Community Purchasing System Using Micro-Transaction Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile purchasing systems are simplistic and do not offer sufficient options for buyers and sellers, often requiring buyers to pay in advance for services they may not use, and sellers face risks due to uncertain sales thresholds.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for community-based purchasing using micro transactions, where multiple buyers contribute small portions of the total cost for a product or service, with a server managing and accumulating these payments to confirm fulfillment with the seller only when the total amount is met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If buyers are required to pay in advance for products or services, then sellers can secure funding for delivery, but buyers face risk of losing money if they cannot take delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary accumulation of micro-payments from multiple buyers before triggering service delivery. The server collects small payments in advance and only initiates delivery when the total accumulated amount meets the seller's threshold requirement, thus securing seller funding without requiring individual buyers to pay large sums upfront.
Solution Approach 2:
The total payment amount is segmented into multiple micro-payments from different buyers. Instead of one buyer paying the full amount upfront, the system divides the total cost into smaller portions that multiple buyers can contribute, reducing individual buyer risk while collectively securing seller funding.
2Reliability
If sellers wait for sufficient sales threshold before delivery, then seller risks are reduced, but buyers face uncertainty about service availability
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors and provides feedback on the accumulated micro-payment total to both buyers and sellers. Buyers receive updates on how close the community is to reaching the delivery threshold, and sellers receive real-time information on funding accumulation, enabling timely delivery decisions without prolonged uncertainty.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary accumulation of payments and continuous monitoring before delivery. By establishing the payment collection mechanism in advance and continuously tracking progress toward the threshold, the system minimizes delays while ensuring seller protection is already in place before delivery is triggered.
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual buyers attempt to purchase expensive events or services alone, then buyers maintain purchasing independence, but the service becomes uneconomical for both seller and buyer
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the purchasing power of multiple individual buyers into a collective effort. By combining micro-payments from many buyers who independently choose to participate, the system enables acquisition of expensive services or events that would be uneconomical for any single buyer, achieving economies of scale while preserving individual purchasing autonomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform serves multiple functions: it enables individual micro-payment contributions, aggregates community purchasing power, manages threshold-based delivery triggers, and facilitates various types of digital and physical product deliveries. This universal system adapts to different service types and price points while maintaining economic efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Community based purchasing methods and apparatus for products/services may include accumulating micro payments from a plurality of mobile buyers equipped with wireless communication devices. A seller, upon notification of accumulation of a predetermined total of micro payments, may then deliver the product/service. Payment by a mobile user may be escrowed upon receipt of the micro payment and be released to the seller upon delivery of the product/service. Product/services purchased using community based purchasing methods and apparatus may include digital content streamed to a buyer's wireless communication device and live performances viewed directly by the buyer.