Promotion Activation via Short Code Text Messaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for activating and deactivating promotions are inefficient, particularly for merchants without reliable internet connections, as they require interaction with websites or mobile apps, leading to delays and lost revenue opportunities.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables immediate activation and deactivation of promotions using service identifiers and short codes via cellular networks, allowing merchants to send text messages to activate or deactivate promotions without needing a WIFI connection, using registration and activation circuitry to validate device identifiers and perform authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If merchants use websites or mobile apps to activate promotions, then promotion management can be performed, but merchants without reliable internet connections experience delays and lost revenue opportunities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system comprising a short code, message receiving circuitry, and activation circuitry that mediates between the merchant's text message and the promotion management system. This intermediary enables promotion activation through cellular text messaging infrastructure, bypassing the need for merchants to directly access websites or mobile apps that require reliable internet connections.
2Ease of operation
If merchants interact with websites or mobile apps for promotion management, then promotions can be activated and deactivated, but the process becomes complex and requires reliable internet connection
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables merchants to self-service promotion activation and deactivation by sending simple text messages with specific commands (e.g., 'START' or 'STOP') to a short code. The message receiving circuitry automatically processes these commands, validates them against the promotion database, and executes the appropriate actions without requiring merchant interaction with complex websites or mobile app interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring merchants to actively access and navigate complex promotion management systems through websites or mobile apps, the system inverts the approach by having the system proactively respond to simple text messages. The merchant initiates the process with a minimal input (text message), and the system handles all subsequent complexity automatically.
3Productivity
If current promotion activation methods are used, then promotions can be managed, but merchants without internet access cannot respond quickly to customer demands
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the universal cellular text messaging infrastructure, which is widely available and does not require reliable internet connections. By leveraging this universal communication channel, the system enables promotion management functionality across diverse environments including areas with poor internet connectivity, thereby increasing both productivity and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for facilitating immediate activation of a promotion. One example embodiment may include an apparatus for facilitating immediate activation of a promotion, the apparatus comprising registration circuitry configured to receive promotion component information, the promotion component information comprising one or more products or services and a price, generate a promotion comprising the promotion component information, and assign promotion identification information to the promotion; and activation circuitry configured to receive information provided in a text message, the text message comprising at least the promotion identification information, a command, the text message addressed to a short code, the command indicative of an instruction to perform with regard to the promotion identified by the promotion identification information.