Site Optimizer for Concurrent A/B Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

E-commerce systems lack effective tools for concurrent testing of merchandising offers and siteflow sequences, making it difficult for site operators to determine optimal design, pricing, and conversion rates, and to differentiate their offerings from competitors.

Innovation Solution

A site optimizer toolset that enables A/B testing with randomization mechanisms for assigning test cells to shoppers, providing a graphical user interface for setting up and analyzing tests, and automatically computing statistical significance to efficiently determine winning test cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If serial testing is used to test webpage designs sequentially, then resource requirements are reduced, but testing efficiency and time to obtain results deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidtime to obtain test results
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the testing process into multiple independent test cells that can run concurrently. Each test cell represents a separate experimental unit with its own configuration, allowing parallel execution of multiple testing scenarios simultaneously rather than sequentially processing single test cases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary testing platform that manages and coordinates multiple concurrent test cells. This intermediary system handles traffic routing, data collection, and result aggregation, enabling efficient parallel testing while maintaining controlled experimental conditions across all test cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If A/B testing with multiple test cells is implemented, then testing efficiency and statistical validity improve, but system complexity and resource requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestatistical validity of test resultsVSAvoidsystem complexity for managing test cells
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal testing platform that handles multiple functions: traffic routing to different test cells, data collection from various sources, statistical analysis across test cells, and result aggregation. This multi-functional system manages the complexity of running multiple concurrent tests through a single integrated interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic parameter changes within the testing system, allowing operators to adjust traffic distribution percentages, add or remove test cells, modify test configurations, and control experiment duration. These parameter adjustments can be made without fundamentally changing the system architecture, maintaining flexibility while managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If comprehensive test tracking and statistical analysis are performed, then decision quality improves, but processing time and computational resources worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of business decisionsVSAvoidspeed of obtaining test results
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous feedback mechanisms that automatically track test performance metrics, compute statistical significance in real-time, and provide actionable insights. The system continuously monitors conversion rates, traffic distribution, and other key metrics across all test cells, feeding this information back to operators for timely decision-making without requiring manual analysis delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8160909B2Site optimizer
Publication Date: 2012.04.17 DIGITAL RIVER INC
  • US8160909B2 patent drawing
  • US8160909B2 patent drawing
  • US8160909B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Site optimizer is a tool that enables A/B testing of merchandising offers for your online store to help you determine which offers work best on your storefront. A/B testing compares multiple offers simultaneously to randomly selected groups of shoppers. The A/B testing approach provides a unique and effective way to optimize online store performance because it is metrics-driven, objective, and more efficient than other site optimization techniques.