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Techniques for managing information relating to recyclable containersRelated Patent Categories: Data Processing: Financial, Business Practice, Management, Or Cost/price Determination, Automated Electrical Financial Or Business Practice Or Management ArrangementTechniques for managing information relating to recyclable containers description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070174071, Techniques for managing information relating to recyclable containers. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to techniques for managing information related to consumer recycling activities. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0003] Many states have enacted legislation requiring that beverage containers carry a redemption deposit to encourage recycling. For example, a number of states impose redemption deposits of up to fifteen cents for each can, bottle, and/or other container sold. In other states in which no redemption deposit is imposed there have been extensive efforts to encourage voluntary recycling by consumers of beverage containers. [0004] Typically, after the beverages stored in containers have been consumed, the consumer transports the containers to a return center (e.g., at a retail location such as a supermarket, or a stand-alone redemption center). The consumer may be forced to wait in line while an attendant at the return center serves other consumers. When the consumer presents the containers to the attendant, the consumer waits while the attendant counts, sorts and verifies the containers. The attendant may provide value to the consumer in exchange for the containers, such as legal tender in the amount of the total redemption deposit or some other value. Given that the consumer may be forced to wait for a significant period to receive a relatively small value in exchange for the containers, the consumer may be dissuaded from returning containers. This may hinder efforts to encourage recycling. [0005] A return center generally houses a large, cumbersome apparatus designed to destroy containers so that the material from they are formed may be recovered for reuse. Generally, the apparatus occupies a large amount of floor space, which may be costly when located in a retail location, since that floor space might otherwise be used to stock products for sale. In addition, because the apparatus stores used beverage containers, it may give off foul odors and have an unsanitary appearance, which may further discourage consumers from visiting the return center. This may also hinder efforts to encourage consumers to recycle beverage containers. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0006] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method of managing information relating to consumer recycling activities is provided. The method comprises acts of: (A) performing a recycling transaction with each of a plurality of consumers, each consumer being identifiable via a consumer identifier, each recycling transaction comprising an exchange of at least one recyclable container returned by a consumer for value; (B) assigning a transaction identifier to each recycling transaction; and (C) storing, in electronic file storage, an indication of each recycling transaction, the indication including the transaction identifier and consumer identifier. [0007] In accordance with another embodiment, at least one computer-readable medium is provided having instructions encoded thereon, which instructions, when executed, perform a method of managing information relating to consumer recycling activities. The method comprises acts of: (A) performing a recycling transaction with each of a plurality of consumers, each consumer being identifiable via a consumer identifier, each recycling transaction comprising an exchange of at least one recyclable container returned by a consumer for value; (B) assigning a transaction identifier to each recycling transaction; and (C) storing, in electronic file storage, an indication of each recycling transaction, the indication including the transaction identifier and consumer identifier. [0008] In accordance with yet another embodiment, a system is provided for managing information relating to consumer recycling activities. The system comprises: a transaction controller operable to perform a recycling transaction with each of a plurality of consumers, each consumer being identifiable via a consumer identifier, each recycling transaction comprising an exchange of at least one recyclable container returned by a consumer for value; an assignment controller operable to assign a transaction identifier to each recycling transaction; an electronic file storage; and a storage controller operable to store, in the electronic file storage, an indication of each recycling transaction, the indication including the transaction identifier and consumer identifier. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0009] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings: [0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary technique for managing information relating to recycling and redemption activities, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; [0011] FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary technique for processing containers returned by a consumer, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; [0012] FIG. 3 is a representation of an exemplary schema for organizing information relating to recyclable containers, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; [0013] FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting relationships between one or more redemption kiosks, container processing facilities and consumer information facilities, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; [0014] FIG. 5 is a representation of an exemplary schema for organizing information relating to consumers, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; [0015] FIG. 6 is a representation of an exemplary screen interface which allows a user to enter verification information relating to a consumer, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; [0016] FIG. 7 is a representation of an exemplary screen interface which allows a user to add or edit information relating to a consumer, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; [0017] FIG. 8 is a representation of an exemplary screen interface which allows a user to add or search for information relating to a manager or clerk, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; [0018] FIG. 9 is a representation of an exemplary screen interface which allows a user to add or edit information relating to a manager or clerk, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; [0019] FIG. 10 is a representation of an exemplary screen interface which allows a user to add or edit information relating to particular store location, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; [0020] FIG. 11 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary computer system on which aspects of embodiments of the invention may be implemented; and [0021] FIG. 12 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary memory on which aspects of embodiments of the invention may be implemented. 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Patent Applications in related categories: 20090287498 - System and method for streamlined registration of electronic products over a communication network and for verification and management of information related thereto - The system and method of the present invention provide integrated or embedded components, for electronic (or other) products, each operable to securely store and selectively provide access to, a unique ID (UID) previously assigned to its corresponding specific product, where the UID of each product is registered with one or ... ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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