Offline Network Application Cache for POS Transactions

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Web applications face challenges in providing offline functionality, limiting their usability in areas with little or no network connectivity, as they require continuous network communication to access content and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A network-based application that utilizes an account-based system, storing user and application information in an application cache, allowing users to access offline features and perform transactions, such as point-of-sale operations, without network connectivity by generating computer-readable codes that can be used to authorize transactions when the device is offline.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If web applications require continuous network communication to access content and functionality, then network connectivity is maintained for real-time updates, but usability in areas with little or no network connectivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidusability offline

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by caching application information and user information in the browser before offline usage is needed. This pre-stored data enables the web application to function offline without requiring real-time network connectivity, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining network reliability and enabling offline usability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If web applications store user and application information in an application cache for offline access, then offline functionality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoffline functionalityVSAvoidcache management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by implementing automatic cache management within the browser. The browser autonomously caches application information and user information, manages storage, and retrieves data as needed without requiring complex external cache management systems, thus improving offline functionality while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If web applications generate computer-readable codes for transaction authorization offline, then transaction capability is improved, but security risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction capabilityVSAvoidsecurity risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the intermediary principle by using the browser as a secure mediator that generates computer-readable codes for offline transactions. The browser leverages its existing security architecture to create and manage these codes, enabling transaction capability offline while mitigating security risks through the browser's established security protocols rather than implementing a new security system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9836742B2Offline access of a network based application

Publication Date: 2017.12.05 STARBUCKS CORPORATION

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an interactive computing system configured to provide a network-based application that can provide offline functionality. A user computing device, such as a mobile device, access a network-based application through an interactive computing system. The network-based application can be configured to provide transaction information sufficient to conduct a transaction with a point-of-sale terminal when the network application is not in communication with the interactive computing system.