WO2015103555A1

WO2015103555A1 - 3-d printed recyclable items

Info

Publication number: WO2015103555A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/010187
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chaya Venkata Prasad POLA; Matthew Liang Chaboud; Oleksandr BEREZHNYY; Jesper Mikael Johansson; Eric Dean KIDD; Prateek KOTAK; David Michael PACKARD; Morgan PETTIS
Original assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
Priority date: 2014-01-03
Filing date: 2015-01-05
Publication date: 2015-07-09

Abstract

Methods and systems are described for manufacturing and providing recyclable items to users. A user can select a recyclable item from a plurality of recyclable items offered for sale by an electronic marketplace. The recyclable item may be manufactured, utilizing a 3D manufacturing apparatus based on 3D manufacturing instructions that are associated with the selected recyclable item, and shipped to the user. Upon receiving an indication that the item has been returned to the electronic marketplace by the user, the item may be designated for use in a recycling program in which some of the materials used to manufacture the item are used in the production of new recycled items and credit may be given to the user for use in a future purchase of a new recycle item.

Description

3-D PRINTED RECYCLABLE ITEMS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is an International Application and claims priority to U.S. Application Serial No. 14/147,093, Attorney Docket No. 90204-887184 (069100US) titled "3-D PRINTED RECYCLABLE ITEMS," filed on January 3, 2014, the entire contents is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The plethora of computing devices made available to a consumer in their everyday life has made e-commerce a valuable tool for purchasing a variety of items efficiently. An electronic marketplace may offer a variety of items for sale which can be purchased by the consumer utilizing their computing device. A computing device can be used by a consumer to complete transactions by providing payment and delivery information to the electronic marketplace without leaving the comfort of his or her own home. An electronic marketplace may face the challenge of the costs associated with efficiently producing and/or assembling a variety of items that the consumer may wish to purchase. In addition, the consumer may grow tired of their numerous purchases or feel that the item they have purchased is no longer desirable given various circumstances in their life. Given the large selection of items available for purchase a consumer may find it desirable to decrease the cost associated with new purchases and reduce their personal inventory. An electronic marketplace may also find it desirable to decrease the costs associated with efficiently producing and assembling the variety of items offered for sale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0004] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example system for providing one or more recyclable items to a user via computer systems of a service provider in accordance with at least one embodiment; [0005] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example system for recycling one or more recyclable items returned by a user and providing one or more new recyclable items to the user via computer systems of a service provider in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0006] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram depicting an illustrative system or architecture in which techniques for providing one or more recyclable items to users via computer systems in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0007] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram depicting aspects of an example recyclable item ordering module in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0008] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram depicting aspects of an example recyclable item user interface via a computing device in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0009] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram depicting aspects of an example manufacture module in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0010] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram depicting an example system for providing scaling and manufacturing of one or more recyclable items in accordance with at least one embodiment; [0011] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram depicting aspects of an example delivery module in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an example data flow for a recyclable item service in accordance with at least one embodiment; and

[0013] FIG. 10 illustrates an environment in which various embodiments can be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] In the following description, various embodiments will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.

[0015] Techniques described and suggested herein include systems for recycling items in commerce by permitting a user to provide an item to a service provider in exchange for a new item, with the service provider recycling the material of the exchanged item to generate new items for the exchange or other exchanges. For example, a user can order a recyclable item offered for sale by an electronic marketplace or service provider, and the electronic marketplace may manufacture the recyclable item utilizing a three-dimensional (3D) manufacturing apparatus and deliver the item to the user. Additionally, the user may return the recyclable item or submit another item that can be recycled to the electronic marketplace and be given a credit towards a future purchase of a new recyclable item offered for sale by the electronic marketplace. The electronic marketplace may utilize recycling techniques to re-use some or all of the

manufacturing components of the returned recyclable item for future recyclable item orders. In embodiments, the returned recyclable item is melted or otherwise reconfigured so that the material from the item can be used in a 3D manufacturing apparatus. As described herein, the phrase "manufacture" connotes production of a physical object. As may be appreciated, the term "credit" connotes a monetary or monetary like payment that may take the form of a discount offered to the user, a currency transfer, or a form of currency only usable within certain environments such as within an associated electronic marketplace.

[0016] The electronic marketplace may manufacture the ordered recyclable item utilizing its own 3D manufacturing apparatus or by communicating instructions to a third party 3D manufacturing facility. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the returned recyclable item may be recycled by facilities operated by the electronic marketplace or by associated third party recycling facilities. A user may interact with a network page (e.g., a web page) or application via a computing device to place an order for the manufacturing of a recyclable item from an electronic marketplace. The user may also customize the item by indicating a certain color or by combining different template items to create a new recyclable item as described herein. The user may also indicate, via the network page or application whether they would like the recyclable item to be assembled or if they wish to assemble the item themselves. The selection of provided templates for the creation of recyclable items, past orders of recyclable items, and newly created recyclable items may be associated with a user via a user profile maintained by the electronic marketplace. The electronic marketplace may deliver the ordered recyclable item to the user. Additionally, the user may return the recyclable item to the electronic marketplace by mailing the recyclable item themselves to the electronic marketplace according to provided instructions or request that the item be picked up by a service provided by the electronic marketplace. [0017] FIG. 1 shows an example system 100 for providing one or more recyclable items 102 to a user 104 via computer systems 106 of a service provider 108. A user 104 can place an order 110 for a recyclable item, such as a toy, via computer systems 106 of the service provider 108. The computer systems 106 of the service provider 108 can provide 3D

manufacturing instructions 112 to have the ordered recyclable item 102 manufactured by a 3D manufacturing apparatus 114 that is operated or associated with the electronic marketplace or to a third party manufacturing facility 116. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the 3D manufacturing apparatus 114 may include a 3D printer or some other 3D or multi-dimensional manufacturing apparatus(es) 114 described herein. The manufactured recyclable item 102 may then be delivered 118 to the user based on delivery information provided by the user via truck delivery or any suitable delivery method including standard mail or air mail. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the manufactured recyclable item 102 may be delivered via an aerial drone.

[0018] The 3D manufacturing apparatus 114 or the manufacturing apparatuses operated by the third party facility 116 may utilize any manufacturing technique that can be used to produce a three-dimensional physical object based on the 3D manufacturing instructions 112. Both additive and subtractive manufacturing processes can be utilized. For example, manufacturing techniques can include fused deposition modeling, electron beam freeform fabrication, direct metal laser sintering, electron beam melting, selective laser melting, selective heat sintering, selective laser sintering, laminated object manufacturing, stereo lithography, digital light processing, and any 3D printing, including plaster-based, powder bed, and inkjet head 3D printing. Manufacturing techniques may also include automation of machine tools based on a digital model such as in computer numerical control (or CNC) techniques.

[0019] The 3D manufacturing instructions 112 can include any type of data and/or instructions that can be used by a 3D manufacturing apparatus 114, 116 to make an item. The 3D

manufacturing instructions 112 can include any data or instructions utilized in producing a physical object based on a digital model or data of the object. In accordance with at least one embodiment, 3D manufacturing instructions 112 may include combinations of dimensions, tolerances, and/or other part specifications that sufficiently describe the attributes of an item such that the item can be physically produced by a 3D manufacturing apparatus 1 14, 116. In accordance with at least one embodiment, 3D manufacturing instructions 112 may include digital models such as may be provided by Computer- Aided-Design (CAD) files or files for computer modeling programs. In an example, 3D manufacturing instructions 112 may include files in STL, PLY, or VRML formats, to name a few. In accordance with at least one embodiment, 3D manufacturing instructions 112 may include files representing cross sections of digital models referenced for building physical models one layer at a time. In an example, 3D manufacturing instructions 112 may include executable code providing specific sequential instructions for controlling a 3D manufacturing apparatus 114, 116 to produce a physical object. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a user 104 may modify or update the 3D manufacturing instructions 112 associated with a recycle item 102 via an interface provided by the computer systems 106 of a service provider 108. For example, the interface may provide a plurality of templates for a recyclable item which can be customized or combined with other templates by the user 104 utilizing the interface provided by the computer systems 106. The customization or combination of templates may result in the creation of a new recyclable item with associated 3D manufacturing instructions 112 that can be provided to the 3D manufacturing apparatus 114, 116. The user 104 may also utilize the interface provided by the computer systems 106 to create a new recyclable item without the use of templates or libraries provided by the service provider as described herein. For example, the user may take a photograph of an object and communicate the picture data to the service provider 108 to create a new recyclable item. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the service provider 108 may be configured to perform any

homeomorphic spatial mapping function to the recyclable item or newly created recyclable item via input provided from the interface. As described herein, the phrase "homeomorphic spatial mapping" may refer to a continuous invertible function between two topological spaces that preserves all of the topological properties of the given spaces over its functional domain. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the service provider 108 may be configured to perform any spatial homomorphic function the recyclable item or newly created recyclable item via input provided from the interface. As described herein, the phrase "spatial homomorphic function" refers to a structure -preserving function in at least some interesting characteristic of the source space and target space that need not be continuous. In some embodiments, the service provider 108 may utilize spatial/volumetric forward mapping functions that may or may not be invertible for use in recyclable item transformations. [0020] In accordance with at least one embodiment, the computer systems 106 of the service provider 108 can provide an electronic marketplace. An electronic marketplace can be a virtual market for buyers and sellers implemented through a network. An electronic marketplace can provide an interface for sellers such that a plurality of seller can provide items to be listed for consumption in the virtual market. An electronic marketplace can also provide an interface for buyers such that buyers may select and order from among the listed items. In accordance with at least one embodiment, buyers and sellers can include the user 104. For example, a user 104 can submit an order 110 for recyclable items listed for sale by the electronic marketplace and have the recyclable item 102 manufactured by manufacturing apparatuses 114, 116 and delivered 118 to themselves or a third party.

[0021] In accordance with at least one embodiment, the service provider 108 can instruct delivery of the recyclable item 102 to the user 104. As described above, one or more delivery options may be provided by the service provider 108. For example, the recyclable item 102 may be manufactured and stored at a pickup location for the user 104 to retrieve at their own convenience.

[0022] An illustrative example of the operation of the system 100 depicted in FIG. 1 follows. A person (the user 104 in this illustrative example) may wish to have a figurine of a teddy bear, manufactured and delivered. The user 104 utilizes their computing device, such as their smart phone, to access an electronic marketplace network page (provided by the computer systems 106 of a service provider 108 in this example). The user 104 locates the figurine of the teddy bear, or utilizes an interface provided by the network page to create a figurine of the teddy bear and places an order 110 for a recyclable figurine teddy bear for delivery. The computer systems 106 communicate the 3D manufacturing instructions 112 associated with the recyclable figurine teddy bear to a 3D printer (manufacturing apparatus 114, 116). The 3D manufacturing instructions 112 are used to produce a recyclable figurine teddy bear 102. In accordance with embodiments, as further described below, materials from returned items (in this example, toys) are used as the materials for the manufacturing process. In this manner, the materials are constantly recycled, so that costs associated with manufacturing can be reduced, and/or there is less environment waste upon finishing with a toy. The computer systems 106 provide instructions for delivery 118 of the recyclable figurine teddy bear 102 to the user 104.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows an example system 200 for providing one or more new recyclable items 202 to a user 204 via computer systems 206 of a service provider 208 in response to an indication that the user 204 has returned a recyclable item 210. The returned recyclable item 210 can be recycled utilizing recycling techniques 212 into 3D manufacturing components that may be reused in the manufacture of new recycled items 202 by 3D manufacturing apparatuses 214 that are owned or operated by the service provider 208, or by 3D manufacturing apparatuses that are owned or operated by a third party manufacturing facility 216 according to new 3D manufacturing instructions 222. The user 204 may be given a credit by the service provider for use in the order 218 of a new recyclable item 202. The service provider 208 may provide instructions for delivery 220 of the new recyclable item 202 to the user 204.

[0024] The recycling techniques 212 utilized by the service provider 208 to recycle a recyclable item 210 may include any recycling technique that can be used to produce 3D manufacturing components. Both complete and partial recovery of the 3D manufacturing components utilized to initially manufacture the recyclable item can be utilized. For example, a recyclable item may undergo a washing or stripping process which removes any paint or color associated with the recyclable item. In addition, the washing process may remove any customizations that the user has added to the recyclable item, such as initials. The recyclable item may then be subject to a melting process which reduces the recyclable item to its base 3D manufacturing components. Alternatively, the material may be heated and put into an injection or other mold for reshaping into a polymer or other material for use in the 3D manufacturing apparatus. In accordance with at least one embodiment, other processes may be utilized to reduce the recyclable item to its 3D manufacturing components such as a chemical or UV light break down process. It will be appreciated that depending on the nature of the 3D manufacturing components utilized in the recyclable item complete recovery may not be possible. It will also be appreciated that the recycling process may also introduce impurities which render the resulting 3D manufacturing components unfit for use in a future recyclable item. The user 204 may return a recyclable item 210 via the same delivery methods described above in FIG. 1 including dropping the recyclable item at a pickup point for an electronic marketplace to pick up and process.

[0025] In accordance with at least one embodiment, upon the user 204 successfully returning the recyclable item 210 to the service provider 208 the user 204 will be given a credit towards a purchase of a new recyclable item. In accordance with at least one embodiment and as described herein, the credit amount may be based on the size of the recyclable item 210 and the particular 3D manufacturing components utilized in manufacturing the recyclable item 210. In accordance with at least one embodiment, an indication of a returned recyclable item 210 may be given to the service provider 208 based on the user 204 placing the recyclable item 210 in a specific pickup location associated with an electronic marketplace or service provider 208. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the user 204 may package and place the appropriate postage on the package for returning the recyclable item 210 to the service provider 208. In an example, the service provider 208 may provide a bar code, two-dimensional bar code (such as a QR® code), or any suitable machine-readable label for printing by the user 204 and placing on the package to be returned. The user 204 may then utilize a computing device such as a mobile phone to scan the code to indicate to the service provider 208 their intention to return a recyclable item 210. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the service provider 208 may provide a credit to the user 204 upon the indication that the recyclable item 210 is posted for delivery as described above. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a service provider 208 or electronic marketplace may maintain a user profile associated with the user 204 and any credits owed to the user 204. The user profile may also include other information about the user such as delivery information, payment information, and past purchase history associated with the electronic marketplace. [0026] An illustrative example of the operation of the system 200 depicted in FIG. 2 follows. A person (the user 204 in this illustrative example) may wish to return their figurine teddy bear (return toy 210) in exchange for a credit towards the purchase of another recyclable item such as a toy elephant (next recyclable toy order 218 and recyclable item 202). The user 204 may be given a credit by an electronic marketplace upon an indication that the figurine teddy bear has been returned (the credit may be provided by the service provider 208 and the computer systems 206 to a user profile associated with the user 204 and maintained by the computer systems 206). The figurine teddy bear may be returned via delivery methods described above (in the present example by truck delivery 220). The service provider 208 may provide the returned toy 210 to a recycling facility owned or operated by the service provider 208 or by a third party facility (not pictured) for recycling 212. The 3D manufacturing components resulting from the recycling techniques 212 may be provided and utilized by the owned or operated 3D

manufacturing apparatuses 214, 216 to create new recyclable items. Meanwhile, the user 204 may utilize their computing device, such as their smart phone, to access an electronic

marketplace network page (provided by the computer systems 206 of a service provider 208 in this example). The user 204 locates a toy version of the elephant, or utilizes an interface provided by the network page to create a toy elephant and places an order 222 for a recyclable toy elephant 202 for delivery 220. The computer systems 206 communicate the 3D manufacturing instructions 222 associated with the recyclable toy elephant to a 3D printer (manufacturing apparatus 214, 216). The 3D manufacturing instructions 222 are used to produce a recyclable toy elephant 202. The computer systems 206 provide instructions for delivery 220 of the recyclable toy elephant 202 to the user 204. [0027] FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative system or architecture 300 in which techniques for providing one or more recyclable items 102, 202, to users 104, 204, via computer systems 106, 206 may be implemented. In architecture 300, one or more users 302 may utilize user computing devices 304(1)-(N) (collectively, user devices 304) to access a browser application 306 (e.g., a browser) or a user interface (UI) accessible through the browser application 306, via one or more networks 308. The "browser application" 306 can be any browser control or native application that can access and display a network page or other information. In some aspects, the browser application 306 may be hosted, managed, and/or provided by a computing resources service or service provider, such as by utilizing one or more service provider computers 310. The one or more service provider computers 310 may, in some examples, provide computing resources such as, but not limited to, client entities, low latency data storage, durable data storage, data access, management, virtualization, hosted-computing-system-based software solutions, electronic content performance management, etc. The one or more service provider computers 310 may also be operable to provide web or network hosting, computer application development, and/or implementation platforms, combinations of the foregoing, or the like to the one or more users 302.

[0028] In one illustrative configuration, the user devices 304 may include at least one memory 312 and one or more processing units or processor(s) 314. The processor(s) 314 may be implemented as appropriate in hardware, computer-executable instructions, firmware, or combinations thereof. Computer-executable instruction or firmware implementations of the processor(s) 314 may include computer-executable or machine-executable instructions written in any suitable programming language to perform the various functions described. The user devices 304 may also include geo-location devices (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) device or the like) for providing and/or recording geographic location information associated with the user devices 304. [0029] The memory 312 may store program instructions that are loadable and executable on the processor(s) 314, as well as data generated during the execution of these programs. Depending on the configuration and type of user device 304, the memory 312 may be volatile (such as random access memory (RAM)) and/or non-volatile (such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, etc.). The user device 304 may also include additional removable storage and/or non-removable storage including, but not limited to, magnetic storage, optical disks, and/or tape storage. The disk drives and their associated computer-readable media may provide non-volatile storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for the computing devices. In some implementations, the memory 312 may include multiple different types of memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or ROM. [0030] Turning to the components of the memory 312 in more detail, the memory 312 may include an operating system and one or more application programs or services for implementing the features disclosed herein via the browser application 306 or dedicated applications (e.g., smart phone applications, tablet applications, etc.). The browser application 306 may be configured to receive, store, and/or display a network site (e.g., a website), a link to an electronic marketplace, or other interface for interacting with the one or more service provider

computers 310. Additionally, the memory 312 may store access credentials and/or other user information such as, but not limited to, user IDs, passwords, and/or other user information. In some examples, the user information may include information for authenticating an account such as, but not limited to, a device ID, a cookie, an IP address, a location, or the like. In addition, the user information may include a user 302 provided response to a security question or a geographic location obtained by the user device 304.

[0031] In some examples, the networks 308 may include any one or a combination of many different types of networks, such as cable networks, the Internet, wireless networks, cellular networks and other private and/or public networks. While the illustrated example represents the users 302 accessing the browser application 306 over the networks 308, the described techniques may equally apply in instances where the users 302 interact with the one or more service provider computers 310 via the one or more user devices 304 over a landline phone, via a kiosk, or in any other manner. It is also noted that the described techniques may apply in other client/server arrangements (e.g., set-top boxes, etc.), as well as in non-client/server arrangements (e.g., locally stored applications, etc.). [0032] As described briefly above, the browser application 306 may allow the users 302 to interact with the one or more service provider computers 310 (e.g., the computer systems 106 of the service provider 108), such as to access content like web pages or network pages. The one or more service provider computers 310, perhaps arranged in a cluster of servers or as a server farm, may host the browser application 306 and/or hosted computing environment (also known as cloud-based) software services. Other server architectures may also be used to host the browser application 306 and/or cloud-based software services. The browser application 306 may be capable of handling requests from many users 302 and serving, in response, various user interfaces that can be rendered at the user devices 304 such as, but not limited to, a web page, a website, network site, or network page. The browser application 306 can interact with any type of website or network site that supports user interaction, including social networking sites, electronic retailers, informational sites, blog sites, microblog sites, search engine sites, news and entertainment sites, and so forth. The described techniques can similarly be implemented outside of the browser application 306, such as with other applications running on the user device 304. [0033] The one or more service provider computers 310 may be any type of computing device such as, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a server computer, electronic book (e-book) reader, a thin-client device, a tablet PC, etc. Additionally, it should be noted that in some embodiments, the one or more service provider computers 310 may be executed by one or more virtual machines implemented in a hosted computing environment. The hosted computing environment may include one or more rapidly provisioned and released computing resources, which computing resources may include computing, networking, and/or storage devices. A hosted computing environment may also be referred to as a cloud computing environment. In some examples, the one or more service provider computers 310 may be in communication with the user device 304 via the networks 308, or via other network connections. The one or more service provider computers 310 may include one or more servers, perhaps arranged in a cluster or as individual servers not associated with one another. The one or more service provider computers 310 may be in communication with one or more third party computers 316 via networks 308. The one or more service provider computers 310 that host the browser application 306 may obtain and provide data to third party computers 316 via networks 308 in accordance with embodiments described herein. [0034] In one illustrative configuration, the one or more service provider computers 310 may include at least one memory 318 and one or more processing units or processors(s) 319. The processor(s) 319 may be implemented as appropriate in hardware, computer-executable instructions, firmware, or combinations thereof. Computer-executable instruction or firmware implementations of the processor(s) 319 may include computer-executable or

machine-executable instructions written in any suitable programming language to perform the various functions described. The memory 318 may store program instructions that are loadable and executable on the processor(s) 319, as well as data generated during the execution of these programs. Depending on the configuration and type of the one or more service provider computers 310, the memory 318 may be volatile (such as RAM) and/or non- volatile (such as

ROM, flash memory, etc.). The one or more service provider computers 310 or servers may also include additional storage 320, which may include removable storage and/or non-removable storage. The additional storage 320 may include, but is not limited to, magnetic storage, optical disks and/or tape storage. The disk drives and their associated computer-readable media may provide non- volatile storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the computing devices. In some implementations, the memory 318 may include multiple different types of memory, such as SRAM, DRAM, or ROM.

[0035] The memory 318, the additional storage 320, both removable and non-removable, are all examples of non-transitory computer-readable storage media. For example, computer- readable storage media may include volatile or non-volatile, removable or non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. The memory 318 and the additional storage 320 are all examples of computer storage media. Additional types of computer storage media that may be present in the one or more service provider computers 310 may include, but are not limited to, PRAM, SRAM, DRAM, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, DVD or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium, which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the one or more service provider computers 310. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0036] The one or more service provider computers 310 may also contain communication connection(s) 321 that allow the one or more service provider computers 310 to communicate with a stored database, another computing device or server, user terminals and/or other devices on the networks 308. The one or more service provider computers 310 may also include I/O device(s) 322, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, a voice input device, a touch input device, a display, speakers, a printer, etc. [0037] Turning to the contents of the memory 318 in more detail, the memory 318 may include an operating system 324, one or more data stores 326 and/or one or more application programs, services, or other software modules, which are generally executed by a processor (e.g., the processors 314 and/or 319) for implementing the features disclosed herein.

[0038] Example modules are shown in FIG. 3, but functions and embodiments described herein can utilize a subset of the features provided by the modules and/or additional functions can be provided. Additionally, while the example modules will now be briefly discussed with regard to FIG. 3, further specific details regarding the example modules are provided below in the descriptions of subsequent Figures.

[0039] As an example module of memory 318, a recyclable item ordering module 328 can be provided for receiving and/or processing orders 110, 218 for recyclable items 102, 202. A manufacture module 330 can be provided for providing instructions, for example to the 3D manufacturing apparatus 112, 116, 214, 216 for manufacturing one or more recyclable item(s) 102, 202. A delivery module 332 can be provided for coordinating delivery of the recyclable item 102, 202 to the user 104, coordinating delivery of the returned recyclable item 210, and indicating to the service provider 108, 208 of a returned recyclable item 210.

[0040] FIG. 4 depicts aspects of an example recyclable item ordering module 402. Recyclable item ordering module 402 can include a recyclable item module 404, an item transformation module 406, an application programming interface 408, a graphical user interface 410, a user profile module 412, one or more data stores 414, and a price calculation module 416. Recyclable item ordering module 402 may be an example of recyclable item ordering module 328 of FIG. 3. The one or more data stores 414 may be an example of the one or more data stores 326 of FIG. 3. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the recyclable ordering module 402 may be responsible for providing and receiving a selection of one or more recyclable items offered for sale by an electronic marketplace. The recyclable ordering module 402 may interact with the API 408 and graphical user interface 410 to provide a network page to a browser 306 that provides information regarding a plurality of recyclable items offered for sale by an electronic marketplace. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the recyclable ordering module 402 may receive a selection or an order of a recyclable item and provide the associated 3D

manufacturing instructions to the manufacture module 330. The modules included within and including the recyclable item ordering module 402 may be software modules, hardware modules or a suitable combination thereof. If the modules are software modules, the modules can be embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium and processed by a processor in any of the computer systems described herein. It should be noted that the described processes and architectures described below can be performed either in real-time or in an asynchronous mode prior to any user interaction. The modules may be configured in the manner suggested in FIG. 4 or may exist as separate modules.

[0041] In accordance with at least one embodiment, the recyclable item ordering module 402 may be configured to receive an order of a recyclable item via a native application running from a user device 304. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the 3D manufacturing instructions associated with an ordered recyclable item may be stored and accessed via one or more data stores 414. It should be noted that the 3D manufacturing instructions associated with an order for a recyclable item may be obtained and stored prior to the receipt of orders from a user so that the 3D manufacturing instructions are available when an order is received. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the recyclable item ordering module 402 may communicate the 3D manufacturing instructions to the manufacture module 602 to provide instructions for manufacturing the recyclable item to one or more 3D manufacturing apparatuses as described below in FIG. 6.

[0042] In accordance with at least one embodiment, a user may interact with the UI of the network page provided by the one or more service provider computers 310 to combine templates of recyclable items to create a new recyclable item. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the newly created recyclable item may undergo a stress analysis to determine whether the item is capable of being manufactured in a stable form and compared against protective policies as described below in FIG. 6. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the templates of recyclable items may be stored and accessed in the one or more data stores 326. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the user profile module 412 may be responsible for creating a profile associated with the user. A user profile may include information such as the user's payment information, delivery information, and purchase history. In addition, the user profile may be responsible for maintaining a library of recyclable templates that have been selected by the user. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the user profile module 412 may also be responsible for maintaining a template associated with the newly created recyclable items and any credits acquired by the user in response to a returned recyclable item. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the user profile module 412 may store user profiles and their associated information on the one or more data stores 326 for access. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the user profile module 412 may dynamically update the user profile information based on purchases of recyclable items, returns of recyclable items, or the selection/creation of recyclable item templates.

[0043] In accordance with at least one embodiment, the user may utilize a computing device, such as a mobile phone, to capture an object via a photograph or video and communicate the data associated with the photograph or video to the service provider for creating a new recyclable item, as will be discussed further in FIG. 7. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a recyclable item offered for sale by the electronic marketplace may be scaled larger or smaller by the user via the network page provided by the browser 306 or native application. The capability to scale a recyclable item may include items created from a captured photograph or video as described herein. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the item transformation module 406 may interact with the graphical user interface 410, API 408, and the recyclable item ordering module 402 to provide the scaling capability to a user 302 interacting with a user device 304. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the item transformation module 406 may communicate with the manufacture module 602 to determine the structural integrity of the newly scaled recyclable item. The item transformation module 406 may also communicate with the manufacture module 602 to determine if the newly scaled recyclable item violates any protective policies maintained by the electronic marketplace as described further in FIG. 6. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the transformation module 406 may be configured to provide homeomorphic spatial mapping capabilities in a 3D space. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the transformation module 406 may be configured to provide spatial homomorphic capabilities in a 3D space. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the item transformation module 406 may interact with the graphical user interface 410, API 408, and the recyclable item ordering module 402 to provide the homeomorphic spatial mapping capability or spatial homomorphic capabilities to a user 302 interacting with a user device 304. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the item transformation module 406 may communicate with the manufacture module 602 to determine the structural integrity of the newly created recyclable item customized by the utilization of a homeomorphic spatial mapping function or spatial homomorphic function.

[0044] In accordance with at least one embodiment, the graphical user interface 410, API 408, and recyclable item ordering module 402 may provide a user interface to the user 302 via the browser 306 which provides for the creation of a new recyclable item without the aid of templates. For example, a user may be presented with a stylus that may be interacted with, for example by a mouse, for free drawing a new recyclable item. The newly created recyclable item may be saved as a new template for use by the user and other users associated with the electronic marketplace. As mentioned above and as will be described in further detail below in FIG. 6, the newly created recyclable item may also be analyzed to determine whether the item is capable of being manufactured in a stable form and compared against protective policies.

[0045] In accordance with at least one embodiment, the user may select a type of material to be utilized in manufacturing the recyclable item. For example, a user may wish to manufacture a toy elephant that is composed of a metal alloy as compared to a plastic composite. The selection of the type of material to utilize to create the recyclable item may be presented to the user via the graphical user interface 410 and recyclable item ordering module 402. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the recyclable items offered for sale by an electronic marketplace may not have the material of which they are manufactured with modified. For example, protective policies may be in place to prevent the creation of a metal sword as opposed to a toy plastic sword. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the price calculation module 416 may be responsible for determining the associated price of a newly ordered recyclable item. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the price calculation module 416 may determine a price for a recyclable item based on whether a credit applies, which type of material or materials are being utilized to create the recyclable item, the quantity of the material or materials utilized to create the recyclable item, and the estimated time for manufacturing the recycled item. In accordance with at least one embodiment, recyclable items offered for sale by the electronic marketplace may have prices that are predetermined by the price calculation module 416 that may be accessed and stored in the one or more data stores 326 by the recyclable item ordering module 328 to communicate price information to the user. [0046] In accordance with at least one embodiment, the recyclable item ordering module 402, the recyclable item module 404, and the delivery module 332, may be responsible for indicating that a recyclable item has been returned by a user and for providing instructions to recycle a returned recyclable item according to one or more recyclable techniques as described above. For example, a user may return a previously ordered recyclable item to the electronic marketplace for recycling in exchange for a credit towards the purchase of a new recyclable item. The delivery module 332 may communicate the receipt or indication that the user has returned a recyclable item for recycling to the recyclable item module 404. In accordance with at least one

embodiment, the recyclable item module 404 may be responsible for analyzing data associated with the returned recyclable item for determining the amount of credit to be awarded to the user and which recycling technique should be utilized in recycling the returned item. For example, the recyclable item module 404 may, upon an indication from the delivery module 332 that an item has been returned, communicate with the 3D manufacturing instructions data store 414 and user profile module 412 to obtain the material(s) and quantities of material(s) utilized to create the returned recyclable item. The recyclable item module 404 may utilize the obtained information to determine the amount of credit to be given to a user and which recycling technique should be applied by a recycling facility that is associated with the service

provider 208. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the recyclable item module 404 may provide instructions to a third party recycling facility for reducing a recyclable item to 3D manufacturing components which may be utilized by the electronic marketplace to create a new recyclable item via the third party computers 316 across networks 308. [0047] FIG. 5 depicts an example recyclable item user interface 500 via a computing device 502 in accordance with at least one embodiment. As described above, a user may interact with a UI provided by the service provider 208 and computer systems 206, to create a new recyclable item. In accordance with at least one embodiment and as described above, a user may combine templates that are provided by an electronic marketplace to create a new recyclable item. In FIG. 5 at step 1, a user may interact 504 via the computing device 502 with a representation of recyclable items 506 and 508. In the current example, the user's interaction may include touch screen input or the use of a mouse or stylus to combine the recyclable items 506 and 508 shown at 510.

[0048] In accordance with at least one embodiment, at step 2, a preview of a representation of the newly created recyclable item 512 may be presented to the user for verification and further manipulation. As depicted in the current example, the newly created recyclable item 512 represents a toy of a Roc carrying an elephant. As will be described further below the newly created recyclable item 512 may be subject to stress or stability analysis to determine the integrity of the item before instructions are sent to a 3D manufacturing apparatus. In addition, the newly created recyclable item 512 may be analyzed for compliance with one or more policies maintained by an electronic marketplace. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the user may save the representation of the newly created recyclable item 512 for use as a template by themselves or other users associated with the electronic marketplace at 514. The user may also place an order for the newly created item via the button 514 provided by user interface 500.

[0049] In accordance with at least one embodiment, the user may be provided with access to a template library maintained by the electronic marketplace via button 516 or access to a library of predetermined toys 518. As described above, the recyclable item ordering module 402, API 408, graphical user interface 410, price calculation module 416, user profile module 412, and the one or more data stores 326 may be responsible for providing the user interface capabilities described above in FIG. 5. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the user may create a recyclable item utilizing a user interface such as user interface 500 and the service provider 108 and computer systems 106 may provide 3D manufacturing instructions 112 associated with the newly created item to a manufacturing apparatus 114. The service provider 108 and computer systems 106 may then provide instructions to deliver the newly created recyclable item 512 to the user according to delivery information maintained by the user profile module 412. It will be appreciated that while a combination of two template recyclable items is described in FIG. 5, various customization operations may be performed by a user utilizing a user interface 500. For example, the user may rotate the representations of the items and combine the items in any manner that will not impede the structural integrity of the final creation as analyzed by the manufacture module 602. A user may also change the colors associated with the recyclable item(s), add features such as initials or any suitable alpha numeric string, and scale the size of the recyclable item. The user may also utilize a homeomorphic spatial function such as a stretching function on the recyclable item before ordering the item. The user may also utilize a spatial homomorphic function such as tapering, warping, or twisting of a recyclable item before ordering the item. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a user may combine multiple items by leveraging pre-determined join/cut regions on supplied templates, or by applying constrained functions on implicit manifolds constructed through the combination of multiple source objects. This allows for addition, subtraction, and regionally-smoothed joins in computationally efficient manners. It will be appreciated that while two recyclable items are combined in FIG. 5, in an embodiment two or more recyclable items may be combined to create a new recyclable item.

[0050] FIG. 6 depicts aspects of an example manufacture module 602. Manufacture module 602 can include a communications module 604, a 3D manufacturing instructions module 606, a 3D manufacturing strain analysis module 608, and a 3D manufacturing protective policy analysis module 610. Manufacture module 602 may be an example of manufacture module 330 of FIG. 3. The modules included within and including the manufacture module 602 may be software modules, hardware modules or a suitable combination thereof. If the modules are software modules, the modules can be embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium and processed by a processor in any of the computer systems described herein. It should be noted that the described processes and architectures described below can be performed either in real-time or in an asynchronous mode prior to any user interaction. The modules may be configured in the manner suggested in FIG. 6 or may exist as separate modules.

[0051] In accordance with at least one embodiment, the manufacture module 602 may be responsible for communicating with the recyclable item ordering module 402 to provide 3D manufacturing instructions to one or more manufacturing apparatuses to manufacture one or more recyclable items as described above. The manufacture module 602 may communicate with the recyclable item ordering module 402 via the communications module 604. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the communications module 604 may also be responsible for providing 3D manufacturing instructions to a 3D manufacturing apparatus that is owned or operated by a service provider/electronic marketplace or owned or operated by a third party manufacturing facility as described in FIG. 1 and 2.

[0052] In accordance with at least one embodiment, the 3D manufacturing instructions module 606 may communicate with the recyclable item ordering module 402 to maintain, update, or create new 3D manufacturing instructions for recyclable items offered for sale by an electronic marketplace. For example, if a user utilizes a user interface such as that described in FIG. 5 to create a new recyclable item, 3D manufacturing instructions module 606 may be responsible for creating the associated 3D manufacturing instructions which will be utilized by a manufacturing apparatus to manufacture the recyclable item. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the 3D manufacturing instructions module 606 may provide the instructions to the manufacture module 602. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the 3D manufacturing strain analysis module 608 may be responsible for determining the potential structural integrity of a newly created recyclable item. For example, the 3D manufacturing strain analysis module 608 may analyze the size of the potential item, the requested manufacturing materials, and the orientation of a combination of templates if appropriate to determine the structural integrity of a newly created recyclable item.

[0053] In accordance with at least one embodiment, a service provider or electronic marketplace may maintain a predetermined structural integrity threshold for all created recyclable items which may not be exceeded. If a potential recyclable item is determined to exceed the threshold than the 3D manufacturing strain analysis module 608 may inform the user that the potential combination, orientation, or scaling may not be possible without further modification. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the 3D manufacturing strain analysis module 608 may provide one or more suggested modifications which may place the potential newly created recyclable item below the predetermined structural integrity threshold. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the predetermined structural integrity threshold may be dynamically updated by the electronic marketplace, or in some embodiments, different 3D manufacturing components may have differing structural integrity thresholds. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the 3D manufacturing strain analysis module 608 may utilize any appropriate structural integrity algorithm to determine whether a potential recyclable item is below the predetermined structural integrity threshold. The 3D manufacturing strain analysis module 608 may communicate with the recyclable item ordering module 402 to provide the recommendations/warnings regarding the recyclable item as described above.

[0054] In accordance with at least one embodiment, the 3D manufacturing protective policy analysis module 610 may be responsible for determining if an ordered or potentially ordered recyclable item violates policies maintained by the service provider/electronic marketplace. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the electronic marketplace may have one or more policies indicating that recyclable items should not be created if they would provide a potential hazard for a child. For example, a policy may be maintained that a recyclable item will not be created if the resulting dimensions could be a choking hazard for a child, such as a recyclable item that is only 1 inch by 1 inch by 1 inch in size. In some examples, a policy may be maintained that any recyclable item that is created or a template that resembles any type of weapon may not be manufactured with metal components. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the 3D manufacturing protective policy analysis module may obtain the dimensions, orientation, requested materials, and requested scaling of a potential recyclable item to determine whether the item violates a policy maintained by the electronic marketplace. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the 3D manufacturing protective policy analysis module may utilize one or more algorithms to determine if a requested recyclable item is a choking hazard or contains sharp points or edges which may be unsuitable for children or users. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the policy violation determination may be subject to human review, rather than or in addition to automatic computer analysis. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the 3D manufacturing protective policy analysis module may

communicate the warnings or corrective suggestions to the user by communicating with the recyclable item ordering module 402 and graphical user interface 410.

[0055] FIG. 7 depicts an example system 700 for providing scaling and manufacturing of one or more recyclable items 702 in accordance with at least one embodiment. FIG. 7 includes a user 704, utilizing a computing device 706 to capture a photograph or video 708 of an object 710. The user 704 may communicate the captured photograph or video 708 to the service provider 712 and computer systems 714 for further scaling manipulation 716. For example, the user 706 may be presented with a network page that includes a user interface configured to accept submission of media files that are a representation of the object they wish to eventually manufacture utilizing a 3D manufacturing apparatus as described above. As seen in FIG. 7, the service provider 712 may provide an interactive tool for scaling 716 the object 710 into a manufactured recyclable item of a requested size 702 to a user 704 via the computing device 706.

[0056] In accordance with at least one embodiment, the interactive tool for scaling 716 may be presented in a user interface provided by the service provider as shown in FIG. 5. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the service provider 712 may receive input from a native application configured to run from the computing device 706, such as user devices 304. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the user 704 may interact with the scaling tool 716 to communicate to the service provider 712 a requested scaling of a previously captured object 710. The service provider 712 may upon receiving the requested scaling communicate 3D manufacturing instructions 718 to a 3D manufacturing facility 720 owned or operated by the service provider 712 to manufacture the scaled recyclable item 702. The service provider 712 may further provide instructions to have the manufactured scaled recyclable item 702 delivered 722 to the user 704. As described above, the 3D manufacturing instructions 718 may be provided to a third party manufacturing facility for manufacturing as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As described in FIG. 6, the requested scaling of a potentially manufactured recyclable item may be analyzed be the service provider computers 310 to determine structural integrity and to determine whether the potential recyclable item violates any policies maintained by the service provider 712. For example, a user may be informed that the requested scaling cannot be performed because the resultant recyclable item may not be structurally stable or could cause harm to a child (e.g., requesting scaling of a car to the size of a house or requesting scaling of a car to the size of a thumb tack). As described above, the service provider is configured to provide the user homeomorphic spatial mapping capabilities or spatial homomorphic capabilities in a 3D space via a user interface of which scaling or twisting an item is an example,

respectively.

[0057] In accordance with at least one embodiment, the captured photograph or video 708 of an object 710 may be directly communicated to the service provider 712 in its native format such as a JPG or .AVI file. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the service provider 712 and computer systems 714 may take the native file of the captured photograph or video 708 and create corresponding 3D manufacturing instructions such as 718. As described above in FIG. 1 the 3D manufacturing instructions can include a CAD file or any suitable file for computer modeling programs. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a native application configured to run from the user device or computing device 706 may be responsible for creating the 3D manufacturing instructions 718 and communicating them to the service provider 712 for further analysis.

[0058] FIG. 8 depicts aspects of an example delivery module 802. Delivery module 802 can include a successful delivery module 804, a return delivery module 806, and a delivery communication module 808. Delivery module 802 may be an example of delivery module 332 of FIG. 3. The modules included within and including the delivery module 802 may be software modules, hardware modules or a suitable combination thereof. If the modules are software modules, the modules can be embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium and processed by a processor in any of the computer systems described herein. It should be noted that the described processes and architectures described below can be performed either in real- time or in an asynchronous mode prior to any user interaction. The modules may be configured in the manner suggested in FIG. 8 or may exist as separate modules. [0059] In accordance with at least one embodiment, the delivery module 802 may be responsible for communicating with the recyclable item ordering module 402 to provide delivery or shipping instructions of one or more recyclable items as described above. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the delivery module 802 may be responsible for communicating with the recyclable item ordering module 402 to provide an indication that a recyclable item has been returned by a user as described above. The delivery module 802 may communicate with the recyclable item ordering module 402 via the delivery communications module 808. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the delivery communication module 808 may also be responsible for providing shipping or delivery instructions to a shipping facility owned or operated by a service provider/electronic marketplace or owned or operated by a third party. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the delivery communication module 808 may communicate with third party computers 316 to perform operations described herein.

[0060] In accordance with at least one embodiment, the delivery module 802 and successful delivery module 804 may be responsible for providing instructions to ship a manufactured recyclable item to a user and verify that successful delivery has occurred. The delivery module 802 and successful delivery module 804 may communicate with the user profile module 412 to receive the users shipping information. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the successful delivery module 804 may be responsible for notifying a user regarding the status of the manufacture or delivery of the recyclable item. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the return delivery module 806 may be responsible for communicating to the recyclable item ordering module 402 that a recyclable item has been returned by a user and that credit should be given to that particular user. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the return delivery module 806 may communicate via the delivery communication module 808 with mail and shipping services owned or operated by the service provider or a third party to receive a notification that a recyclable item has been returned.

[0061] FIG. 9 illustrates an example flow diagram showing respective process 900 for receiving a selection of a recyclable toy which can be manufactured utilizing a 3D manufacturing process, shipping the recyclable toy to a user, and upon return of the recyclable toy by the user to an electronic marketplace, providing a credit to the user for use in a future purchase of at least a portion of a new recycled toy offered for sale by the electronic marketplace, according to at least a few examples. [0062] These processes are illustrated as logical flow diagrams, each operation of which represents a sequence of operations that can be implemented in hardware, computer instructions, or a combination thereof. In the context of computer instructions, the operations represent computer executable instructions stored on one or more computer-readable storage media that, when executed by one or more processors, perform the recited operations. Generally, computer executable instructions include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures and the like that perform particular functions or implement particular data types. The order in which the operations are described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any suitable number of the described operations can be combined in any suitable order and/or in parallel to implement the processes.

[0063] Additionally, some, any, or all of the process (or any other suitable process

described herein, or variations and/or combinations thereof) may be performed under the control of one or more computer systems configured with executable instructions and may be implemented as code (e.g., executable instructions, one or more computer programs or one or more applications) executing collectively on one or more processors, by hardware or

combinations thereof. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the code may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium, for example, in the form of a computer program comprising a plurality of instructions executable by one or more processors. The computer-readable storage medium may be non-transitory. [0064] In some examples, the one or more service provider computers 310 (e.g., utilizing at least the recyclable item ordering module 328, the manufacture module 330, the delivery module 332, and the one or more data stores 326, 414) shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 may perform the process of FIG. 9. The process 900 may progress at 902 by receiving a selection of a recyclable item, such as a toy, by a user. For example, the user may utilize their computing device to browse through a variety of recyclable items offered for sale by an electronic marketplace and select one or more recyclable items for manufacture and delivery as described above. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the recyclable item, which can include a toy, may have 3D manufacturing instructions associated with it. An electronic marketplace may maintain the 3D manufacturing instructions associated with the toy. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the recyclable item ordering module 402, the API 408, the graphical user interface 410, the user profile module 412, the price calculation module 416, and the one or more data stores 414 may be responsible for receiving the selection of the toy by a user. [0065] The process 900 may continue at 904 by providing an instruction to a manufacturing apparatus to manufacture the toy based on the associated 3D manufacturing instructions. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the recyclable item ordering module 402, the manufacture module 602, communications module 604, and the 3D manufacturing instructions module 606 may be responsible for providing an instruction to manufacture the recyclable toy to a manufacturing apparatus as described above in FIGS. 4 and 6. The process 900 may continue at 906 by providing an instruction to ship the manufactured toy to the user. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the recyclable item ordering module 402, the delivery module 802, the successful delivery module 804, and the delivery communication module 808 may be responsible for providing instructions to ship the recyclable item to the user.

[0066] The process 900 may progress at 908 by receiving an indication that the toy has been returned to the electronic marketplace by the user. For example, a previously ordered toy may have been manufactured and sent to the user and returned by the user after an unspecified amount of time. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the delivery module 802, the return delivery module 806, the recyclable item ordering module 402, and the recyclable item module 404 may be responsible for receiving an indication that the toy has been returned to the electronic marketplace. The process 900 may continue at 910 by designating the returned toy for us in a recycling program in which some of the materials used in 3D manufacturing the toy are utilized in producing new recycled toys. As described above, the returned recyclable item may be subject to a recycle process which recovers some or all of the 3D manufacturing components utilized in manufacturing the returned item.

[0067] The recovered 3D manufacturing components can be used in the production of future recyclable item orders received from users. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the delivery module 802, the return delivery module 806, the delivery communication module 808, the recyclable item ordering module 402, and the recyclable item module 404 may be responsible for designating the returned recyclable toy for use in a recycling program and providing instructions for recycling to a recycling facility. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the process 900 may conclude at 912 by providing a credit to the user towards a purchase of at least a portion of a new recycled toy offered for sale by the electronic

marketplace. For example, upon a user successfully returning a recyclable item they make view their account or user profile that is associated with the electronic marketplace to see that a credit has been awarded. The credit can be used as a form of currency in purchasing one or more new recyclable items offered for sale by the electronic marketplace for manufacture and delivery. As described above, the amount of credit given to a user may depend on a number of factors such as the type of material(s) utilized in creating the returned recyclable item and/or the size of the returned recyclable item. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the delivery module 802, the return delivery module 806, the delivery communication module 808, the recyclable item ordering module 402, the recyclable item module 404, and the price calculation module 416 may be responsible for giving a credit to the user for use in a future purchase of a recyclable item.

[0068] FIG. 10 illustrates aspects of an example environment 1000 for implementing aspects in accordance with various embodiments. As will be appreciated, although a web-based environment is used for purposes of explanation, different environments may be used, as appropriate, to implement various embodiments. The environment includes an electronic client device 1002, which can include any appropriate device operable to send and receive requests, messages or information over an appropriate network 1004 and convey information back to a user of the device. Examples of such client devices include personal computers, cell phones, handheld messaging devices, laptop computers, set-top boxes, personal data assistants, electronic book readers and the like. The network can include any appropriate network, including an intranet, the Internet, a cellular network, a local area network or any other such network or combination thereof. Components used for such a system can depend at least in part upon the type of network and/or environment selected. Protocols and components for communicating via such a network are well known and will not be discussed herein in detail. Communication over the network can be enabled by wired or wireless connections and combinations thereof. In this example, the network includes the Internet, as the environment includes a web server 1006 for receiving requests and serving content in response thereto, although for other networks an alternative device serving a similar purpose could be used as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0069] The illustrative environment includes at least one application server 1008 and a data store 1010. It should be understood that there can be several application servers, layers, or other elements, processes or components, which may be chained or otherwise configured, which can interact to perform tasks such as obtaining data from an appropriate data store. As used herein the term "data store" refers to any device or combination of devices capable of storing, accessing and retrieving data, which may include any combination and number of data servers, databases, data storage devices and data storage media, in any standard, distributed or clustered environment. The application server can include any appropriate hardware and software for integrating with the data store as needed to execute aspects of one or more applications for the client device, handling a majority of the data access and business logic for an application. The application server provides access control services in cooperation with the data store and is able to generate content such as text, graphics, audio and/or video to be transferred to the user, which may be served to the user by the web server in the form of HyperText Markup Language ("HTML"), Extensible Markup Language ("XML") or another appropriate structured language in this example. The handling of all requests and responses, as well as the delivery of content between the client device 1002 and the application server 1008, can be handled by the web server. It should be understood that the web and application servers are not required and are merely example components, as structured code discussed herein can be executed on any appropriate device or host machine as discussed elsewhere herein.

[0070] The data store 1010 can include several separate data tables, databases or other data storage mechanisms and media for storing data relating to a particular aspect. For example, the data store illustrated includes mechanisms for storing production data 1012 and user

information 1016, which can be used to serve content for the production side. The data store also is shown to include a mechanism for storing log data 1014, which can be used for reporting, analysis or other such purposes. It should be understood that there can be many other aspects that may need to be stored in the data store, such as for page image information and to access right information, which can be stored in any of the above listed mechanisms as appropriate or in additional mechanisms in the data store 1010. The data store 1010 is operable, through logic associated therewith, to receive instructions from the application server 1008 and obtain, update or otherwise process data in response thereto. In one example, a user might submit a search request for a certain type of item. In this case, the data store might access the user information to verify the identity of the user and can access the catalog detail information to obtain information about items of that type. The information then can be returned to the user, such as in a results listing on a web page that the user is able to view via a browser on the user device 1002.

Information for a particular item of interest can be viewed in a dedicated page or window of the browser. [0071] Each server typically will include an operating system that provides executable program instructions for the general administration and operation of that server and typically will include a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a hard disk, random access memory, read only memory, etc.) storing instructions that, when executed by a processor of the server, allow the server to perform its intended functions. Suitable implementations for the operating system and general functionality of the servers are known or commercially available and are readily implemented by persons having ordinary skill in the art, particularly in light of the disclosure herein.

[0072] The environment in one embodiment is a distributed computing environment utilizing several computer systems and components that are interconnected via communication links, using one or more computer networks or direct connections. However, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that such a system could operate equally well in a system having fewer or a greater number of components than are illustrated in FIG. 10. Thus, the depiction of the system 1000 in FIG. 10 should be taken as being illustrative in nature and not limiting to the scope of the disclosure.

[0073] The various embodiments further can be implemented in a wide variety of operating environments, which in some cases can include one or more user computers, computing devices or processing devices which can be used to operate any of a number of applications. User or client devices can include any of a number of general purpose personal computers, such as desktop or laptop computers running a standard operating system, as well as cellular, wireless and handheld devices running mobile software and capable of supporting a number of networking and messaging protocols. Such a system also can include a number of workstations running any of a variety of commercially-available operating systems and other known applications for purposes such as development and database management. These devices also can include other electronic devices, such as dummy terminals, thin-clients, gaming systems and other devices capable of communicating via a network.

[0074] Most embodiments utilize at least one network that would be familiar to those skilled in the art for supporting communications using any of a variety of commercially-available protocols, such as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol ("TCP/IP"), Open System Interconnection ("OSI"), File Transfer Protocol ("FTP"), Universal Plug and Play ("UpnP"), Network File System ("NFS"), Common Internet File System ("CIFS") and AppleTalk. The network can be, for example, a local area network, a wide-area network, a virtual private network, the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, a public switched telephone network, an infrared network, a wireless network and any combination thereof. [0075] In embodiments utilizing a web server, the web server can run any of a variety of server or mid-tier applications, including Hypertext Transfer Protocol ("HTTP") servers, FTP servers, Common Gateway Interface ("CGI") servers, data servers, Java servers and business application servers. The server(s) also may be capable of executing programs or scripts in response requests from user devices, such as by executing one or more web applications that may be implemented as one or more scripts or programs written in any programming language, such as Java^®, C, C# or C++, or any scripting language, such as Perl, Python or TCL, as well as combinations thereof. The server(s) may also include database servers, including without limitation those commercially available from Oracle^®, Microsoft^®, Sybase^® and IBM^®. [0076] The environment can include a variety of data stores and other memory and storage media as discussed above. These can reside in a variety of locations, such as on a storage medium local to (and/or resident in) one or more of the computers or remote from any or all of the computers across the network. In a particular set of embodiments, the information may reside in a storage-area network ("SAN") familiar to those skilled in the art. Similarly, any necessary files for performing the functions attributed to the computers, servers or other network devices may be stored locally and/or remotely, as appropriate. Where a system includes computerized devices, each such device can include hardware elements that may be electrically coupled via a bus, the elements including, for example, at least one central processing unit ("CPU"), at least one input device (e.g., a mouse, keyboard, controller, touch screen or keypad) and at least one output device (e.g., a display device, printer or speaker). Such a system may also include one or more storage devices, such as disk drives, optical storage devices and solid- state storage devices such as random access memory ("RAM") or read-only memory ("ROM"), as well as removable media devices, memory cards, flash cards, etc.

[0077] Such devices also can include a computer-readable storage media reader, a

communications device (e.g., a modem, a network card (wireless or wired), an infrared communication device, etc.) and working memory as described above. The computer-readable storage media reader can be connected with, or configured to receive, a computer-readable storage medium, representing remote, local, fixed and/or removable storage devices as well as storage media for temporarily and/or more permanently containing, storing, transmitting and retrieving computer-readable information. The system and various devices also typically will include a number of software applications, modules, services or other elements located within at least one working memory device, including an operating system and application programs, such as a client application or web browser. It should be appreciated that alternate embodiments may have numerous variations from that described above. For example, customized hardware might also be used and/or particular elements might be implemented in hardware, software (including portable software, such as applets) or both. Further, connection to other computing devices such as network input/output devices may be employed.

[0078] Storage media and computer readable media for containing code, or portions of code, can include any appropriate media known or used in the art, including storage media and communication media, such as but not limited to volatile and non-volatile, removable and nonremovable media implemented in any method or technology for storage and/or transmission of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data, including RAM, ROM, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory

("EEPROM"), flash memory or other memory technology, Compact Disc Read-Only Memory ("CD-ROM"), digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the a system device. Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the various embodiments.

[0079] The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims.

[0080] Other variations are within the spirit of the present disclosure. Thus, while the disclosed techniques are susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the disclosure to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as defined in the clauses below and in the appended claims.

[0081] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in the context of describing the disclosed embodiments (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. The term "connected" is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure.

[0082] Preferred embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the disclosure. Variations of those preferred

embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate and the inventors intend for the disclosure to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

[0083] All references, including publications, patent applications and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

Clause 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

under the control of one or more computer systems configured with specific

computer-executable instructions, receiving, by a computing system, a selection of a toy by a user, the toy having a 3D manufacturing instruction associated therewith, the 3D manufacturing instruction maintained by an electronic marketplace;

providing an instruction to a manufacturing apparatus to manufacture the toy based at least in part on the associated 3D manufacturing instruction;

generating an instruction to ship the toy to the user;

receiving an indication that the toy has been returned by the user; designating the toy for use in a recycling program in which at last some materials used in 3D manufacturing the toy are utilized in producing a new recycled toy; and

instructing that a credit be provided to the user towards a purchase of at least a portion of a new toy produced via the recycling program.

Clause 2. The computer-implemented method of clause 1, wherein designating the toy for use in the recycling program includes generating an instruction for the toy to be recycled into a 3D manufacturing component utilized by the electronic marketplace. Clause 3. The computer-implemented method of clause 1, wherein the manufacturing apparatus includes a 3D printer.

Clause 4. The computer-implemented method of clause 1, wherein the 3D manufacturing instruction includes at least one of a CAD file, a computer modeling file, a STL file, a PLY file, or a VRML file. Clause 5. The computer-implemented method of clause 1, wherein the recycling program includes at least one of recovering a portion of the at least some materials used in 3D manufacturing the toy, or recovering all of the materials used in 3D manufacturing the toy.

Clause 6. The computer-implemented method of clause 1, wherein the recycling program further comprises subjecting the returned toy to a cleaning program.

Clause 7. A computer-implemented method comprising:

under the control of one or more computer systems configured with specific

computer-executable instructions,

receiving, by a computing system, a request from a user for an item; generating an instruction to ship the item to the user; in response to receiving an indication that the item has been returned by the user: designating the item for use in a recycling program in which at least some materials used to manufacture the item are used in the production of a new recycled item; and

generating an instruction to recycle the item into a 3D manufacturing component via the recycling program.

Clause 8. The computer-implemented method of clause 7, wherein the recycling program includes subjecting the returned item to a chemical breakdown process.

Clause 9. The computer-implemented method of clause 7, wherein generating the instruction to manufacture the item includes providing the instruction to a computing system associated with a third party 3D manufacturing facility.

Clause 10. The computer-implemented method of clause 7, wherein designating the item for use in a recycling program further comprises generating an instruction to ship the item to a third party recycling facility.

Clause 11. The computer-implemented method of clause 7, wherein the item has a 3D manufacturing instruction associated therewith, the 3D manufacturing instruction being maintained by an electronic marketplace and modifiable by the electronic marketplace.

Clause 12. The computer-implemented method of clause 7 further comprising: generating a representation of a recyclable item based at least in part on input from a plurality of users;

obtaining a new 3D manufacturing instruction associated with the representation of the recyclable item; and

generating an instruction to manufacture the recyclable item utilizing the 3D manufacturing apparatus based at least in part on the new 3D manufacturing instruction.

Clause 13. The computer-implemented method of clause 7 further comprising: generating a representation of a recyclable item based at least in part on input from the user, wherein the input includes utilizing a homeomorphic spatial mapping function;

obtaining a new 3D manufacturing instruction associated with the representation of the recyclable item; and providing an instruction to manufacture the recyclable item utilizing the 3D manufacturing apparatus based at least in part on the new 3D manufacturing instruction.

Clause 14. A system comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory including instructions executable by the one or more processors that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to at least:

in response to receiving a notification that an item has been returned by a user to an electronic marketplace:

generate a credit for use in a recyclable item program in which at least some of the materials used in manufacturing the item are used in the production of a new recycled item utilizing a 3D manufacturing apparatus;

present a representation of a new item to the user via a graphical user interface configured to receive input, the input including an instruction to modify the new recycled item;

in response to receiving the instruction to modify the new recycled item via the graphical user interface, update a 3D manufacturing instruction associated with the new recycled item to create an updated 3D manufacturing instruction; and

in response to receiving at least a portion of the credit, provide an instruction to manufacture the new recycled item utilizing a 3D manufacturing apparatus based at least in part on the updated 3D manufacturing instruction.

Clause 15. The system of clause 14, wherein the credit includes a monetary payment to the user for use in the electronic marketplace.

Clause 16. The system of clause 14, wherein the instruction to modify the new recycled item is obtained from an interaction with an item template. Clause 17. The system of clause 16, wherein the item template include a digital representation of a unique item offered by the electronic marketplace.

Clause 18. The system of clause 17, wherein the digital representation of the unique item offered by the electronic marketplace may be communicated to the electronic marketplace by the user utilizing a computing device to interact with an object. Clause 19. The system of clause 16, wherein the memory further includes instructions executable by the one or more processors that, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the system to at least generate an instruction to deliver the new recycled item to the user.

Clause 20. The system of clause 14, wherein the memory further includes instructions executable by the one or more processors that, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the system to at least create a user profile associated with the user and maintained by the electronic marketplace.

Clause 21. The system of clause 20, wherein the item template is associated with the user profile.

Clause 22. The system of clause 14, wherein the instruction to modify the new recycled item includes a scaling function, the scaling function configured to update size characteristics of the new recycled item.

Clause 23. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a computer system, cause the computer system to perform operations comprising:

providing an instruction to recycle the item into a 3D manufacturing component, wherein at least a portion of the 3D manufacturing component is utilized in producing a new recycled item in a recycling program;

generating a credit to be provided to the user;

receiving an order for a new recycled item from the user utilizing the credit, the new recycled item having a 3D manufacturing instruction associated therewith;

providing an instruction to a manufacturing apparatus to manufacture the new recycled item via the recycling program based at least in part on the 3D

manufacturing instruction; and

generating an instruction to deliver the new recycled item to the user.

Clause 24. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of clause 23, the operations further comprising analyzing the new recycled item for compliance with a policy maintained by the electronic marketplace. Clause 25. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of clause 24, wherein the policy includes at least one of a child safety policy, a weapon policy, or a size policy.

Clause 26. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of clause 23, the operations further comprising analyzing the new recycled item for structural integrity.

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

under the control of one or more computer systems configured with specific

computer-executable instructions,

receiving, by a computing system, a request from a user for an item; generating an instruction to ship the item to the user;

in response to receiving an indication that the item has been returned by the user: designating the item for use in a recycling program in which at least some materials used to manufacture the item are used in the production of a new recycled item; and

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the recycling program includes subjecting the returned item to a chemical breakdown process.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein generating the instruction to manufacture the item includes providing the instruction to a computing system associated with a third party 3D manufacturing facility.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein designating the item for use in a recycling program further comprises generating an instruction to ship the item to a third party recycling facility.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the item has a 3D manufacturing instruction associated therewith, the 3D manufacturing instruction being maintained by an electronic marketplace and modifiable by the electronic marketplace.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating a representation of a recyclable item based at least in part on input from a plurality of users;

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating a representation of a recyclable item based at least in part on input from the user, wherein the input includes utilizing a homeomorphic spatial mapping function;

providing an instruction to manufacture the recyclable item utilizing the 3D manufacturing apparatus based at least in part on the new 3D manufacturing instruction.

8. A system comprising:

one or more processors; and

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the credit includes a monetary payment to the user for use in the electronic marketplace.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the instruction to modify the new recycled item is obtained from an interaction with an item template.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the item template include a digital representation of a unique item offered by the electronic marketplace.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the digital representation of the unique item offered by the electronic marketplace may be communicated to the electronic marketplace by the user utilizing a computing device to interact with an object.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the memory further includes instructions executable by the one or more processors that, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the system to at least generate an instruction to deliver the new recycled item to the user.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the memory further includes instructions executable by the one or more processors that, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the system to at least create a user profile associated with the user and maintained by the electronic marketplace.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the instruction to modify the new recycled item includes a scaling function, the scaling function configured to update size characteristics of the new recycled item.