Patent Application
20180274967
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to systems and methods for detecting, verifying, and confirming declared contents of a vehicle.
Vehicle operators often dump unwanted articles in landfills. For example, operators of trucks often dump contents carried within a truck (such as within a dumping container, trailer, chamber, or the like) into a landfill. Landfill operators charge different rates for different types of discarded contents. For example, a landfill operator may charge a low (or no) fee for one type of contents, such as dirt. However, the landfill operator may charge an increased or high fee for another type of contents, such as used tires.
As can be appreciated, in order to determine the fee amount, the landfill operator first determines the actual contents of the material that is to be discarded into the landfill. In order to avoid fees (or reduce fees), unscrupulous individuals may not provide forthright details about the contents that are to be discarded from a vehicle. As such, a landfill operator often physically inspects the contents of the vehicle in order to verify the precise nature of the contents. To do so, the contents to be discarded are often first unloaded for manual inspection. As can be appreciated, manual inspection of contents of a vehicle may be labor and time intensive.
In general, known methods of inspecting contents are typically incapable of quickly, efficiently, and accurately verifying the actual contents of a vehicle.
A need exists for a system and method of accurately determining types of contents with respect to declarations. A need exists for a system and method of accurately determined types of contents to be dumped within a landfill, for example. A need exists for a system and method of verifying the nature of declared contents of a vehicle.
With those needs in mind, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system for verifying contents of a vehicle. The system includes a weigh scale that is configured to weigh the vehicle and output a weight signal indicative of a weight of the vehicle. A scanner is configured to scan the contents of at least a portion of the vehicle and output a volume signal indicative of a volume of the contents. A verification system includes a verification control unit that is configured to receive the weight signal and the volume signal, and verify a contents declaration based on the weight signal and the volume signal.
The weigh scale may include a weighbridge. The scanner may include one of an ultrasonic scanner, an infrared scanner, a laser scanner, or other such optical scanners.
A support may be coupled to the scanner. The support suspends the scanner over an inspection space into which the contents are positioned.
In at least one embodiment, the verification control unit is configured to determine an actual weight of the contents based on the weight signal and a known weight of the vehicle. In at least one embodiment, the verification control unit is also configured to determine an actual volume of the contents based on the volume signal.
The verification control unit may be configured to determine an actual density of the contents based on an actual weight of the contents and an actual volume of the contents. The verification control unit may be configured to compare an actual density of the contents with a known density of declared contents to determine an accuracy of the contents declaration.
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for verifying contents of a vehicle. The method includes weighing the vehicle with a weigh scale, outputting (from the weigh scale) a weight signal indicative of a weight of the vehicle, scanning the contents of at least a portion of the vehicle with a scanner, outputting (from the scanner) a volume signal indicative of a volume of the contents, receiving the weight signal and the volume signal with a verification control unit of a verification system, and verifying (by the verification control unit) a contents declaration based on the weight signal and the volume signal.
Before the embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for detecting a fraudulent declaration of content disclosure, such as may be provided at a landfill. A vehicle operator may declare that contents in a payload area are a particular type (such as soil). For such contents, a landfill operator may not charge a fee. However, there may be a charge if the contents are of a different nature, such as used tires. In order to confirm the contents of a vehicle, embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods of verifying that the stated contents are, in fact, the actual contents.
The system 100 includes a weigh scale, such as a weighbridge 108, which is configured to weigh the vehicle 102 hauling the contents 101 that are to be unloaded. The vehicle 102 is moved (such as by being driven) onto the weighbridge 108, where the vehicle 102 is weighed. The system 100 also includes a scanner 110 that may be mounted on a support 112. The scanner 110 may be an ultrasonic scanner, an infrared scanner, a laser scanner, and/or the like that is configured to detect a volume of the contents 101 within the retaining structure 106.
The system 100 also includes a verification system 114 that includes a verification control unit 116 coupled to a memory 118. The verification control unit 116 is also coupled to a communication device 122, such as a transceiver, radio, one or more wired or wireless connections, and/or the like. The verification control unit 116 is in communication with the weighbridge 108 and the scanner 110 through the communication device 122, and/or through one or more wired or wireless connections. The system 100 may also include a display 120, such as a monitor, screen, panel, and/or the like. The verification system 114 may be, include, or be part of a personal computer, a laptop computer, a handheld device (such as a smart phone), and/or the like.
One or both of the first and second portions 124 and 126 of the support 112 may be configured to articulate or otherwise move in order to selectively move the scanner 110 between an inspection position over the inspection space 124, and a removed position, in which the scanner 110 is not over the inspection space 124. In at least one other embodiment, the first and second portions 124 and 126 are fixed in position to maintain the scanner 110 over the inspection space 124. The support 112 may include more or less portions than the first and second portions 124 and 126. For example, the support 112 may be or include a single arched support beam. In at least one other embodiment, the support 112 may include multiple beams, struts, ribs, and/or the like that may form a scaffold, a boom, platform, and/or the like.
Referring to
Next, an operator of the vehicle 102 declares the nature of the contents 101. That is, the operator of the vehicle 102 provides a contents declaration. The contents declaration may be input into the verification control unit 116, such as through an input device (for example, a keyboard, a touchscreen on the display 120, and/or the like). Based on the weight and volume (as determined by the verification control unit 116 through analysis of the signals received from the weighbridge 108 and the scanner 110), the verification control unit 116 compares the contents declaration with known contents data stored in the memory 118 that is correlated with a known quantity of the contents. For example, the verification control unit 116 accesses the memory 118 to analyze stored weights and volumes of the type of contents being declared. The verification control unit 116 then compares the declaration with the stored information to determine whether the declaration is accurate.
The weight of product being carried may be determined on the weighbridge 108 by subtracting a tare weight (empty weight) of the vehicle 102 from a gross weight (vehicle weight plus contents weight). Volume may be used to determine the weight of the contents 101 being carried. The volume may be estimated using the scanner 110 above the open top of the retaining structure 106 of the vehicle 102. Depending on the average height of the contents 101 within the retaining structure 106, and with knowledge of the profile of the empty vehicle 102 (for example, data regarding the profile of the empty vehicle 102 may be stored in the memory 118 of the verification system 114), the verification control unit 116 is able to determine the volume of the contents 101. The verification control unit 116 may determine the weight of the contents 101 by estimating the average density of the contents 101 being carried and multiplying the density by the volume.
As noted, the verification control unit 116 determines actual attributes of the contents 101. The actual attributes include the actual weight, volume, and density of the contents 101. The weight and volume of the contents are determined through signals received from the weighbridge 108 and the scanner 110. Through knowledge of the weight (as detected by the weighbridge 108) and the volume of the contents (as detected by the scanner 110), the verification control unit 116 is able to determine the density of the contents 101. In particular, density equals weight divided by volume. Thus, the verification control unit 116 divides the weight of the contents 101 by the volume of the contents 101 to determine the density of the contents 101.
The verification control unit 116 compares the declaration of the contents 101 (that is, the contents declaration) with the actual attributes (such as the weight, volume, and density) of the contents 101 to generate a verification determination, which either confirms the contents declaration, or rejects the contents declaration. The verification control unit 116 checks the integrity of the declaration of the contents 101, such as by comparing the contents declaration (which, may be input into the verification control unit 116) with the weight of the vehicle 102 and/or the contents 101, as determined through one or more weight signals received from the weighbridge, and the volume of the contents 101, as determined through one or more volume signals received from the scanner 110. The verification control unit 116 may compare the computed density of the contents 101 with a density of contents from the declaration.
The verification control unit 116 may display results of the contents verification on the display 120. For example, if the declaration matches the actual contents as determined by the verification control unit 116, the verification control unit 116 may display a message on the display 120 that confirms the declaration. If, however, the declaration does not match the actual contents as determined by the verification control unit 116, the verification control unit 116 may display a message on the display 120 that rejects the declaration. In at least one other embodiment, the verification system 114 may include one or more speakers, and the verification control unit 116 may cause audio signals to be emitted through the speakers regarding the verification determination. In at least one embodiment, the verification system 114 may not include the display 120.
In at least one embodiment, the verification control unit 116 utilizes or otherwise includes trending software (which may be stored in the memory 118, for example) that is used to compare previously declared data, volumes, and weights of a vehicle (such as previous measurements), with new declared data (such as a new or current declaration), and assesses the probability of incorrect data in the new transaction data. The system 100 includes the combination of the weighbridge 108 (or other such weigh scale), the scanner 110, and the verification control unit 116 to determine the accuracy of a particular declaration of the contents 101. As such, the system 100 may be used at landfills, where a charged price for depositing the contents 101 may be determined by the weight and type of contents 101 being deposited.
The systems and methods of the present disclosure are non-intrusive. For example, the contents 101 do not need to be emptied to verify their nature. In at least one embodiment, the verification control unit 116 monitors a profile of the variation of densities of each product, and determines a probability that the stated contents are the actual contents. Embodiments of the present disclosure reduce a number of fraudulent declarations at a landfill, for example.
As described above, the verification control unit 116 may be used to control operation of the system 100. As used herein, the term “control unit,” “unit,” “central processing unit,” “CPU,” “computer,” or the like may include any processor-based or microprocessor-based system including systems using microcontrollers, reduced instruction set computers (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processor (DSP), logic circuits, and any other circuit or processor including hardware, software, or a combination thereof capable of executing the functions described herein. Such are exemplary only, and are thus not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of such terms. For example, the verification control unit 116 may be or include one or more processors that are configured to control operation of the system 100.
The verification control unit 116 is configured to execute a set of instructions that are stored in one or more storage elements (such as one or more memories), in order to process data. For example, the control unit 116 may include or be coupled to one or more memories. The storage elements may also store data or other information as desired or needed. The storage elements may be in the form of an information source or a physical memory element within a processing machine.
The set of instructions may include various commands that instruct the verification control unit 116 as a processing machine to perform specific operations such as the methods and processes of the various embodiments of the subject matter described herein. The set of instructions may be in the form of a software program. The software may be in various forms such as system software or application software. Further, the software may be in the form of a collection of separate programs, a program subset within a larger program or a portion of a program. The software may also include modular programming in the form of object-oriented programming. The processing of input data by the processing machine may be in response to user commands, or in response to results of previous processing, or in response to a request made by another processing machine.
The diagrams of embodiments herein illustrate one or more control or processing units, such as the verification control unit 116. It is to be understood that the processing or control units may represent circuits, circuitry, or portions thereof that may be implemented as hardware with associated instructions (e.g., software stored on a tangible and non-transitory computer readable storage medium, such as a computer hard drive, ROM, RAM, or the like) that perform the operations described herein. The hardware may include state machine circuitry hardwired to perform the functions described herein. Optionally, the hardware may include electronic circuits that include and/or are connected to one or more logic-based devices, such as microprocessors, processors, controllers, or the like. Optionally, the verification control unit 116 may represent processing circuitry such as one or more of a field programmable gate array (FPGA), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), microprocessor(s), and/or the like. The circuits in various embodiments may be configured to execute one or more algorithms to perform functions described herein. The one or more algorithms may include aspects of embodiments disclosed herein, whether or not expressly identified in a flowchart or a method.
As used herein, the terms “software” and “firmware” are interchangeable, and include any computer program stored in memory for execution by a computer, including RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The above memory types are exemplary only, and are thus not limiting as to the types of memory usable for storage of a computer program.
Referring to
At 202, the verification control unit 116 receives a weight signal (indicative of the actual weight) of the vehicle 102 carrying the contents from a weigh scale, such as the weighbridge 108. The verification control unit 116 may store the weight signal, such as within a portion of the memory 118 (such as a short term portion of the memory 118).
At 204, the verification control unit 116 receives a volume signal (indicative of the actual volume) of the contents 101 from the scanner 110. The verification control unit 116 may store the volume signal, such as within a portion of the memory 118 (such as a short term portion of the memory 118).
The steps 200, 202, and 204 may occur at or about the same time. In at least one other embodiment, the step 200 may occur before the steps 202 and/or 204. In at least one other embodiment, the steps 202 and/or 204 may occur before the step 200. In at least one other embodiment, the step 202 may occur before or after the step 204.
After the weight signal is received at 202, the verification control unit 116 determines, at 206, the actual weight of the contents 101 based on the received weight signal and the known weight of the vehicle 102. The known weight of the vehicle 102 may be stored in the memory 118, for example. In at least one embodiment, the known weight may be empty weight of the vehicle (that is, the weight of the vehicle without contents). At 208, the verification control unit 116 determines an actual volume of the contents 101 based on the received volume signal.
Next, at 210, the verification control unit 116 determines an actual density of the contents from the determined actual weight and the determined actual volume of the contents 101. After the actual density of the contents is determined at 210, the verification control unit 116 then compares the actual density of the contents with a known density of the declared contents at 212. For example, a known density of various types of materials may be stored within the memory 118, and/or input into the verification control unit 116.
At 214, the verification control unit 116 determines if the actual density of the contents 101 matches the known density of the declared contents. If the actual density does not match the known density at 214, the verification control unit outputs a declaration rejection at 216. If, however, the actual density does match the known density at 214, the verification control unit outputs a declaration confirmation at 218.
Referring to
While various spatial and directional terms, such as top, bottom, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, front and the like may be used to describe embodiments of the present disclosure, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.
Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present disclosure. It is understood that the embodiments disclosed and defined herein extend to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the disclosure and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
To the extent used in the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, to the extent used in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
Various features of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.
This application relates to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/235,661 entitled “Contents Declaration Confirmation System and Method,” filed Oct. 1, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2016/047133 | 8/16/2016 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62235661 | Oct 2015 | US |
