Collaborative Visualization Board for Real-Time Shopping Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current online shopping systems do not allow for systematic feedback or interaction between users outside the e-commerce website, limiting collaborative commerce and social networking integration with retailers.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that aggregates product information onto a visualization board, enabling multiple users to interact and view products from single or multiple websites while chatting and sharing items, with features like purchasing, messaging, and reputation management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users shop on e-commerce websites independently, then each user can access product information and make purchases, but users cannot interact or provide systematic feedback to each other outside the website
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges e-commerce functionality with social networking capabilities by integrating product visualization boards with user profiles, messaging systems, and collaborative features. This allows users to shop while interacting with friends and family, combining previously separate functions into a unified platform that enables both individual purchasing and group collaboration
Solution Approach 2:
The visualization board acts as an intermediary between e-commerce websites and social networking features. It aggregates product information from multiple sources and presents it in a shared visual format that enables collaboration, while maintaining connections to original product sources through embedded links and integration APIs
2Productivity
If product information is aggregated from multiple websites onto a visualization board, then users can view and discuss products collaboratively, but the system complexity and data aggregation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The visualization board is designed as a universal platform that can aggregate product information from multiple different e-commerce websites simultaneously. It handles diverse data formats and sources through standardized integration methods, allowing the same interface to display products from various retailers without requiring separate systems for each source
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates visual copies of product information from multiple websites and aggregates them on the visualization board. Instead of requiring users to visit multiple sites, the system replicates key product data (images, descriptions, prices) in a unified visual format that can be shared and discussed collaboratively while maintaining links to original sources
3Ease of operation
If users share their recently viewed items publicly, then collaborative discussion and feedback are enabled, but user privacy and control over information sharing are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic privacy controls that allow users to adjust sharing permissions for their visualization boards and recently viewed items. Users can switch between public and private modes, invite specific friends or family members, and control who can view or interact with their shopping lists, providing flexible adaptability rather than fixed privacy settings
Solution Approach 2:
Different privacy levels are applied to different aspects of the sharing system. Users can control visibility of entire visualization boards versus individual items, allow some users to view but not edit, and provide granular control over which friends or family members can access specific shopping lists or provide feedback on particular products
Data Source
AI summary
An inventive system and method for collaborative commerce is presented. The invention comprises activating an art board, placing items onto the art board, inviting users to interact with the art board, and collaborating with the invited users. Additional features and functions include purchasing items shown on the art board, including by placing the items in a shopping cart, using e-mail, text messaging, and instant messaging to invite users, who may be chosen from a buddy list. Collaborating can be performed using voice chatting, video chatting, instant messaging, and text messaging, and includes examining reviews, ratings, reputations, and recommendations, and also includes displaying details regarding the items. In addition, reports comprising information regarding the items can be generated. A toolbar can be located on the art board and used to initiate inviting of users and placing of items onto the art board.