Shared Virtual Inventory Management for Multi-Merchant Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inventory management systems for e-commerce platforms and logistics information systems fail to facilitate inventory sharing among multiple merchants, limiting the ability to manage and process inventory information across a network of users.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for processing inventory information that allows for inventory sharing among multiple merchants by managing self-owned available inventory, first virtual inventories provided to second users, and second virtual inventories acquired from third users, with mechanisms for updating, transferring ownership, and performing reverse conversions to manage inventory types differently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the existing manner of processing inventory information is used, then the inventory management is simple and straightforward, but inventory sharing among multiple merchants cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory sharing capabilityVSAvoidinventory management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments inventory information into three distinct types: self-owned available inventory, first virtual inventories (provided to second users), and second virtual inventories (acquired from third users). This segmentation allows the system to handle different inventory sharing scenarios independently while maintaining overall system simplicity. Each inventory type has its own management rules and update mechanisms, enabling multi-merchant inventory sharing without overwhelming complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension to inventory management by creating virtual inventory concepts that exist separately from physical ownership. First virtual inventories represent rights to use other merchants' inventory, while second virtual inventories represent acquired usage rights. This dimensional expansion from simple ownership to multi-dimensional inventory rights enables sophisticated sharing arrangements without requiring complex physical inventory redistribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If inventory sharing among multiple merchants is implemented, then resource utilization improves, but the complexity of managing different inventory types increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidinventory type management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides inventory management into distinct segments with clear boundaries. Self-owned inventory is managed separately from virtual inventories, and first virtual inventories are distinguished from second virtual inventories. Each segment has its own update rules and management protocols, which simplifies the overall management complexity despite enabling comprehensive inventory sharing across multiple merchants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different management qualities to different inventory types. Self-owned inventory follows traditional management rules, while first virtual inventories follow provider-centric rules, and second virtual inventories follow acquirer-centric rules. This local differentiation allows each inventory type to be optimized for its specific use case, improving resource utilization without requiring a single complex management system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If differentiated management of inventory types is performed, then inventory tracking accuracy improves, but the processing time and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory tracking accuracyVSAvoidinventory processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary classification of inventory into distinct types when the inventory relationship is first established. By pre-categorizing inventory as self-owned, first virtual, or second virtual and setting up the appropriate management rules in advance, the system avoids time-consuming classification decisions during inventory updates. This preliminary action ensures tracking accuracy while minimizing processing time during actual inventory operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12511618B2Inventory information processing method and device

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 BEIJING JINGDONG QIANSHITECHNOLOGY CO LTD

AI summary

The disclosure provides a method and apparatus for processing inventory information. The method comprises: receiving an inventory update request input by a user, wherein the request includes: any multiple pieces of information among a self-owned available inventory of the user, first virtual inventories provided by the user, and second virtual inventories acquired by the user; updating stored first inventory information by using the multiple pieces of information included in the inventory update request; reserving, if the inventory update request includes multiple ones of the first virtual inventories, the multiple ones of the first virtual inventories in the updated inventory information; and updating, if the inventory update request includes the self-owned available inventory and/or multiple ones of the second virtual inventories, second inventory information displayed on a page by using the self-owned available inventory and/or the multiple ones of the second virtual inventories.