Centralized Order Management Server for Multi-Service Retail Integration

Solution Overview

Problem

The use of multiple web-based order receiving agent services in stores requires separate dedicated terminals, leading to space constraints and inefficiencies, as each service has different configurations and data formats, making it inconvenient for stores to manage concurrent orders.

Innovation Solution

An order management system that includes a communication interface and processor to acquire and convert order data from various formats, allowing for the concurrent use of multiple order receiving agent services through a centralized order management server, which relays data in a format compatible with the store's system, reducing the need for multiple terminals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate dedicated terminals are installed for each order receiving agent service, then each service can be operated independently, but the space occupied by terminals increases and store operations become less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAbility to use multiple order receiving agent servicesVSAvoidSpace occupied by dedicated terminals

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple order receiving agent services into a single terminal device. The terminal is configured to communicate with multiple order receiving servers simultaneously, allowing it to receive and manage orders from different services through one unified interface, thereby eliminating the need for multiple separate terminals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple order receiving agent services. It can adapt to different service configurations and data formats, processing orders from various services through a single multi-functional terminal rather than requiring dedicated terminals for each service.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate dedicated terminals are installed for each order receiving agent service, then each service can be managed independently, but the complexity of device installation and management increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAbility to use multiple order receiving agent servicesVSAvoidNumber of terminals and their configurations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple order receiving agent services into a single terminal device. The terminal is configured to communicate with multiple order receiving servers simultaneously, allowing it to receive and manage orders from different services through one unified interface, thereby eliminating the need for multiple separate terminals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple order receiving agent services. It can adapt to different service configurations and data formats, processing orders from various services through a single multi-functional terminal rather than requiring dedicated terminals for each service.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple dedicated terminals are used for different order receiving agent services, then each service can be accessed separately, but the efficiency of order processing decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAbility to receive orders from multiple servicesVSAvoidOrder processing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple order receiving agent services into a single terminal device. The terminal is configured to communicate with multiple order receiving servers simultaneously, allowing it to receive and manage orders from different services through one unified interface, thereby eliminating the need for multiple separate terminals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4050546A1Order management device, order management method, and order processing system

Publication Date: 2022.08.31 TOSHIBA TEC KK

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AI summary

An order management device is connectable to a store station device and order receiving servers operated by an order receiving agent for sending customer orders to a store. A processor of the order management device acquires first order data in different formats from the plurality of order receiving servers then generates corresponding second order data in a format matching a data format used by the store station device. The second order data is then transmitted to the store station device via a communication interface. The processor also sends a preparation completion notice to an order receiving server after receiving a notice of completion of preparation work from the store station device.