Aggregating Food Delivery Data via Master Menu Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current food and beverage delivery services do not allow users to conveniently compare menu items and prices across multiple services, as data is typically stored in incompatible formats, limiting users to only the options provided by a single delivery service.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for aggregating and processing data from multiple delivery services, mapping and linking common menu items across different services, and creating a searchable aggregated data structure that allows users to compare prices and options from various services in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data is stored in incompatible formats for each delivery service, then each service can maintain its own data structure, but users cannot compare menu items and prices across multiple services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a master data structure that acts as an intermediary between multiple delivery service data sources. This master data structure standardizes menu item information from different services into a common format, enabling comparison while preserving the original service-specific data formats. The mapping process transforms diverse source formats into a unified master format without requiring changes to the original service systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms data parameters by mapping source data fields to standardized master data fields. This involves changing the format and structure of data parameters from service-specific formats to a universal format that enables cross-service comparison. The mapping process adjusts parameter names, data types, and structures to create compatibility across different delivery services.
2Measurement precision
If menu items are identified as common across services, then users can compare prices effectively, but the process requires complex mapping and linking operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates master menu items that are copies or representations of source menu items from different delivery services. These master menu items contain standardized information that enables comparison while linking back to the original source items. The copying process preserves essential identifying characteristics while standardizing the data structure for comparison purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary mapping and linking operations to identify common menu items across services before the comparison process. This advance preparation involves establishing relationships between source menu items and master menu items, creating a structured framework that simplifies subsequent comparison operations. The preliminary identification and linking reduce the complexity of real-time comparison operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for providing a searchable aggregated data structure for a networked application. Source data in a plurality of formats is acquired from delivery service computers associated with food or beverage delivery services over a communication network. Acquired source data includes, for each of the food or beverage delivery services, data representing multiple source menu items. Acquired source data is mapped according to a predetermined data format. Formatted data is linked to common sources of the source menu items based on identification data. Common menu items among the source menu items are identified, and, for each identified common menu item, the source menu items are associated with a master menu item. Linked data and master menu items are combined into a master data set. The master data set and the identification data are imported into the searchable aggregated data structure.