Automated Item Listing Generation via Text Message

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current marketplace websites require sellers to manually generate item listings, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially when listing multiple items or editing existing listings.

Innovation Solution

A system that allows sellers to send a text message with a photo and description of an item to a predetermined number, which automatically generates a draft item listing, including seller identity, product title, classification, quantity, condition, and pricing, and uploads it to the marketplace website.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If sellers manually generate item listings on marketplace websites, then accurate and detailed listing information can be ensured, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelisting generation efficiencyVSAvoidtime spent on manual listing creation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing sellers to send text messages with item photos to a predetermined number, automatically triggering the generation of item listings without requiring manual intervention through the website interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical interaction of manually navigating website forms and input fields with an automated text-message-based system that uses image recognition and natural language processing to generate listings automatically

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If sellers manually create item listings through the website interface, then complete control over listing details is maintained, but the process becomes complex and tedious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of listing creationVSAvoidcomplexity of listing generation process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a text message as an intermediary between the seller and the marketplace website, simplifying the interaction to a single action (sending a text) while the system handles the complex processes of image analysis, information extraction, and listing generation in the background

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If sellers need to edit existing item listings, then accurate updates can be made, but it requires logging in and manually modifying each field

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelisting update efficiencyVSAvoidtime spent on manual listing editing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service editing by allowing sellers to send text messages with updated item information or photos, which automatically triggers the system to retrieve the existing listing, analyze the new input, and update the listing fields accordingly without requiring manual login or field-by-field editing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11875391B2Message based generation of item listings

Publication Date: 2024.01.16 EBAY INC

AI summary

According to various exemplary embodiments, an electronic text message is received from a source telephone number, the electronic text message including content describing a product item. A seller of the product item is identified, based on the source telephone number, and the product item is identified, based on the content included in the electronic text message. Thereafter, a draft version of an item listing is automatically generated, where the item listing lists the product item as being for sale by the seller on a marketplace website.