Storefront Generation System Using Template Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Online merchants face challenges in creating mobile storefronts without programming expertise, as they need to hire programmers or code applications themselves to set up and manage online stores accessible via websites or applications.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that allows merchants to generate a mobile storefront by providing an interface to select appearance, manage inventory, set policies, and generate source code, which can be modified and published directly, using a client-server architecture with modules for initialization, storefront, inventory, policy, and platform management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If merchants hire programmers or code applications themselves to set up online stores, then the storefront can be created and managed, but the complexity and time required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of storefront creationVSAvoidtime required to set up storefront

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses pre-defined templates that replicate successful storefront designs, allowing merchants to copy proven layouts and functionality without building from scratch. Templates include pre-configured navigation, product displays, and checkout processes that can be instantly deployed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary configuration work by pre-setting up storefront structures, design elements, and functional components before the merchant needs them. Common storefront elements are prepared in advance and can be selected and customized by the merchant without requiring programming knowledge

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If merchants use custom-coded applications, then unique functionality can be achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storefront system is divided into independent modular components including headers, product sections, promotional banners, and footers. Each module can be separately configured, customized, and rearranged through a user interface without affecting other parts of the storefront

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides universal templates and components that can serve multiple purposes across different storefront types. A single template system supports various business models and product categories, reducing the need for custom development while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10600113B2Methods and systems for storefront generation

Publication Date: 2020.03.24 EBAY INC

AI summary

An embodiment includes a system comprising an initialization module and a platform module. The initialization module provides an initialization interface to a merchant that receives an indication from the merchant to initialize creation of a storefront application. The platform module receives a selection of mobile phone device operating systems; accesses stored templates from a template database, and maps elements in the stored templates to portions of source code to generate sets of operating system-specific source code. The stored templates correspond to the selected mobile phone device operating systems. The stored templates include source code used to implement portions of the storefront application on a mobile phone device operating system. When compiled, the sets of operating system-specific source code become versions of the storefront application executable by a respective one of mobile phone device operating systems.