Search

EP-4738801-A2 - EVALUATING AND RECYCLING ELECTRONIC DEVICES

EP4738801A2EP 4738801 A2EP4738801 A2EP 4738801A2EP-4738801-A2

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, and systems for generating a price of a target device are disclosed herein. An evaluator device obtains technical properties associated with the target device. The technical properties include a make and a model of the target device. Physical properties associated with the target device are obtained. The physical properties include information related to wear and tear of the target device. Obtaining the physical properties includes indicating to a user that the user should position the target device in multiple predetermined positions and that the evaluator device records an image of the target device in each of the multiple predetermined positions. A video of the target device is recorded while the target device is positioned in the multiple predetermined positions. The obtained physical properties are evaluated to generate a condition metric value of the target device. Based on the generated condition metric value, the price of the target device is determined.

Inventors

  • FORUTANPOUR, BABAK
  • GOODING, Ted Ray

Assignees

  • ecoATM, LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20210824

Claims (15)

  1. A computer-implemented method (1300) for evaluating a target device (120) via an evaluator device (110), the method (1300) comprising: obtaining (1302), via the evaluator device (110), technical properties associated with the target device (120); obtaining (1304), via the evaluator device (110), physical properties associated with the target device (120), the physical properties comprising information related to a condition of the target device (120), wherein obtaining the physical properties comprises: displaying to a user, via a display (115) of the evaluator device (110), a guide (505) that includes instructions to position the target device (120) in one or more predetermined positions relative to a camera (216) of the evaluator device (110); capturing, via the camera (216), one or more images of the target device (120) while the target device (120) is positioned in each of the one or more predetermined positions; and capturing, by the camera (216), a video while the target device (120) is being positioned in each of the one or more predetermined positions; analyzing the video to determine that a second device has not replaced the target device (120); evaluating (1306) the obtained physical properties to generate a condition metric value of the target device (120); based on the technical properties and the generated condition metric value, determining the price of the target device (120); and indicating, via the display (115), the price of the target device (120) to the user.
  2. The computer-implemented method (1300) of claim 1 wherein obtaining the technical properties includes obtaining a make and model of the target device (120).
  3. The computer-implemented method (1300) of claim 1 wherein the guide (505) includes instructions to position the target device (120) to relative to the camera (216) to allow the evaluator device (110) to obtain images of the front, back, and sides of the target device (120).
  4. The computer-implemented method (1300) of claim 1 wherein the guide (505) includes instructions to position the target device (120) to relative to the camera (216) to allow the evaluator device (110) to obtain images of a three-quarters view to the left of the target device (120), a three-quarters view to the right of the target device (120), and from the front of the target device (120).
  5. The computer-implemented method (1300) of claim 1 wherein capturing the video includes capturing the video without informing the user.
  6. The computer-implemented method (1300) of claim 1 wherein capturing the one or more images includes providing an indication that each or the one or more images has been captured.
  7. The computer-implemented method (1300) of claim 1, further comprising activating a flashlight of the evaluator device (110) prior to or while the target device (120) is positioned in the one or more predetermined positions, wherein capturing the one or more images includes capturing the one or more images while the flashlight is active.
  8. The computer-implemented method (1300) of claim 1 wherein analyzing the video includes analyzing the video via a remoter operator.
  9. The computer-implemented method (1300) of claim 1 wherein the condition metric value includes a matrix containing multiple values, and wherein each of the multiple values is associated with a condition of a feature of the target device (120).
  10. The computer-implemented method (1300) of claim 1, further the guide (505) further instructs the user to turn off a display screen of the target device (120) before obtaining the one or more images.
  11. The computer-implemented method (1300) of claim 1 wherein obtaining the technical properties includes: capturing, via the camera (216) of the evaluator device (110), a picture of a display screen of the target device (120) while the display screen shows the technical properties; and using optical character recognition to obtain the technical properties from the picture.
  12. The computer-implemented method (1300) of claim 1 wherein some or all of the method is performed by a software application running on the evaluator device (110).
  13. The computer-implemented method (1300) of claim 1 wherein some or all of the method is performed by a remote computer operatively connectable to a software application running on the evaluator device (110).
  14. The computer-implemented method (1300) of claim 1 wherein the target device (120) is a first mobile phone and wherein the evaluator device (110) is a second mobile phone.
  15. A remote computing system for evaluating a target device (120) via an evaluator device (110), the remote computing system comprising: one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the remote computing system to perform a method according to any of claims 1-14.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/070,207, filed August 25, 2020 (attorney docket no. 111220-8060.US00), which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure is directed generally to methods and systems for evaluating and recycling mobile phones and other consumer electronic devices and, more particularly, to hardware and/or software for facilitating device identification, evaluation, purchase, and/or other processes associated with electronic device recycling. BACKGROUND Consumer electronic devices, such as mobile phones, laptop computers, notebooks, tablets, PDAs, MP3 players, wearable smart devices, etc., are ubiquitous. Currently there are over 14.02 billion mobile devices in use in the world. In other words, there are more mobile devices in use than there are people on the planet. Part of the reason for the rapid growth in the number of consumer electronic devices is the rapid pace at which these devices evolve, and the increased usage of such devices in third world countries. As a result of the rapid pace of development, a relatively high percentage of consumer electronic devices are replaced every year as consumers continually upgrade their mobile phones and other electronic devices to obtain the latest features or a better operating plan. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. alone disposes of over 370 million mobile phones, PDAs, tablets, and other electronic devices every year. Millions of other outdated or broken mobile phones and other electronic devices are simply tossed into junk drawers or otherwise kept until a suitable disposal solution arises. Although many electronic device retailers and cell carrier stores now offer mobile phone trade-in or buyback programs, many old mobile phones still end up in landfills or are improperly disassembled and disposed of in developing countries. Unfortunately, however, mobile phones and similar devices typically contain substances that can be harmful to the environment, such as arsenic, lithium, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, and zinc. If not properly disposed of, these toxic substances can seep into groundwater from decomposing landfills and contaminate the soil with potentiality harmful consequences for humans and the environment. As an alternative to retailer trade-in or buyback programs, consumers can now recycle and/or sell their used mobile phones using self-service kiosks located in malls, retail stores, or other publicly accessible areas. Such kiosks are operated by ecoATM, LLC, the assignee of the present application, and aspects of these kiosks are described in, for example: U.S. Patent Nos. 7,881,965, 8,195,511, 8,200,533, 8,239,262, 8,423,404 and 8,463,646, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. There continues to be a need for improving the means available to consumers for recycling or reselling their mobile phones and other consumer electronic devices. Simplifying the recycling/reselling process, enhancing the consumer experience, and discouraging fraud can incentivize consumers to dispose of their old electronic devices in an efficient and environmentally conscientious way. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a suitable computing environment for implementing various aspects of the present technology.Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating various components typically incorporated in computing systems and other devices on which the present technology can be implemented.Figure 3 shows a user interface presented by an application running on an evaluator device or a target device according to some embodiments of the present technology.Figure 4 shows a series of user interfaces presented to the user when the user wants to sell a target device according to some embodiments of the present technology.Figures 5A-5D show a series of user interfaces associated with an application running on an evaluator device to guide the user in evaluating a target device according to some embodiments of the present technology.Figure 6 shows a series of user interfaces that display a guaranteed price and various payment options according to some embodiments of the present technology.Figure 7 shows a user interface that displays tests of the target device including touchscreen functionality according to some embodiments of the present technology.Figure 8 shows a user interface that displays a test of the microphone of the target device according to some embodiments of the present technology.Figure 9 shows a user interface that displays a test of the global positioning system (GPS) of the target device according to some embodiments of the present technology.Figure 10 shows a user interface that displays a test of the display of the target device according to some embodiments of the present technology.Figure 11 shows a map displaying kiosks and associa