Flexible API Framework for On-Demand Service Provider Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users in regions where on-demand service providers are unavailable face limitations in accessing services, leading to inefficient resource usage and potential loss of profits due to the need to switch to alternative providers, which can disrupt the user experience and service delivery.

Innovation Solution

A flexible API framework is implemented to selectively integrate with partner on-demand providers based on reliability, security, and user preferences, allowing users to access services through a unified platform that leverages partner providers when the primary provider is not available, ensuring a seamless user experience and efficient resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the on-demand service matching system operates only in regions where service providers are available, then service delivery efficiency is improved, but user coverage and market penetration deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice delivery efficiencyVSAvoiduser coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a partner on-demand provider as an intermediary to bridge the gap between users in uncovered regions and the primary on-demand service. The partner provider acts as a mediator that handles service delivery in regions where the primary provider has no service providers, while the primary provider maintains focus on its core operational regions. This resolves the contradiction by enabling user coverage expansion without compromising the efficiency of the primary service delivery system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system integrates with multiple partner on-demand providers to expand coverage, then user coverage is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser coverageVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the on-demand service ecosystem into a primary provider component and partner provider components. Each segment operates with its own service matching logic and provider network. The primary provider system handles service requests in its covered regions, while partner providers handle requests in their respective regions. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by allowing each segment to operate independently with standardized interface protocols, rather than requiring a monolithic system to manage all regions and providers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If users switch to alternative on-demand providers when primary service is unavailable, then service availability is maintained, but user experience consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice availabilityVSAvoiduser experience consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal interface layer that allows users to access services from both the primary on-demand provider and partner providers through a single unified system. The interface presents a consistent user experience regardless of which provider actually fulfills the service request. This multi-functionality enables the system to maintain service availability across different regions while preserving user experience consistency, as users interact with the same interface and service flow whether served by the primary or partner provider.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240420270A1Flexible API framework
Publication Date: 2024.12.19 LYFT INC
  • US20240420270A1 patent drawing
  • US20240420270A1 patent drawing
  • US20240420270A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Embodiments provide approaches to selectively integrate with various providers. For example, a user in a location where an on-demand provider is available may attempt to utilize services provided by the on-demand provider in a different location where the on-demand provider has limited or no services available, but where one or more other on-demand providers may be available. The user may attempt to access services provided by the on-demand provider using an application provided by the on-demand provider. However, in the situation where the user is in the location where services provided by the on-demand provider are not available, the user would have to secure other means of accessing those services. In such a situation the user may be able to utilize the application to request services with at least one partner on-demand provider.