Evaluation Kiosk for Pre-Owned Device Assessment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems lack efficient methods for remote evaluation and secure collection of pre-owned electronic devices, particularly smartphones and other small consumer electronics, which are often replaced frequently.

Innovation Solution

The development of remote distributed evaluation devices, such as kiosks equipped with cameras and processors, that can assess pre-owned electronic devices for various services including repair quotes, insurance/warranty quotes, certification, and a promise to purchase, while also facilitating secure collection and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If remote distributed evaluation devices are deployed to enable convenient device evaluation, then user convenience is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation kiosk enables users to independently complete device evaluation without requiring staff assistance. Users place their devices in the evaluation area, and the system automatically captures images, evaluates device condition, and provides quotes through automated processing, eliminating the need for manual inspection by evaluation staff.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical inspection processes are replaced with automated image capture and processing systems. Cameras capture multiple images of the device, and computer vision algorithms automatically analyze the images to assess device condition, replacing what would traditionally require manual physical inspection by human evaluators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple services (repair quotes, insurance quotes, certification) are provided through a single evaluation process, then service versatility is improved, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice versatilityVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation kiosk is designed as a universal platform that can provide multiple different services using the same core evaluation infrastructure. The same camera system and processing algorithms can generate repair quotes, insurance quotes, and device certifications by analyzing the same device images from different perspectives and applying different evaluation criteria.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The complex service provision process is segmented into distinct functional modules. The system separately processes different service types (repair, insurance, certification) using the same foundational image capture and device evaluation capabilities, allowing each service to be independently configured and optimized without affecting the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If automated image-based evaluation is used to speed up the evaluation process, then evaluation speed is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaluation speedVSAvoiddevice condition assessment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary image capture of multiple devices simultaneously before any evaluation occurs. By capturing images of all devices in the evaluation area at once and storing them for later analysis, the system enables rapid automated processing while maintaining comprehensive documentation of each device's condition from multiple angles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring direct manual inspection of each device, the system creates visual copies through multiple camera images. These images serve as comprehensive records of device condition that can be analyzed by automated algorithms, providing both speed and accuracy by capturing detailed visual information from multiple perspectives without requiring continuous manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient and secure remote evaluation and collection of pre-owned electronic devices, providing users with valuable services and ensuring secure transaction processes.

Implementation Method 1

one or more cameras arranged to capture images of the previously owned electronic device within the evaluation area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotography: Photography

Data Source

PatentUS20250045805A1Systems and methods for enhanced evaluation of pre-owned electronic devices and provision of protection plans, repair, certifications, etc.

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 A LA CARTE MEDIA INC

AI summary

Apparatuses, methods and storage mediums associated with evaluating previously-owned electronic devices are described. An example apparatus includes an evaluation area configured to temporarily include within it a previously owned electronic device, and one or more cameras arranged to capture images of the previously owned electronic device within the evaluation area. The example apparatus also includes a processor configured to evaluate the previously-owned electronic device using at least the one or more cameras, and, based on the evaluation, provide at least one of a repair quote, a protection plan quote, a protection plan claim, a certification, or a promise to purchase for the previously-owned electronic device.