Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Ploetner

Jeffrey Ploetner has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20170286921
    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: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Randal Erman, Jarrod Hammes, Jeffrey Ploetner, John Silva, Rick Segil
  • Publication number: 20170083886
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes various embodiments of methods and systems for operating a kiosk that is configured to purchase electronic items from a user. One or more cameras on the kiosk record a transaction which is stored as a record on a computer-readable medium. A record is also kept of the times at which events occur such as the user activating a control or button, as well as times when graphical user interface (GUI) screens are presented to the user. The transaction record can be analyzed in real time or at a later date to determine why some transactions are not completed or to improve the user experience with the kiosk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: John Edward Silva, Mark Vincent Bowles, Jeffrey Ploetner
  • Publication number: 20160328684
    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: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Jeffrey Ploetner, John Andrew Beane
  • Publication number: 20160275518
    Abstract: Hardware and/or software systems and associated methods for user verification at a kiosk are described herein. In various embodiments, the present technology includes systems and methods associated with verifying that a user matches an identification photo, comparing a user at a kiosk to a known image of the user, comparing a user's image to images of persons who are blocked from kiosk use, recognizing the presence of potential hawkers, etc. Various other aspects of the present technology are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Jeffrey Ploetner, John Andrew Beane, Andrew Spaventa
  • Publication number: 20160275460
    Abstract: Systems and methods for recycling electronic and/or other consumer electronic devices are disclosed herein. A kiosk configured in accordance with one embodiment of the technology includes a laser device, an imaging device, a processor operably coupled to the laser device and/or the imaging device, and a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored therein that are executable by the processor. The laser device is configured to form a laser beam line across at least one exterior surface of the electronic device, the imaging device is configured to acquire an image of the laser beam line, and the instructions are executable by the processor to determine one or more physical attributes of the electronic device based at least in part on an evaluation of the laser beam line in the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey Ploetner, Mark Vincent Bowles
  • Publication number: 20160125367
    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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Michael Librizzi, Jeffrey Ploetner, John Andrew Beane, Eric Rosser
  • Publication number: 20160098689
    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: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Randal Erman, Jarrod Hammes, Jeffrey Ploetner, John Silva, Rick Segil
  • Publication number: 20160098690
    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: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: John Silva, Jeffrey Ploetner, Mark Vincent Bowles, John Andrew Beane, Michael Librizzi, Randal Erman
  • Publication number: 20160092849
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes various embodiments of methods and systems for developing pricing and performing other processes associated with recycling mobile phones, other consumer electronic devices, and/or other goods and services. In some embodiments, the methods and systems disclosed herein can be employed by a user-operated kiosk to determine a price to offer the user for a mobile phone or other electronic device that cannot be sufficiently identified by the kiosk. In some embodiments, the price can be an adjusted price, such as a weighted average price.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Vanessa Cirannek, Jeffrey Ploetner