from the primary container and drop the waste to at least one of the plurality of conveyor means based on the extracted type of the waste, and activate the associated conveying mean to transfer the waste into the associated secondary container.
[0019] In an aspect, a plurality of rollers may be movably coupled with
the plurality of conveying means, and upon actuation of at least one of the plurality of rollers, the associated conveyor mean may be activated to transfer the waste into the associated secondary container.
[0020] In an aspect, the robotic arm may include one or more jaws for
picking and dropping the waste.
[0021] Another aspect of the present disclosure may pertains to an
apparatus for notifying an entity, the apparatus may include a primary container configured to receive and accommodate waste, a plurality of secondary container may be configured to receive and accommodate a pre-defined type of waste from the primary container, a set of sensors may be configured to detect level of waste

in each of the secondary container, and correspondingly generate a set of signals,
a processing unit may be operatively coupled with said set of sensors.
[0022] In an aspect, the processing unit may be configured to receive and
analyse the set of signals, and generate a set of warning signals, upon detection of level of the waste above the pre-defined height in at least one of the plurality of secondary containers.
[0023] In an aspect, the generated set of warning signals may be
transmitted to one or more mobile computing devices associated with one or more entities, using a communication unit 204.
[0024] In an aspect, the set of sensors may include ultraviolet sensor, level
sensor, and height detector, or combination thereof.
[0025] In an aspect, each of the plurality of secondary containers may be
hingedly coupled with a frame, and each of the plurality of secondary container may be moved in between in a first position and second position, that may facilitate in transferring the waste from the each of the plurality of secondary containers to a waste collecting vehicle.
[0026] Another aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a method for
sorting waste. The method may include receiving of waste in a primary container,
collecting one or more images of the received waste by an image capturing unit,
analysing the received one or more images to identify type of waste by a
processing unit, actuating a robotic arm by the processing unit, where the robotic
arm may be configured to pick the waste from the primary container and drop to
at least one of the plurality of conveyor means based on the type of the waste, and
actuating at least one of a roller by the processing unit to activate the associated
conveying mean to transfer the waste into the associated secondary container.
[0027] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive
subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0028] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.
[0029] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the
same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of the apparatus for
sorting waste, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary block diagram of the apparatus for
sorting waste, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method for sorting waste, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the
disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0034] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth
in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present

invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the
present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0035] Embodiment of the present disclosure relates to the field of waste
management. More particularly the present disclosure relates to an apparatus that assists in sorting waste automatically based on type of the waste using learning techniques, and notifying concerned authorities when garbage is found overloaded in the apparatus.
[0036] The present disclosure elaborates upon an apparatus that is used in
sorting waste and storing the waste in separate container based on type of the
waste. The apparatus can include a primary container and many secondary
containers for receiving and accommodating the waste. An image capturing unit
such as camera can be configured to capture images of the waste accommodated
in the primary container, and a processing unit is configured to extract type of
waste based on object, material, shape, color, and etc., from the captured images.
A conveyor means can be activated by the processing unit to transfer the waste in
their associated secondary container. Moreover, a robotic arm can be coupled with
the apparatus, the robotic arm can be configured to pick the waste and drop the
waste on the at least one of the conveyor means, based on the type of waste.
[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, if waste is solid waste, it can be
transfer to first secondary container, if organic waste it can be transfer to second secondary container, if recyclable waste it can be transfer to third secondary container, and if hazardous waste it can be transfer to fourth secondary container. In another exemplary embodiment, waste can be classified into organic waste, plastic waste, metal waste, glass waste, and paper waste.
[0038] In an embodiment, each of the secondary containers can include a
set of sensors for monitoring level of the waste in the associated secondary container. Upon detection of level of waste, above a pre-defined height, the processing unit can transmit warning signals to one or mobile computing devices (e.g., Smartphone) associated with an entity (e.g. authority/municipality), which can send a vehicle to collect the waste from the secondary container and collected waste can be thrown on a landfill site.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, where an exemplary representation of an
apparatus 100 for sorting waste is disclosed. The apparatus 100 can include a primary container 102 for receiving waste from users, and accommodate it, one or more secondary containers 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, 104-4, and 104-5 (collectively referred as secondary containers 104, and individually referred as secondary container 104) can be positioned within vicinity of the primary container 102. The secondary container can 104 can be configured to accommodate waste of predefined type only, and not limited to only five containers, based on classification of waste, number of secondary container 104 can be increased. In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 can include an image capturing unit 106 (also referred as camera 106, hereinafter) such as camera, sensor, and etc., which can be configured to capture a set of images of the waste accommodated in the primary container 102, and these captured images can be transmitted to a processing unit 112 for analysing the images.
[0040] In an embodiment, one or more conveyor means 110-1, 110-2,
110-3, 110-4, and 110-5 (collectively referred as conveyor means 110, and
individually referred as conveyor mean 110) can be provided with the primary
container 102, and not limited to only five conveyor means, based on number of
secondary containers 104, these number of conveyor means 110 can be increased
or decreased, as each secondary container requires a conveyor mean 110. Each of
the conveyor mean 110 can be installed in such a way that one end of the
conveyor mean 110 can be coupled with at least one of the secondary container
104, as shown in FIG. 1, where the first conveyor mean 110-1 can be coupled with
the first secondary container 104-1, and the second conveyor mean 110-1 can be
coupled with the second secondary container 104-1, and so on.
[0041] In an embodiment, each of the conveyor means 110 such as
conveyor belts can be movably coupled with at least one of the roller 108, as shown in FIG. 1 the first roller 108-1 can be coupled with the first conveyor mean 110-1, the second roller 108-2 can be coupled with the second conveyor mean 110-2, and so forth. Each of the roller 108 can be configured to activate motion in associate conveyor mean 110 to move from a first direction to a second direction,

and the waste positioned on the conveyor mean 110 can be transferred to the
associated secondary container 104. Moreover, the speed of the conveyor means
110 can be controller through the rotary speed of the roller 108, and the rotary
speed of the roller 108 can be controlled through the processing unit 112.
[0042] In an embodiment, a robotic arm 114 can be coupled with the
primary container 104 that facilitates in picking the waste from the primary container 102, and dropping the waste on at least one of the conveyor mean 110 instructed by the processing unit 112, based on the type of the waste. In addition, the robotic arm 114 can include one or more jaws for picking and dropping the waste, movement of jaws can be controlled by the processing unit 112. Based on the type of waste, the processing unit 112 can instruct the robotic arm 114 to pick and drop the waste to a particular conveyor mean 110, where the instructions can be configured in form of signals.
[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the first secondary container 104-1
is for metallic waste, and the second secondary container 104-2 is for dry waste, and so forth, includes when the user throw a waste such as chips wrapper in the primary container 102, the camera 106 can capture images of the chips wrapper, which can be transmitted to the processing unit 112, and the processing unit can extract attributes such as object, color, shape, and the likes, and determine type of waste (for example, dry waste). The processing unit 112 can activate the robotic arm to pick the chips wrapper from the primary container 102 and dropping on the second conveyor mean 110-2, and further actuate the second roller 108-2. Upon actuation of the second roller 108-2, the second conveyor mean 110-2 can be activated to move from a first direction to second direction i.e. towards the second secondary container 104-2 along with waste, and the waste can be dropped into the second container 104-2.
[0044] In an embodiment, the processing unit 112 can include one or more
processor(s), which can be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate data based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the one or more processor(s)

can be configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory of the processing unit 112. The memory can store one or more computer-readable instructions or routines, which may be fetched and executed to create or share the data units over a network service. The memory can include any non-transitory storage device including, for example, volatile memory such as RAM, or non- volatile memory such as EPROM, flash memory, and the like. [0045] In another embodiment, the processing unit 112 can also include an interface(s) having a variety of interfaces, for example, interfaces for data input and output devices, referred to as I/O devices, storage devices, and the like. The interface(s) can facilitate communication of the processing unit 112 with various devices coupled to it. The interface(s) can also provide a communication pathway for one or more components of the processing unit 112.
[0046] In an embodiment, a processing engine(s) can be implemented as a combination of hardware and programming (for example, programmable instructions) to implement one or more functionalities of the processing engine(s). In examples described herein, such combinations of hardware and programming may be implemented in several different ways. For example, the programming for the processing engine(s) may be processor executable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and the hardware for the processing engine(s) may include a processing resource (for example, one or more processors), to execute such instructions.
[0047] In an embodiment, the processing unit 112 can be configured to
analyse images received from the camera 106, by extracting attributes such as object, shape, color and the likes, and update and train a classification and training unit provided with the processing unit 112 based on extracted attributes. In another embodiment, the classification and training unit can be trained and updated based on the received attributes. A deep leaning model can be trained based on the received attributes and analysed information where the deep leaning model can be stored in a database (not shown). In yet another embodiment, once the dataset is trained correctly, a deep learning algorithm can be configured to perform repetitive, and routine tasks within a shorter period of time.

[0048] In an embodiment, the processing engine which can be used as a
learning engine like the following, but not limited to machine learning algorithms and deep learning algorithms. In an exemplary embodiment, the processing engine can include deep learning algorithms such as but not limited to support vector machines, decision trees, artificial neural networks, and convolutional neural networks.
[0049] In an embodiment, the processing unit 112 can be configured to
receive and analyse images using machine learning techniques which perform
extraction and classification of images that facilitates in identifying type of waste,
and generate a first set of signals, which can be transmitted to the robotic arm 114,
where the first set of signals pertain information to pick the waste from the main
container and dropping the waste to a particular conveyor mean 110. Upon
receiving the first set of signals, the robotic arm 114 can be activated and using
the jaws, the waste can be picked from the primary container 102, and dropped on
the conveyor mean 110 instructed by the processing unit 112. Furthermore, at the
same time, the processing unit 112 can generate a second set of signals which can
be transmitted to at least one of the roller 108, wherein upon receiving the second
set of signals, the roller 08 can be actuated and facilities in moving the associated
conveyor mean 110 from towards the associated secondary container 104.
[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, the processing unit 112 can be
configured to off the roller, when no waste is found in the primary container 102.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 2, each of secondary containers 104 can include
a set of sensors 202 which can be configured to detect level of waste in associated secondary container, 104 and correspondingly generate a set of signals. The set of sensors 202 can include, but not limited to ultraviolet sensor, level sensor, and height detector.
[0052] In an embodiment, the generated set of signals can be transmitted
to a processing unit 112 operatively coupled with said set of sensors 202. The processing unit 112 can be configured to extract level of waste (i.e. height of waste in the secondary container) in the secondary container 104, and compare the extracted level with a pre-defined height, and when the extracted level is found

above the pre-defined height, the processing unit 112 can generate a set of warning signals which can be transmitted to one or more mobile computing devices 206 associated with one or more entities.
[0053] In an embodiment, a communication unit 204 can be configured to
transmit generated set of warning signals from the processing unit 112 to one or more mobile computing devices 206. The communication unit 204 can include, but not limited to Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Module, Bluetooth, Li-Fi, and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).
[0054] In an embodiment, the one or more mobile computing devices 206
can include laptop, tablet, smartphone, PDA, and the likes, and these can be
associated with an authority/ municipality member responsible for picking the
waste from the area where the apparatus is installed. For example, whenever any
of the secondary container 104 is found overloaded, the concerned authority/
municipality member can be notified by transmitting a notification to their
smartphone. The concerned authority can send a waste collecting vehicle to the
location of the apparatus 100, and the secondary container 104 can be vacant.
[0055] In an embodiment, each of the secondary containers 104 can be
hingedly coupled with a frame (not shown), and the secondary containers 104 can be moved in between in a first position and second position (i.e. tilted), that facilitates in transferring the waste from the each of the plurality of secondary containers to the waste collecting vehicle easily.
[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 100 can include a GPS
module (not shown), which can be configured to transmit location of the apparatus 100 to concerned authority.
[0057] In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 can include a power source
(not shown) to supply electric power to the apparatus 100. The power source can include any or a combination of rechargeable battery, rechargeable cells, solar cell, solar battery, electrochemical cells, storage battery, and secondary cell. In another embodiment, the power source can be coupled with the image capturing unit 106, each of the rollers 108, the set of sensors 202, and the processing unit 114.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary method 300 for sorting waste is
disclosed. At step 302, the method 300 can include receiving of waste in a primary container 102 from a user.
[0059] At step 304, the method 300 can include collection of one or more
images of the received waste, by an image capturing unit 106 such as camera.
[0060] At step 306, the method 300 can include analysis of the received
images by a processing unit 112 to identify type of waste, and the analysis can be performed using machine learning techniques based on object, shape, color, and the likes.
[0061] At step 308, the method 300 can include actuation of a robotic arm
114 by the processing unit 112, and upon actuation of the robotic arm 114, it can pick the waste from the primary container 102 and drop to at least one of conveyor means 110 based on the type of the waste.
[0062] At step 310, the method 300 can include actuation of at least one of
the roller 108, and upon actuation of the roller 108, the associated conveying
means 110 can be activated to move from a first direction to a second direction to
transfer the waste into the associated secondary container 104.
[0063] Moreover, in interpreting the specification, all terms should be
interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ....and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
[0064] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the
invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described

embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0065] The proposed invention provides an apparatus for sorting collected
waste.
[0066] The proposed invention provides an apparatus for sorting collected
waste based on type of the waste.
[0067] The proposed invention provides an apparatus for improving waste
recycling process.
[0068] The proposed invention provides an apparatus for reducing
pollution level.
[0069] The proposed invention provides an apparatus for promoting the
cleanness habit among civilians.
[0070] The proposed invention provides an apparatus for sorting waste,
which requires less maintenance cost.
[0071] The proposed invention provides an apparatus for monitoring
waste collectors placed at public places and avoid overflowing of bins.

We Claim:

1. An apparatus 100 for sorting waste comprising:
a primary container 102 configured to receive and accommodate
waste;
a plurality of secondary containers 104 configured to receive and accommodate a predefined type of waste;
an image capturing unit 106 configured to capture a set of images of the waste accommodated in the primary container;
a plurality of conveying means 110, configured to transfer the waste from the primary container 104 to at least one of the plurality of secondary containers;
a processing unit 112 operatively coupled with said image capturing unit, and the plurality of conveying means, the processing unit being configured to execute a set of instructions, stored in a memory, which, on execution, causes the apparatus to:
receive, from the one or more image capturing unit, the set
of images;
extract, type of waste, from the received set of images; actuate, a robotic arm 114 to pick the waste from the
primary container and drop the waste to at least one of the plurality
of conveyor means based on the extracted type of the waste; and
activate, the associated conveying mean 110 to transfer the
waste into the associated secondary container.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of rollers 108 movably coupled with the plurality of conveying means 110, wherein upon actuation of at least one of the plurality of rollers, the associated conveyor mean 110 is activated to transfer the waste into the associated secondary container.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said robotic arm 114 includes one or more jaws for picking and dropping the waste.

4. An apparatus for sorting waste and notifying an entity comprising:
a primary container 102 configured to receive and accommodate
waste;
a plurality of secondary containers 104 configured to receive and accommodate a pre-defined type of waste from the primary container;
a set of sensors 202 configured to detect level of waste in each of the secondary container, and correspondingly generate a set of signals; and
a processing unit 112 operatively coupled with said set of sensors, and the processing unit is configured to receive and analyse the set of signals, and generate a set of warning signals, upon detection of level of the waste above the pre-defined height in at least one of the plurality of secondary containers.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the generated set of warning signals are transmitted to one or more mobile computing devices 206 associated with one or more entities, using a communication unit 204.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the set of sensors 202 comprises ultraviolet sensor, level sensor, and height detector, or combination thereof.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of secondary containers 104 are hingedly coupled with a frame, and each of the plurality of secondary container is moved in between in a first position and second position, that facilitates in transferring the waste from the each of the plurality of secondary containers to a waste collecting vehicle.
8. A method 300 for sorting waste, the method comprising:
receiving 302, waste in a primary container;
collecting 304, by an image capturing unit, one or more images of the received waste;
analysing 306, by a processing unit, the received one or more images, to identify type of waste;

actuating 308, by the processing unit, a robotic arm configured to pick the waste from the primary container and drop to at least one of the plurality of conveyor means based on the type of the waste; and
actuating 308, by the processing unit, at least one of a roller to activate the associated conveying mean to transfer the waste into the associated secondary container.