Networked waste processing apparatus
View Patent ↗The present invention is related to methods and systems for waste disposal. In one embodiment, a waste pickup apparatus comprises a network interface configured to communicate with a networked waste disposal unit associated with a first user, a data store containing user rules, processor executable instructions configured to read a user-specified waste pickup rule for a first user from the data store, determine if the user-specified waste pickup rule is satisfied based at least in part on the status information, if the user-specified waste pickup rule is not satisfied, to again determine if the user-specified waste pickup rule is satisfied when a predetermined period has elapsed, and if the user-specified waste pickup rule is satisfied, cause a waste pickup entity to pickup the waste, wherein the waste pickup entity is selected based at least in part on a preference of the first user stored in computer readable memory.
1. A waste management apparatus, comprising:
a network interface configured to receive information over a network;
program code stored in computer readable memory configured to:
receive from a user processor-based system over the network information related to the contents of a waste disposal unit associated with a user;
cause at least a portion of the content information to be provided to a plurality of waste processing entities;
receive bids to pickup waste from at least a portion of the plurality of waste processing entities; and
select a waste processing entity to pickup the waste based at least in part on the bids.
2. The system as defined in claim 1 , further comprising the user processor-based system.
3. The system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the program code is further configured to:
read a user rule specifying when waste is to be picked up; and
determine if the user has issued an override instruction with respect to the user rule.
4. The system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the program code is further configured to:
read a user instruction specifying when waste is to be picked up, wherein the rule specifies a day of the week; and
cause at least in part the waste to be picked up in accordance with the instruction.
5. The system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the program code is further configured to:
read a user instruction specifying when waste is to be picked up, wherein the rule specifies a time period relative to a previous pickup; and
cause at least in part the waste to be picked up in accordance with the instruction.
6. The system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the content information enables a value determination with respect to recyclables included in the corresponding content.
7. The system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the content information enables a cost disposal determination with respect to non-recyclable items included in the corresponding content.
8. Non-transitory computer readable memory that stores program code comprising:
instructions, that when executed by a computing device, are configured to:
receive from a user processor-based system over a network information related to the contents of a waste disposal unit associated with a user;
cause at least a portion of the content information to be provided to a plurality of waste processing entities;
receive bids to pickup waste from at least a portion of the plurality of waste processing entities; and
select a waste processing entity to pickup the waste based at least in part on the bids.
9. The computer readable memory as defined in claim 8 , wherein the program code is further configured to:
read a user rule specifying when waste is to be picked up; and
determine if the user has issued an override instruction with respect to the user rule.
10. The computer readable memory as defined in claim 8 , wherein the program code is further configured to:
read a user instruction specifying when waste is to be picked up, wherein the rule specifies a day of the week; and
cause at least in part the waste to be picked up in accordance with the instruction.
11. The computer readable memory as defined in claim 8 , wherein the program code is further configured to:
read a user instruction specifying when waste is to be picked up, wherein the rule specifies a time period relative to a previous pickup; and
cause at least in part the waste to be picked up in accordance with the instruction.
12. The system as defined in claim 8 , wherein the content information enables a value determination with respect to recyclables included in the corresponding content.
13. The system as defined in claim 8 , wherein the content information enables a cost disposal determination with respect to non-recyclable items included in the corresponding content.
14. A method, comprising:
receiving from a user processor-based system over a network information related to the contents of a waste disposal unit associated with a user;
causing at least a portion of the content information to be provided to a plurality of waste processing entities;
receiving bids to pickup waste from at least a portion of the plurality of waste processing entities; and
selecting a waste processing entity to pickup the waste based at least in part on the bids.
15. The method as defined in claim 14 , the method further comprising:
reading a user rule specifying when waste is to be picked up; and
determining if the user has issued an override instruction with respect to the user rule.
16. The method as defined in claim 14 , the method further comprising:
reading a user instruction specifying when waste is to be picked up, wherein the rule specifies a day of the week; and
causing at least in part the waste to be picked up in accordance with the instruction.
17. The method as defined in claim 14 , the method further comprising:
reading a user instruction specifying when waste is to be picked up, wherein the rule specifies a time period relative to a previous pickup; and
causing at least in part the waste to be picked up in accordance with the instruction.
18. The method as defined in claim 14 , wherein the content information enables a value determination with respect to recyclables included in the corresponding content.
19. The method as defined in claim 14 , wherein the content information enables a cost disposal determination with respect to non-recyclable items included in the corresponding content.