Apparatuses, systems, and methods for turning over electronic devices, and associated kiosks for use with same
OwnerBabak Forutanpour, Ted Ray Goodinginventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various embodiments of apparatuses to turn a mobile phone over in, for example, a kiosk, and associated embodiments of kiosks are disclosed herein. Embodiments of such apparatuses can enable the kiosk to visually inspect both the front and back sides of the mobile device on an inspection surface with an inspection system (e.g., one or more 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.
Claims44
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;
- and
- a gripper operably positioned toward a side of the support surface;
- wherein—
- the gripper is operable to engage a side portion of the electronic device, move the electronic device upwardly and away from the support surface, rotate the electronic device to a second orientation in which the electronic device faces a second direction, opposite the first direction, and move the electronic device downwardly and toward the support surface.
An apparatus for moving an electronic device in a kiosk, the apparatus comprising:
- a support member configured to receive the electronic device in a first orientation in which the electronic device faces a first direction;
- wherein the support member is configured to rotate about a pivot axis to move the electronic device from the first orientation toward a second orientation in which the electronic device faces a second direction, opposite the first direction.
An apparatus for moving an electronic device in a kiosk, the apparatus comprising:
- a support surface configured to receive the electronic device in a first orientation facing a first direction relative to the support surface, wherein the support surface includes a plurality of openings therein;
- and
- a plurality of pushrods at least partially positioned below the support surface, wherein individual ones of the pushrods are aligned with corresponding ones of the openings in the support surface;
- wherein the plurality of pushrods are operable to move upwardly through the corresponding openings to contact the electronic device and rotate a first side portion of the electronic device about a second side portion of the electronic device, opposite the first side portion, to thereby move the electronic device to a second orientation in which the electronic device faces a second direction, opposite the first direction, relative to the support surface.
A kiosk for recycling an electronic device, the kiosk comprising:
- a housing;
- and
- an inspection area within the housing, wherein the inspection area includes—
- a support surface configured to support the electronic device;
- a camera;
- and
- a flipping apparatus configured to rotate the electronic device from a first orientation in which one of a front surface or a back surface of the electronic device is positioned within a field of view of the camera to a second orientation in which the other of the front surface or the back surface of the electronic device is positioned within the field of view of the camera, wherein the flipping apparatus includes a gripper operable to (i) engage a side portion of the electronic device at least partially between the front surface and the back surface and (ii) rotate the electronic device to the second orientation.
A kiosk for recycling an electronic device, the kiosk comprising:
- a housing;
- and
- an inspection area within the housing, wherein the inspection area includes—
- a camera having a field of view;
- and
- a support member configured to receive the electronic device in a first orientation in which one of a front surface or a back surface of the electronic device is positioned within the field of view of the camera,
- wherein the support member is configured to rotate about a pivot axis to move the electronic device from the first orientation toward a second orientation in which the other of the front surface or the back surface of the electronic device is positioned within the field of view of the camera.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.