Patents Assigned to ecoATM, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11935138
    Abstract: A recycling kiosk for recycling and financial remuneration for submission of an electronic device such as a mobile phone is disclosed herein. The recycling kiosk includes electrical connectors and an inspection area with an upper chamber, a lower chamber, a transparent plate and at least one camera in order to perform a visual analysis and an electrical analysis of the electronic device for determination of a value of the electronic device. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor and a display for user interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: ecoATM, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Thomas L. Tullie, John Andrew Beane, Jeff Ploetner, John Miller, Neil Vesco
  • Patent number: 11922467
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of systems and methods for evaluating a device and presenting a price quote for the device by using an optical character recognition (OCR) system and/or other associated devices and systems. The system can utilize a wireless charger to obtain information about the device while charging the device. The information can include the make of the device. The system can guide the user to navigate the device to provide additional information such as model, memory capacity, unique identifier, and carrier associated with the device, which can be extracted from the device using OCR. Based on, e.g., the unique identifier, the system can determine whether the device has been stolen. If the device has not been stolen, the system can determine a price based on information obtained from the device and can present the price to the user. If the user accepts the price, the system can facilitate purchase of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: ecoATM, Inc.
    Inventors: Babak Forutanpour, Ted Ray Gooding
  • Patent number: 9911102
    Abstract: Software application systems and associated methods for recycling, purchasing, and/or performing other processes with mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, and/or other electronic devices at a kiosk are described herein. In various embodiments, the present technology includes systems and methods associated with an electronic device to facilitate a consumer-operated kiosk processing (e.g., purchasing) the electronic device. In some embodiments, the present technology includes using a mobile app to identify an electronic device, evaluate the electronic device, resolve device issues to enable purchase of the electronic device, etc. Various other aspects of the present technology are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: ecoATM, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Randal Erman, Jarrod Hammes, Jeffrey Ploetner, John Silva, Rick Segil
  • Patent number: 9904911
    Abstract: A recycling kiosk for recycling and financial remuneration for submission of a mobile telephone is disclosed herein. The recycling kiosk includes an inspection area with at least one camera and a plurality of electrical connectors in order to perform a visual analysis and an electrical analysis of the mobile telephone for determination of a value of the mobile telephone. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor, a display and a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: ecoATM, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Vincent Bowles
  • Patent number: 9885672
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting the presence or absence of screen covers on electronic device screens are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining an image of a front side of an electronic device and automatically identifying line segments in the image. For each identified line segment, the method includes calculating the angle of the identified line segment. The method further includes determining an amount of the line segments having vertical or horizontal orientations. If the amount of identified vertical or horizontal line segments exceeds a predetermined threshold amount, then the presence of a screen cover is indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: ecoATM, Inc.
    Inventors: Babak Forutanpour, Jeffrey Ploetner
  • Patent number: 9881284
    Abstract: A mini-kiosk for recycling and financial remuneration for submission of an electronic device such as a mobile phone is disclosed herein. The mini-kiosk is designed to be placed on a counter-top. The mini-kiosk includes electrical connectors and an inspection area with at least one camera in order to perform a visual analysis and an electrical analysis of the electronic device for determination of a value of the electronic device. The mini-kiosk also includes a processor and a display for user interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: ecoATM, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Vincent Bowles
  • Patent number: 9818160
    Abstract: A recycling kiosk for recycling and financial remuneration for submission of an electronic device such as a mobile phone is disclosed herein. The recycling kiosk includes electrical connectors and an inspection area with an upper chamber, a lower chamber, a transparent plate and at least one camera in order to perform a visual analysis and an electrical analysis of the electronic device for determination of a value of the electronic device. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor and a display for user interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: ecoATM, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Thomas L. Tullie, John Andrew Beane, Jeff Ploetner, John Miller, Neil Vesco
  • Publication number: 20150293860
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring data from a recycled electronic device such as a mobile phone is disclosed herein. The apparatus is preferably a recycling kiosk which includes electrical connectors and an inspection area with an upper chamber, a lower chamber, a transparent plate and at least one camera in order to perform a visual analysis and an electrical analysis of the electronic device for determination of a value of the electronic device. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor managing the transfer of data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: ECOATM, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Vincent Bowles
  • Publication number: 20150066677
    Abstract: A process for a pre-acquisition auction for recycled electronic devices is disclosed herein. A plurality of pre-acquisition purchase prices are established with each of the plurality of pre-acquisition purchase prices established for a recycled electronic device in a predetermined condition, and each of the pre-acquisition purchase prices established by a winning bid from a bidder of a plurality of bidders for a recycled electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: ECOATM, INC.
    Inventor: ECOATM, INC.
  • Publication number: 20140156883
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring data from a recycled electronic device such as a mobile phone is disclosed herein. The apparatus is preferably a recycling kiosk which includes electrical connectors and an inspection area with an upper chamber, a lower chamber, a transparent plate and at least one camera in order to perform a visual analysis and an electrical analysis of the electronic device for determination of a value of the electronic device. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor managing the transfer of data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: ECOATM, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Vincent Bowles
  • Publication number: 20130226679
    Abstract: A recycling kiosk for recycling and financial remuneration for submission of a mobile telephone is disclosed herein. The recycling kiosk includes an inspection area with at least one camera and a plurality of electrical connectors in order to perform a visual analysis and an electrical analysis of the mobile telephone for determination of a value of the mobile telephone. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor, a display and a user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: ecoATM, Inc.
    Inventor: ecoATM, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130198144
    Abstract: A method and system for removing and transferring data from a recycled electronic device such as a mobile phone is disclosed herein. The system includes a kiosk, a network and a server with a database. Further, the system includes a client device and a new electronic device to receive the transfer data from the recycled electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: ECOATM, INC.
    Inventor: ecoATM, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130198089
    Abstract: A method and system for reselling electronic devices in compliance with second hand dealer laws is disclosed herein. The system includes a kiosk, a network and a server with a database. The kiosk preferably includes an external camera, a fingerprint reader and an identification (card) reader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: ECOATM, INC.
    Inventor: ecoATM, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130191236
    Abstract: A mini-kiosk for recycling and financial remuneration for submission of an electronic device such as a mobile phone is disclosed herein. The mini-kiosk is designed to be placed on a counter-top. The mini-kiosk includes electrical connectors and an inspection area with at least one camera in order to perform a visual analysis and an electrical analysis of the electronic device for determination of a value of the electronic device. The mini-kiosk also includes a processor and a display for user interaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: ECOATM, INC.
    Inventor: ECOATM, INC.
  • Patent number: 8463646
    Abstract: The system enables one to securely recycle an electronic device in a publicly accessible location. In particular, the embodiment described may be used by a mobile phone owner to submit his/her mobile phone for recycling via an electronic kiosk and receive compensation in some form. The compensation might be dispersed via cash, voucher, credit or debit card, or other magnetic or electronic transaction methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: ecoATM, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Bowles, Pieter van Rooyen, Michael Librizzi
  • Publication number: 20130144797
    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 uses visual analysis to identify electronic devices, determine the condition of the electronic device and determine if the electronic device is authentic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: ecoATM, Inc.
    Inventor: ecoATM, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130124426
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: ECOATM, INC.
    Inventor: ecoATM, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8423404
    Abstract: A recycling kiosk for recycling and financial remuneration for submission of a mobile telephone is disclosed herein. The recycling kiosk includes an inspection area with at least one camera and a plurality of electrical connectors in order to perform a visual analysis and an electrical analysis of the mobile telephone for determination of a value of the mobile telephone. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor, a display and a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: ecoATM, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Bowles, Pieter van Rooyen, Michael Librizzi
  • Publication number: 20130046699
    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. Inspection of an About page or a barcode within a battery compartment of the electronic device is performed to determine a value for the electronic device. Alternatively, a robotic finger is utilized to inspect the electronic device. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor, a display and a user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: ECOATM, INC.
    Inventor: ecoATM, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130046611
    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. Inspection of an About page or a barcode within a battery compartment of the electronic device is performed to determine a value for the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: ecoATM, Inc.
    Inventor: ecoATM, Inc.