Patents Assigned to ecoATM, LLC.
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Patent number: 11482067Abstract: Consumer operated kiosks for recycling electronic devices are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the kiosk includes a rotatable inspection plate configured to receive an electronic device when the inspection plate is in a first position. The kiosk can include a camera having a field of view including at least a portion of the inspection plate. The kiosk can include a wired and/or wireless connectivity device configured to connect to the electronic device and one or more processors configured to: receive characteristic information about the electronic device via the wired and/or wireless connectivity device; cause the inspection plate to rotate to a second position; receive one or more images of the electronic device via the camera when the inspection plate is in the second position; and facilitate determination of an offer price for the electronic device based at least in part on the characteristic information and the one or more images.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2020Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Babak Forutanpour, Jeffrey Ploetner, Robert O'Neil, Neil Vesco
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Patent number: 11462868Abstract: 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: February 11, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Babak Forutanpour, Jeffrey Ploetner, Robert O'Neil, Neil Vesco
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Patent number: 11443289Abstract: 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 11, 2018Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Michael Librizzi
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Patent number: 11436570Abstract: 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 29, 2019Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Michael Librizzi, Jeffrey Ploetner, John Andrew Beane, Eric Rosser
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Patent number: 11315093Abstract: 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: October 14, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventor: Mark Vincent Bowles
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Patent number: 11232412Abstract: 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: September 18, 2019Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Loren Hunt, James Andrew Snook, Rick Segil, Prabhakar Doppalapudi, Henry Flournoy
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Patent number: 11126973Abstract: 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: September 18, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: John Silva, Jeffrey Ploetner, Mark Vincent Bowles, John Andrew Beane, Michael Librizzi, Randal Erman
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Patent number: 11107046Abstract: 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: February 21, 2018Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventor: Mark Vincent Bowles
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Patent number: 11080662Abstract: 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: August 8, 2017Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Michael Librizzi
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Patent number: 11080672Abstract: 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: December 11, 2015Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventor: Mark Vincent Bowles
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Patent number: 11010841Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 19, 2018Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Thomas L. Tullie, John Andrew Beane, Jeff Ploetner, John Miller, Neil Vesco
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Patent number: 10909673Abstract: 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: March 18, 2019Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Babak Forutanpour, Jeffrey Ploetner
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Patent number: 10860990Abstract: Hardware and software application systems and associated methods for obtaining information from, evaluating, and pricing mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, and/or other electronic devices for recycling and/or other processing are described herein. In various embodiments, the present technology includes systems and methods associated with an electronic evaluator device that facilitates processing (e.g., purchasing at a consumer-operated kiosk) a target device. In some embodiments, the present technology includes using an app on the evaluator device to obtain information from the target device, identify the target device, evaluate the target device, price the target device, etc. Various other aspects of the present technology are described herein.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2015Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Randal Erman, John Andrew Beane
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Patent number: 10853873Abstract: 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: April 5, 2016Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Thomas L. Tullie, Eric Rosser
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Patent number: 10825082Abstract: 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 a plurality of white walls in order to perform a visual analysis of the mobile telephone for determination of a value of the mobile telephone. The visual analysis inspects the LCD screen of the mobile phone to determine if the LCD screen is damaged. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor, a display and a user interface.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2017Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Michael Librizzi, Mark Vincent Bowles, Ahron Duben
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Patent number: 10572946Abstract: Systems and associated methods for processing insurance claims and performing other processes associated with mobile phones and other 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 insurance claims for the device. In some embodiments, the present technology includes a self-serve kiosk configured to identify a device, evaluate a device, and facilitate processing insurance claims. In some embodiments, a self-serve kiosk is provided that can identify and evaluate a device, and present one or more insurance offers to a user. Various other aspects of the present technology are described herein.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2015Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Eric Rosser
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Patent number: 10496963Abstract: 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: June 22, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: John Silva, Jeffrey Ploetner, Mark Vincent Bowles, John Andrew Beane, Michael Librizzi, Randal Erman
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Patent number: 10475002Abstract: 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: October 1, 2015Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: John Silva, Jeffrey Ploetner, Mark Vincent Bowles, John Andrew Beane, Michael Librizzi, Randal Erman
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Patent number: 10445708Abstract: 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: October 3, 2014Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Loren Hunt, James Andrew Snook, Rick Segil, Prabhakar Doppalapudi, Henry Flournoy
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Patent number: 10438174Abstract: 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: October 1, 2015Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: ecoATM, LLCInventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Randal Erman, Jarrod Hammes, Jeffrey Ploetner, John Silva, Rick Segil