Waste chute devices and methods for using the same

Abstract

Waste chute devices and methods for using the same are provided. In some embodiments, a method for operating waste chutes comprises: receiving, using a hardware processor of a waste chute device, an identity associated with a user of the waste chute device; in response to receiving the identity associated with the user, allowing, using the hardware processor, a door of the waste chute device to be opened; determining, using the hardware processor, a number of items and at least one type associated with the items that have been placed in an opening of the waste chute device; determining, using the hardware processor, that the door of the waste chute device has been closed; updating, using the hardware processor, information associated with the user based on the number of items and the at least one type of items that have been placed in the opening of the waste chute device; and providing, using the hardware processor, the user with the updated information.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A waste chute device, comprising:
 a chute door on a housing of the waste chute device that, when opened, provides an opening that is connected to a waste chute; and   a hardware processor connected to the computing device, wherein the hardware processor is configured to:
 determine account information associated with a user of the waste chute device; 
 in response to determining the user account associated with the user, allow the chute door of the waste chute device to be opened upon confirming an identity of a user; 
 receive, from a sensor, sensor data associated with one or more items that have been placed in the waste chute device; 
 determine a type associated with an item that has been placed in the waste chute based on the received data; and 
 update the account information based on the determined type associated with the item that has been placed in the waste chute. 
   
     
     
         3 . The waste chute device of  claim 2 , further comprising an electronic lock that is connected to the hardware processor, wherein the hardware processor is further configured to transmit an instruction to the electronic lock to unlock the chute door of the waste chute device in response to receiving the identity associated with the user. 
     
     
         4 . The waste chute device of  claim 2 , wherein the updated information presented on the display of the computing device includes fee information for disposing the items placed in the opening of the waste chute device. 
     
     
         5 . The waste chute device of  claim 2 , wherein the account information associated the user includes an identifier corresponding to a dwelling of the user. 
     
     
         6 . The waste chute device of  claim 2 , wherein the hardware processor is further configured to associate with a mobile device of the user, wherein the account information associated with the user is determined based on the association with the mobile device. 
     
     
         7 . The waste chute device of  claim 2 , further comprising a scale connected to the hardware processor, wherein the hardware processor is further configured to:
 receive, from the scale, weight data associated with the items that have been placed in the waste chute device; and   determine whether the weight data corresponds to the number of items placed in the waste chute.   
     
     
         8 . The waste chute device of  claim 2 , further comprising a display device associated with the waste chute device, and wherein the hardware processor is further configured to determine a number of the plurality of items placed in the waste chute device by (i) receiving a user selection of a number of items via a user interface presented on the display device and (ii) comparing the number of items received via the user interface with the number of items determined from the sensor data. 
     
     
         9 . The waste chute device of  claim 2 , wherein the hardware processor is further configured to:
 determine that a plurality of items have been placed in an opening of the waste chute device by the user;   determine a type associated with each of the plurality of items that have been placed in the waste chute based on the received image; and   sort each of the plurality of items into one of a plurality of containers based on the determined type associated with each of the plurality of items that have been placed in the waste chute   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the hardware processor is further configured to determine that an item of the plurality of items placed in the waste chute device is not to be accepted by the waste chute device based on the type associated with the item. 
     
     
         11 . A method for operating waste chutes is provided, the method comprising:
 receiving, at a hardware processor, account information associated with a user of a waste chute device;   in response to receiving the user account associated with the user, allowing a door assembly of the waste chute device to be opened;   receiving, from a sensor, sensor data associated with one or more items that have been placed in the waste chute device;   determining a type associated with an item that has been placed in the waste chute based on the received data; and   updating the account information based on the determined type associated with the item that has been placed in the waste chute.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein allowing the door of the waste chute device to be opened comprises transmitting an instruction to an actuator that is connected to the hardware processor of the waste chute device, wherein the instruction causes the actuator to automatically open the door of the waste chute device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein allowing the door of the waste chute device to be opened comprises transmitting an instruction to an electronic lock that is connected to the hardware processor of the waste chute device, wherein the instruction causes the electronic lock to unlock the door of the waste chute device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the updated account information includes fee information for disposing the items placed in the opening of the waste chute device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the account information associated the user includes an identifier corresponding to a dwelling of the user. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising associating with a mobile device of the user, wherein the account information associated with the user is determined based on the association with the mobile device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising determining that the items that have been placed in the waste chute device are not to be accepted based on the at least one type associated with items that have been placed in the waste chute device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 receiving weight data associated with the items that have been placed in the waste chute device via a scale connected to the hardware processor; and   determining whether the weight data corresponds to the number of items placed in the waste chute device.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising determining a number of the plurality of items placed in the waste chute device by (i) receiving a user selection of a number of items via a user interface presented on a display device associated with the waste chute device and (ii) comparing the number of items received via the user interface with the number of items determined from the sensor data. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 determining, using the hardware processor of the waste chute device, that a plurality of items have been placed in an opening of the waste chute device by the user;   determining, using the hardware processor, a type associated with each of the plurality of items that have been placed in the waste chute based on the received image; and   sorting each of the plurality of items into one of a plurality of containers based on the determined type associated with each of the plurality of items that have been placed in the waste chute   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising determining that an item of the plurality of items placed in the waste chute device is not to be accepted by the waste chute device based on the type associated with the item.