Kiosk for recycling electronic devices
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.
1. A kiosk for evaluating and purchasing a used electronic device, the kiosk comprising:
a housing;
a door movable to control access to an interior of the housing, wherein the interior of the housing receives the electronic device via the door;
an inspection area within the housing;
a transparent plate within the housing, wherein the transparent plate supports the electronic device within the inspection area;
a first camera operably positioned to image the electronic device while the transparent plate supports the electronic device within the inspection area; and
a second camera operably positioned to image the electronic device through the transparent plate while the transparent plate supports the electronic device within the inspection area;
wherein the transparent plate is movable between
a first position at which the transparent plate receives the electronic device via the door, and
a second position at which the transparent plate supports the electronic device within the inspection area.
2. The kiosk of claim 1 wherein the first camera is operably positioned above the transparent plate, and wherein the second camera is operably positioned below the transparent plate.
3. The kiosk of claim 1 wherein the first camera is operably positioned to image one of a front surface or a back surface of the electronic device, and wherein the second camera is operably positioned to image the other of the front surface or the back surface of the electronic device.
4. The kiosk of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first cameral or the second camera is movable relative to the transparent plate.
5. The kiosk of claim 1 wherein the transparent plate is movable relative to at least one of the first camera or the second camera.
6. The kiosk of claim 1 , further comprising a mirror within the inspection area, wherein at least one of the first camera or the second camera is configured to image a reflection of the electronic device via the mirror while the transparent plate supports the electronic device within the inspection area.
7. The kiosk of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first camera or the second camera is configured to image a multi-angle view of the electronic device while the transparent plate supports the electronic device within the inspection area.
8. The kiosk of claim 1 , further comprising a dispenser configured to dispense remuneration in exchange for the electronic device.
9. The kiosk of claim 1 , further comprising an ultraviolet light source configured to illuminate the inspection area.
10. The kiosk of claim 1 wherein the kiosk further comprises a structure within the housing configured to displace the electronic device from the transparent plate.
11. The kiosk of claim 10 wherein:
the transparent plate is a first plate;
the kiosk further comprises—
a bin below the first plate, and
a second plate between the bin and the first plate; and
the second plate is configured to receive the electronic device from the first plate and direct the electronic device toward the bin after the structure displaces the electronic device from the first plate.
12. The kiosk of claim 11 wherein the second plate is configured to hingedly swing downward to lower the electronic device toward the bin.
13. The kiosk of claim 1 wherein the door is a first door, and wherein the kiosk further comprises a second door configured to displace the electronic device from the transparent plate by obstructing movement of the electronic device while the transparent plate moves under the second door.
14. The kiosk of claim 11 wherein the second door has:
a raised state in which the second door is positioned to allow the transparent plate to carry the electronic device into the inspection area; and
a lowered state in which the second door is positioned to displace the electronic device from the transparent plate as the transparent plate moves under the second door.
15. A method of operating a kiosk for evaluating and purchasing a used electronic device, the method comprising:
receiving the electronic device on a transparent plate while the transparent plate is in a first position within a housing of the kiosk;
moving the transparent plate from the first position to a second position within the housing after receiving the electronic device on the transparent plate,
wherein moving the transparent plate moves the electronice device into an inspection area within the housing;
imaging the electronic device with a first camera while the transparent plate supports the electronic device in the inspection area; and
imaging the electronic device through the transparent plate with a second camera while the transparent plate supports the electronic device in the inspection area.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein:
imaging the electronic device with a first camera includes imaging the electronic device with a first camera operably positioned above the transparent plate; and
imaging the electronic device through the transparent plate with a second camera includes imaging the electronic device with a second camera operably positioned below the transparent plate.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein:
imaging the electronic device with a first camera includes imaging the electronic device with a first camera operably positioned to image one of a front surface or a back surface of the electronic device; and
imaging the electronic device through the transparent plate with a second camera includes imaging the electronic device with a second camera operably positioned to image the other of the front surface or the back surface of the electronic device.
18. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
presenting, via a user interface of the kiosk, an offer to purchase the electronic device after imaging the electronic device with the first and second cameras; and
receiving, via the user interface, an acceptance of the offer.
19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising displacing the electronic device from the transparent plate after receiving the acceptance.