Patents Assigned to ecoATM, LLC.
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Patent number: 12271929Abstract: Disclosed here are various embodiments to evaluate a device and present a price quote to the user by detecting a presence of a device in proximity to a wireless charger. 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. Based on the unique identifier, the system can determine whether 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 facilitate presenting the price to the user. If the user accepts the price, the system can facilitate purchase of the device.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2021Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: ecoATM LLCInventors: Babak Forutanpour, Ted Ray Gooding
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Patent number: 12223684Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating the physical and/or cosmetic condition of electronic devices using machine learning techniques are disclosed. In one example aspect, an example system includes a kiosk that comprises an inspection plate configured to hold an electronic device, one or more light sources arranged above the inspection plate configured to direct one or more light beams towards the electronic device, and one or more cameras configured to capture at least one image of a first side of the electronic device. The system also includes one or more processors in communication with the one or more cameras configured to extract a set of features of the electronic device and determine, via a first neural network, a condition of the electronic device based on the set of features.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2023Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: John Silva, Babak Forutanpour
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Patent number: 12217221Abstract: Wireless-enabled kiosk systems and associated methods for recycling and performing other processes with mobile phones and other electronic devices are described herein. In various embodiments, the present technology includes systems and methods for wirelessly connecting a consumer-operated kiosk with an electronic device to facilitate processing (e.g., purchasing) the device. In some embodiments, the present technology includes using a wireless link to identify a device, evaluate a device, resolve device issues to enable purchase of the device, locate a device, etc. Various other aspects of the present technology are described herein.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2023Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: John Silva, Jeffrey Ploetner, Mark Vincent Bowles, John Andrew Beane, Michael Librizzi, Randal Erman
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Patent number: 12205081Abstract: Systems and associated methods for recycling and performing other processes with consumer electronic devices are described herein. In various embodiments, the present technology includes systems and methods for identifying and evaluating an electronic device to facilitate processing (e.g., purchasing) the device. In some embodiments, the present technology includes a self-service evaluation apparatus and a cashier terminal that identifies and evaluates a device and that facilitates purchase and recycling of the device. Various other aspects of the present technology are described herein.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2022Date of Patent: January 21, 2025Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Michael Librizzi, Jeffrey Ploetner, John Andrew Beane, Eric Rosser
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Patent number: 12198108Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 26, 2022Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Michael Librizzi
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Patent number: 12182773Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 6, 2023Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventor: Mark Vincent Bowles
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Patent number: 12033454Abstract: Various embodiments of kiosks for purchasing mobile phones and other mobile electronic devices from users are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the kiosks include an apparatus to turn a mobile phone over on an inspection surface. This apparatus can enable the kiosk to visually inspect both the front and back sides of the mobile device on the inspection surface with an inspection system (e.g., imaging devices, lighting devices, etc.) positioned above the inspection surface, and can eliminate the need to position a second inspection system below a transparent inspection surface to visually inspect, e.g., the back side of the mobile device through the transparent inspection surface. In some embodiments, the kiosk also includes a wireless mobile phone charging device that can be used for, e.g., phone charging and identification.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2021Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Babak Forutanpour, Ted Ray Gooding, Robert O'Neill
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Patent number: 12008520Abstract: Systems and associated methods for recycling and performing other processes with consumer electronic devices are described herein. In various embodiments, the present technology includes systems and methods for identifying and evaluating a used or pre-owned consumer electronic device, such as a mobile phone, laptop, etc. to facilitate purchasing the device. In some embodiments, the present technology includes a counter-top evaluation terminal that evaluates a device and facilitates purchase and recycling of the device. Various other aspects of the present technology are described herein.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2022Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventor: Mark Vincent Bowles
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Patent number: 11989701Abstract: A system for recycling a mobile device. A system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present technology includes an electrical connector and testing electronics. The electrical connector is configured to be electrically connected to a mobile device, and the testing electronics are configured to produce an electrical measurement by measuring an electrical attribute associated with a hardware component of the mobile device over the electrical connector. The system is further configured to valuate, identify, and/or authenticate the mobile device based at least in part on the electrical measurement.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2021Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Loren Hunt, James Andrew Snook, Rick Segil, Prabhakar Doppalapudi, Henry Flournoy
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Patent number: 11989710Abstract: Kiosk systems and methods for vending mobile phones and other electronic devices to, and/or for purchasing mobile phones and other electronic devices from, consumers are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, such systems can include subsystems for transferring data from, e.g., a purchased phone to a vended phone.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Babak Forutanpour, Joemari Enriquez, Jeffrey Ploetner, David Mersten
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Patent number: 11907915Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 24, 2023Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Michael Librizzi
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Patent number: 11843206Abstract: Connector carriers (e.g., connector carousels) for use with electronic device processing kiosks, such as mobile phone recycling kiosks, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a connector carrier includes a chassis and a plurality of electrical connectors fixedly positioned around a periphery of the chassis. In operation, the connector carrier is configured to rotate about a central axis to position a selected one of the electrical connectors in a first position adjacent to an inspection area of the kiosk, and then move toward the inspection area to move the selected electrical connector from the first position to a second position in which a user can connect a mobile phone to the electrical connector.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2022Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Babak Forutanpour, Jeffrey Ploetner, Robert O'Neil, Neil Vesco
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Patent number: 11803954Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting the cracks in illuminated electronic device screens are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving an image of an electronic device screen and retrieving a plurality of kernels, each having values corresponding to a line region and a non-line region, with the orientation of the line region and the non-line region differing for each kernel. At least some of the kernels are applied to the image to obtain, at various locations of the image, values corresponding to the line regions and the non-line regions. Based on the values corresponding to the line regions and the non-line regions, cracks are automatically identified in the electronic device screen.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2020Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Babak Forutanpour, Jeffrey Ploetner
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Patent number: 11798250Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating the physical and/or cosmetic condition of electronic devices using machine learning techniques are disclosed. In one example aspect, an example system includes a kiosk that comprises an inspection plate configured to hold an electronic device, one or more light sources arranged above the inspection plate configured to direct one or more light beams towards the electronic device, and one or more cameras configured to capture at least one image of a first side of the electronic device. The system also includes one or more processors in communication with the one or more cameras configured to extract a set of features of the electronic device and determine, via a first neural network, a condition of the electronic device based on the set of features.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2020Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: John Silva, Babak Forutanpour
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Patent number: 11790328Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 4, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventor: Mark Vincent Bowles
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Patent number: 11790327Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 29, 2019Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Randal Erman, Jarrod Hammes, Jeffrey Ploetner, John Silva, Rick Segil
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Patent number: 11734654Abstract: Wireless-enabled kiosk systems and associated methods for recycling and performing other processes with mobile phones and other electronic devices are described herein. In various embodiments, the present technology includes systems and methods for wirelessly connecting a consumer-operated kiosk with an electronic device to facilitate processing (e.g., purchasing) the device. In some embodiments, the present technology includes using a wireless link to identify a device, evaluate a device, resolve device issues to enable purchase of the device, locate a device, etc. Various other aspects of the present technology are described herein.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: John Silva, Jeffrey Ploetner, Mark Vincent Bowles, John Andrew Beane, Michael Librizzi, Randal Erman
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Patent number: 11526932Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 15, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Thomas L. Tullie, Eric Rosser
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Patent number: D1010271Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2020Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Jarrod Hammes, John Silva, Ryan Baxter, Dario Miticocchio
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Patent number: D1065174Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2021Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Babak Forutanpour, Ted Ray Gooding