Patents Assigned to ecoATM, LLC.
  • Patent number: 11482067
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Babak Forutanpour, Jeffrey Ploetner, Robert O'Neil, Neil Vesco
  • Patent number: 11462868
    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: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Babak Forutanpour, Jeffrey Ploetner, Robert O'Neil, Neil Vesco
  • Patent number: 11443289
    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 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Michael Librizzi
  • Patent number: 11436570
    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 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Michael Librizzi, Jeffrey Ploetner, John Andrew Beane, Eric Rosser
  • Patent number: 11315093
    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: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Vincent Bowles
  • Patent number: 11232412
    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: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Loren Hunt, James Andrew Snook, Rick Segil, Prabhakar Doppalapudi, Henry Flournoy
  • Patent number: 11126973
    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: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: John Silva, Jeffrey Ploetner, Mark Vincent Bowles, John Andrew Beane, Michael Librizzi, Randal Erman
  • Patent number: 11107046
    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: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Vincent Bowles
  • Patent number: 11080662
    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: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Michael Librizzi
  • Patent number: 11080672
    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: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Vincent Bowles
  • Patent number: 11010841
    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: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Thomas L. Tullie, John Andrew Beane, Jeff Ploetner, John Miller, Neil Vesco
  • Patent number: 10909673
    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: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Babak Forutanpour, Jeffrey Ploetner
  • Patent number: 10860990
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Randal Erman, John Andrew Beane
  • Patent number: 10853873
    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: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Thomas L. Tullie, Eric Rosser
  • Patent number: 10825082
    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 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: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Librizzi, Mark Vincent Bowles, Ahron Duben
  • Patent number: 10572946
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Eric Rosser
  • Patent number: 10496963
    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: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: John Silva, Jeffrey Ploetner, Mark Vincent Bowles, John Andrew Beane, Michael Librizzi, Randal Erman
  • Patent number: 10475002
    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: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: John Silva, Jeffrey Ploetner, Mark Vincent Bowles, John Andrew Beane, Michael Librizzi, Randal Erman
  • Patent number: 10445708
    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: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Loren Hunt, James Andrew Snook, Rick Segil, Prabhakar Doppalapudi, Henry Flournoy
  • Patent number: 10438174
    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: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Randal Erman, Jarrod Hammes, Jeffrey Ploetner, John Silva, Rick Segil