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US 12,762,517 B2Granted
Systems and methods for recycling consumer electronic devices
AssigneeecoATM, LLC
InventorsMark Vincent Bowles, Michael Librizzi, Jeffrey Ploetner, John Andrew Beane, Eric Rosser
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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 an electronic device to facilitate processing (e.g., purchasing) the device. In some embodiments, the present technology includes a self-service evaluation apparatus and a cashier terminal that identifies and evaluates a device and that facilitates purchase and recycling of the device. Various other aspects of the present technology are described herein.
Claims18
A system for recycling electronic devices, the system comprising:
- a first device, comprising:
- at least one electrical connector and/or wireless transceiver configured to connect to an electronic device;
- a moveable imaging device configured to capture one or more images of the electronic device at one or more angles;
- and
- a first processor in communication with the moveable imaging device, and with the electrical connector and/or with the wireless transceiver, the first processor configured to:
- electrically test the electronic device via the electrical connector and/or the wireless transceiver;
- facilitate movement of the moveable imaging device to capture the one or more images of the electronic device;
- facilitate determining a compensation value for the electronic device, wherein the compensation value is at least partially based on the electrical test and the one or more images of the electronic device;
- and
- associate the electronic device with a unique identifier;
- and
- a second device, comprising:
- a user interface device including a display screen;
- and
- a second processor in communication with the user interface device and configured to:
- receive the unique identifier;
- cause the display screen to display one or more of the captured images of the electronic device after receiving the unique identifier;
- obtain verification of an identity of the electronic device based on the unique identifier and the displayed one or more of the captured images;
- and
- after obtaining the verification, provide confirmation of the verification of the electronic device to facilitate payment of the compensation value to a user in exchange for the electronic device.
17 more elements
An apparatus configured to process electronic devices, the apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
- a cable connector and/or wireless electrical connector, the cable connector and/or wireless electrical connector configured to connect to an electronic device;
- a moveable imaging device configured to capture one or more images of the electronic device at one or more angles;
- and
- a processor within the housing and in communication with the moveable imaging device and with the cable connector and/or wireless electrical connector, the processor configured to:
- facilitate movement of the moveable imaging device to capture the one or more images of the electronic device;
- electrically test the electronic device via the cable connector and/or wireless electrical connector;
- facilitate determining a compensation value for the electronic device, wherein the compensation value is at least partially based on the electrical test and the one or more images of the electronic device;
- associate the electronic device with a unique identifier;
- and
- transmit the unique identifier and one or more of the captured images of the electronic device to a remote processing device for use by a second apparatus configured to display one or more of the captured images to facilitate verification of the identity of the electronic device and further configured to identify the compensation value based at least partially on the unique identifier.
8 more elements
A method for evaluating an electronic device from a user, the method comprising:
- providing a first device, the first device having:
- at least one wired and/or wireless electrical connector configured to connect to the electronic device;
- a moveable imaging device configured to capture one or more images of the electronic device at one or more angles;
- and
- a processor in communication with the moveable imaging device and the wired and/or wireless electrical connector;
- at the first device:
- receiving information from the electronic device via the wired and/or wireless electrical connector;
- capturing the one or more images of the electronic device at the one or more angles via the moveable imaging device;
- and
- displaying a price for the electronic device;
- and
- at a second device:
- receiving the electronic device from the user;
- receiving at least one of the one or more images captured by the moveable imaging device;
- displaying the at least one of the one or more captured images via a display screen of the second device;
- and
- obtaining verification of an identity of the electronic device based on the displayed at least one of the one or more captured images.
14 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.