P2P Channel E-Commerce Integration via Clearinghouse Mediator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current instant messaging (IM) solutions are inconvenient and time-consuming for e-commerce transactions as they require users to exit the IM session for identity verification, payment processing, and delivery of digital goods, lacking integrated e-commerce functionality within the P2P communications channel.

Innovation Solution

A system that enables e-commerce transactions over a P2P communications channel by establishing a secure channel using protocols like SIMPLE, allowing identity verification, payment processing, and merchandise escrow to occur directly within the IM session, with a third-party clearinghouse facilitating these processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users utilize current IM solutions for communication, then text, voice, and video communications can occur securely over P2P channel, but e-commerce transactions require exiting the IM session and using third-party services which is inconvenient and time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of e-commerce transactionVSAvoidtime required for e-commerce transaction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines e-commerce transaction functionality with IM communication by integrating identity verification, payment processing, and digital good delivery directly into the existing P2P communication channel. The clearinghouse server is added to the same P2P channel used for IM, allowing seamless transition between communication and transaction without requiring users to exit the IM session.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The P2P communication channel is extended to serve multiple functions: it continues to support text, voice, and video communications while simultaneously enabling e-commerce transactions including identity verification, payment processing, and digital good delivery. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a third-party clearinghouse is integrated into the P2P communications channel for e-commerce transactions, then identity verification, payment processing, and delivery can occur within the IM session, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegrated e-commerce functionalityVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clearinghouse server acts as an intermediary component added to the P2P communication channel. It performs identity verification, payment processing, and coordinates digital good delivery without replacing the existing P2P architecture. The clearinghouse integrates seamlessly into the channel, maintaining the decentralized nature of P2P communication while adding necessary transaction management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8290819B2Electronic commerce transactions over a peer-to-peer communications channel

Publication Date: 2012.10.16 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A system, method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium are provided for completing e-commerce transactions over a P2P communications channel. According to one method, a secure P2P communications channel is established between a buyer node and a seller node. A request to perform an e-commerce transaction is transmitted from the buyer node to the seller node. In response to the request, a third-party clearinghouse is added to the P2P communications channel. Once the clearinghouse has been added to the P2P communications channel, a request is transmitted to the clearinghouse over the P2P communications channel to charge an account associated with the buyer node. The clearinghouse charges an account associated with the buyer node for the purchase. The clearinghouse also transmits a confirmation over the P2P communications channel indicating that the charge has been completed. When the seller node receives the confirmation, the seller node delivers the purchased good to the buyer node over the P2P communications channel.