Pre-Purchase Feedback System Using Intermediary Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shopping systems are limited in their ability to share purchase data effectively, hindering the implementation of novel methods and services that rely on data communication between customers, particularly in situations where feedback from a secondary customer is needed before finalizing a purchase.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enable a primary customer to send a description of a proposed purchase to a secondary customer, allowing for feedback to be received and incorporated before finalizing the purchase, using a POS system with a feedback module that includes communication and data storage components to facilitate this process across distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a shopping system allows customers to communicate purchase data with distant individuals, then the ability to receive feedback before purchase is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computer system as an intermediary between the primary customer and secondary customers. This mediator handles the communication of purchase data, transmission of feedback, and coordination of the approval process, thereby enabling distant communication without requiring direct complex interactions between customers. The intermediary absorbs the complexity of data management and communication protocols.
2Reliability
If the system integrates feedback from secondary customers, then the completeness of purchases is improved, but the time required for the purchasing process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically transmitting purchase data to secondary customers and collecting feedback before the primary customer finalizes the purchase. This advance communication and feedback collection ensures that all necessary approvals are obtained beforehand, improving purchase accuracy without requiring additional time during the actual purchase completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a structured feedback mechanism where secondary customers provide approval or modification suggestions on purchase data. This feedback loop ensures that purchases align with household needs and preferences, improving reliability. The system manages this feedback efficiently by integrating it into the purchase workflow, minimizing time loss through automated processes.
3Ease of operation
If the system supports communication across distances, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates accurate digital copies of purchase data and transmits them to secondary customers through the computer system. This copying mechanism ensures that the same information is shared with all parties involved, preventing information loss during distant communication. The digital copy maintains data integrity and can be easily transmitted without degradation.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method is disclosed for enabling pre-purchase feedback. Within the method, a primary customer carrying a first computing device may be received within a brick-and-mortar store. A computer system corresponding to the store may receive via the first computing device an instruction to share with a secondary customer data describing a proposed purchase of one or more products. The computer system may then pass the data to a second computing device corresponding to the secondary customer. The computer system may also receive, via the second computing device, feedback corresponding to the proposed purchase and pass the feedback to the first computing device. Accordingly, the primary customer may receive pre-purchase feedback from the secondary customer.