Automated sorting method for circuit board recycling

An automated device for sorting circuit boards for recycling, comprising:

• at least one camera configured to scan layout designs of circuit boards;
• at least one conveyer configured to move the circuit boards;
• and
• at least one processor;
• and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the automated device to perform at least the following:
• to scan, using the camera, a layout design for a circuit board;
• to compare the scanned layout design with a database of circuit board layout designs, each of said layout designs being associated with a respective precious metal content value;
• to determine whether a match between the scanned layout design and one of the circuit board layout designs in the database exist;
• in response to identifying a match, to assign a precious metal designation to the scanned circuit board based on the identified match, wherein the precious metal designation corresponds to the precious metal content value associated with the matched circuit board layout from the database;
• to sort the scanned circuit board into a group associated with the assigned precious metal designation;
• and
• to move, using the conveyor, the scanned circuit board into a location assigned to the group.