Electronic Device Condition Evaluation for Accurate Recycling Pricing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved methods and systems to facilitate the recycling of consumer electronic devices, particularly mobile phones, to address environmental concerns and enhance the recycling process by simplifying evaluation and resale, while preventing fraud and ensuring accurate pricing.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving an evaluator device that connects to a target device to assess its condition and market value, using software and hardware to gather information, perform tests, and provide a guaranteed price, thereby ensuring accurate evaluation and streamlined recycling processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual evaluation methods are used to determine device value, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to human error and fraud
Solution Approach 1:
The target device performs self-evaluation by automatically running diagnostic tests on itself through the evaluator device connection. The device assesses its own functional components (display, touchscreen, battery, cameras, sensors, etc.) without requiring manual inspection, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated self-assessment protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical evaluation methods with automated electronic testing. The evaluator device establishes an electronic connection to the target device and automatically executes software-based diagnostic routines, substituting human-operated mechanical inspection with automated electronic measurement systems that provide more precise and reliable assessments.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive device testing is performed to ensure accurate valuation, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time increases due to extended evaluation duration
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring diagnostic test routines and evaluation protocols before the actual assessment begins. The evaluator device预先 establishes connection protocols, loads appropriate test software, and prepares measurement sequences, allowing comprehensive device testing to execute efficiently without manual setup time during the actual evaluation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation process maintains continuity of useful action by automatically transitioning through various diagnostic tests without interruption. The system continuously assesses multiple device components in sequence (display, touchscreen, battery, cameras, sensors, audio, connectivity) without requiring manual intervention between tests, thereby achieving comprehensive measurement precision while minimizing total evaluation time through uninterrupted automated testing.
3Reliability
If automated evaluation systems are implemented to prevent fraud, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases due to additional hardware and software requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluator device is designed with multi-functionality to assess various device components (display, touchscreen, battery, cameras, sensors, audio, connectivity) through a single integrated system. This universal approach improves reliability by providing consistent automated evaluation across all components while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate specialized devices, as one multi-functional evaluator handles all assessment needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluator device serves as an intermediary between the target device and the recycling/sales system. It automatically establishes a connection to the target device, executes diagnostic routines, and transmits evaluation results to the appropriate processing system. This intermediary role improves reliability by providing an automated buffer that prevents direct human manipulation of the evaluation process, while the standardized intermediary interface keeps system complexity manageable through protocol-based communication.
4Measurement precision
If multiple diagnostic tests are run to assess all device components, then measurement precision improves, but loss of information decreases as more data points are collected
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation system implements feedback mechanisms where the evaluator device continuously receives real-time data from various device components during testing. The system processes this feedback information, compares results against predetermined thresholds, and automatically adjusts subsequent test parameters or identifies failed components. This feedback loop ensures comprehensive data collection across all tested components (display, touchscreen, battery, cameras, sensors, audio, connectivity) while maintaining measurement precision through iterative validation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, apparatus, and systems for generating a price of a target device are disclosed herein. An evaluator device obtains technical properties associated with the target device. The technical properties include a make and a model of the target device. Physical properties associated with the target device are obtained. The physical properties include information related to wear and tear of the target device. Obtaining the physical properties includes indicating to a user that the user should position the target device in multiple predetermined positions and that the evaluator device records an image of the target device in each of the multiple predetermined positions. A video of the target device is recorded while the target device is positioned in the multiple predetermined positions. The obtained physical properties are evaluated to generate a condition metric value of the target device. Based on the generated condition metric value, the price of the target device is determined.