Distributed Image-Based Coupon Consolidation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile computing devices lack efficient methods for processing and redeeming machine-readable coupons, requiring multiple scans and network requests, which increases processing time and reduces convenience for users.
Innovation Solution
A distributed image-based acquisition system that integrates a mobile application to upload, validate, and consolidate coupons into a single scannable barcode, allowing automatic application to purchases and retroactive redemption, reducing the need for separate network requests and physical coupons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple separate coupons are scanned and processed individually, then each coupon can be validated and applied, but the checkout time and network processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple separate coupons into a single composite barcode that encodes all coupon information. Instead of scanning and processing each coupon individually, the system merges multiple coupon data elements into one unified barcode representation, allowing all coupons to be scanned and validated in a single operation, thereby reducing checkout time and network processing overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary consolidation of multiple coupons into a single barcode before the actual checkout process. By pre-merging the coupon data and generating a unified barcode that contains all necessary validation information, the system eliminates the need for multiple sequential scanning and validation operations during checkout, thus improving processing efficiency
2Productivity
If a distributed image-based system is implemented to consolidate coupons into a single barcode, then checkout efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that acts as a mediator between the user's mobile device and the retail point-of-sale system. This intermediary service handles the complex tasks of consolidating multiple coupons, generating the composite barcode, and validating the consolidated coupon set, thereby isolating the complexity from both the user interface and the retail system while maintaining simplicity at the interaction points
3Reliability
If multiple network requests are required for coupon validation, then accurate validation can be performed, but network overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple separate network validation requests into a single consolidated validation operation. By combining all coupon data into one barcode and submitting a single validation request with the complete coupon set, the system maintains accurate validation of all coupons while eliminating the cumulative network overhead and processing time associated with multiple sequential requests
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments are related to image-based acquisition systems and methods. An image-based acquisition system identifies one or more items in one or more receipts of previous transactions that are associated with one or more coupons received by the system through a mobile application, and automatically applies a credit associated with the one or more coupons to the user account based on the identified one or more items. The image-based acquisition system further automatically identifies one or more items that are associated with one or more coupons received via the mobile application and available for sale, and automatically adds the one or more items to an existing or new online order for a user associated with the user account.