Automated payment processing with an account-based recycling program

Abstract

An automated payment method includes receiving a container of items at a recycling drop-off location. Receiving the container includes using a processor to recognize delivery of the container to the recycling drop-off location. The processor determines whether account holder information for an account holder is associated with the container and determines, based on determining that the account holder information is associated with the container, whether the account holder information indicates pre-processing credit as a payment selection. The processor performs, based on determining that the account holder information indicates the pre-processing credit as the payment selection, a compliance check of one or more compliance conditions using the account holder information and, based on a result of the compliance check, provides a credit for the container to an account corresponding to the account holder information prior to processing of the container at a recyclable container processing location.

Description

Attorney Docket No. E0406.70018WQ00Date of Deposit: December 29, 2025 - 1 - METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED PAYMENT PROCESSING IN CONNECTION WITH AN ACCOUNT-BASED RECYCLING PROGRAMRELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 740,280, filed December 30, 2024 under Attorney Docket No. E0406.70018US00 and entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED PAYMENT PROCESSING IN CONNECTION WITH AN ACCOUNT-BASED RECYCLING PROGRAM,” which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] Many states have enacted legislation requiring that beverage containers carry a redemption deposit to encourage recycling. For example, a number of states impose redemption deposits of up to fifteen cents for each can, bottle, and / or other type of holder sold. In these states, an individual may obtain a refund of the redemption deposit amount for each can, bottle, or other holder provided to a redemption center.SUMMARY

[0003] According to some embodiments, an automated payment method includes receiving a container of items at a recycling drop-off location. Receiving the container includes using a processor to recognize delivery of the container to the recycling drop-off location. The method also includes determining whether account holder information for an account holder is associated with the container and determining based on determining that the account holder information is associated with the container, whether the account holder information indicates pre-processing credit as a payment selection. Based on determining that the account holder information indicates the pre-processing credit as the payment selection, a compliance check of one or more compliance conditions is performed using the account holder information. Based on a result of the compliance check indicating compliance, a credit for the container is provided to an account corresponding to the account holder information prior to processing of the container and its recyclable items at a recyclable container processing location.#14708469v2

[0004] According to some embodiments, a recycling drop-off building includes a container identification (ID) scanner to obtain a container ID from a container of items and a processing system. The processing system recognizes delivery of the container to the recycling drop-off building, determines whether account holder information for an account holder is associated with the container, determine, based on determining that the account holder information is associated with the container, whether the account holder information indicates pre-processing credit as a payment selection, and performs, based on determining that the account holder information indicates the pre-processing credit as the payment selection, a compliance check of one or more compliance conditions using the account holder information. Based on a result of the compliance check indicating compliance, a credit is provided for the container to an account corresponding to the account holder information prior to processing of the container and its recyclable items at a recyclable container processing location.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

[0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an account-based recycling system according to some embodiments;

[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary building used for item drop-off as part of an account-based recycling system according to some embodiments;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a process flow of an exemplary method of performing automated payment processing for an account-based recycling program according to some embodiments;

[0009] FIG. 4 is a process flow of an exemplary method of performing compliance verification as part of the automated payment processing method according to some embodiments;

[0010] FIG. 5 is a process flow of an exemplary method of performing compliance verification as part of the automated payment processing method according to some embodiments; and#14708469v2

[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates aspects of item processing in a processing center according to some embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] In states requiring a redemption deposit for beverage containers, refund of the redemption deposit for each can, bottle, and / or holder (referred to for explanatory purposes as an eligible item) provided to a redemption center has previously involved processing of items provided to the redemption center prior to refund of any deposit. Processing may include verifying eligibility for the refund for items provided to the redemption center (e.g., based on an indication on the item that the item is eligible for refund of a redemption deposit) and calculating a refund amount based on a number of the eligible items.

[0013] When the redemption center used by an individual is a processing center where the verification is performed, that person may wait in line while an attendant processes the items of other refund seekers and then wait for the attendant to process their items. The wait time associated with obtaining a refund may discourage recycling, and the prospect of a higher refund amount may be unhelpful. This is because the increased number of items corresponding to an increased refund amount also result in an increased wait time while those items are verified and counted.

[0014] On the other hand, when the redemption center used by an individual is not a processing center but, instead, an unattended location or another location remote from where the processing of the items is performed, a prior approach did not provide the refund to the individual until the items were transported to a processing center for verification and refund amount determination. The delay in payment until transport and processing of the items is completed may not only be an inconvenience but may also cause hardship for individuals who rely on the refunds as a source of income. In addition, the delayed payment approach may be non-compliant with rules in some states requiring payment upon delivery of redeemable items.

[0015] In view of these and other considerations, the inventors have recognized that automated payment processing prior to item processing in connection with an account-based recycling program may provide the benefits of both time savings and a real-time or near realtime payment. According to embodiments detailed herein, an individual (referred to for explanatory purposes as a patron) may drop off items to a site (referred to for explanatory purposes as a building), and the account of a person associated with the drop off (referred to#14708469v2for explanatory purposes as an account holder) may be credited prior to processing of the items.

[0016] The account holder may be the person in whose name the account-based recycling program is established and whose account receives the financial credit for eligible items dropped off at the building. The patron may or may not be the same as the account holder. For example, the patron may be a family member or friend of the account holder who is simply dropping off the items. Alternately, the patron may be the account holder seeking credit to their own account. The building may be a stand-alone building or may be a store (e.g., liquor store, convenience store) with a drop-off area inside or outside. The building may be an area of a processing center where a patron may drop off items without waiting for processing. The building may be mobile. For example, temporary redemption centers may be established at certain times (e.g., during events) and / or the mobile building itself may be used to transport items to a processing center for processing of the items. As used herein, a credit provided to the account holder’s account should not be construed narrowly as an advance of funds. The credit may refer, for example, to a final payment provided by the account-based recycle program for redeemable items. According to some embodiments, the credit may refer to an advance of funds, if a post-processing adjustment or adjustment based on some number of previous transactions is implemented, for example.

[0017] According to some embodiments, an account holder may select a preprocessing payment or a post-processing payment for the items dropped off at the building. That is, the account holder’s account with the account-based recycling program may be associated with one of the types of payment options. If the account holder selects preprocessing payment, the account holder’s account may be credited by an amount corresponding to a default number of eligible items for every container of items provided by the patron, regardless of the actual number of items in the container.

[0018] The container may be a bag, crate, tote, or other conveyance and may be provided to the account holder with container identifier code. Alternately, the account holder or patron may print and adhere or affix an identifier tag to the container. Each container of items provided by the patron at the building may subsequently be processed at a processing center (which may be a different part of the same area as the building in some cases). The item processing may be performed by transporting the container of items to the processing center. Following the item processing, the actual number of redemption-eligible items in the container may be recorded. During a subsequent transaction, the historical record of the account holder’ s transactions may be used to determine past compliance with requirements#14708469v2for the pre-processing payment option. Non-compliance may result in an automatic change in the payment option (i.e., without the account holder’s approval) or suspension of the account holder’ s account.

[0019] According to some embodiments, one or more compliance conditions based on prior transactions may be checked, for example. An exemplary compliance condition may be that the patron has provided at least a specified minimum number of eligible items in each container for the last predetermined number of containers. Another exemplary compliance condition may be that an average number of items over the last predetermined number of containers meets a specified minimum average number of eligible items.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an account-based recycling system 100 according to some embodiments. The system 100 is generally shown to include a building 115 in communication with a processing center 150 and an account-based program controller 140. Multiple buildings 115 may be in communication with the account-based program controller 140 and the processing center 150. In some embodiments, the building 115 may be a standalone building 200 (FIG. 2) or may be part of another type of facility (e.g., convenience store, liquor store). In other embodiments, the building 115 and processing center 150 may be combined within one facility or area with the building 115 representing a section that facilitates drop-off and automated payment processing prior to item processing. According to some embodiments, the building may be mobile (e.g., a trailer).

[0021] A patron (who may or may not be an account holder) may bring one or more containers 105 with items 110 to the building 115 for drop off. The container 105 may be a bag 215 (FIG. 2), crate, tote, or other carrier for the items 110. According to some embodiments, the container 105 may be provided to the account holder with a container identifier (ID) 610 (FIG. 6) affixed, adhered, or otherwise coupled to the container 105. In other embodiments, the account holder or patron may be provided with a printable container ID 610 to be affixed or adhered to the container 105. The container ID 610 may be a barcode, quick response (QR) code, or any other machine-readable format.

[0022] The building 115 may include a container ID scanner 120 to read the machine-readable container ID 610. As discussed below, the container ID 610 may be used to identify an account holder’s account. In some embodiments, the building 115 may also include an account holder ID scanner 125 to scan a machine-readable account holder ID 103. When a given account holder is provided with an account holder ID 103 (e.g., on a card, keytag) and the account holder ID 103 is scanned by the account holder ID scanner 125, every container#14708469v2105 provided until another account holder ID 103 is scanned may be associated with the given account holder.

[0023] The building may also include a processing system 130 that includes one or more processors 132, memory 134, communication components 136, and interface components 138. Every reference to a processor 132 in the disclosure and claims may refer to any one or more processors 132 or to one or more similar components of a processing system at the processing center 150 or a cloud-based server or other external controller (e.g., account-based program controller 140). The account-based program controller 140 may be part of a processing center 150 or may communicate with multiple processing centers 150 and buildings 115. The account-based program controller 140 may include or may communicate with a patron information database 145 that stores account information, transaction history, container mapping information, and any other necessary information associated with an account holder. The account-based program controller 140 may communicate with one or more financial institutions 160 to credit the accounts of account holders prior to or following item processing, as described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0024] Returning to the processing system 130 of the building 115, the one or more processors 132 may implement any of the functions described herein alone or in conjunction with one or more processors of any of the external processing systems. The one or more processors 132 may implement functionality described with reference to FIGs. 3-5 based on instructions stored in memory 134 in the form of non-transitory computer-readable memory such as non-volatile storage, for example (e.g., optical disk, compact disk, solid-state memory). The communication components 136 may be known components that facilitate wired or wireless communication between the building 115 and the account-based program controller 140 and processing center 150. The interface components 138 may facilitate user interaction with the processing system 130 via a keyboard, mouse, or other known user interface.

[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary building 115 used for item drop-off as part of an account-based recycling system 100 according to some embodiments. The exemplary building 115 shown in FIG. 2 is a stand-alone building 200 and the exemplary container 105 is a bag 215. The building 115 is shown with container ID scanners 120 below receiving windows 210. A receiving window 210 may only open based on the corresponding container ID scanner 120 scanning a container ID 610. The processing system 130 associated with the building 115 may recognized that a bag 215 is received based on an object passing through the receiving window 210.#14708469v2

[0026] According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the container ID 610 on each bag 215 is associated with a particular account holder and the account holder’s account information. That is, a given account holder with an account in the account-based recycling system 100 may be provided with the bag 215 having a given container ID 610. The given container ID 610 may, therefore, be associated with the given account holder’s account via a look-up table or other form of mapping. As further discussed with reference to FIG. 3, if a container ID 610 is scanned via the container ID scanner 120 and then a bag 215 is recognized as being received via the corresponding receiving window 210, then the associated account holder information may be sought. As previously noted, according to alternate embodiments, a building 115 may additionally include an account holder ID scanner 125 to associate one or more containers 105 with the account holder information.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a process flow of an exemplary method 300 of performing automated payment processing for an account-based recycling program according to some embodiments. According to some scenarios, the process may start with a container 105 being presented to a container ID scanner 120. Thus, the method 300 may include obtaining the container ID 610 at 305 and querying account holder information based on the container ID 610 at 310. The query at 310 may include the processing system 130 of the building 115 communicating the container ID 610 to the account-based program controller 140 and obtaining the account holder information, for example. Alternately, the processing system 130 may perform mapping from the container ID 610 to the account holder information based on information stored in memory 134. As previously noted, according to alternate embodiments, an account holder ID scanner 125 may obtain an account holder ID 103.

[0028] With or without the processes at 305 and 310 being performed, a container 105 may be received. The container 105 being received refers to the processing system 130 of the building 115 recognizing drop-off of the container 105. The recognition by the processing system 130 may be based on the receiving window 210 being opened, for example, or on a motion sensor or other sensor just inside the receiving window 210. For example, at the exemplary stand-alone building 200 of FIG. 2, a receiving window 210 may be left open and a patron may forget to scan the container 105 at the container ID scanner 120 prior to putting the container 105 through the receiving window 210. Alternately, the container 105 may be scanned first such that the container ID 610 is obtained (at 305) and the container 105 is recognized as being received. Even in this case, the container ID 610 may not be associated with account holder information if the query (at 310) failed, for example,#14708469v2due to loss of communication between the building 115 and the account-based program controller 140.

[0029] When the container 105 is received, a check is done, at 315, as to whether the account holder is known (i.e., whether account holder information has been obtained at 310). If it has not, processes at 320 to store available information are performed. These processes may include storing container ID 610 (if obtained at 305), storing a location ID associated with the building 115 and other information (e.g., time and date of receipt of the container 105). At 325, the container 105 that is not associated with account holder information is retained and processed at the processing center 150. If the container 105 does not have a container ID 610 (e.g., one was not scanned using the container ID scanner 120) or has a duplicate container ID 610, as discussed below, a virtual container ID may be associated with the container 105 using the information from 320 (e.g., time of drop-off, location). The virtual container ID may be used to track the container 105 during processing at the processing center 150 and to ultimately associate the container 105 with an account holder. If lack of communication between the building 115 and the account-based program controller 140 resulted in lack of account holder information (according to the check at 315), for example, the account holder information may be obtained at the processing center 150 to facilitate crediting the account holder account. The processes at 325 may include recording the transaction, as well. Aspects of the processing at 325 include the prior post-processing credit approach.

[0030] If a container ID 610 was obtained at 305 and account holder information was obtained at 310 but a container 105 was not received (e.g., due to a fault in the container detection at the receiving window 210 or due to another error or because of fraud), the processes at 325 may be reached as well. The processes at 325 may store the location and time of the information (received at 305 and 310) and aid in associating an unrecognized or unidentified container 105 (e.g., if the patron did drop off a container 105 but the container 105 was not recognized as being received) ultimately being credit to the account holder. The determination that a container 105 was not received corresponding with the container ID 610 obtained at 305 may be based on a timer following obtaining the container ID 610 (at 305) or based on a different container ID 610 being scanned and received following obtaining the container ID 610 at 305, for example.

[0031] If the check at 315 indicates that the container ID 610 and an account holder (and corresponding account holder information) are known, looking up the account holder’s payment selection is performed at 330. The selection may be a post-processing credit, which#14708469v2refers to a credit that is based on the actual number of eligible items 620 (FIG. 6) in the container 105 determined by item processing at the processing center 150. The selection may instead be a pre-processing credit, which refers to a credit based on a default or predefined number of eligible items 612 (FIG. 6) being assumed to be in the container 105.

[0032] If the process at 330 indicates that the account holder information indicates pre-processing credit as the selection, a check is done, at 335, of whether the container ID 610 (from 305) is a duplicate. A duplicate container ID 610 may result, for example, from the account holder or a patron printing the same container ID tag twice by accident. If the check at 335 indicates that the container ID 610 was previously processed, then the processing at 325 is performed. If, instead, the check at 335 indicates that the container ID 610 is not a duplicate, then a compliance check is performed at 340. One or more compliance conditions performed as part of the compliance check at 340 are further discussed with reference to FIGs. 4 and 5 and involve obtaining the account holder’s transaction history information.

[0033] At 345, a check is done of whether the compliance check (at 340) indicates compliance. If it does, the account holder’s account is credited according to an assumed number of eligible items 612 in the container 105 at 350. The processing system 130 at the building 115 may communicate with the account-based program controller 140 to facilitate issuing the credit to the financial institution 160 with the account holder’s account. As indicated in FIG. 3, even though pre-processing credit is provided (at 350), this is followed by processing at the processing center 150 (at 325). The processing at the processing center 150 facilitates storing a transaction history for the account holder that may subsequently be used for the compliance check (at 340).

[0034] If the check at 345 does not indicate compliance according to the compliance check performed at 340, processes at 325 are performed, meaning that post-processing credit, if any may be provided. When non-compliance is the reason that the processes at 325 are reached, other actions may result, as well. For example, based on a level of non-compliance, as further discussed with reference to FIGs. 4 and 5, the payment selection in the account holder information may be changed from pre-processing credit to post-processing credit. Under some circumstances, the account holder’s account may be suspended and require the account holder to contact an account-based program administrator to regain access to account-based recycling.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a process flow of an exemplary method 400 of performing compliance verification as part of the automated payment processing method 300 according#14708469v2to some embodiments. At 410, accessing transaction history associated with account holder information may include the processing system 130 at the building 115 accessing the patron information database 145 via communication with the account-based program controller 140. At 420, the processes include obtaining the actual number of eligible items 620 in the last X containers 105 according to the transaction history (obtained at 410). The value of X may be 10, for example, or another predefined number of the most recent containers 105 provided by the account holder or one or more patrons in association with the account holder’s account and processed at a processing center 150. As previously noted, the processing at the processing center 150 may follow providing a pre-processing credit to the account holder (at 350, FIG. 3).

[0036] At 430, the processes include determining a number (X’) among the X containers 105 with a number of eligible items 620 less than a threshold number. The threshold number of eligible items 612 may be the number that is assumed in order to pay the pre-processing credit. For example, at 350, pre-processing credit may be provided assuming 50 eligible items 612 in the container 105. The subsequent processing at the processing center 150 may indicate that the number of eligible items 620 in the container 105 is actually 48. This would add 1 to the value of X’ (i.e., the container 105 would be added to the number of non-compliant containers 105). The threshold number may instead be less than the assumed or default number of eligible items 612 used to issue the pre-processing credit.

[0037] At 440, a check is done of whether X’ is below a non-compliance threshold. That is, the value of X’ may indicate the number of the most recent non-compliant containers 105 submitted by the account holder or one or more patrons for processing (regardless of the credit type selected). If the check at 440 indicates that X’ is below the non-compliance threshold, it means that the number of non-compliant containers 105 is still less than a threshold number of non-compliant containers 105. In this case, the pre-processing credit may be provided at 350.

[0038] On the other hand, if the check at 440 indicates that X’ (the number of non-compliant containers 105 in the last predefined number X of containers 105 submitted by the account holder or one or more patrons) is not less than the non-compliant threshold, then the processing at 325 may be performed. Specifically, as part of the processing at 325, postprocessing credit may be provided and recorded in the transaction history stored in the account holder information database 145 at 450.

[0039] At 460, which is also part of the processing at 325, a check is done of whether a non-compliance limit has been reached by the account holder. This check may be reached#14708469v2directly from 410, as indicated. This is because in a previous compliance check (at 340), it may have been determined (by the check at 460) that the non-compliance limit was reached. The non-compliance limit may be based on the same X’ non-compliant containers 105 and may be a higher threshold value than the non-compliance threshold used at 440, for example. Alternately, the non-compliance limit may be based on beginning with a larger than X number of previous transactions and determining the number or percentage of non-compliant containers 105 among them.

[0040] If the check at 460 determines that the non-compliance limit is not reached, than the account holder’s account is not changed at 480. If, instead, the check at 460 determines that the non-compliance limit has been reached, then the payment selection may be changed from pre-processing credit to post-processing credit at 470. The account holder’s account may be suspended instead if, for example, fraud is suspected.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a process flow of an exemplary method 500 of performing compliance verification as part of the automated payment processing method 300 according to some embodiments. As FIG. 5 indicates, many of the processes are the same as those discussed with reference to FIG. 4. These are not detailed again. The difference in FIG. 5 is in the check done at 510, which differs from the check at 440. At 510, the check determines whether the average number of eligible items 612 in the last X containers 105 is greater than or equal to a threshold average. The threshold average may be the same as the expected number of eligible items 612 based on the default pre-processing credit amount. For example, the check may determine if the last 10 containers 105 have at least 50 eligible items 612 on average.

[0042] While FIGs. 4 and 5 describe two approaches to the compliance check at 340 and 345, other factors may alternately or additionally be used for the compliance check. Further, different compliance checks may be performed based on the information associated with different account holders. For example, account holder information may indicate, for example, that the account holder’s account has been consistently compliant in the past (e.g., specified number of transactions, months, or years) or that the account is suspected to be fraudulent. The information may result in a particular (e.g., more lenient or more strict) compliance check being used for that account holder.

[0043] FIG. 6 illustrates aspects of item processing in a processing center 150 according to some embodiments. As shown, items 110 from a container 105 may be removed and placed on a conveyor belt. Each item 110 may be sorted as an eligible item 612 or an ineligible item 614 based on one or more sensors 640 and / or one or more cameras 650#14708469v2with a field of view that includes the items 110 on the conveyor belt. A processing system 630 of the processing center 150 may determine the actual number of eligible items 620 in the container 105 and may record that information in association with patron information in the patron information database 145, for example.

[0044] Returning to 350 of FIG. 3, various alternatives are possible. As described above, the patron may be credited for an assumed number of eligible items being deposited. In some embodiments, the patron may be credited for a subset of containers (e.g., bags) deposited. For example, the account may indicate the patron is to only receive pre-processing credit for up to two bags of recyclable items. If the patron deposits three bags, they will be credited for the estimated number of recyclable items in two bags, and paid post-processing for the remaining bags of items. This approach allows the patron to participate in the preprocessing credit program while reducing risk for the processing entity. Under this approach, any suitable number of bags and / or recyclable items may be set as the pre-processing credit limit for the patron, as the example of two bags of pre-processing credit is not limiting.

[0045] According to some embodiments, the number of containers (e.g., bags) or recyclable items for which the patron may receive pre-processing credit may be variable depending on the patron’s history. For instance, patrons may be assessed a score (e.g., a “customer score”) based on their history of dropping off a number of recyclable items closely matching the number for which they received pre-processing credit. Such patrons may receive a high score and over time the number of recyclable items for which they may receive pre-processing credit at 350 may increase. Conversely, patrons who earn a low score may see the number of recyclable items for which they can receive pre-processing credit decreased over time. Patrons may earn a low score, for example, by scanning a container but failing to deposit the container, or otherwise engaging in activity resulting in meaningful differences between the number of recyclable items deposited and the number for which they received pre-processing credit. Thus, a flexible pre-processing payment scheme may be implemented.

[0046] In some embodiments, fraud or suspected fraud may be used as a factor to limit the granting of pre-processing credit such as that provided at 350 of FIG. 3. For example, in some embodiments a fraud score may be calculated and used to limit the number of containers (e.g., bags) or recyclable items for which to provide pre-processing credit to new customers. The fraud score may be based on comparing information entered by the patron on registration of an account with items that can be verified. For example, scanning a driver's license may be considered a reliable source if the information can be verified. Other ways to verify a patron might include verifying the patron’s name is listed in a reputable#14708469v2source, such as living at the entered address or having the identified phone number registered to the name on the account. In contrast, the patron may enter information indicative of fraud, such as if the patron enters a phone that is voice over IP (VOIP) or an address that cannot be verified. No matter how determined, the fraud score may be used to set a limit for the initial number of containers (e.g., bags) that will be prepaid when dropped off by the patron.

[0047] According to an aspect of the present technology, a patron’s ability to receive payment may be turned off by the system, for example for the reasons described above such as repeated failure to comply and / or suspected fraud. In some embodiments, only the patron’s ability to receive pre-processing payment be suspended or turned off. The patron may still be able to be paid upon processing of the container of recyclable items. In this way, the processing entity can verify the recyclable items in the container before paying.

[0048] It should be appreciated from the foregoing description that the patron’s history may be used to vary treatment of the account. For instance, repeated non-compliance by a patron, such as repeated failure to provide an estimated number of recyclable items in a container, may result in stopping or modifying the permitted participation of the patron in a pre-processing payment program. However, recent compliance or sustained proper behavior may result in full participation or otherwise relaxing limits placed on the patron. Thus, the account may be handled dynamically, and patrons may be incentivized to comply.

[0049] The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

[0050] The phrase “and / or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and / or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and / or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

[0051] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements#14708469v2specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

[0052] Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

[0053] Having described above several aspects of at least one embodiment, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be object of this disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.#14708469v2

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An automated payment method comprising:receiving a container of items at a recycling drop-off location, wherein receiving the container includes using a processor to recognize delivery of the container to the recycling drop-off location;determining, using the processor, whether account holder information for an account holder is associated with the container;determining, using the processor, based on determining that the account holder information is associated with the container, whether the account holder information indicates pre-processing credit as a payment selection;performing, using the processor, based on determining that the account holder information indicates the pre-processing credit as the payment selection, a compliance check of one or more compliance conditions using the account holder information; andproviding, based on a result of the compliance check indicating compliance, a credit for the container to an account corresponding to the account holder information prior to processing of the container and its recyclable items at a recyclable container processing location.

2. The automated payment method of claim 1, wherein the receiving the container includes obtaining an identifier for the container.

3. The automated payment method of claim 2, wherein the obtaining the identifier for the container comprises scanning, with a scanning device at the recycling drop-off location, the identifier for the container.

4. The automated payment method of claim 2, further comprising associating, using the processor, the container with the account holder information based on the identifier for the container.#14708469v25. The automated payment method of claim 2, further comprising obtaining an identifier for the account holder.

6. The automated payment method of claim 5, further comprising associating, using the processor, the container with the account holder information based on associating the identifier for the container with the identifier for the account holder.

7. The automated payment method of claim 2, further comprising determining that the identifier for the container is a duplicate of an identifier for a previously received container.

8. The automated payment method of claim 7, further comprising mapping the identifier for the container to a virtual identifier, different than the identifier for the container, based on the determining that the identifier for the container is the duplicate of the identifier for the previously received container.

9. The automated payment method of claim 1, further comprising, based on determining that the account holder information is not associated with the container, associating the container with an unknown account.

10. The automated payment method of claim 1, wherein the processing of the container at the recyclable container processing location includes counting a number of redemption eligible items in the container, wherein the redemption eligible items qualify for refund of an associated deposit amount.

11. The automated payment method of claim 10, wherein the providing the credit for the container to the account corresponding to the account holder information prior to processing of the container at a recyclable container processing location includes the credit corresponding to a default number of the redemption eligible items.

12. The automated payment method of claim 10, further comprising adding the number of redemption eligible items in the container to a historical record associated with the account holder information.

13. The automated payment method of claim 12, wherein the performing the compliance check includes:#14708469v2using the historical record associated with the account holder information to determine a number of containers with fewer than a threshold number of the redemption eligible items among a most recent selected number of containers as a number of non-compliant containers, anddetermining compliance based on the number of non-compliant containers being less than a threshold number of non-compliant containers.

14. The automated payment method of claim 12, wherein the performing the compliance check includes:using the historical record associated with the account holder information to determine an average number of the redemption eligible items among a most recent selected number of containers, anddetermining compliance based on the average number of the redemption eligible items exceeding a threshold average.

15. The automated payment method of claim 12, further comprising changing the payment selection in the account holder information to post-processing credit, indicating payment following the processing of the container at the recyclable container processing location, based on a result of the compliance check indicating non-compliance.

16. A recycling drop-off building comprising:a container identification (ID) scanner configured to obtain a container ID from a container of items; anda processing system configured to:recognize delivery of the container to the recycling drop-off building;determine whether account holder information for an account holder is associated with the container;determine, based on determining that the account holder information is associated with the container, whether the account holder information indicates preprocessing credit as a payment selection;#14708469v2perform, based on determining that the account holder information indicates the pre-processing credit as the payment selection, a compliance check of one or more compliance conditions using the account holder information; andprovide, based on a result of the compliance check indicating compliance, a credit for the container to an account corresponding to the account holder information prior to processing of the container and its recyclable items at a recyclable container processing location.

17. The recycling drop-off building according to claim 16, further comprising an account holder ID scanner configured to obtain an account holder ID and associate an account holder identified by the account holder ID with the container.

18. The recycling drop-off building according to claim 17, wherein the processing system is configured to perform the compliance check by:using the historical record associated with the account holder information to determine a number of containers with fewer than a threshold number of the redemption eligible items among a most recent selected number of containers as a number of non-compliant containers, anddetermining compliance based on the number of non-compliant containers being less than a threshold number of non-compliant containers.

19. The recycling drop-off building according to claim 17, wherein the processing system is configured to perform the compliance check by:using the historical record associated with the account holder information to determine an average number of the redemption eligible items among a most recent selected number of containers, anddetermining compliance based on the average number of the redemption eligible items exceeding a threshold average.

20. The recycling drop-off building according to claim 19, wherein the processing system is configured to change the payment selection in the account holder information to post-processing credit, indicating payment following the processing of the container at the#14708469v2recyclable container processing location, based on a result of the compliance check indicating non-compliance.#14708469v2

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