Patents Assigned to ecoATM, LLC.
  • Patent number: 12271929
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: ecoATM LLC
    Inventors: Babak Forutanpour, Ted Ray Gooding
  • Patent number: 12223684
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: John Silva, Babak Forutanpour
  • Patent number: 12217221
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: John Silva, Jeffrey Ploetner, Mark Vincent Bowles, John Andrew Beane, Michael Librizzi, Randal Erman
  • Patent number: 12205081
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Michael Librizzi, Jeffrey Ploetner, John Andrew Beane, Eric Rosser
  • Patent number: 12198108
    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: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Michael Librizzi
  • Patent number: 12182773
    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: September 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Vincent Bowles
  • Patent number: 12033454
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Babak Forutanpour, Ted Ray Gooding, Robert O'Neill
  • Patent number: 12008520
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Vincent Bowles
  • Patent number: 11989701
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Loren Hunt, James Andrew Snook, Rick Segil, Prabhakar Doppalapudi, Henry Flournoy
  • Patent number: 11989710
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Babak Forutanpour, Joemari Enriquez, Jeffrey Ploetner, David Mersten
  • Patent number: 11907915
    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: May 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Michael Librizzi
  • Patent number: 11843206
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Babak Forutanpour, Jeffrey Ploetner, Robert O'Neil, Neil Vesco
  • Patent number: 11803954
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Babak Forutanpour, Jeffrey Ploetner
  • Patent number: 11798250
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: John Silva, Babak Forutanpour
  • Patent number: 11790328
    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: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Vincent Bowles
  • Patent number: 11790327
    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: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Randal Erman, Jarrod Hammes, Jeffrey Ploetner, John Silva, Rick Segil
  • Patent number: 11734654
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: John Silva, Jeffrey Ploetner, Mark Vincent Bowles, John Andrew Beane, Michael Librizzi, Randal Erman
  • Patent number: 11526932
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Thomas L. Tullie, Eric Rosser
  • Patent number: D1010271
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Jarrod Hammes, John Silva, Ryan Baxter, Dario Miticocchio
  • Patent number: D1065174
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Babak Forutanpour, Ted Ray Gooding