Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A dustbin monitoring system (100), the system (100) comprising:
a monitoring device (102) to be installed inside dustbins (128a-128m), the monitoring device (102) comprises:
sensors (120a-120n) configured to sense signals representing a level of a garbage inside each of the dustbins (128a-128m); and
a controller (122) connected to the sensors (120a-120n), the controller (122) is configured to:
receive signals representing the level of the garbage inside each of the dustbins (128a-128m) from each of the sensors (120a-120n);
determine a percentage of the garbage inside each of the dustbins (128a-128m) based on the received sensed signals;
compare the determined percentage of the garbage inside each of the dustbins (128a-128m) with a predefined threshold percentage stored in a memory (126);
generate an alert notification when the determined percentage of the garbage inside the dustbins (128a-128m) is greater than or equal to predefined threshold percentage; and
transmit the generated alert notification to the user device (106).
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the notification comprises one of, a geographical location of the one or more dustbins (128a-128m), the determined percentage of the garbage inside the one or more dustbins (128a-128m), or a combination thereof.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (122) is configured to display the determined percentage of the garbage inside the dustbins (128a-128m) in real-time through a garbage monitoring application (118) installed on the user device (106).
4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the garbage monitoring application (118) is configured to enable a first user to input an attendance through a worker menu (210), wherein the first user is a waste collector.
5. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the garbage monitoring application (118) is configured to enable a second user to input complaints through the user menu (218), wherein the second user is a resident.
6. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the garbage monitoring application (118) is configured to enable the first user to locate the one or more dustbins (128a-128m) based on the geographical location of the one or more dustbins (128a-128m).
7. A method for monitoring a level of garbage in dustbins (128a-128m), the method comprising steps of:
receiving sensed signals representing the level of garbage inside each of the dustbins (128a-128m) from each sensor (120a-120n) installed inside each of the dustbins (128a-128m);
determining a percentage of the garbage inside each of the dustbins (128a-128m) based on the received sensed signals;
comparing the determined percentage of the garbage inside each of the dustbins (128a-128m) with a predefined threshold percentage stored in a memory (126);
generating an alert notification when the determined percentage of the garbage inside the dustbins (128a-128m) is greater than or equal to predefined threshold percentage, wherein the alert notification comprises one of, a geographical location of the dustbins (128a-128m), the determined percentage of the garbage inside the dustbins (128a-128m), or a combination thereof; and
transmitting the generated alert notification to the user device (106).
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, comprising a step of displaying the determined percentage of the garbage inside each of the dustbins (128a-128m) in real-time through a garbage monitoring application (118) installed on the user device (106).
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, comprising a step of enabling a first user to input an attendance through a worker menu (200), wherein the first user is a waste collector.
10. The method as claimed in claim 8, comprising a step of enabling the user to locate the dustbins (128a-128m) based on the geographical location of the dustbins (128a-128m).
Date: 20 June 2020
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)

, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENT ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&

THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10, and rule 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DUSTBIN MONITORING

APPLICANT(S)
NAME: A Rajeshwar Rao
NATIONALITY: INDIAN
ADDRESS: S R Engineering College, Ananthasagar, Warangal, Telangana, India

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed
BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a system and method for waste management and particularly to a system and method for monitoring status of dustbins.
Description of Related Art
[002] Overflowing dustbins and piles of garbage scattered on roads are a common sight these days. On these overflowing dustbins, stray animals feed on the waste in the dustbins that can be seen at every corner of a city such as, a society, a park, roads, and/or any other public place. The overflowing dustbin is not only aesthetically unpleasant, moreover, it could also be a health hazard for communities. The animals like dogs, cows, pigs, insects, rodents, birds etc. gorge on these overflowing dustbins, scattered piles of garbage and can cause various diseases to humans with whom these animals come in contact with.
[003] Generally, a waste collector would visit each and every dustbin once in 24 hours to collect garbage and clean an area around the dustbin. Sometimes, these collection periods can increase from 24 hours to 48 hours or more depending upon the availability of the waste collectors. These waste collectors most of the times are very careless in performing their allocated duties and tend to skip the collection of garbage by making false excuses, and faking completion reports causing nearby residents to suffer. Moreover, a complaint against an improper behavior of the waste collectors cannot be reported easily with the conventional systems.
[004] There is thus a need for a system and method for monitoring a level of garbage within the dustbins in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a dustbin monitoring system. The system further comprising a monitoring device to be installed inside dustbins. The monitoring device further comprises sensors configured to sense signals representing a level of a garbage inside the dustbins; and a controller connected to the sensors. The controller is configured to: receive signals representing the level of the garbage inside each of the dustbins from each of the sensors; determine a percentage of the garbage inside each of the dustbins based on the received sensed signals; compare the determined percentage of the garbage inside each of the dustbins with a predefined threshold percentage stored in a memory; generate an alert notification when the determined percentage of the garbage inside the dustbins is greater than or equal to predefined threshold percentage; and transmit the generated alert notification to the user device.
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a computer-implemented method for monitoring a level of garbage in dustbins. The method further comprising steps of: receiving sensed signals representing the level of garbage inside each of the dustbins from each sensor installed inside each of the dustbins; determining a percentage of the garbage inside each of the dustbins based on the received sensed signals; comparing the determined percentage of the garbage inside each of the dustbins with a predefined threshold percentage stored in a memory; generating an alert notification when the determined percentage of the garbage inside the dustbins is greater than or equal to predefined threshold percentage, wherein the alert notification comprises one of, a geographical location of the dustbins, the determined percentage of the garbage inside the dustbins, or a combination thereof; and transmitting the generated alert notification to the user device.
[007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on its particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application provide a system and a method for monitoring dustbins in real time. Next, embodiments of the present application provide a notification to alert to an administrator, a waste collector about a level of garbage inside each of the dustbins. Next, embodiments of the present application provide a system to track attendance of waste collectors. Next, embodiments of the present application provide a system to report a complaint by a resident. Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a simple cost effective device compatible with every dustbin for monitoring the level of the garbage.
[008] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[009] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a dustbin monitoring system, according to an embodiment of the invention disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 1B illustrates a block diagram of a monitoring device, according to an embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 1C illustrates the dustbin monitoring system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein;
[0014] FIG. 1D illustrates component of a controller of the monitoring device, according to embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein;
[0015] FIG. 1E illustrates components of a waste management platform of the dustbin monitoring system, according to embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein;
[0016] FIG. 2A illustrates a login portal of a garbage monitoring application, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein;
[0017] FIG. 2B illustrates a worker menu of the garbage monitoring application, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein;
[0018] FIG. 2C illustrates a user menu of the garbage monitoring application, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein; and
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method for monitoring a level of garbage in dustbins using the dustbin monitoring system, according to embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein.
[0020] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0022] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.
[0023] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0024] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a dustbin monitoring system 100, according to an embodiment of the invention. The dustbin monitoring system 100 comprises a monitoring device 102, a cloud server 104, and a user device 106. Further, the monitoring device 102, the cloud server 104 and the user device 106 may be connected through a communication network 108, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0025] The communication network 108 may include a data network such as, but not limited to, an Internet, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), and so forth. In some embodiments of the present invention, the communication network 108 may include a wireless network, such as, but not limited to, a cellular network and may employ various technologies including an Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE), a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), and so forth. In some embodiments of the present invention, the communication network 108 may include or otherwise cover networks or sub-networks, each of which may include, for example, a wired or a wireless data pathway. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the monitoring device 102, the cloud server 104, and the user device 106 may be configured to communicate with each other by one or more communication mediums connected to the communication network 108. The communication mediums include, but are not limited to, a coaxial cable, a copper wire, a fiber optic, a wire that comprise a system bus coupled to a processor of a computing device, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the communication mediums, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0026] According to embodiments of the present invention, the monitoring device 102 may be an electrically operated device installed on dustbins 128a-128m (hereinafter referred to as the dustbins 128). The monitoring device 102 may be configured to monitor a level of garbage inside the dustbins 128. Further, the monitoring device 102 may be configured to monitor the level of garbage inside the dustbins 128 in real time. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the monitoring device 102 may be installed near an opening of each of the dustbins 128. In another embodiment of the present invention, the monitoring device 102 may be installed on a lid of each of the dustbins 128. In an embodiment of the present invention, the monitoring device 102 may be a battery operated device. Further, the working of the monitoring device 102 will be explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 1D.
[0027] According to embodiments of the present invention, the cloud server 104 may be a centralized server for housing components associated with the dustbin monitoring system 100 for the purpose of receiving, storing, processing, and distributing data. According to embodiments of the present invention the cloud server 104 may be, but not limited to, an enterprise cloud server, a managed services cloud server, a colocation cloud servers, a cloud server, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the cloud server 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] Further, the cloud server 104 may comprise a waste management platform 110, and a database 112. The waste management platform 110 may be a computer readable program that may be configured to control operations of the dustbin monitoring system 100. The working of the waste management platform 110 will be explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 1E. According to embodiments of the present invention, the database 112 may be configured for storage and retrieval of data associated with the dustbin monitoring system 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the database 112 may be, but is not limited to, a centralized database, a distributed database, a personal database, an end-user database, a commercial database, a Structured Query Language (SQL) database, a Non-SQL database, an operational database, a relational database, a cloud database, an object-oriented database, a graph database, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the database 112 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be capable of data storage and retrieval.
[0029] The user device 106 may be configured to enable the user to receive data and transmit data within the dustbin monitoring system 100. The user may be, but not limited to, a resident, a maintenance personnel, a supervisor, a waste collector, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user of the dustbin monitoring system 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the user device 106 may be, but not limited to, a mobile device, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a portable computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, and so forth. Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user device 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] Further, the user device 106 may comprise a user interface 114, and a processor 116. The user interface 114 may be configured to enable the user to input data into the dustbin monitoring system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user device 106 may enable the user to receive data within the dustbin monitoring system 100. The user interface 114 may be further configured to display an output data associated with the dustbin monitoring system 100, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the user interface 114 may be, but is not limited to, a digital display, a touch screen display, a graphical user interface, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user interface 114 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be capable of enabling the user to input data and to display an output data.
[0031] The processor 116 may be configured to receive and/or transmit data associated with the dustbin monitoring system 100 using the communication network 108. Further, the processor 116 may be configured to process data associated with the dustbin monitoring system 100, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the processor 116 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control unit (PLC), a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a computing device, a development board, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the processor 116 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be capable of processing the received data. Further, the user device 106 may comprise a garbage monitoring application 118. The garbage monitoring application 118 may be a computer readable program installed on the user device 106, which may be configured to enable the user to access data associated with the dustbin monitoring system 100.
[0032] FIG. 1B illustrates a block diagram of the monitoring device 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The monitoring device 102 may comprise sensors 120a-120n (hereinafter referred to as the sensors 120), a controller 122, a location detector 124, and a memory 126.
[0033] The monitoring device 102 may be attached on the dustbins 128 to continuously monitor the level of garbage inside the dustbins 128. The sensors 120 may be installed within the monitoring device 102 such that the garbage in the dustbins 128 may be in the field of view of the sensors 120, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sensors 120 may be configured to sense signals representing the level of garbage inside the dustbin 128. According to embodiments of the present invention, the sensors 120 may be, but not limited to, a contact sensor, a proximity sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an Infrared (IR) sensor, a weight sensor, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the sensors 120 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] The controller 122 of the monitoring device 102 may be configured to process data associated with the dustbin monitoring system 100 to generate an output, and perform other operations related to the dustbin monitoring system 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the controller 122 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control unit (PLC), a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a computing device, a development board, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the controller 122 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be capable of processing the received data. Further, the working of the controller 122 will be explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 1D.
[0035] According to embodiments of the present invention, the location detector 124 may be configured to continuously fetch a real-time geographical location of the dustbins 128 and transmit the geographical location of the dustbins 128 to the cloud server 104 through the controller 122. According to embodiments of the present invention the location detector 124 may be, but not limited to, a geolocation sensor, a Global Positioning System (GPS) module, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the location detector 124 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be capable of detecting the geographical locations of the dustbins 128.
[0036] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the memory 126 may be configured for storage and retrieval of data associated with the dustbin monitoring system 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the memory 126 may be, but not limited to, a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), a Programmable read-only memory (PROM), an Erasable Programmable read only memory (EPROM), an Electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the memory 126 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0037] FIG. 1C illustrates the dustbin monitoring system 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The dustbin monitoring system 100 comprises the monitoring device 102 that is installed inside the dustbins 128. Further, the dustbin monitoring system 100 comprises the cloud server 104, the user device 106 associated with the user, and the communication network 108. The user may be, but not limited to, the administrator, the waster collector, and so forth, as discussed above. According to embodiments of the present invention, the dustbins 128 may be a container designed to hold garbage and other waste material. Further, the dustbins 128 may be made up of a material, such as, but not limited to, an iron, an aluminum, a wood, a fiberglass, a hardened plastic, a chromed steel, a stainless steel, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the dustbins 128 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention the dustbins 128 may be of different shapes and sizes, such as, but not limited to, a cuboid, a cube, a cylindrical, a hexagonal, a square, a rectangular, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any of the shape and the size for the dustbins 128 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the monitoring device 102 may be installed on the lid (not shown) of the dustbins 128 such that the sensors 120 face downwards towards the garbage filled inside the dustbins 128. In another embodiment of the present invention, the monitoring device 102 may be installed near the opening of the dustbins 128 such that the sensors 120 face downwards towards the garbage filled inside the dustbins 128. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the monitoring device 102 may be installed at a base of the dustbins 128.
[0039] Further, the sensors 120 may be configured to sense signals representing the level of the garbage inside the dustbins 128. The sensed signal from the sensors 120 may be processed by the controller 122 to determine a percentage of the garbage inside the dustbins 128. In an embodiment of the present invention, the garbage monitoring application 118 installed on the user device 106 may be configured to display a percentage of the garbage inside the dustbins 128 in real-time as shown in the FIG. 1C.
[0040] FIG. 1D illustrates component of the controller 122 of the monitoring device 102, according to embodiments of the present invention. The controller 122 may comprise a sensor configuration module 130, a data collection module 132, a data processing module 134, a notification module 136, and a communication module 138, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0041] According to embodiments of the present invention, a switch (not shown) of the monitoring device 102 may be configured to generate an activation signal when the user of the monitoring device 102 activates the switch. The activation signal may activate the sensors configuration module 130. The sensors configuration module 130 may be configured to activate the sensors 120 and the location detector 124 of the monitoring device 102. The sensors 120 may be configured to sense signals representing a level of garbage inside the dustbins 128. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor configuration module 130 may be further configured to receive a real-time geographical location of the dustbins 128 through the location detector 124 of the monitoring device 102. Further, the sensors configuration module 130 may be configured to transmit the received sensed signals from the sensors 120 and the received real-time geographical location of the dustbins 128 to the data collection module 132, in an embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, the sensors configuration module 130 may be configured to transmit the received real-time geographical location of the dustbins 128 to the cloud server 104 using the communication module 138 over the communication network 108, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] According to embodiments of the present invention, the data collection module 132 may be configured to receive the sensed signals and the received real-time geographical location of the dustbins 128 from the sensors configuration module 130. Further, the data collection module 132 may be configured to store the received sensed signals and the received real-time geographical location of the dustbins 128 onto the memory 126 of the monitoring device 102. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the data collection module 132 may be further configured to transmit the received sensed signals and the received real-time geographical location of the dustbins 128 to the data processing module 134.
[0043] The data processing module 134 may be configured to process the received sensed signals by the sensors 120 to determine the level of the garbage inside the dustbins 128. In an embodiment of the present invention, the memory 126 of the monitoring device 102 may store a predefined maximum capacity of each of the dustbins 128. In an exemplary scenario, if the determined level of the garbage inside the dustbins 128 is “X” and the predefined maximum capacity of the dustbins 128 is “Y”, then the data processing module 134 may be configured to determine the percentage of the garbage inside the dustbins 128 by using an equation such as, (X/Y)*100. Further, the data processing module 134 may be configured to determine the percentage of the garbage inside the dustbins 128 at a predefined time interval. According to embodiments of the present invention, the predefined time interval may be, but not limited to, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any of the predefined time interval. Furthermore, the data processing module 134 may be configured to transmit the determined percentage of the garbage inside the dustbins 128 at the predefined time interval to the waste management platform 110 of the cloud server 104 using the communication module 138 over the communication network 108. The waste management platform 110 may be configured to display the determined percentage of the dustbins 128 using the garbage monitoring application 118 on the user device 106.
[0044] In an exemplary scenario, if the data processing module 134 determines that the determined percentage of the garbage inside the dustbins 128 is greater than or equal to a predefined threshold percentage stored in the memory 126, then the data processing module 134 may be configured to generate an alert notification. The predefined threshold percentage may be, but not limited to, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, and so forth. Further, the alert notification may comprise the determined percentage of the garbage inside the dustbins 128 and the real-time geographical location of the dustbins 128, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In another exemplary scenario, if the data processing module 134 determines that the determined percentage of the garbage inside the dustbins 128 is less than the predefined threshold percentage, then the data processing module 134 may be configured to continue receiving sensed signals from the sensor configuration module 130. Further, the data processing module 134 may be configured to transmit the generated alert notification to the notification module 136, in an embodiment of the preset invention.
[0045] The notification module 136 may be configured to receive the generated alert notification from the data processing module 134. Further, the notification module 136 may be configured to transmit the generated alert notification to the user device 106 of the user using the communication module 138 over the communication network 108.
[0046] FIG. 1E illustrates components of the waste management platform 110 of the dustbin monitoring system 100, according to embodiments of the present invention. The waste management platform 110 may comprise a registration module 140, an attendance module 142, a complaint generation module 144, and a dustbin search module 146.
[0047] The registration module 140 may be configured to enable the user to register into the dustbin monitoring system 100 through the garbage monitoring application 118 installed on the user device 106. In an embodiment of the present invention, if the user activates the garbage monitoring application 118, then the registration module 140 may be configured to display a login portal 200 (as shown in FIG. 2A) through the user interface 114 of the user device 106. The user may be, but not limited to, the resident, the administrator, a supervisor, the waste collector, and so forth. In an embodiment of the present invention, if the user activates a new user tab 208, then the registration module 140 may be configured to enable the user to register into the dustbin monitoring system 100 using registration data such as, but not limited to, a name, an address, a mobile number, a user identifier (ID), a password, a user type, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of registration data that may be required for user registration. Further, the registration module 140 may be configured to store the registration data received during the registration of the user onto the database 112. In an embodiment of the present invention, the registration module 140 may be further configured to enable the user to login into the dustbin monitoring system 100 through the login portal 200 by providing the user ID through a user ID tab 202 and the password through a password tab 204. In an exemplary scenario, if the user is registered as the waste collector, then the registration module 140 may be configured to redirect the user to a worker menu 210 (as shown in FIG. 2B) if the user activates the login tab 206. In an exemplary scenario, if the user is registered as the resident, then the registration module 140 may be configured to redirect the user to a user menu 218 (as shown in FIG. 2C) when the user activates the login tab 206.
[0048] According to embodiments of the present invention, the attendance module 142 may be configured to enable the waste collector to submit attendance data by entering an In-time using an In-time tab 212 and an out-time using an Out-time tab 214. Further, the attendance module 142 may be configured to store the received attendance data onto the database 112 when the waste collector activates the submit attendance tab 216 of the worker menu 210. In an embodiment of the present invention, the attendance data may be collected on a daily basis using the garbage monitoring application 118 installed on the user device 106 of the user, i.e., the waste collector. Further, the daily attendance data of the waste collector may be stored in the database 112 in a form of, but not limited to, a weekly report, a fortnight report, a monthly report, and so forth. Furthermore, the attendance data may be accessible by the administrator of the cloud server 104 for monitoring a progress of the waste collector.
[0049] Further, the complaint generation module 144 may be configured to enable the user, i.e., the resident, to report a complaint through the user menu 218, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the complaint generation module 144 may be configured to enable the resident to generate the complaint using a complaint tab 220 and further submitting the compliant by clicking on a submit compliant tab 222. The complaint may include data, such as, but not limited to, a geographical location of the dustbins 128, a type of the complaint, images and/or videos, a summary of the complaint, and so forth. The complaint generation module 144 may be further configured to generate a complaint identification number and an estimated resolution time for the generated complaint, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the complaint generation module 144 may be configured to store the generated complaint identification number and the generated estimated resolution time for the generated complaint onto the database 112.
[0050] According to embodiments of the present invention, the dustbin search module 146 may be configured to enable the user, i.e., the resident, to locate the dustbins 128 based on the geographical location of the dustbins 128 through the user menu 218. The dustbin search module 146 may be configured to enable the resident to locate the dustbins 128 at a nearest location by activating a locate a bin tab 224 of the user menu 218. In an embodiment of the present invention, the dustbin search module 146 may be configured to communicate with the location detector 124 of the monitoring device 102 over the communication network 108 to display a geographical location of the dustbins 128 near a location of the resident.
[0051] FIG. 2A illustrates the login portal 200 of the garbage monitoring application 118, according to embodiments of the present invention. The login portal 200 comprises the user ID tab 202, the password tab 204, the login tab 206, and the new user tab 208, as discussed above.
[0052] FIG. 2B illustrates the worker menu 210 of the garbage monitoring application 118, according to embodiments of the present invention. The worker menu 210 comprises the in-time tab 212, the out-time tab 214, and the submit attendance tab 216, as discussed above.
[0053] FIG. 2C illustrates the user menu 218 of the garbage monitoring application 118, according to embodiments of the present invention. The user menu 218 comprises the complaint tab 220, the submit compliant tab 222, and the locate a bin tab 224, as discussed above.
[0054] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method 300 for monitoring a level of garbage in the dustbins 128 by using the dustbin monitoring system 100, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0055] At step 302, the dustbin monitoring system 100 may receive sensed signals representing a level of garbage inside each of the dustbins 128. As discussed above, the dustbin monitoring system 100 may receive the sensed signals from the sensors 120 of the monitoring device 102 installed at the dustbins 128.
[0056] At step 304, the dustbin monitoring system 100 may determine a percentage of the garbage inside each of the dustbins 128 based on the received sensed signal.
[0057] Next, at step 306, the dustbin monitoring system 100 may compare the determined percentage of the garbage inside each of the dustbins 128 with a predefined threshold percentage stored in the memory 126.
[0058] At step 308, if the dustbin monitoring system 100 determines that the determined percentage of the garbage inside each of the dustbins 128 is greater than or equal to the predefined threshold percentage, then the method 300 may proceed to a step 310, otherwise the method 300 may return to the step 302 and continue to receive the signals from the sensors 120.
[0059] At the step 310, the dustbin monitoring system 100 may generate an alert notification. The alert notification may comprise the determined percentage of the garbage inside the dustbins 128 and/or the real-time geographical location of the dustbins 128.
[0060] At step 312, the generated alert notification may be transmitted to the user device 106 of the administrator of the cloud server 104 and/or the waste collector.
[0061] Embodiments of the invention are described above with reference to block diagrams and schematic illustrations of methods and systems according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the diagrams and combinations of blocks in the diagrams can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto one or more general purpose computers, special purpose computers, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce machines, such that the instructions which execute on the computers or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the block or blocks. Such computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the function specified in the block or blocks.
[0062] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0063] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.