Product Identification in User-Generated Content for Seamless Purchasing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional communication systems fail to provide users with an effective way to learn more about products shown in digital media, offer convenient purchasing options, and deliver realistic and engaging digital content that maximizes user interaction and sales.

Innovation Solution

A networking system that identifies products within user-generated digital content items, provides immersive views for selected products, and generates insights on products likely to engage users, allowing direct interaction and purchase within the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If conventional communication systems deliver digital media to users, then product awareness is increased, but users cannot easily obtain product information or make purchases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct information accessibilityVSAvoidconvenience of purchasing

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system (social networking system with product identification capabilities) that bridges the gap between digital media consumption and product information access. The system automatically identifies products within user-generated content and provides access to product information and purchase options without requiring users to manually search or contact the content creator

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical processes (users manually searching for products, sending messages to creators, or navigating to external websites) with an automated digital system that uses image recognition and product identification algorithms to automatically detect and provide product information within the communication system interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If merchants use professionally produced digital media to portray products positively, then product appearance is optimized, but consumers cannot see realistic representations under normal circumstances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct presentation qualityVSAvoidrealistic representation variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the communication system multi-functional by enabling it not only to deliver digital media but also to automatically identify products within that media, retrieve product information, and provide purchase capabilities. This universal system handles both professionally produced content and user-generated content, accommodating diverse product presentation styles while maintaining realistic representation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If users navigate to third-party websites to purchase products shown in digital media, then purchase capability is enabled, but user experience becomes fragmented and frustrating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepurchasing convenienceVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges previously separate functions (digital media delivery, product identification, information retrieval, and purchase processing) into a single integrated communication system. Users can complete the entire purchase journey without leaving the platform, combining the social networking experience with e-commerce capabilities in one unified interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Loss of information

If conventional systems require users to send messages or search third-party websites to learn about products, then product inquiry capability is provided, but considerable user effort and time are expended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct information accessibilityVSAvoidtime to obtain product information

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by automatically identifying products within digital media and pre-retrieving product information before the user even requests it. The system proactively provides product information and purchase options immediately when users view relevant content, eliminating the need for users to manually search or wait for responses from content creators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11838595B2Matching and ranking content items

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 META PLATFORMS INC

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to a networking system that provides a user experience in which users of the networking system can interact with user-generated digital content items to select and receive information about one or more products. In particular, the systems and methods involve identifying products shown within user-generated digital content items and associating the user-generated digital content items with the identified products. In addition, where a user selects a product shown within a digital content item, the systems and methods involve selectively identifying other user-generated digital content items for the user based on a coefficient between the user and the other user-generated digital content items. Moreover, the systems and methods involve tracking user-interactions with respect to digital content items and generating and providing a creation insight including an identification of one or more products predicted to engage users of the networking system.