Communication Device Interface for Total Cost Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users are often unaware of the total cost of an item due to additional required or desired costs such as tax, shipping, labor, and ancillary purchases when making a purchase, as these costs are not always included in the initial price displayed.
Innovation Solution
A communication device interface system that connects with a merchant device and server to determine the true cost of an item by identifying ancillary purchases based on user input, using past purchase data and merchant information, and providing this information to the user for informed decision-making.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the merchant displays only the base price of an item, then the pricing information is simple and clear, but the user is unaware of the total cost including tax, shipping, labor, and ancillary purchases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of all ancillary costs (tax, shipping, labor, ancillary purchases) before the user completes the purchase. By pre-computing and displaying the total cost upfront, the system eliminates information loss without requiring complex real-time calculations at the point of sale.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device acts as an intermediary between the merchant's pricing system and the user. It receives base price information, automatically calculates ancillary costs using stored data and external sources, and presents the comprehensive total cost to the user, bridging the information gap without complicating the merchant's existing system.
2Measurement precision
If the system calculates and displays total cost with all ancillary purchases, then the user makes more informed decisions, but the time required to process purchase information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates ancillary costs based on the item being purchased and displays them before the user finalizes the transaction. This preliminary computation allows accurate cost presentation without extending the actual purchase processing time, as calculations are performed in advance rather than in real-time during checkout.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically retrieves ancillary cost data from stored information and external sources without requiring user input or manual calculation. This self-service approach ensures precise cost accuracy while minimizing the time burden on users, as the system handles all computational tasks autonomously.
3Loss of information
If the system identifies all ancillary purchases required with an item, then the user understands the complete cost, but the complexity of determining related purchases increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple data sources (stored purchase history, item metadata, external databases) into a unified view of ancillary purchases. By combining these information sources, the system comprehensively identifies all related purchases without requiring each source to independently analyze purchase relationships, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device serves as an intermediary that consolidates ancillary purchase information from various sources and presents it in a unified manner to the user. This intermediary role simplifies the complexity of determining related purchases by centralizing the analysis function in one component rather than distributing it across multiple systems.
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided systems and methods for communication device input interfaces for use in determining a true cost of an item with associated purchases. A user may utilize a communication device, such as a mobile phone or wearable computing device, to input information identifying an item. The input may be an image, audio, or text input. The input may be communicated to a server that determines associated purchases required or recommended with the item identified by the user. For example, the user may be recommended to purchase additional items for the installation of the item or for repairs to a home, work, or vehicle when using the item. The user may also be required to purchase shipping, labor, or other additional costs. The additional purchases may be determined from user and merchant information. A total cost for the item and the additional purchases may be determined for the user.