A vending machine system for exchanging CO.sub.2 gas cylinders, the system including a controller in communication with a user interface, a payment system and an array of bin assemblies, wherein each one of the bin assemblies is shaped to at least partially receive an end of a CO.sub.2 gas cylinder and includes a locking system for releasably securing therein a CO.sub.2 gas cylinder, said system for performing the steps of: (a) receiving user input through the user interface; and (b) if the user input represents a desire to conduct maintenance, then the system performs the steps of: (i) confirming that the user is authorized to conduct maintenance; (ii) unlocking an empty CO.sub.2 gas cylinder from a respective bin assembly for removal by the user; (iii) receiving a full CO.sub.2 gas cylinder in an emptied bin assembly; and (iv) securing the full CO.sub.2 gas cylinder received in the emptied bin assembly.

Methods and apparatus for managing information relating to recycling activities are described. One embodiment described herein is directed to a method for accessing aggregated recycling information for use and/or display in connection with an account-based recycling program. The method comprises receiving first and second container information, the first container information concerning a plurality of first containers for a first recycling transaction and the second container information concerning a plurality of second containers for a second recycling transaction. The first and second container information is stored and associated account information concerning at least one consumer account. The method further comprises accessing, in response to receiving a query relating to a plurality of recycling transactions, information relating to at least the first and second containers so as to enable the use and/or display of aggregated recycling information.

A method for identifying a state of a food package by using a camera can include capturing image data depicting a section of the food package by using the camera. The section includes at least one package feature, The method can further include identifying a package feature sub-set of the image data depicting the at least one package feature provided in the section, and determining the state of the food package based on the package feature sub-set of the image data. The state is selected from a food holding state and an emptied state.

A vending machine system for exchanging CO.sub.2 gas cylinders, the system including a controller in communication with a user interface, a payment system and an array of bin assemblies, wherein each one of the bin assemblies is shaped to at least partially receive an end of a CO.sub.2 gas cylinder and includes a locking system for releasably securing therein a CO.sub.2 gas cylinder, said system for performing the steps of (a) receiving user input through the user interface; and (b) if the user input represents a desire to exchange a CO.sub.2 gas cylinder, then the system performs the steps of (i) receiving payment from the user through the payment system for a replacement CO.sub.2 gas cylinder; (ii) receiving a CO.sub.2 gas cylinder in a first one of said bin assemblies; and (iii) the locking system releasing a full CO.sub.2 gas cylinder located in a second one of said bin assemblies for collection by the user.

The system enables one to securely recycle an electronic device in a publicly accessible location. In particular, the embodiment described may be used by a mobile phone owner to submit his/her mobile phone for recycling via an electronic kiosk and receive compensation in some form. The compensation might be dispersed via cash, voucher, credit or debit card, or other magnetic or electronic transaction methods.

The system enables one to securely recycle an electronic device in a publicly accessible location. In particular, the embodiment described may be used by a mobile phone owner to submit his/her mobile phone for recycling via an electronic kiosk and receive compensation in some form. The compensation might be dispersed via cash, voucher, credit or debit card, or other magnetic or electronic transaction methods.

A kiosk for accepting a portable electronic device from a client in exchange for payment includes a display, one or more cameras, a portable device receiving arrangement, a payment dispensing arrangement, and a communication connection to a remote server and/or operator. The kiosk is configured to, in conjunction with the remote server and/or operator, perform one or more of associating a fundraising even with an amount payable for the accepted portable electronic device, change or defer payments in accordance with at least some attributes that are yet to be evaluated, and to perform authentication of the accepted portable electronic device.

A handheld-device imaging and collection apparatus, associated techniques and systems are described. An example apparatus may include a first container and a second container attached to each other. The first container includes a top panel arranged to enable acquiring a clear view of an inside of the first container, and one or more mirrors arranged facing inside of the first container, such that an image captured by a camera through the top panel captures reflections, in the one or more mirrors, of an handheld-device placed inside the first container. The second container includes a collection chamber configured to store the handheld-device.

A handheld-device imaging and collection apparatus, associated techniques and systems are described. An example apparatus may include a first container and a second container attached to each other. The first container includes a top panel arranged to enable acquiring a clear view of an inside of the first container, and one or more mirrors arranged facing inside of the first container, such that an image captured by a camera through the top panel captures reflections, in the one or more mirrors, of an handheld-device placed inside the first container. The second container includes a collection chamber configured to store the handheld-device.

Consumer operated kiosks for recycling electronic devices are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the kiosk includes a rotatable inspection plate configured to receive an electronic device when the inspection plate is in a first position. The kiosk can include a camera having a field of view including at least a portion of the inspection plate. The kiosk can include a wired and/or wireless connectivity device configured to connect to the electronic device and one or more processors configured to: receive characteristic information about the electronic device via the wired and/or wireless connectivity device; cause the inspection plate to rotate to a second position; receive one or more images of the electronic device via the camera when the inspection plate is in the second position; and facilitate determination of an offer price for the electronic device based at least in part on the characteristic information and the one or more images.