Mobile Commerce Text Messaging System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers face difficulties in participating in commerce transactions using their mobile devices due to the limitations of navigating and interacting with web pages on small LCD screens and limited functional controls, hindering the full utilization of mobile commerce opportunities.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows consumers to register for mobile commerce through a wireless device, receive alerts for promotions, and opt-in to purchase items via text messaging, enabling seamless participation in special sales promotions using their cellular telephone or similar device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If consumers use wireless devices with small LCD screens and limited controls to access web pages, then mobile commerce accessibility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to navigation difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the core commerce interaction elements (product selection, purchase confirmation, payment) from the complex web browsing experience and implements them through simplified text message commands. This separates the essential transactional functions from the cumbersome navigation requirements, allowing consumers to participate in mobile commerce using only basic text messaging capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary processing layer that translates simple text message inputs into complex commerce transactions. The server acts as a mediator between the consumer's simple text commands and the merchant's online store, automatically handling navigation, product selection, and checkout processes without requiring the consumer to directly interact with web pages.
2Ease of operation
If consumers register and opt-in for promotions through text messaging, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service registration and promotion opt-in through automated text message exchanges. Consumers simply send predetermined text commands to register or opt-in for promotions, and the system automatically processes these requests without requiring manual intervention, complex forms, or additional authentication steps beyond basic text messaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the interaction parameter from complex web form filling to simple text message sending. By transforming the registration and opt-in processes into text-based commands, the system reduces the operational complexity for consumers while maintaining robust backend processing capabilities for handling registrations, promotions, and transactions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for facilitating the purchase of goods and/or services between the holder of a wireless communications device and a commerce system is disclosed. The system enables consumers who wish to participate in promotional sales offers to register with a mobile commerce system. Consumers may further define the types of items that they are interested in purchasing. Prior to the start of a promotion, the system sends a text message alert to registered consumers, giving them an opportunity to opt-in via text message from a wireless communications device. When the promotion is activated, the opted-in consumers are alerted via text message and are given an opportunity to send a text message back to the system indicative of a desire to purchase the promotional item. If defined conditions are met, the consumer's financial account is debited in the amount of the purchase and the consumer is instructed as to how to acquire their purchase.