Browser Extension for Local Merchant Inventory Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Local merchants with limited online presence struggle to showcase their in-stock products to customers, as shoppers often prefer to purchase from local businesses but may not find them in search engine results or have difficulty browsing inventory online due to changing stock levels.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that detects user navigation on a web page associated with a product, identifies nearby merchants with the product in stock, and generates a list of these merchants within a predetermined distance, displaying this information via a browser extension to facilitate local purchases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If local merchants maintain a simple online presence, then ease of operation is improved, but visibility to customers and ability to showcase in-stock products deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a browser extension as an intermediary tool that automatically displays real-time inventory information from local merchants' websites. This extension acts as a mediator between the merchant's simple website and the customer, providing inventory visibility without requiring the merchant to build complex online systems. The extension fetches and displays product availability data automatically, resolving the contradiction between maintaining operational simplicity and providing comprehensive inventory information.
2Reliability
If local merchants update inventory lists frequently, then information accuracy is improved, but device complexity and maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The browser extension implements self-service functionality by automatically fetching inventory data from the merchant's website without requiring manual updates or complex backend systems. The extension independently monitors and displays inventory status changes in real-time, eliminating the need for complex inventory management systems while maintaining high information accuracy. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction between reliable inventory information and system complexity.
3Loss of information
If shoppers use mobile phones to comparison shop at local merchants, then information access is improved, but purchase conversion to local merchants deteriorates due to showrooming
Solution Approach 1:
The browser extension segments the shopping experience by providing dedicated inventory visibility tools specifically for local merchants within the browser interface. Instead of requiring customers to switch between multiple platforms or apps, the extension integrates inventory information directly into the browsing experience, allowing customers to compare local merchant availability with online options while keeping the purchase decision localized. This segmentation approach maintains information accessibility while directing purchases to local merchants.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods for identifying location-based information associated with a product on a web page. The method may include: detecting user navigation by the user of the web page; detecting the at least one product on the web page; identifying one or more merchants having the detected at least one product in stock; determining a user location of the user; determining the identified one or more merchants having the detected at least one product in stock and having a location within a predetermined distance of the user location; generating a list of merchants, the list including the determined one or more merchants having the detected at least one product in stock and having the location within the predetermined distance of the user location; and executing a browser extension to display, on the web page associated with the at least one product, the generated list of merchants.