Virtual Object Transfer System for Anonymous Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing online social networks hinder anonymous delivery of real-world tangible products or services between users without prior knowledge of the recipient's physical address, limiting the surprise element and requiring pre-selected wish lists or registries.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows a conveying user to send a virtual object representing a real-world object to a receiving user using an electronic ID, with the real object being delivered to the recipient's physical address without disclosing the address, utilizing an electronic data store and fulfillment system for anonymous and surprise deliveries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users share physical addresses to send realized objects, then delivery capability is improved, but user privacy and comfort are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an online social network system as an intermediary that stores and manages physical address information. The system acts as a mediator between sending users and receiving users, allowing address information to be retrieved and used for delivery without the sending user directly possessing or exposing the receiving user's address. This resolves the contradiction by enabling delivery capability while preserving address privacy through the intermediary's controlled information management.
2Ease of operation
If users request physical addresses for surprise deliveries, then delivery capability is improved, but the element of surprise is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The online social network system serves as an intermediary that retrieves and processes address information without the sending user directly accessing the receiving user's address. The system handles the address lookup and validation internally, allowing the sending user to initiate a surprise delivery without ever seeing the receiving user's physical address, thus maintaining both delivery capability and the element of surprise.
3Ease of operation
If proxy systems use pre-selected wish lists, then delivery capability is improved, but adaptability and surprise element are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional wish list model by allowing users to send realized objects without the receiving user having pre-selected items. Instead of the recipient creating a list of desired items, the sender can directly send objects through the online social network system, which then handles the delivery using retrieved address information. This inversion eliminates the need for pre-selected lists while maintaining delivery capability and restoring the surprise element.
4Ease of operation
If users directly exchange address information, then delivery capability is improved, but user comfort and anonymity are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The online social network system acts as an intermediary that stores, manages, and retrieves physical address information. Instead of users directly exchanging sensitive address information, the system internally handles the address retrieval and validation process. This intermediary approach enables delivery capability while protecting user comfort and anonymity by preventing direct exposure of personal address information between users.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and computer program product for an online transferring system where a conveying user may transfer a virtual object, representative of a real object, to a receiving user using an electronic ID of the receiving user and have a real object delivered to a shipping address of the receiving user without knowledge of the shipping address by the conveying user. The system includes an electronic data store having a set of identifying information for a receiving user. The set of identifying information includes an electronic ID and a physical contact address. The system includes a communication system for communication between the conveying user and the receiving user. The communication system provides the electronic ID to the conveying user without providing the physical contact address to the conveying user. The system includes a virtual object, representative of a real-world object, associated with the conveying user. The system includes a physical shipping system, coupled to the communication system, for initiating a delivery of the real-world object to the physical contact address responsive to the conveying user communicating the virtual object to the electronic ID.