Systems and methods for recycling consumer electronic devices
AssigneeecoATM, LLC
InventorMark Vincent Bowles
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and associated methods for recycling and performing other processes with consumer electronic devices are described herein. In various embodiments, the present technology includes systems and methods for identifying and evaluating a used or pre-owned consumer electronic device, such as a mobile phone, laptop, etc. to facilitate purchasing the device. In some embodiments, the present technology includes a counter-top evaluation terminal that evaluates a device and facilitates purchase and recycling of the device. Various other aspects of the present technology are described herein.
Claims16
A system for recycling electronic devices, the system comprising:
- an evaluation terminal, wherein the evaluation terminal includes:
- a user interface configured to receive user input associated with an electronic device;
- and
- a first processor in communication with the user interface, the first processor configured to:
- interact with the electronic device via a wired electrical connector and/or a wireless transceiver;
- facilitate determining a compensation value for the electronic device, wherein the compensation value is based at least in part on the interaction with the electronic device;
- and
- associate the electronic device with a unique identifier;
- a cashier terminal, wherein the cashier terminal includes a second processor configured to:
- receive the unique identifier;
- and
- at least partially identify the electronic device based on the unique identifier;
- and
- a secure storage area configured to receive the electronic device after verification by the second processor, wherein the secure storage area includes a third processor configured to:
- receive the unique identifier;
- and
- based at least in part on the unique identifier, record receipt of the electronic device into the secure storage area,
- wherein the third processor is further configured to send information related to the electronic device to an inventory database, wherein the information is based at least in part on the unique identifier, wherein the secure storage area is configured to hold a plurality of electronic devices, wherein the inventory database is configured to include the number of electronic devices held in the secure storage area at a given time, and wherein pick-up of the plurality of electronic devices from the secure storage area is scheduled based on the number of electronic devices held in the secure storage area at a given time.
A method for recycling electronic devices, the method comprising:
- at an evaluation terminal:
- interacting with an electronic device of a user via a wired electrical connector and/or a wireless transceiver;
- determining a compensation value for the electronic device, wherein the compensation value is based at least in part on the interaction with the electronic device;
- and
- associating the electronic device with a unique identifier;
- at a cashier terminal:
- receiving the unique identifier;
- and
- based at least in part on the unique identifier, providing the compensation value to the user;
- and
- at a secure storage area:
- receiving the unique identifier;
- based at least in part on the unique identifier, recording receipt of the electronic device into the secure storage area;
- and
- sending information related to the electronic device to an inventory database, wherein the secure storage area is configured to hold a plurality of electronic devices, wherein the inventory database is configured to include the number of electronic devices held in the secure storage area at a given time, and wherein pick-up of the plurality of electronic devices from the secure storage area is scheduled based on the number of electronic devices held in the secure storage area at a given time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.