US 11,983,681 B2
Systems and methods of monitoring a characteristic of a waste container operation via a sensor node co-located with a waste container
Drew Hardee, Clayton, NC (US); and Edward Roney, IV, Clayton, NC (US)
Filed by Drew Hardee, Clayton, NC (US); and Edward Roney, IV, Clayton, NC (US)
Filed on Jun. 28, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/360,989.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/044,640, filed on Jun. 26, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0164778 A1, May 26, 2022
Int. Cl. G06Q 10/30 (2023.01); B65F 1/14 (2006.01)
CPC G06Q 10/30 (2013.01) [B65F 1/14 (2013.01); B65F 2210/128 (2013.01); B65F 2210/168 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method performed by a first network node that is operable to monitor a characteristic of a waste container operation via a sensor node co-located with a waste container, comprising:
receiving, by the first network node, from the sensor node, an image representing a perspective view of an interior of the container, the first network node being operable to estimate an available capacity of the container to hold waste based on that image so that a second network node is operable to schedule a task associated with the available capacity of the container, with the image being obtained by an optical sensor operationally coupled to the sensor node, the sensor being disposed on one end of an extendable arm of the sensor node, with the sensor node being operable to control the extendable arm so that the sensor can be extended by the extendable arm to obtain an overhead perspective view of the interior of the container with a downwards viewing angle towards an opposite side or corner of the container.