Progressive Checkout Option Loading for E-Commerce

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing online checkout systems require all checkout options to be loaded and available before a transaction can be completed, leading to delays and inefficient use of computer resources due to the need for external calls to remote third-party servers.

Innovation Solution

Implement a system where checkout options are categorized into quick-load and slow-load sets, with the quick-load options displayed immediately and the slow-load options hidden until a selectable user interface element is selected, allowing the checkout transaction to be completed without waiting for all options to load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If all checkout options are loaded and displayed before completing the transaction, then the customer can see all available options, but the checkout process experiences delays and computer resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of checkout optionsVSAvoidcheckout transaction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments checkout options into two distinct groups: immediately available options that can be selected without external calls, and additional options that require external calls to third-party servers. This segmentation allows the checkout process to proceed with the first group while the second group is being loaded, eliminating the need to wait for all options before completing the transaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent identifies and prepares checkout options that can be loaded and made available in advance before the customer needs to make a selection. By performing preliminary loading of certain options, the system eliminates waiting time during the critical checkout moment, as these options are already ready for selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If all external calls are completed before the checkout transaction, then all checkout options are available, but computer resources and network bandwidth are consumed for unselected options

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of checkout optionsVSAvoidcomputer processing capacity and network bandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary checkout options from the complete set of possible options. Instead of loading and processing all available options, the system identifies and extracts only those options that are needed for the current transaction context, thereby conserving computer resources and network bandwidth while maintaining functional completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by loading and displaying only a subset of checkout options rather than all possible options. This partial loading approach is sufficient to enable the customer to complete the transaction, avoiding the waste of resources that would occur if all options were loaded and processed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the system waits for responses from all third-party servers, then all shipping and service options are accurate, but the checkout process becomes slow and unresponsive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of checkout optionsVSAvoidcheckout response speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the option loading process into immediate options (that do not require external validation) and delayed options (that require third-party server responses). This allows the checkout interface to become responsive and functional with the immediate options while the accuracy-critical options are being validated in the background.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that manages the loading and display of checkout options asynchronously. This intermediary allows the system to proceed with checkout using available options while simultaneously obtaining accurate data from third-party servers, decoupling the speed of the checkout process from the speed of external validation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12243026B2Systems and methods for e-commerce checkout with delay loading of checkout options

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 SHOPIFY INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for progressively providing checkout options during a checkout transaction are provided. During a transaction process, a user interface with an options category having a set of checkout options is provided. Requests associated with the checkout options are transmitted, with at least one of the transmitted queries being transmitted to a remote third-party. One or more of the checkout options are identified as a first set of options and others are identified as a second set of options. The user interface is updated to display the first set of options and a selectable UI element prior to display of the second set of options, where all of the second set of options are hidden from display prior to selection of the selectable UI element. The checkout transaction is completable using one of the options from the first set of options without display of the second set of options.