Browser-Driven Price Detection via Webcrawler Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Online shoppers face difficulties in identifying price variations based on their characteristics, such as browser settings and cookies, and finding the lowest available price due to dynamic pricing practices by retailers.
Innovation Solution
A computer system-implemented method using webcrawler programs to access merchant websites with different browser settings, compare pricing information, and determine the minimized price for products or services, enabling shoppers to purchase at the lowest available price.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If retailers use dynamic pricing based on browser settings and cookies, then they can optimize prices based on customer characteristics, but shoppers cannot identify the lowest available price
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by automatically collecting and storing pricing information from multiple sources before the shopper makes a purchase decision. The system pre-processes price data, browser setting variations, and merchant information in advance, so when the shopper queries for prices, the comparison is already prepared and immediate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (the price comparison system) that acts as a mediator between shoppers and merchants. This intermediary automatically handles the complex task of querying multiple merchant websites with different browser settings, comparing prices, and presenting the lowest available price to the shopper, eliminating the need for the shopper to manually detect price variations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If websites deliver different versions to different people based on visitor information, then they can personalize offers, but users cannot spot price changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring and comparing pricing information from multiple sources. The system collects price data, analyzes variations based on browser settings, and provides feedback to the shopper about the lowest available price. This feedback loop ensures price transparency despite merchants delivering different versions to different users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates copies of pricing information from multiple merchant websites and stores them in a database. By maintaining copies of price data from different sources and different browser setting configurations, the system can compare these copies to identify the lowest price without requiring the shopper to visit multiple websites or manipulate browser settings manually.
3Speed
If retailers adjust prices at lightning speed in response to competitors, then they can remain competitive, but shoppers cannot track price changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by continuously and automatically collecting pricing information from multiple merchant websites in the background before the shopper needs it. The system pre-processes and stores this data, so when the shopper queries for prices, the comparison is already prepared and immediate, eliminating the time the shopper would otherwise spend tracking price changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the system to serve itself by automatically querying merchant websites, collecting pricing data, and updating the database without requiring the shopper's continuous intervention. The system performs self-service price tracking by autonomously monitoring price changes and maintaining an up-to-date database of pricing information from multiple sources.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system are provided for detecting pricing driven by browser settings. A method and a system are also provided for identifying merchants that are using browser-driven or cookie-driven price setting mechanisms, and for helping shoppers obtain the lowest available price for a product or service. A computer system-implemented method includes utilizing a webcrawler program or other searching program to access one or more merchant websites and recover pricing and/or other product or service information, identifying one or more browser settings that minimize price of a product or a service, accessing the one or more merchant websites with a computer device having the one or more browser settings that minimize price of the product or service, and purchasing the product or service at the minimized price. The computer system-implemented method can also utilize a central hub that connects multiple computer devices together.