SMS Intermediation System for Commerce Privacy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing online commerce systems face challenges in providing a convenient and private communication method for users, especially in developing markets where users may not always have access to web browsers or email, and there is a risk of grey-market activity when users bypass system fees by direct communication.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an SMS intermediation system that allows users to send SMS messages through a networked commerce system, where the system acts as an intermediary, assigning a pool of SMS numbers for transactions, concealing users' personal contact information and preventing direct communication to maintain fees and privacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users communicate directly through personal contact information, then communication convenience is improved, but user privacy is compromised and grey-market activity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication convenienceVSAvoidprivacy exposure and grey-market activity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an intermediary communication system where the online commerce system acts as a mediator between buyers and sellers. Instead of users sharing personal contact information directly, messages are routed through the commerce system's messaging infrastructure. This allows convenient communication while protecting user privacy and ensuring transactions remain within the platform ecosystem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the commerce system monitors all user communications, then grey-market activity is prevented, but communication privacy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction integrityVSAvoidcommunication privacy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The commerce system serves as an intermediary that monitors communications for compliance purposes while maintaining privacy. The system can detect and prevent grey-market activities by analyzing message content and transaction patterns, yet user identities and sensitive information remain protected through the anonymized messaging structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If users have access to communication tools without web browsers or email, then accessibility is improved, but system control over transactions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication accessibilityVSAvoidtransaction control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables SMS-based communication as an intermediary channel that works across multiple devices including mobile phones without web browsers. The commerce system maintains control by routing all SMS communications through its platform, ensuring that even accessibility-enhanced communication methods keep transactions within the controlled ecosystem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10607266B2Method and system for SMS intermediation

Publication Date: 2020.03.31 EBAY INC

AI summary

A system for receiving, at a server with one or more processors, a request for a respective product page from a first client system. The system then sends the respective product page to the first client system for display, wherein the respective product page includes a send SMS message link. The system receives, from the first client system, a first SMS message, wherein the first SMS message is generated by user selection of the send SMS message link. The system transmits the first SMS message to a second client system associated with a seller of the respective product.