Mobile Purchase Shipping System for Event Transaction Bottlenecks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Retail sales providers face inefficiencies during high-volume events due to long lines and the need for customers to carry purchases, as traditional cashier systems are not optimized for event-driven sales and shipping processes.

Innovation Solution

A mobile purchase and shipping system equipped with computer processors and memory storage areas that receive, validate, and process customer, package, and payment data to generate shipping manifests and labels, allowing for seamless transactions without traditional cashiers and enabling on-site shipping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional cashier systems are used during high-volume events, then customers can complete purchases, but long lines form and processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction processing speedVSAvoidcustomer wait time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables customers to autonomously scan items, view pricing, and complete purchases using mobile devices without cashier intervention. The mobile ordering system allows customers to independently navigate the purchasing process, eliminating the need to wait in lines for traditional cashier service.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical cashier system with an automated mobile ordering platform that uses electronic scanning, digital payment processing, and automated order routing. This substitution of physical cashier operations with electronic systems dramatically increases transaction throughput and reduces customer wait time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If traditional cashier systems are used, then purchases can be completed, but customers must carry their purchases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepurchase completion convenienceVSAvoidcustomer burden of carrying items

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary shipping arrangements by capturing customer delivery information during the mobile ordering process. Orders are pre-configured for delivery to the customer's location, eliminating the need for customers to physically transport purchased items from the event venue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a shipping service as an intermediary between the customer and their purchases. Instead of customers directly transporting items, the system coordinates with shipping carriers to deliver purchases to customers, transferring the physical burden from customer to logistics provider.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If consolidated sales and shipping services are offered, then customer convenience improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsolidated service capabilityVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile ordering system is designed as a multi-functional platform that handles item scanning, price lookup, cart management, payment processing, shipping information collection, and order routing all through a single mobile application. This universal system replaces multiple separate services (cashier, shipping desk, customer service) with one integrated solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges previously separate sales and shipping functions into a unified mobile ordering workflow. Customer data, purchase information, and shipping details are collected and processed in a single transaction flow, eliminating the need for separate registration and shipping arrangement steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9779435B2Systems, methods, and computer program products for mobile processing of package shipment orders at a point of sale

Publication Date: 2017.10.03 UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICAN INC

AI summary

Various embodiments provide computer program products and mobile purchase shipping systems for facilitating purchase of a product by a customer. The products and systems may be configured to receive customer data associated with the customer and to validate at least a portion of the received customer data. The products and systems may then receive package data associated with the product and receive payment data from a type of payment presented by the customer. Once received, the products and systems may use at least a portion of the validated data, the package data, and the payment data to generate a shipping manifest. In certain embodiments, the products and systems may include a magnetic card reader configured to read customer data from a customer driver's license. Still other embodiments may incorporate a mobile printer, such that the products and systems may generate a package shipping label, a shipping manifest, and/or a receipt.