Patent Description:
The present disclosure is generally related to kiosks for buying and/or selling mobile phones and/or other electronic devices and, more particularly, to connector carriers for use with such kiosks.

There are more mobile phones in use now than there are people on the planet. The rapid growth of mobile phones is due in part on the rapid pace at which these devices evolve. Because of the rapid pace of development, a relatively high percentage of mobile phones are replaced every year as consumers continually upgrade to obtain the latest features or a better operating plan. According to the U. Environmental Protection Agency, the U. alone disposes of over <NUM> million mobile phones, PDAs, tablets, and other electronic devices every year. Millions of other outdated or broken mobile phones are simply tossed into junk drawers or otherwise kept until a suitable disposal solution arises.

Although many mobile phone retailers and cell carrier stores now offer mobile phone trade-in or buyback programs, many old phones still end up in landfills or are improperly disassembled and disposed of in developing countries. Unfortunately, however, mobile phones and similar devices typically contain substances that can be harmful to the environment, such as arsenic, lithium, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury and zinc. If not properly disposed of, these toxic substances can seep into groundwater from decomposing landfills and contaminate the soil with potentiality harmful consequences for humans and the environment.

As an alternative to retailer trade-in or buyback programs, consumers can recycle and/or sell their used mobile phones using self-service kiosks located in malls, retail stores, or other publicly accessible areas. Such kiosks are operated by ecoATM, LLC, the assignee of the present application, and aspects of these kiosks are described in, for example: <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>and <CIT>; <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>; and <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>,<CIT>,<CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>,<CIT>,<CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>,<CIT>,<CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>and <CIT>.

Mobile phone recycling kiosks typically provide users with a connector for connecting to the device they wish to sell so that the kiosk can electronically evaluate the device for identification, functionality, etc. Because different makes and models of mobile devices often require different connectors, the kiosk will generally include at least one of each type of commonly-found connector so that the kiosk can accommodate a broad range of commercially available devices. Each of the connectors is typically attached to an individual electrical cable that is carried on a rotating carrousel or other type of carrier device. To use a connector, the user pulls the connector and cable away from the carrier device and manually connects the connector to their device. As a result of repeated pulling and handling by users, the cables have a tendency to break or otherwise become damaged over time, requiring time-consuming replacement and contributing to kiosk down-time. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a connector carrying device for use with mobile device recycling kiosks that is less susceptible to connector and/or cable damage from use, and thus requires less maintenance and has a longer service life than conventional connector carrying devices.

<CIT> relates to a machine for processing electronic devices in accordance with a particular embodiment, including a cable system at least partially disposed within a housing. The cable system can include a hub, a plurality of cable components detachably coupled to the hub, and a drive mechanism operably connected to the plurality of cable components. The drive mechanism can be configured to cause a given one of the plurality of cable components to be staged for testing. The cable system can further include a controller and a test port. The controller can include memory, processing circuitry, and testing circuitry. The memory can store instructions that, when executed by the controller using the processing circuitry, cause the testing circuitry to test the staged cable component while the staged cable component is detachably coupled to the test port.

<CIT> relates to a mobile phone test machine and a mobile phone test method. The mobile phone test machine comprises a discharging module for carrying a product to be tested, a photographing module, a robot arm module, a receiving module and a processor, wherein the discharging module is provided with a data line, and the data line is in communicative connection with the product to be tested, so as to acquire a hardware parameter and a software parameter of the product to be tested; the photographing module acquires appearance data of the product to be tested; the robot arm module drives the product to be tested to move; a labelling module is used for labelling the product to be tested; and the processor is in communicative connection with the discharging module and the photographing module, and the processor receives the hardware parameter, the software parameter and the appearance data of the product to be tested, and evaluates the product to be tested.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved kiosk for purchasing mobile phones, an improved connector carrier for use with such a kiosk and an improved method relating to such a kiosk.

This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims which define the present invention.

The following disclosure describes various embodiments of connector carriers for use with kiosks, such as consumer-operated kiosks for purchasing mobile phones and/or other handheld electronic devices from consumers, and/or for selling mobile phones and/or other mobile electronic devices to consumers. In some embodiments, connector carriers configured in accordance with the present technology can include rotatable carousels that carry a plurality of different mobile phone connectors around a periphery thereof. In contrast to conventional connector carriers in which the connectors and the associated cables are manually extracted from the carrier for manual connection to a mobile device, in the connector carriers of the present technology the connectors remain stationary relative to the carrier and are not manually extracted for connection to mobile devices. Instead, as described in greater detail below, the connector carriers of the present technology are movable as a unit to present the correct connector to the user so that the user can dock their mobile device to the connector. After the electrical inspection, the kiosk automatically disconnects the connector from the mobile device. As a result, the connectors and associated cables are not subjected to repeated pulling and other rough handling that can lead to premature wear and tear. Accordingly, use of connector carriers configured in accordance with the present technology can lead to longer connector/cable service life, reduced maintenance and greater kiosk up-time.

Certain details are set forth in the following description and in <FIG> to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present technology. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, operations and/or systems often associated with mobile electronic devices, mobile device recycling kiosks, etc. are not shown or described in detail in the following disclosure to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the various embodiments of the technology. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, however, that the present technology can be practiced without one or more of the details set forth herein, or with other structures, methods, components, and so forth.

The terminology used below is to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain examples of embodiments of the technology. Indeed, certain terms may even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this Detailed Description section.

The accompanying Figures depict embodiments of the present technology and are not intended to be limiting of its scope. The sizes of various depicted elements are not necessarily drawn to scale, and these various elements may be arbitrarily enlarged to improve legibility. Component details may be abstracted in the Figures to exclude details such as position of components and certain precise connections between such components when such details are unnecessary for a complete understanding of how to make and use the invention. Many of the details, dimensions, angles and other features shown in the Figures are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments can have other details, dimensions, angles and features without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that further embodiments of the invention can be practiced without several of the details described below.

In the Figures, identical reference numbers identify identical, or at least generally similar, elements. To facilitate the discussion of any particular element, the most significant digit or digits of any reference number refers to the Figure in which that element is first introduced. For example, element <NUM><NUM> is first introduced and discussed with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a partially schematic front isometric view of a kiosk <NUM> configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology for purchasing electronic devices (e.g., mobile phones) from consumers. <FIG> is a front isometric view of the kiosk <NUM> with a front door <NUM> removed from a housing <NUM> to better illustrate selected internal components of the kiosk <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> together, in some embodiments the kiosk <NUM> can include a number of user interface devices to facilitate use of the kiosk <NUM>. For example, in the illustrated embodiment the kiosk <NUM> includes a display <NUM> (e.g., an LCD screen) that can provide textual and/or graphical information to users to facilitate a phone purchasing process. The display <NUM> can include touch-screen capability for receiving user inputs in response to displayed prompts, etc. Additionally, in some embodiments the kiosk <NUM> can also include a keypad, an ID card reader, a thumbprint scanner, a cash dispenser, a receipt printer, and/or other user interface devices to facilitate the phone purchase process. The kiosk <NUM> further includes an access door <NUM> that covers an internal device inspection area <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the door <NUM> can be slidably coupled to an inclined track <NUM> so that the door <NUM> can move upwardly to provide a user with access to the inspection area <NUM>. The kiosk <NUM> also includes a suitable processor <NUM> that controls operation of the kiosk components and systems as described herein in accordance with computer-readable instructions stored on system memory. The processor <NUM> may be any logic processing unit, such as one or more CPUs, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc. The processor <NUM> may be a single processing unit or multiple processing units in the kiosk or distributed across multiple devices.

<FIG> is an enlarged front isometric view of the kiosk <NUM> with the housing <NUM> removed to better illustrate selected internal components of the kiosk <NUM> associated with device evaluation. <FIG> is a further enlarged isometric view of the kiosk portion shown in <FIG> with a cover <NUM> removed to expose a connector carrier <NUM> configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. In both of these views, the access door <NUM> has been slid upwardly on the track <NUM> in direction U to expose the inspection area <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the connector carrier <NUM> can be rotatably mounted in an opening <NUM> in a support plate <NUM> positioned below the inspection area <NUM> and under the cover <NUM> (<FIG>). In the illustrated embodiment, the connector carrier <NUM> has the form of a cylindrical carousel (which can also be referred to as a cylindrical hub) having a plurality of mobile phone electrical connectors 132a-f radially disposed around a periphery of a chassis <NUM>. The individual connectors 132a-f can be selected so that all, or at least most, of the commercially available mobile phones can be connected to the carrier <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments the connectors 132a-f can include Mini-USB, Micro-USB, Type-C and/or Lightning connectors.

In some embodiments, the process for selling a mobile phone via the kiosk <NUM> can be at least generally similar to one or more of the processes described in the patents and patent applications listed above. For example, referring to <FIG> together, a user wishing to sell a mobile phone <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) can approach the kiosk <NUM> and input various mobile phone and/or personal information via one or more of the user interface devices described above. Such information can include, for example, phone identification information (e.g., make and/or model), user identification information (e.g., a driver's license and/or a thumb print), etc..

Based on the phone make and/or model information as provided by the user, the connector carrier <NUM> rotates in a clockwise direction CW and/or a counterclockwise direction CCW about a central axis <NUM> as shown in <FIG> to selectively position a corresponding one of the connectors 132a-f directly adjacent to an opening (not shown in <FIG>) in a device shelf <NUM> (the shelf <NUM> can also be referred to as an edge member, guide, wall, etc.). As described in greater detail below, the connector carrier <NUM> then moves upwardly as a unit to insert the selected connector <NUM> through the opening so that it protrudes slightly above the shelf <NUM> and into the inspection area <NUM>. The access door <NUM> then moves upwardly in direction U on the track <NUM> to expose a transparent plate <NUM> in the inspection area <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the transparent plate <NUM> is perpendicular to the central axis <NUM> and inclined relative to the horizontal plane at an angle of, for example, from about <NUM> degrees to about <NUM> degrees, from about <NUM> degrees to about <NUM> degrees, or about <NUM> degrees. In other embodiments, the transparent plate <NUM> can be positioned at other angles relative to the horizontal plane, or the transparent plate <NUM> can be parallel to the horizontal plane. After the door <NUM> opens, the user docks or otherwise connects the mobile phone <NUM> to the selected connector <NUM> by positioning the connector port in the mobile phone <NUM> directly over the connector <NUM> and moving the phone <NUM> downwardly in direction D to insert the connector <NUM> into the port. With the electrical connection thus made and the phone <NUM> positioned face-up on the transparent plate <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, the door <NUM> moves downwardly on the track <NUM> in direction D to the position shown in <FIG> to close off the inspection area <NUM> and initiate the phone evaluation process. In some embodiments, the structures and functions of the kiosk <NUM> can be at least generally similar to the kiosk structures and functions described in <CIT>.

In some embodiments, the kiosk <NUM> and various features thereof can be at least generally similar in structure and function to the systems, methods and corresponding features described in the following patents and patent applications :
<CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>, and <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>.

Although the connector carrier <NUM> and embodiments thereof are described herein in the context of the kiosk <NUM>, it should be understood that, unless the context requires otherwise, the connector carrier <NUM> is not limited to use with such kiosks. Accordingly, it is contemplated that the connector carrier <NUM> and various embodiments thereof can also be used with other types of kiosks and/or machines for mobile phone evaluation/recycling/purchasing/processing and/or other purposes.

<FIG> is an enlarged front isometric view of the connector carrier <NUM> and associated components configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. <FIG> is a bottom front isometric view of the connector carrier <NUM> and the associated components, and <FIG> is a rear isometric view of the connector carrier <NUM> and the associated components. In <FIG>, the support plate <NUM> (<FIG>) has been omitted for clarity of illustration. Referring to <FIG> together, the connector carrier <NUM> is rotatably mounted to a support frame <NUM> (which can also be referred to as a yoke <NUM>). The support frame <NUM> is pivotally mounted to a back side of the support plate <NUM> (<FIG>) by a pivot pin <NUM> at a first end portion of the frame <NUM>. An opposite end portion of the frame <NUM> includes a slot <NUM> that slidably receives a guide pin <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the slot <NUM> is generally orientated along a horizontal axis. The guide pin <NUM> is attached to a distal end portion of an eccentric crank arm <NUM>, which in turn has a proximal end portion fixedly attached to a rotating shaft <NUM> extending from an electric motor <NUM>. The electric motor <NUM> can be mounted to the back side of the support plate <NUM> (<FIG>) by a suitable bracket. As shown in <FIG>, the connector carrier chassis <NUM> includes a plurality of teeth <NUM> around the periphery thereof. The teeth <NUM> engage corresponding teeth on a pinion <NUM> (which can also be referred to as a spur gear <NUM>), which is in turn attached to a drive shaft of an electric motor <NUM>. The electric motor <NUM> is mounted to a back side of the support frame <NUM> by a suitable bracket.

Referring next to <FIG>, in some embodiments the kiosk <NUM> can identify the appropriate connector <NUM> for connecting to the mobile phone <NUM> based on the make and/or model of the phone <NUM> as indicated by the user (via, e.g., the kiosk display <NUM>; <FIG>). In operation, the electric motor <NUM> (under control of, e.g., the kiosk processor <NUM>) is activated to rotate the pinion <NUM>, which through engagement with the teeth <NUM> rotates the connector carrier <NUM> about the central axis <NUM> to position the appropriate connector <NUM> in the <NUM> o'clock position directly adjacent to and aligned with an opening <NUM> in the shelf <NUM>. In some embodiments, the electric motor <NUM> can rotate the connector carrier <NUM> up to <NUM> degrees in either the clockwise direction CW or the counterclockwise direction CCW about the central axis <NUM> to position a selected connector <NUM> adjacent to the opening <NUM>. In other embodiments, the electric motor <NUM> can rotate the connector carrier <NUM> more or less than <NUM> degrees in either direction about the central axis <NUM> for connector positioning, such as a full <NUM> degrees in either direction. Before the connector carrier <NUM> rotates about the axis <NUM> in this manner, the crank arm <NUM> positions the guide pin <NUM> in the position shown in <FIG> (e.g., the <NUM> o'clock position) or at a lower position (e.g., a lower position between the <NUM> o'clock position and the <NUM> o'clock position, such as the <NUM> o'clock position). Moving the guide pin <NUM> to a lower position in this manner rotates the support frame <NUM> downwardly about the axis <NUM> in the CW direction and away from the shelf <NUM>. This enables the connectors 132a-f to rotate about the axis <NUM> without striking the underside of the shelf <NUM> on either side of the opening <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front view of the connector carrier <NUM> with a selected connector (e.g., the connector 132a) aligned with the opening <NUM> in the shelf <NUM> (<FIG>) but not extending through the opening <NUM>, and <FIG> is a similar front view with the connector 132a inserted through the opening <NUM> for connection to the mobile phone <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> together, once the correct connector 132a is positioned directly adjacent to the opening <NUM> and generally aligned with the opening <NUM> as shown in <FIG> (in what can be referred to as, e.g., a "first connector position" or a "staging position"), the motor <NUM> stops rotation of the connector carrier <NUM>, and the motor <NUM> rotates the crank arm <NUM> in, e.g., the clockwise direction CW to position the guide pin <NUM> (<FIG>) at or near the <NUM> o'clock position. Moving the guide pin <NUM> in this manner causes the connector support <NUM> to rotate in the counterclockwise direction CCW about an axis <NUM> of the pivot pin <NUM> (<FIG>), thereby moving the connector carrier <NUM> toward the inspection area <NUM> and inserting the selected connector 132a through the opening <NUM> so that at least a portion of the connector 132a (e.g., a tip portion <NUM>) protrudes beyond the shelf <NUM> and into the inspection area <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. As described above, when the selected connector 132a is in this position (which can be referred to as, e.g., a "second connector position" or an "engagement position") the user can manually dock or otherwise connect the mobile phone <NUM> to the connector carrier <NUM> by moving the phone <NUM> downwardly on the transparent plate <NUM> to insert the selected connector 132a (e.g., the tip portion <NUM> of the selected connector 132a) into a connector port <NUM> on the phone <NUM> (<FIG>).

Once the mobile phone <NUM> has been correctly connected to the appropriate connector <NUM> in the foregoing manner, the access door <NUM> on the kiosk <NUM> (<FIG>) slides downwardly on the track <NUM> to close off the inspection area <NUM> to the user. The kiosk <NUM> can then perform an electrical inspection of the mobile phone <NUM> (for, e.g., device identification (e.g., IMEI number, etc.), battery capacity, functionality, etc.) and/or a visual analysis of the mobile phone <NUM> (for, e.g., cracks in the display screen, cosmetic condition, etc.). In some embodiments, the electrical and/or visual inspections performed by the kiosk <NUM> can be at least generally similar to the electrical and visual inspections described in one or more of the patents and patent applications listed above. Once these inspections are complete, the kiosk <NUM> can automatically activate the motor <NUM> to rotate the crank arm <NUM> and the corresponding guide pin <NUM> downwardly from the <NUM> o'clock position. As the guide pin <NUM> moves downwardly in this manner, it drives the carrier support frame <NUM> downwardly in the clockwise direction CW about the pivot pin <NUM>, which in turn causes the connector carrier <NUM> to move downwardly and away from the inspection area <NUM>. This movement of the connector carrier <NUM> retracts the selected connector <NUM> back through the opening <NUM> to automatically disconnect the connector <NUM> from the mobile phone <NUM>. If the user wishes to accept an offered price and sell the phone to the kiosk <NUM>, the transparent plate <NUM> can be rotated back and downwardly to cause the phone <NUM> to slide out of the inspection area <NUM> and into a collection bin (not shown). Conversely, if the user declines to sell the phone for the offered price, the access door <NUM> (<FIG>) can move upwardly on the guide track <NUM> to enable the user to reach into the inspection area <NUM> and retrieve the mobile phone <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the kiosk <NUM> can periodically perform a self-test of the connectors 132a-f to ensure that all the connectors are functional and to identify any non-functional connectors that may need replacement. For example, as shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments the kiosk <NUM> can include an electrical test port <NUM> (mounted to, e.g., a front side of the support plate <NUM>; <FIG>). The test port <NUM> can be a female port or socket configured to receive one or more of the connectors 132a-f and electrically test the functionality of the connectors. For example, to perform a self-test of a selected connector <NUM>, the motor <NUM> (<FIG>) can rotate the carrier <NUM> about the central axis <NUM> as needed to position the selected connector <NUM> in radial alignment with the test port <NUM>. The motor <NUM> then rotates the crank arm <NUM> and the guide pin <NUM> downwardly toward the <NUM> o'clock position to thereby rotate the carrier support frame <NUM> downwardly in the CW direction about the pivot pin <NUM>, which in turn drives the selected connector <NUM> into the test port <NUM>. Once the test is complete, the motor <NUM> rotates the crank arm <NUM> and the guide pin <NUM> upwardly to thereby rotate the carrier support frame <NUM> upwardly about the pivot pin <NUM> in the CCW direction and disconnect the selected connector <NUM> from the test port <NUM>. If needed, the kiosk <NUM> can include multiple test ports <NUM> as necessary to accommodate different types of the connectors <NUM>. The test port(s) <NUM> can be connected to suitable kiosk software and/or electrical systems to test the individual connectors 132a-f for continuity, impedance, etc. and ensure proper function. If any of the connectors <NUM> are found to be not functioning correctly, the kiosk <NUM> can send a corresponding text or other electronic message to service personnel to alert them about the faulty connector so that it can be promptly replaced.

<FIG> is an enlarged front isometric view of the connector carrier <NUM>, and <FIG> is an exploded isometric view of the connector carrier <NUM> configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> together, in the illustrated embodiment the connector carrier <NUM> includes a plurality of connector cable assemblies 378a-f positioned beneath a top cover <NUM>. The cover <NUM> is releasably secured to the carrier chassis <NUM> by a plurality of fasteners <NUM> (e.g., screws) that extend through slotted end portions of openings <NUM> in the cover <NUM>. To remove the cover <NUM> and access the connector cable assemblies <NUM>, a user can loosen the fasteners <NUM> and rotate the cover <NUM> in the counterclockwise direction CCW to align the faster heads with the over-sized end portion of the openings <NUM>. The cover <NUM> can then be lifted clear of the fasteners <NUM> and off the chassis <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, each of the connector cable assemblies 378a-f includes one of the mobile phone connectors <NUM>, a connector holder <NUM>, an electrical cable <NUM>, and a chassis connector <NUM> (e.g., a universal cable connector, such as a USB connector). Each of the electrical cables <NUM> has a first end portion electrically connected to a corresponding one of the phone connectors <NUM> and a second end portion electrically connected to a corresponding one of the chassis connectors <NUM>. To hold (e.g., fixedly hold) the phone connectors <NUM> in their proper positions relative to the chassis <NUM>, each connector <NUM> is received in a corresponding connector holder <NUM>, which in turn is held in a corresponding bracket <NUM> that is fixedly attached to an annular flange <NUM> of the chassis <NUM>. The connector holders <NUM> can include asymmetric protrusions 361a, b on either side thereof (such as the rectangular protrusions shown in <FIG>) and/or other dimensional features to ensure that the holders <NUM> are positioned in the corresponding brackets <NUM> in the correct orientation (e.g., with the tip of the connector <NUM> pointing radially outward). Each of the chassis connectors <NUM> is operably received in a corresponding connector socket <NUM> which is fixedly arranged on a carrier plate <NUM>.

As noted above, some electronic device recycling kiosks include connectors and associated electrical cables that are configured to be pulled away from a connector carrier by a user and manually connected to a device the user wishes to sell. As a result, the electrical cables are subjected to stress and strain from manual use that can result in damage over time, thereby requiring replacement and/or repair. In contrast, the connector carrier <NUM> does not rely on the user to grasp the selected connector <NUM> and manually withdraw it from the carrier and connect it to their mobile device. To the contrary, with reference to <FIG>, the user simply docks or otherwise connects the mobile device <NUM> to the presented connector <NUM> by aligning the mobile device connector port (e.g., the connector port <NUM>) with the connector <NUM> and sliding the mobile device <NUM> downwardly to insert the connector into the connector port. Similarly, the mobile device <NUM> can be automatically disconnected from the presented connector <NUM> by movement of the connector carrier <NUM> downwardly about the pivot pin <NUM> in the clockwise direction CW as shown in <FIG>. As a result of these features, the connectors <NUM> and associated electrical cables <NUM> (<FIG>) described herein are not subjected to manual use that can lead to damage and the need for frequent and costly replacement or maintenance.

In addition to the foregoing features, in some embodiments the connector carrier <NUM> can include a plurality of visual indicators to assist service personnel in identifying broken or malfunctioning cable assemblies <NUM> in the event that they may need replacement. For example, as shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments the connector carrier <NUM> can include a plurality of visual indicators 376a-f (e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs)) positioned on the flange <NUM> of the chassis <NUM> proximate to corresponding ones of the connectors 132a-f. If a particular cable assembly <NUM> is determined to need replacement (as a result of, e.g., a connector self-test as described above), the associated indicator <NUM> can be illuminated to signal the service personnel as to which of the cable assemblies <NUM> should be replaced. In other embodiments, each of the cable assemblies <NUM> and/or selected portions thereof can have a unique color, and when the service personnel receives an alert indicating that one of the cable assemblies <NUM> needs to be replaced, the alert can identify the color of the particular cable assembly <NUM> so that the service personnel can quickly identify it during the service call. In further embodiments, other types of cable assembly identification can be used, such as identifying each cable assembly <NUM> with a selected number that is printed or otherwise provided adjacent each cable location.

Aspects of the invention can be embodied in a special purpose computer or data processor that is specifically programmed, configured, or constructed to perform one or more of the computer-executable instructions described in detail herein. While aspects of the invention, such as certain functions, are described as being performed exclusively on a single device, the invention can also be practiced in distributed environments where functions or modules are shared among disparate processing devices, which are linked through a communications network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), or the Internet. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Aspects of the invention may be stored or distributed on tangible computer-readable media, including magnetically or optically readable computer discs, hard-wired or preprogrammed chips (e.g., EEPROM semiconductor chips), nanotechnology memory, biological memory, or other data storage media. Alternatively, computer implemented instructions, data structures, screen displays, and other data under aspects of the invention may be distributed over the Internet or over other networks (including wireless networks), on a propagated signal on a propagation medium (e.g., an electromagnetic wave(s), a sound wave, etc.) over a period of time, or they may be provided on any analog or digital network (packet switched, circuit switched, or other scheme). Although specific circuitry is described above, those or ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a microprocessor-based system could also be used where any logical decisions are configured in software.

References throughout the foregoing description to features, advantages, or similar language do not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present technology should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present technology. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the present technology may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the present technology can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the present technology.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to. " As used herein, the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variant thereof means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words "herein," "above," "below," and words of similar import, when used in this application, refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word "or," in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

While the above description describes various embodiments of the invention and the best mode contemplated, regardless how detailed the above text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its specific implementation, while still being encompassed by the present disclosure. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the various embodiments of the invention. Further, while various advantages associated with certain embodiments of the invention have been described above in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited, except as by the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A kiosk (<NUM>) for purchasing mobile phones from users, the kiosk comprising:
an inspection area (<NUM>) configured to receive a mobile phone from a user; and
a connector carrier (<NUM>), wherein the connector carrier (<NUM>) includes -
a support frame (<NUM>); and
a chassis (<NUM>) rotatably supported by the support frame (<NUM>); and
a plurality of electrical connectors (<NUM>) fixedly positioned around a periphery of the chassis (<NUM>), wherein the chassis (<NUM>) is configured to rotate about a central axis (<NUM>) to position a selected one (132a) of the electrical connectors (<NUM>) in a first position adjacent to the inspection area (<NUM>), wherein the central axis (<NUM>) is a first axis, and wherein the support frame (<NUM>) is configured to rotate about a second axis (<NUM>), spaced apart from the central axis (<NUM>), to move the chassis (<NUM>) toward the inspection area (<NUM>) when the selected electrical connector (132a) is in the first position to move the selected electrical connector (132a) from the first position to a second position in which the selected electrical connector (132a) is positioned for connection to the mobile phone in the inspection area (<NUM>).