Provider Object Inventory Management Through Mediated Push Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for managing inventory of provider objects, such as travel-related goods and services, face challenges when distributing these objects through external computing devices due to difficulties in inventory management, limiting the distribution and management efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that generates provider objects, stores them in memory, and pushes information identifying these objects to external computing devices without a shopping step, allowing for real-time inventory management and transaction processing, using rules and machine learning algorithms to select distribution targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If provider objects are distributed through external computing devices using push mechanisms, then distribution speed and reach are improved, but inventory management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediation server that acts as a mediator between provider systems and external computing devices. This server receives provider objects from provider systems, manages the inventory centrally, and distributes them to external computing devices. The intermediation server handles the complexity of inventory tracking and coordination, allowing provider systems to push objects efficiently without directly managing the complexity of multiple external device interactions and inventory synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where external computing devices send transaction information back to the intermediation server. The server processes this feedback to update inventory records, track object distribution status, and coordinate with provider systems. This feedback loop enables automatic inventory management and reconciliation, reducing manual complexity while maintaining accurate real-time inventory records across the distributed system.
2Ease of operation
If typical client device/intermediation server/provider system mechanisms are used, then inventory management is straightforward, but distribution via pull mechanisms is severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static pull-based distribution model into a dynamic push-based model. Provider systems can now proactively push provider objects to external computing devices based on real-time inventory availability and demand signals. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing conditions, pushing objects when ready rather than waiting for requests, thereby significantly enhancing distribution capability while the intermediation server maintains straightforward inventory management through centralized control.
3Productivity
If provider objects are pushed to external computing devices, then distribution reach is improved, but real-time inventory synchronization becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where external computing devices report transaction information back to the intermediation server. The server uses this feedback to automatically update inventory records, track object distribution status, and reconcile differences between provider systems and external devices. This continuous feedback loop ensures real-time inventory synchronization across the distributed network, maintaining reliability even as distribution reach expands to multiple external computing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediation server serves as a central mediator that coordinates inventory synchronization between provider systems and multiple external computing devices. It maintains a master inventory record, receives push notifications from provider systems, and distributes objects to external devices while tracking all transactions. This centralized mediation ensures consistent inventory data across the entire system, preventing synchronization errors that would otherwise occur in a distributed peer-to-peer model.
Data Source
AI summary
A device, system and method managing inventory of provider objects are provided. One or more computing devices: generate one or more associated provider objects representing one or more respective associated items provided by a provider system, the associated provider object(s) including respective prices for the associated respective item(s); store, at one or more memories, the associated provider object(s); push, to an external computing device, information identifying the associated provider object(s), the external computing device being external to the provider system and the one or more computing devices, the information identifying the associated provider object(s) including the respective prices; receive, from the external computing device, an indication that a transaction associated with a provider object of associated provider objects, has occurred; in response to receiving the indication: provide, to the external computing device, the provider object; and reduce, at the one or more memories, a number of the associated provider object(s).