Customer tool for remote management of waste services

Abstract

A tool is disclosed for use in managing waste services. The tool may have an interface configured to receive input from a user indicative of an on-demand service request. The tool may also have a communication device, and a controller in electronic communication with the interface and the communication device. The controller may be configured to transmit a waste management command to a remote service provider via the communication device based on the input.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system for managing waste removal services, comprising:
 a controller in communication with a user device connected to a waste receptacle, the controller being configured to:   receive an on-demand service request from the user device;   verify an identification signal using an anti-tampering protocol associated with the on-demand service request;   transmit the on-demand service request to a remote service provider to service the waste receptacle associated with the user device.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the on-demand service request includes at least one of a command to pick up waste, a cancellation request, and a request for a status update regarding a previous command. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the controller is configured to generate the on-demand service request based on at least one of an actuation time associated with receipt of an input on the user device, the input having a predefined pattern or sequence. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , further including a status indicator, wherein the controller is configured to selectively activate the status indicator to confirm receipt of a request for waste pickup, to confirm a cancellation request, or to provide a status update of a pending waste pickup. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , further including a control device configured to provide an identification characteristic, wherein the controller is further configured to regulate use of an interface of the user device based on the identification characteristic. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the control device is configured to transmit signals to the controller from a location remote from the controller that are indicative of input. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , further including a charging base, wherein the user device is removably connectable to the charging base. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21 , further including a locator configured to generate a signal indicative of a location of the waste receptacle, wherein the controller is further configured to associate the location with a waste management command. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 track movement of the waste receptacle via the locator; and   automatically generate the waste management command based on the movement.   
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 21 , further including a sensor configured to generate signals indicative a waste receptacle parameter, wherein the controller is configured to associate the waste receptacle parameter with a waste management command. 
     
     
         31 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer-executable programming instructions for performing a method for autonomous receptacle transportation, the method comprising:
 receiving an on-demand service request from a user device connected to a waste receptacle;   verifying an identification signal using an anti-tampering protocol associated with the on-demand service request; and   transmitting the on-demand service request to a remote service provider to service the waste receptacle associated with the user device.   
     
     
         32 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 31 , wherein:
 the user device is mounted on or adjacent the waste receptacle; and   the non-transitory computer-readable medium is located remote from the waste receptacle.   
     
     
         33 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 31 , wherein the on-demand service request is associated with a request to pick up waste from the waste receptacle, to cancel a previous request for waste pickup, or to provide a status update of a pending waste pickup request. 
     
     
         34 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 31 , wherein the waste receptacle includes a status indicator configured to activate in association with the on-demand service request based on information received from the non-transitory computer-readable medium. 
     
     
         35 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 31 , further including a control device configured to provide an identification characteristic, wherein the controller is further configured to regulate use of an interface of the user device based on the identification characteristic. 
     
     
         36 . A method of managing waste services, comprising:
 receiving, by a controller, an on-demand service request from a user device connected to a waste receptacle;   verifying an identification signal using an anti-tampering protocol associated with the on-demand service request;   transmitting the on-demand service request to a remote service provider to service the waste receptacle associated with the user device.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the on-demand service request is associated with a request to pick up waste from the waste receptacle, to cancel a previous request for waste pickup, or to provide a status update of a pending waste pickup request. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the controller is configured to generate the on-demand service request based on at least one of an actuation time associated with receipt of an input on the user device, the input having a predefined pattern or sequence. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the waste receptacle includes a charging base, wherein the user device is removably connectable to the charging base. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36 , further including:
 providing a visual status indication regarding completion of the on-demand service request;   detecting a location of the waste receptacle using a location device;   sensing a parameter of the waste receptacle; and   dispatching a vehicle to service the waste receptacle based on the location and the parameter.