Electronic Device 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 simplify the recycling process while preventing fraud and ensuring accurate valuation.
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 and provide a guaranteed price, thereby preventing overestimation of device condition and ensuring a smooth recycling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If self-service kiosks are used for device recycling, then the recycling process becomes more accessible to consumers, but fraud risk increases due to difficulty in accurately assessing device condition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an evaluator device as an intermediary between the consumer and the recycling system. This device automatically connects to the target device via USB, retrieves device information, and performs condition assessments without requiring consumer expertise. The evaluator device serves as a neutral mediator that objectively determines device condition, preventing both overestimation by consumers and fraud while maintaining easy accessibility through self-service kiosks.
2Loss of information
If consumers manually assess device condition, then they can provide input on device value, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the evaluator device automatically performs all assessment functions without requiring consumer input about device condition. The system autonomously connects to the target device, retrieves information, and determines condition metrics. This eliminates the complexity of manual consumer assessment while ensuring accurate information capture through automated technical evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of consumer assessment with an automated electronic evaluation system. The evaluator device uses software and hardware to automatically retrieve device information, test device functionality, and calculate condition metrics, substituting the complex manual process with a streamlined automated system that reduces both complexity and information loss.
3Reliability
If automated evaluation systems are implemented, then fraud prevention improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the evaluator device with multi-functionality to reduce overall system complexity. The single device performs multiple functions: connecting to target devices via USB, retrieving device information, testing device functionality, calculating condition metrics, and communicating with the kiosk system. By consolidating these functions into one universal device, the patent achieves strong fraud prevention capabilities without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Data Source
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.