Method And Apparatus For Recycling Electronic Devices

• US 20130124426A1
• Filed: 01/04/2013
• Published: 05/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ecoatm Incorporated (Coinstar Asset Holdings, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Ecoatm Incorporated (Coinstar Asset Holdings, LLC)
• Inventors: Bowles, Mark Vincent, Ploetner, Jeff, Beane, John Andrew
• Application Number:
  US13/733,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20130124426A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/308
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/30 Administration of product recycling or disposal
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0278 Product appraisal
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/00 Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism healthcare informatics G16H
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/06 by returnable containers , i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0287 being disposable or recyclable
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/24 Arrangements for testing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 90/00 Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation

Abstract

A recycling kiosk for recycling and financial remuneration for submission of an electronic device is disclosed herein. The recycling kiosk includes an inspection area with preferably two mirrored, domed hemispheres positioned about a transparent table and cameras for imaging an electronic device placed on the table. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor, a display and a user interface.

Claims

1. An apparatus for recycling electronic devices, the apparatus comprising:

an inspection area;

a transparent plate within the inspection area; and

at least one imaging component within the inspection area.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of electrical connectors, at least one electrical connector of the plurality of electrical connectors capable of connecting to the electronic device placed within the inspection area;

an electrical connector retraction mechanism for automatically retracting an electrical connector connected to an electronic device.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the inspection area further comprises a plurality of mirrors.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the inspection area further comprises:

an upper chamber and a lower chamber, wherein the upper chamber comprises a plurality of mirrors;

an upper chamber camera;

a lower chamber camera; and

a transparent plate.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the combination of each of the upper chamber camera, the lower chamber camera and the plurality of mirrors allow for obtaining a multi-angled views of an electronic device placed on the transparent plate.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the combination of each of the upper chamber camera, the lower chamber camera and the plurality of mirrors allow for obtaining a 360 degree view of an electronic device placed on the transparent plate, wherein the transparent plate is rotatable.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the inspection area has ultraviolet lighting.

8. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the plurality of mirrors in the inspection area allow for an image of a reflection of an electronic device placed on the transparent surface.

9. An apparatus for recycling electronic devices, the apparatus comprising:

an upper chamber;

a lower chamber;

the upper and lower chamber comprising a plurality of walls, the plurality of walls of the upper chamber comprising a plurality of mirrors;

a transparent plate;

at least one imaging component; and

a laser.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the upper chamber comprises an upper chamber camera.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the lower chamber comprises a lower chamber imaging component.

12. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein a combination of imaging components for each of the upper chamber and lower chamber and the plurality of mirrors allow for an multiple view image of the device placed on the transparent surface.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein a combination of imaging components for each of the upper chamber and lower chamber and the plurality of mirrors allow for determining a height, width, or length of the electronic device.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein a combination of imaging components for each of the upper chamber and lower chamber the plurality of mirrors and the laser allow for determining a height of the electronic device.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein a combination of imaging components for each of the upper chamber and lower chamber, the plurality of mirrors and the laser allow for determining a length of the electronic device.

16. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein a combination of imaging components for each of the upper chamber and lower chamber, the plurality of mirrors and the laser allow for determining a width of the electronic device.

17. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein a combination of imaging components for each of the upper chamber and lower chamber, the plurality of mirrors and the laser allow for determining a shape of the electronic device.

18. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein a combination of imaging components for each of the upper chamber and lower chamber, the plurality of mirrors and the laser allow for extracting a 3D profile of the electronic device.

19. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein an imaging component for the lower chamber allows for an image of an ID label of the electronic device placed on the transparent plate.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the image of the ID label enables extraction of a MEID, IMEI or serial number of the electronic device.

21. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the laser is moved across an electronic device in order to analyze the electronic device.

22. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the electronic device is moved across the laser in order to analyze the electronic device.