Automated Coupon Validation and Application System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Online shoppers face difficulties in finding and applying valid coupon codes, as they often need to search multiple sources, deal with expired or invalid coupons, and manually track which coupons are usable, leading to cumbersome and unreliable savings opportunities.

Innovation Solution

The system automatically detects successful coupon applications by tracking network requests and page data, stores valid coupon codes, and applies them to subsequent purchases that match the coupon requirements, either for the same user or others.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users manually search and track coupon codes from multiple sources, then they can find potential savings opportunities, but the process becomes cumbersome and unreliable due to expired or invalid coupons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupon validityVSAvoidmanual tracking effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic coupon validation and tracking without requiring user intervention. The browser extension autonomously tests coupons, tracks their validity status, and applies them to purchases, eliminating the manual effort and reliability issues associated with manual coupon management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of searching, testing, and tracking coupons is replaced by an automated software system that uses browser extensions and network request tracking to automatically validate and apply coupons, transforming a labor-intensive manual process into an automated digital solution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If users test multiple coupons on each order to find valid ones, then they can maximize savings, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesavings optimizationVSAvoidcoupon testing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary coupon validation by testing coupons in advance and storing the results in a database. When a user makes a purchase, the system retrieves pre-validated coupons and applies them automatically, eliminating the need to test multiple coupons at the time of purchase and significantly reducing time loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Extent of automation

If the system automatically applies coupons to subsequent purchases, then user savings are maximized, but the system complexity increases due to network tracking and database storage requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic coupon applicationVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a browser extension as an intermediary component that sits between the user and e-commerce websites. This extension handles the complex tasks of network request tracking, coupon validation, and database communication, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling automatic coupon application across multiple purchases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250104108A1Systems and methods for item resolution

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 CAPITAL ONE SERVICES LLC

AI summary

Successful application of a coupon code on an e-commerce website is detected via network request tracking and page data tracking. Upon coupon application, the coupon code is stored, for example in a server-based database. The coupon code is then automatically applied to subsequent e-commerce purchases whose parameters match the requirements for the coupon. The coupon can be automatically applied to purchases made by the same user and/or other users, as applicable.