US 12,033,454 B2 · Kiosk for evaluating and purchasing used electronic devices

Abstract

Various embodiments of kiosks for purchasing mobile phones and other mobile electronic devices from users are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the kiosks include an apparatus to turn a mobile phone over on an inspection surface. This apparatus can enable the kiosk to visually inspect both the front and back sides of the mobile device on the inspection surface with an inspection system (e.g., imaging devices, lighting devices, etc.) positioned above the inspection surface, and can eliminate the need to position a second inspection system below a transparent inspection surface to visually inspect, e.g., the back side of the mobile device through the transparent inspection surface. In some embodiments, the kiosk also includes a wireless mobile phone charging device that can be used for, e.g., phone charging and identification.

Claims38

Dependent claims

An apparatus for moving an electronic device in a kiosk, the apparatus comprising:

a support surface configured to support the electronic device in a first orientation facing a first direction;
a pusher positioned toward a first side of the support surface, the pusher including a first contact feature;
and
a ramp positioned toward a second side of the support surface, opposite the first side, the ramp including a second contact feature, the ramp further including a proximal end portion positioned proximate the support surface and a distal end portion spaced apart from the support surface;
wherein—
the pusher is operable to contact a first side portion of the electronic device, push the electronic device across the support surface in a second direction toward the ramp, and drive a second side portion of the electronic device against the ramp and upwardly, away from the support surface;
and
the first contact feature is positioned to push against the second contact feature as the pusher moves toward the ramp, thereby causing the ramp to pivot about the proximal end portion of the ramp when the second side portion of the electronic device is positioned against the distal end portion of the ramp, and thereby moving the second side portion of the electronic device in a third direction, opposite the second direction, to rotate the electronic device toward a second orientation in which the electronic device faces a fourth direction, opposite the first direction.

5 more elements

An apparatus for moving an electronic device in a kiosk for purchasing electronic devices, the apparatus comprising:

a support surface configured to support the electronic device in a first orientation facing a first direction, wherein the support surface is movable between an angled position and a horizontal position, wherein the support surface is configured to receive the electronic device when the support surface is in the angled position, and wherein the support surface is further configured to move from the angled position to the horizontal position to place the electronic device in the first orientation;
a movable pusher positioned toward a first side of the support surface;
and
a ramp positioned toward a second side of the support surface, opposite the first side, wherein the pusher is operable to contact a first side portion of the electronic device, push the electronic device across the support surface toward the ramp, and drive a second side portion of the electronic device against the ramp and upwardly into an over-center position from which the electronic device rotates toward a second orientation in which the electronic device faces a second direction, opposite the first direction.

1 more element

A consumer operated kiosk for purchasing an electronic device from a user, the electronic device having a display screen, the kiosk comprising:

a housing;
an inspection area within the housing, wherein the inspection area includes—
an inspection tray configured to support the electronic device in a first position in which the display screen faces a first direction, wherein the inspection tray is movable between an angled position and a horizontal position, wherein the inspection tray is configured to receive the electronic device when the inspection tray is in the angled position, and wherein the inspection tray is further configured to move from the angled position to the horizontal position to place the electronic device in the first position;
a first member positioned on a first side of the inspection tray;
and
a second member positioned on a second side of the inspection tray, opposite the first side;
and
one or more processors operably connected to the first member, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute computer readable instructions to—
cause the first member to move toward the second member and push the electronic device at least partially onto the second member and away from the inspection tray;
and
cause the first member to move away from the second member to facilitate rotation of the electronic device to a second position in which the display screen faces a second direction, opposite the first direction.

8 more elements

A consumer operated kiosk for purchasing an electronic device from a user, the electronic device having a front side that includes a display screen and a back side opposite the front side, the kiosk comprising:

a housing;
an inspection area within the housing, wherein the inspection area includes—
an inspection tray configured to support the electronic device in a first position in which the display screen faces a first direction;
a first member positioned on a first side of the inspection tray, wherein the first member includes a first minor positioned proximate the inspection tray;
and
a second member positioned on a second side of the inspection tray, opposite the first side, wherein the second member includes a second minor positioned proximate the inspection tray;
one or more processors operably connected to the first member, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute computer readable instructions to—
cause the first member to move toward the second member and push the electronic device at least partially onto the second member and away from the inspection tray;
and
cause the first member to move away from the second member to facilitate rotation of the electronic device to a second position in which the display screen faces a second direction, opposite the first direction;
and
one or more cameras operably positioned in the inspection area and above the inspection tray, wherein the one or more cameras are configured to—
obtain an image of the front side of the electronic device when the electronic device is in the first position,
obtain an image of the back side of the electronic device when the electronic device is in the second position,
obtain, via the first minor, an image of a first side surface of the electronic device, and
obtain, via the second mirror, an image of a second side surface of the electronic device, opposite the first side surface.

13 more elements

A method for operating a kiosk, the method comprising:

receiving an electronic device on an inspection tray, wherein the inspection tray is movable between an angled position and a horizontal position, wherein the inspection tray receives the electronic device when the inspection tray is in the angled position;
moving the inspection tray from the angled position to the horizontal position to place the electronic device in an inspection area of the kiosk, wherein the electronic device is supported in a first horizontal orientation in which a display of the electronic device faces a first direction;
moving a first member of a flipping apparatus against a first side portion of the electronic device to push the electronic device toward a second member of the flipping apparatus and drive a second side portion of the electronic device upwardly against the second member, to thereby rotate the electronic device away from the first horizontal orientation and toward a vertical orientation;
and
moving the first member away from the second member to thereby enable further rotation of the electronic device to a second horizontal orientation in which the display faces a second direction, opposite the first direction.

2 more elements

A kiosk for purchasing an electronic device from a user, the electronic device having a front side that includes a display screen and a back side opposite the front side, the kiosk comprising:

a housing;
and
an inspection area within the housing, wherein the inspection area includes—
a support surface configured to receive the electronic device in a first orientation in which the front side faces a first direction relative to the support surface, wherein the support surface is movable between an angled position and a horizontal position, wherein the support surface is configured to receive the electronic device when the support surface is in the angled position, and wherein the support surface is further configured to move from the angled position to the horizontal position to place the electronic device in the inspection area;
one or more cameras operably positioned in the inspection area and above the support surface;
and
a flipping apparatus configured to turn the electronic device over from the first orientation to a second orientation in which the front side faces a second direction, opposite the first direction, relative to the support surface,
wherein the one or more cameras are configured to obtain an image of the electronic device when the electronic device is in the first orientation, and
wherein the one or more cameras are further configured to obtain an image of the electronic device when the electronic device is in the second orientation.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Kiosk for evaluating and purchasing used electronic devices

Life of this patent

Kiosk for evaluating and purchasing used electronic devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims38