Mobile Offer Comparison Using Product Image Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers face difficulties in comparing product offers across different sales channels due to varying conditions and product variants, requiring time-consuming research using personal computers and software tools, which is impractical during regular shopping sessions.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device-based system that acquires product identification information, retrieves and displays offers through a remote server, enabling informed comparisons of product offers using a mobile device with image recognition and communication capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If consumers use personal computers and software tools to compare product offers, then they can make informed purchasing decisions, but the process becomes time-consuming and impractical during regular shopping sessions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual data collection and comparison using personal computers and software tools with an optical/image recognition system. The mobile device captures images of products and automatically extracts information, eliminating the need for manual typing and spreadsheet management while maintaining accurate comparison capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a mobile device with image recognition capabilities and a remote server. This intermediary automatically retrieves and presents multiple product offers including pricing, features, and customer reviews, serving as a mediator between the consumer and the complex task of offer comparison.
2Loss of information
If consumers manually research product offers using personal computers, then they can gather comprehensive information, but the process cannot be done during a regular shopping session
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-loading product information, pricing, features, and customer reviews onto a remote server before the shopping session. When the consumer points the mobile device at a product, the information is already available for immediate retrieval and display, eliminating the need for extended research time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of researching and noting down information with an automated image recognition and data retrieval system. The mobile device automatically captures product images, extracts information, and presents comprehensive comparison data instantly, maintaining information completeness while dramatically improving shopping efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If consumers compare product variants and accessories manually, then they can identify the correct product, but the task becomes non-trivial especially for electronic appliances with many variants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex manual task of identifying product variants and accessories with an automated image recognition system. The mobile device captures an image of the product, automatically extracts identifying features, and retrieves the correct product information from the remote server, eliminating the need for consumers to manually navigate through multiple variants and specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that handles the complexity of product variant identification. The remote server receives the product image, processes it to identify the specific variant and its accessories, and returns the accurate product information, thereby shielding the consumer from the complexity of manual comparison.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for comparing product offers, wherein the apparatus includes acquisition components able to receive product identification information collected from or transmitted by a product and/or a product tag positioned on or close to the product, and control and/or processing components configured for receiving, through the acquisition components, the product identification information relating to the product, generating a request of product information on the basis of the product identification information, transmitting the request of product information to at least a device that is configured to generate, on the basis of the request of product information, a product information response comprising at least a set of offers relating to the product, receiving the product information response generated by the device, and displaying the at least one set of offers.