Systems and methods for recycling consumer electronic devices
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.
1. A system for purchasing electronic devices, the system comprising:
an evaluation terminal for performing a first portion of an electronic device purchase transaction, the evaluation terminal comprising:
a user interface configured to receive user input associated with an electronic device; and
a first processor in communication with the user interface, the first processor configured to:
interact with the electronic device via a wired electrical connector and/or a wireless transceiver;
facilitate determining a compensation value to pay the user for the electronic device, wherein the compensation value is at least partially based on the interaction with the electronic device; and
associate the electronic device with a unique identifier; and
a cashier terminal configured to receive the electronic device and perform a second portion of the electronic device purchase transaction, wherein the cashier terminal is separate from the evaluation terminal and operably connected to the evaluation terminal, the cashier terminal comprising:
a display; and
a second processor configured to:
receive the unique identifier;
based on the unique identifier, retrieve information about the electronic device and cause the display to display an image of the electronic device or a sample image of a sample electronic device similar to the electronic device;
at least partially verify the electronic device based on the retrieved information; and
when the electronic device has been at least partially verified, facilitate payment of the compensation value to the user in exchange for the electronic device.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the evaluation terminal further comprises an inspection area comprising the wired electrical connector, and wherein the first processor is configured to interact with the electronic device via the wired electrical connector.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the second processor is further configured to:
when the device has been at least partially verified, cause the cashier terminal to dispense the compensation value to the user in exchange for the electronic device.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the evaluation terminal further comprises:
a housing enclosing the first processor; and
an inspection area, wherein the inspection area comprises at least one imaging component, wherein the first processor is configured to visually inspect the electronic device via the imaging component, and wherein the compensation is at least partially based on the visual inspection.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the evaluation terminal is configured to facilitate recycling of a mobile phone, a wearable computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, an MP3 player, a DVD player, and a camera.
6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a secure binning area having a third processor configured to receive the unique identifier and at least partially verify the electronic device based on the unique identifier, the secure binning area configured to receive the electronic device after the compensation value has been dispensed to the user.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the evaluation terminal further comprises an imaging component, wherein the first processor is configured to obtain an image of the user via the imaging component, and wherein the second processor is configured to cause the display to display the image of the user at the cashier terminal.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the evaluation terminal further comprises an identification card reader in communication with the first processor, wherein the identification card reader is configured to obtain an image of an identification card;
wherein the second processor is configured to cause the display to display an image at the cashier terminal of the user obtained from a user identification card obtained by the identification card reader.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the second processor is configured to cause the display to display an image of the electronic device after receiving the unique identifier.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the image comprises an image obtained of the electronic device at the evaluation terminal.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein the second processor is configured to cause the display to display sample image of a sample electronic device similar to the electronic device associated with the unique identifier.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein the evaluation terminal further comprises a means for verifying an identity of the user.
13. The system of claim 1 wherein the evaluation terminal further comprises a means for imaging the electronic device.
14. The system of claim 1 wherein the evaluation terminal is configured to provide a tangible medium containing machine-readable indicia, and wherein the cashier terminal is configured to read the machine-readable indicia to obtain the unique identifier.
15. The system of claim 14 wherein the machine-readable indicia includes at least one of a barcode or a OR code.
16. The system of claim 1 wherein the evaluation terminal is configured to provide an adhesive-backed label configured to be adhered to the electronic device, wherein the label contains machine-readable indicia, and wherein the cashier terminal is configured to read the machine-readable indicia to obtain the unique identifier.