Various embodiments of apparatuses to turn a mobile phone over in, for example, a kiosk, and associated embodiments of kiosks are disclosed herein. Embodiments of such apparatuses can enable the kiosk to visually inspect both the front and back sides of the mobile device on an inspection surface with an inspection system (e.g., one or more imaging devices, lighting devices, etc.) positioned above the inspection surface, and can eliminate the need to position a second inspection system below a transparent inspection surface to visually inspect, e.g., the back side of the mobile device through the transparent inspection surface.

A recycling kiosk for recycling and financial remuneration for submission of an electronic device such as a mobile phone is disclosed herein. The recycling kiosk includes electrical connectors and an inspection area with an upper chamber, a lower chamber, a transparent plate and at least one camera in order to perform a visual analysis and an electrical analysis of the electronic device for determination of a value of the electronic device. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor and a display for user interaction.

A system for recycling a mobile device. A system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present technology includes an electrical connector and testing electronics. The electrical connector is configured to be electrically connected to a mobile device, and the testing electronics are configured to produce an electrical measurement by measuring an electrical attribute associated with a hardware component of the mobile device over the electrical connector. The system is further configured to valuate, identify, and/or authenticate the mobile device based at least in part on the electrical measurement.

According to an aspect, there is provided a method for self-diagnosing a mobile device comprising at least one or more actuators, one or more sensors and a display. The method comprises, first, feeding a pre-defined control signal to a first actuator of the mobile device and measuring, in response to the feeding, a first electric signal using a first sensor of the one or more sensors. Then, the first electric signal is compared to one or more reference signals associated with the first actuator and the pre-defined control signal. If the first electric signal fails to match the one or more reference signals according to one or more pre-defined criteria, a negative diagnosis is indicated to a user of the mobile device using one or more of a display of the mobile device and one or more actuators of the mobile device.

A recycling kiosk for recycling and financial remuneration for submission of a mobile telephone is disclosed herein. The recycling kiosk includes an inspection area with at least one camera and a plurality of electrical connectors in order to perform a visual analysis and an electrical analysis of the mobile telephone for determination of a value of the mobile telephone. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor, a display and a user interface.

A system for recycling a mobile device. A system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present technology includes an electrical connector and testing electronics. The electrical connector is configured to be electrically connected to a mobile device, and the testing electronics are configured to produce an electrical measurement by measuring an electrical attribute associated with a hardware component of the mobile device over the electrical connector. The system is further configured to valuate, identify, and/or authenticate the mobile device based at least in part on the electrical measurement.

A consumer-operated kiosk can include an inspection area configured to receive a first device from a user. The kiosk can include an imaging device configured to image the first device when the first device is positioned within the inspection area. In some embodiments, the kiosk includes a vending apparatus configured to store a plurality of second electronic devices for purchase. The kiosk can include one or more release mechanisms configured to directly release any one of the second electronic devices from the vending apparatus. The kiosk includes one or more processors operably connected to the inspection area, the imaging device, the vending apparatus, and the one or more release mechanisms. The one or more processors can be configured to cause the imaging device to capture one or more images of the first electronic device, facilitate purchase of the first electronic device based at least in part on the one or more captured images of the first electronic device, receive a request to vend a selected phone from among the phones in the vending apparatus, and/or cause the one or more release mechanisms to release the selected phone directly from the vending apparatus into a vending bay of the kiosk.

A monitoring network for a vehicle comprises a hub having memory disposed on the vehicle and at least one recycled smartphone having memory disposed at at least one significant location on the vehicle. At least one app resides on the memory of the hub and memory of the at least one recycled smartphone.

A case for PDAs is disclosed. The case is particularly suitable for maintaining mobile telephones free of infectious agents. The case includes a barrier material defining a body configured to enclose a PDA, and at least one drawstring fastener, wherein: (a) the case is configured to convert between a relaxed configuration which facilitates transfer of the PDA into and out of the case, and a fitted configuration which conforms more closely to the PDA enclosed therein, (b) the at least one fastener is configured to reversibly retain the case in the fitted configuration, and (c) the barrier material is effective to prevent viruses and bacteria from penetrating therethrough.

Various embodiments of kiosks for purchasing mobile phones and other mobile electronic devices from users are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the kiosks include an apparatus to position an electrical connector for connection to a mobile device. This apparatus enables the kiosk to connect to the mobile device to electrically inspect the mobile device, and the associated electrical connectors and 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. In some embodiments, the apparatus can include a camshaft having one or more cam lobes positioned to act against one or more cam followers, e.g., carrying one or more electrical connectors.