RECYCLING KIOSK SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF

• US 20080296374A1
• Filed: 08/11/2008
• Published: 12/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: RecycleBank LLC (RecycleRewards, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: RecycleBank LLC (RecycleRewards, Inc.)
• Inventors: Yang, Frank C., Milligan, Bob, GONEN, RON, Lamb, Scott
• Application Number:
  US12/189,217
• Publication Number:
  US 20080296374A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1484 relating to the adaptation of receptacles to carry identification means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/108 Authorization means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/1123 Bar-codes
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/124 Counting means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/128 Data transmitting means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/144 Level detecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/182 Volume determining means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/184 Weighing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0256 User search

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method of providing incentive to recycle recyclable materials by providing financial incentives to consumers for recycling at a recycling kiosk. In one embodiment, a method of providing incentive to recycle recyclable materials comprises providing a recycling kiosk having a load determining device for receiving a quantity of recyclable materials from at least a first entity, obtaining identification data associated with the first entity, measuring the quantity of recyclable material received by the recycling kiosk, calculating a reward based on a measurement of the quantity of recyclable material disposed at least proximate to the recycling kiosk by the at least one entity, and associating the reward to the at least one entity.

Claims

1. A method of providing incentive to recycle recyclable materials comprising:

providing a recycling kiosk having a load determining device for receiving a quantity of recyclable materials from at least a first entity;

obtaining identification data associated with the first entity;

measuring the quantity of recyclable material received by the recycling kiosk;

calculating a reward based on a measurement of the quantity of recyclable material disposed at least proximate to the recycling kiosk by the at least one entity; and

associating the reward to the at least one entity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein measuring the quantity of recyclable material comprises weighing the quantity of recyclable material.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the recycling kiosk further comprises a recycling storage container.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising disposing of the quantity of recyclable materials in the recycling storage container.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the identification data associated with the first entity and the reward to a remote database via a computer network.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the remote database comprises at least one account associated with the first entity.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining identification data associated with the first entity comprises reading information from at least one of a bar code, magnetic strip, or RFID tag.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the at least one of a bar code, magnetic strip, or RFID tag are embodied in at least one of a key fob, a recycling container, or a card.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a fraud detection device proximate the recycling kiosk.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the fraud detection device comprises at least one of audio-visual surveillance or a lockable recycling storage container.

11. A method of recycling using a recycling kiosk, the method comprising:

providing a recycling kiosk having a load determining device for receiving a quantity of recyclable materials from at least a first entity;

obtaining identification data associated with the first entity;

weighing the quantity of recyclable material received by the recycling kiosk;

transmitting the identification data associated with the first entity and a weight of the quantity of recyclable material to a remote database via a computer network;

calculating a reward based on the weight of the quantity of recyclable material disposed at least proximate to the recycling kiosk by the at least one entity; and

associating the reward to the at least one entity.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein obtaining identification data associated with the first entity comprises reading information from at least one of a bar code, magnetic strip, or RFID tag.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one of a bar code, magnetic strip, or RFID tag are embodied in at least one of a key fob, a recycling container, or a card.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a fraud detection device proximate the recycling kiosk.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the fraud detection device comprises at least one of audio-visual surveillance or a lockable recycling storage container.

17. The recycling kiosk of claim 14, further comprising a fraud detection device proximate the recycling kiosk.

18. The recycling kiosk of claim 17, wherein the fraud detection device comprises at least one of audio-visual surveillance or a lockable recycling storage container.

16. A recycling kiosk, comprising:

a platform for receiving a quantity of recyclable materials;

a load determining device for measuring the quantity of recyclable materials received on the platform;

a data acquisition unit for obtaining identification data associated with at least a first entity;

a network connection means for connecting to a remote database

a reward calculation means; and

a graphical user interface.

19. The recycling kiosk of claim 16, wherein the data acquisition unit comprises at least one of a bar code reader, magnetic strip reader, or RFID tag reader.

20. The recycling kiosk of claim 19, wherein the bar code reader, magnetic strip reader, or RFID tag reader are adapted to read at least one of a key fob, a recycling container, or a card.