WO2018112527A1

WO2018112527A1 - An e-commerce system

Info

Publication number: WO2018112527A1
Application number: PCT/AU2017/051420
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adam Bouris; Ryan Bouris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-12-20
Filing date: 2017-12-20
Publication date: 2018-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 2019-06-20

Abstract

There is provided herein an e-commerce system configured for facilitating e-commerce purchasing on mobile devices by facilitating the provision and usage of e-commerce parametric data embedded within images for reducing the data entry and checkout times. As such, when these images are rendered, mobile devices are able to detect and decode the e-commerce parametric data embedded therein to implement a near instantaneous e-commerce checkout process without necessitating storefront redirection, filling in of forms, time consuming remote server calls and the like. The e-commerce parametric data can embed pricing array data allowing the mobile device to instantaneously calculate a dynamic purchase price at the client-side according to at least one user specific parameter.

Description

An e-commerce system

Field of the Invention

[1] This invention relates generally to an e-commerce system and more particularly to an e- commerce system suited for mobile devices.

Background of the Invention

[2] Mobile devices are increasingly being used by consumers for e-commerce purchases with an estimated 43% of e-commerce purchases presently being conducted via mobile devices. It is expected that the majority of online sales will be conducted utilising mobile devices by 2021.

[3] However, conventional e-commerce purchasing (which may include the filling out of e- commerce forms and the like) is difficult using inherently small screen and input sizes of small form factor mobile devices.

[4] Furthermore, conventional online checkout processes are time-consuming in involving storefront redirects, form filling and the like. A conventional checkout may typically take 2 - 3 minutes to complete.

[5] It is estimated that 77% of shopping cart items are abandoned prior checkout on mobile devices. Furthermore, it is estimated that each 2 second delay in the checkout process increases the abandonment rate by 20%.

[6] Furthermore, price uncertainty, such as on account of shipping rates, taxes and the like further increases cart abandonment.

[7] The present invention seeks to provide an e-commerce system specifically suited for mobile devices which, inter alia, may allow the mobile device to reduce the time required of an e-commerce checkout process.

[8] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure

[9] There is provided herein an e-commerce system configured for facilitating e-commerce purchasing on mobile devices by facilitating the provision and usage of e-commerce parametric data embedded within images for reducing the data entry and checkout times.

[10] As such, when these images are rendered, mobile devices are able to detect and decode the e-commerce parametric data embedded therein to implement a near instantaneous e-commerce checkout process which avoids problems of existing checkout arrangements including storefront redirection, filling in of forms and the like. [11] Furthermore, the embedding of e-commerce parametric data allows the mobile device to instantaneously extract the e-commerce parametric data from the image without having to make time consuming remote server calls for certain types of data, thereby saving time, especially where a large number of images are browsed. Extraction of the e-commerce parametric data directly from the image also allows for off-line utilisation.

[12] In embodiments, the e-commerce parametric data embeds pricing array data allowing the mobile device to instantaneously calculate a dynamic purchase price at the client-side according to at least one user specific parameter (relating to shipping costs, applicable taxes, user preferences and the like) thereby reducing checkout pricing uncertainty.

[13] US 2016/0117061 Al (MIWO LD TECHNOLOGIES INC.) 28 April 2016 [hereinafter referred to as Dl] teaches embedding data within an image. As such, when displayed, associated data representative of one of a plurality of actions may be retrieved from a dedicated server.

[14] However, Dl teaches the embedding of a pixel representation of a unique identifier within an image. As such, Dl necessarily requires time consuming remote server calls (para. 44 of Dl) to obtain extra data which increase the shopping cart abandonment for the reasons given above. Further Dl does not recognise problems of reducing checkout times let alone the problem of remote server call time delay.

[15] Furthermore, Dl fails to disclose or suggest the embedding of pricing array data within images for the instantaneous client-side calculation of a dynamic purchase price. Dl does not recognise the problems or solutions associated with of client-side dynamic pricing calculation using embedded pricing array data.

[16] US 2016/0105482 Al (INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION) 14 April 2016 [hereinafter referred to as D2] discloses embedding meta data within a screen capture image for the reproduction of the source environment on a recipient device. In this way, for example, location, URL information and the like may be transmitted along with a screen capture so as to allow the recipient to ascertain the location, web resource or the like associated with the screen capture.

[17] D2 is however not an e-commerce system and is furthermore not directed to problems or solutions associated with reducing checkout times, client side dynamic purchase price calculations and the like.

[18] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings

[19] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[20] Figure 1 shows a mobile communication device in accordance with an embodiment;

[21] Figure 2 shows an e-commerce system in accordance with an embodiment;

[22] Figure 3 shows an e-commerce parametric data encoding comprising pricing array data in accordance with an embodiment;

[23] Figure 4 shows exemplary processing by a first mobile communication device within the system of Figure 2;

[24] Figure 5 shows example reprocessing by a second mobile communication device within the system of Figure 2;

[25] Figure 6 shows an exemplary interface for the embedding of e-commerce parametric data within image in accordance with an embodiment;

[26] Figure 7 shows an exemplary image comprising a computer readable pixel encoding therein;

[27] Figures 8 and 9 show the concealment of computer readable excellent coatings within background regions of images in accordance with an embodiment;

[28] Figure 10 shows the browsing of images served by a web resource wherein the mobile communication device dynamically identifies the computer readable pixel encoding within at least one image so as to dynamically display a dynamic purchase price;

[29] Figure 11 shows an exemplary interface displaying e-commerce parametric data for a plurality of e-commerce products encoded within an image, including extra e-commerce parametric data which may be retrieved from a server in accordance with an embodiment; and

[30] Figure 12 shows an exemplary interface for confirming an e-commerce transaction in accordance with an embodiment.

Description of Embodiments

[31] Figure 1 shows a computing device 100 preferably taking the form of a mobile communication device.

[32] The mobile communication device 100 comprises a processor 101 for processing digital data. In operable communication with the processor 101 across a system bus is a memory device 108. The memory device 108 is configured for storing digital data including computer program code instructions. In use, the processor 101 fetches these computer program code instructions from the memory device 108 for interpretation and execution. [33] The device 100 may comprise a display device 103 in operable communication with the processor 101 for the display of digital data thereon.

[34] The haptic touch controller 104 may be overlaid the display device 103 for the receipt of user gestures in relation to the digital data displayed thereby.

[35] The device 100 may further comprise a wireless processor 105 for sending and receiving data across a data network including cellular data networks.

[36] The device 100 may comprise a power controller 106 for powering the processor 101 and associated componentry.

[37] The device 100 may further comprise a GPS processor 107 in operable communication with the processor 101 for receiving GPS location data.

[38] The device 100 may further comprise image sensors 102 in operable communication with the processor 101 for capturing image and/or video data.

[39] As is shown in Figure 1, the computer program code instructions have been shown as having been divided into computer program code instruction controller modules.

[40] In this regard, the memory device 108 may comprise a checkout controller 109 and associated user data 111 configured for implementing the e-commerce checkout process described hereunder.

[41] The memory device 108 may further comprise an image authoring controller 110 configured for embedding computer readable e-commerce parametric data 112 within image data in the manner described hereunder.

[42] Furthermore, the memory device 108 may further comprise a payment controller 113 and associated payment instrument data 114 for processing payment for e-commerce transactions in the manner described herein.

[43] Figure 2 shows an exemplary computer network 200 comprising a plurality of computer devices in operable communication across a wide area network 204, such as the Internet.

[44] The network 200 comprises a plurality of mobile communication devices 100 referred to herein for illustrative convenience as comprising a seller mobile communication device 100 and a purchaser mobile communication device 100. In this regard, the seller mobile communication device 100 may be configured for receiving e-commerce parametric data for at least one e-commerce product, generating an encoding of the e-commerce parametric data and embedding a computer readable pixel encoding of the data encoding within an image loaded or captured by the device.

[45] Image data having the computer readable pixel encoding therein may then be communicated to an image sharing platform 203 or other mobile device 100 such as by way of upload, push notification, email, in-app communication or the like. [46] Thereafter, the purchaser mobile communication device 100 may browse a plurality of images of a web resource served by the image sharing platform 203.

[47] The purchaser mobile communication device 100 may detect the computer readable pixel encoding within an image of the web resource and decode the computer readable pixel encoding to obtain the encoding. The purchaser mobile device 100 may then interpret the encoding to extract the e-commerce product data and, in a preferred embodiment, associated pricing array data for at least one e-commerce product.

[48] In a preferred embodiment, the purchaser mobile device 100 is able to calculate, without making a remote server call, a dynamic purchase price according to the pricing array data and at least one user specific parameter, thereby reducing e-commerce processing timeframes and associated shopping cart abandonment. Such methodology may also allow the purchaser mobile communication device 100 to dynamically calculate e-commerce product pricing data when in off-line mode.

[49] In this way, the user may readily and quickly view relatively accurate or exact pricing for various e-commerce products of various images.

[50] Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary e-commerce metadata data encoding 300 encoded within the computer readable data in accordance with an embodiment.

[51] The encoding 300 may comprises at least one product ID or information uniquely representing an e-commerce product. The product ID may comprise a SKU code. Product information may include a product name, short product description and the like.

[52] Furthermore, for each e-commerce product, the encoding 300 may comprise pricing array data 304 allowing the purchaser mobile communication device 100 to calculate dynamic prising of the relevant e-commerce product according to at least one user specific parameter.

[53] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pricing array data 304 may comprise product option pricing array data 305 allowing for the dynamic calculation of a purchase price according to various e- commerce options and user specific parameters.

[54] Furthermore, the pricing array data 304 may comprise product shipping pricing array data 306 for the dynamic calculation of a purchase price according to shipping costs and user specific parameters.

[55] In embodiments, the encoding 300 further comprises a seller ID 301 identifying a user account associated with the seller mobile communication device 100.

[56] Furthermore, the encoding 300 may comprise a product data URL 303 for the making of remote server calls to the server 202 for the retrieval of extra e-commerce product data from a data store 301 if required. [57] Furthermore, the encoding 300 may comprise XY image coordinates 307 corresponding to the location of various e-commerce product regions within the image data.

[58] In a preferred embodiment, the computer readable pixel encoding is a 2-D barcode, which may include PDF417, Data Matrix, Maxicode, QR Code, Data Code, Code 49, Code 16K, Aztec Code, DataGlyphs, Codablock, Color Construct Code, High Capacity Color Barcode, HueCode or WaterCode formats.

[59] For QR Codes, the maximum storage capacity of a QR code depends on datatype, pixel density and error correction level.

[60] In this regard, a typical maximum size at the lowest error correction and comprise 7089 numeric characters or 4296 alphanumeric characters.

[61] As such, seller mobile communication device 100 is configured for generating the encoding 300 with less than a specified threshold of characters.

[62] Appendix A shows exemplary encoding 300 presented in JSON format for a swimsuit product comprising a bikini top and bottom which comprises 1089 characters.

[63] As such, utilising the above indicative number of characters and notation, an image may encode about eight e-commerce products.

[64] As is shown above, the encoding 300 comprises a seller ID for uniquely identifying a seller account having a seller ID 18762.

[65] Furthermore, each product similarly comprises a product ID and information including a product name and short description. In embodiments, each product may have an associated URL for the retrieval of extra data from the server 202 if required.

[66] For the first product having product ID 98762, the encoding 300 encodes options pricing array data for sizing and colour. As can be seen, purchase pricing is provided for small, medium and large. Furthermore, offset pricing is provided for colours wherein, for example, black may be ordered at no additional cost whereas white incurs an additional cost of $10.

[67] Shipping pricing array data may also be included which may include an origin of the seller. As such, the purchaser mobile communication device 100 is able to compare the origin GPS coordinates of the seller (or prestored user provided address data) so as to be able to calculate the distance between the purchaser and the seller so as to be able to categorise the shipping costs as being local, interstate or international. As can be seen, interstate deliveries comprise an additional costing of $12 whereas international deliveries comprise an additional costing $48.

[68] Additionally, XY coordinate data may be provided representing e-commerce product regions (which may comprise XY coordinates and width and height) within the image data which may be utilised for identifying various regions within the image data and displaying informational pop-ups adjacent respective regions.

[69] There will now be described exemplary processing of the respective mobile communication devices wherein Figure 4 illustrates exemplary processing 400 conducted by the seller mobile communication device 100 and Figure 5 illustrates exemplary processing 500 conducted by the purchaser mobile communication device 100.

[70] As is shown in Figure 4, the processing 400 comprises the user downloading and installing a software application to the seller mobile communication device 100. In accordance with an embodiment, the software application may comprise both the checkout controller 109 and image authoring controller 110 so as to allow user functionality from the perspective of both the seller and the purchaser.

[71] The process may further comprise user configuration 402 wherein the seller provides various requisite data such as location data, selling terms and conditions, payment receipt accounts and the like.

[72] Now, for the purposes of selling at least one e-commerce product, the user loads or captures an image 403.

[73] Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary user interface 600 controlled by the image authoring controller 110.

[74] The user captures an image using the image sensors 102 of the mobile device 100 or loads an image 601 locally from the memory 108 or remotely from an image web resource.

[75] For the loaded image 601, the user is able to configure at least one e-commerce product.

[76] In embodiments, step 405, the user may specify XY coordinates representing various regions

602 within the image 601 relating to various e-commerce items. Utilising the aforedescribed example, the image 601 may show a person wearing a bikini and therefore the regions 602 relate to the bikini top and bottoms. For the configuration of the regions 602, the user may utilise haptic gestures on the touch controller 104 to draw rectangles around the relevant regions on the image.

[77] For each product, at step 406, the user may upload or select extra image data 603 relating to the e-commerce products and, at step 407, provide various e-commerce parametric data 604.

[78] Such process may be repeated to add further e-commerce products. As alluded to above, the sizing constraints of the embedded data may allow up to about eight e-commerce products to be embedded within the image 601.

[79] At step 408, a computer readable pixel encoding of encoding 300 is generated and embedded.

[80] In embodiments, as the user adds various e-commerce products in relation to the image 601, the interface 600 may show dynamic input restrictions should the size of the generated data exceed the sizing threshold. For example, where the user provides eight e-commerce products, the user may be restricted from providing e-commerce product descriptions that would cause the generated data to exceed the specified threshold limit.

[81] Figure 7 shows the image data 601 comprising the computer readable pixel encoding 702 at the bottom left-hand corner of the image.

[82] In embodiments, as opposed to locating the computer readable pixel encoding 702 on a specified location within the image 701, the pixel encoding 702 may be blended within image regions. For exampled, figures 8 and 9, show the blending of the computer readable pixel encoding 702 within a background region of an image.

[83] For example, figure 8 shows a portrait photo which is processed to identify a nonimportant background region of the image, being the upper body of the person represented but not the face. In this manner, the computer readable pixel encoding 801 is embedded within the background image region, leaving the face of the portrait unobscured.

[84] There are various techniques which may be employed for identifying the background region for the concealment of the computer readable pixel encoding 702. In one embodiment, texture and/or colour is analysed and background regions are identified as those comprising substantially uniform texture and/or colour, such as the upper body of the person represented. Facial recognition in may be used to identify facial areas. Furthermore, background regions may be identified as those intersecting the corners of the image.

[85] Figure 9 shows the concealment of a plurality of computer readable pixel encodings 702 for redundancy purposes. In this manner, should the image the rendered partially off screen, a complete Q code may be generated from separate portions of the various computer readable pixel encodings therein.

[86] For example, Figure 9 shows the embedding of a computer readable pixel encodings 901 and a complete computer readable pixel encodings 902 both comprising the same data. In this manner, should the complete computer readable pixel encodings 902 be obscured such as by being rendered outside the view port of the display 103, the missing information from the computer readable pixel encodings 902 may be obtained from the partial computer readable pixel encodings 901.

[87] In embodiments, the computer readable pixel encodings 702 may repeat the encoding therein for redundancy purposes, so as to allow for the retrieval of the encoding 300 should a portion of the pixel encoding 700 and to be damaged, corrupted or truncated.

[88] In embodiments, the computer readable pixel encoding 702 may be non-visibly concealed within the image utilising stenographic technique. [89] Returning to Figure 4, in embodiments, extra data may be stored within a data store 201 of the server 202 at step 410. For example, the provided e-commerce product images 603 (which would otherwise cause the generated data to exceed the threshold data size) could be transmitted across the wide area network 204 for storage within the data store 201 for retrieval as and when required. In this regard, the aforeprovided exemplary generated data may comprise a unique URL for the retrieval of the extra data.

[90] As regard, should be noted that the extra data stored by the server 202 may be inessential for the calculation of the e-commerce price. As such, the generated data encoded within the QR code 700 to may comprise the requisite e-commerce parametric data for the dynamic calculation of the e- commerce purchase price without a remote server call wherein extra data may be retrieved from the server 202 upon demand.

[91] At step 411, the image 700 is generated comprising the embedded computer readable pixel encoding 702 and, at step 412, the image 701 is communicated to other mobile communication devices 100. As alluded to above, such a typically transmitted for serving by one or more image sharing platforms 203, such as Instagram.

[92] Reference is now made to Figure 5 showing exemplary processing 500 implemented by the purchaser mobile communication device 100.

[93] The processing 500 similarly initiates with the installation 501 and configuration 502 of a software application to the mobile communication device 100.

[94] Configuration 502 may comprise the provision of user specific information. In embodiments, this provided use of specific information may be utilised for the dynamic calculation of the e- commerce product purchase prices.

[95] In embodiments, user specific information may comprise information from which purchase pricing may be deduced with reference to the product option pricing array(s) 305.

[96] For example, the user may provide body sizings, such as by selecting a categorisation of small, medium or large for tops and small, medium or large for bottoms. In embodiments, the user may specify a sizing measurement, such as by providing a waist measurement of 36 cm wherein the checkout controller 109 infers the medium sizing categorisation therefrom. As such, the checkout controller 109 is able to calculate an exact e-commerce purchase price with reference to the user provided and specific sizing data and the product options pricing array 305.

[97] Additional user provided specific information may relate to the residential address of the user from which a shipping cost may be deduced with reference to the product shipping pricing array 306.

[98] In embodiments, as opposed to the user providing residential address, a location of the mobile communication device 100 may be inferred via the GPS processor 107. As such, in accordance with this embodiment, the checkout controller 109 is able to infer the shipping cost categorisation so as to be able to dynamically calculate the exact purchase price accordingly.

[99] At step 503, the user, utilising the purchaser mobile communication device 100 browses an image serving resource served by the image sharing platform 203. For example, the user may browse images served by the Instagram platform in the conventional manner, such as by utilising a web browser or the Instagram software application.

[100] For at least one image served by the image sharing platform 203, the purchaser mobile device 100 may detect the computer readable pixel encoding 702 within an image at step 506 where after the encoding 702 is decoded at step 507 and the encoding 300 interpreted at step 508.

[101] Step 509 may comprise the purchaser mobile device 100 calculating, without making a remote server call, a dynamic purchase price according to the pricing array data 304 and at least one user specific parameter.

[102] In embodiments, the steps may be performed substantially autonomously wherein, for example, as the user scrolls through the various images on the display 103, the purchaser mobile device 100 autonomously identifies the encoding 702 therein so as to autonomously present and informational pop-up, modal or overlay comprising further information.

[103] For example, when viewing the image of the bikini, the dynamically calculated purchase price may be overlaid each e-commerce product region 602 within the image substantially autonomously.

[104] In alternative embodiments, the user performs an action prior such processing being done, or prior further processing being done. In one embodiment, at step 504, the user captures a screenshot of the display data 103 wherein the checkout controller 109 implements an event listener which detects the screen capture event at step 505. At each screen capture event, the event listener retrieves the most recent screen capture data and analyses the data to seek to identify the computer readable pixel encoding 702 therein.

[105] In embodiments, a combination of autonomous and user initiated actions are implement by the checkout controller 109. For example, the checkout controller 109 may autonomously implement the dynamic purchase price overlay adjacent each e-commerce product region within the image wherein, should the user be interested in the displayed pricing, the user may capture a screenshot of the image or take another action, such as pressing the pricing overlay to confirm the user's intent to purchase the respective e-commerce product.

[106] At step 509, for the calculation of the dynamic purchase price user specific parameters may comprise location data 517 representing the residential address of the purchaser. As such, utilising the known residential address of the purchaser and the product shipping pricing array 306, the checkout controller 109 is able to infer the correct shipping categorisation so as to be able to accurately calculate the requisite shipping cost.

[107] Furthermore, static user parameters may comprise user data 518 which may comprise sizing parameters wherein, for example, the user has specified that the user has a 36 cm waist. As such, for e-commerce products of this size, the checkout controller 109 is able to infer the correct option costing with reference to the product option pricing array 305.

[108] In embodiments, the system may learn from user preferences wherein, for example, user sizing may be inferred from user provided sizing of previous purchases. Such may be employed for other options also wherein, for example, wherein a user has previously shown preference for white coloured clothing, the system may default to such an option if available.

[109] In embodiments, the checkout controller 109 may calculate additional financial transaction processing surcharges in accordance with user specific payment instrument data 519. For example, wherein the user has configured the checkout controller 109 with payment details for an AMEX credit card, the checkout controller 109 is able to dynamically calculate a 2% fee surcharge.

[110] Figure 10 shows an exemplary interface 1000 displayed by the purchaser mobile communication device 100. As can be seen, the user browses a plurality of images 1002 served by the image sharing platform 203. As is shown, at least one image 1002 comprises the computer readable pixel encoding 702.

[Ill] As such, in accordance with one embodiment, the checkout controller 108 may be configured for the substantial real time display of the dynamically calculated purchase pricing 1001.

[112] In embodiments, such purchase pricing may be overlaid dynamically without further user input. In one embodiment, the checkout controller 109 may implement a background process that periodically monitors the information displayed within the view port of the display device 103 for processing for identifying the computer readable pixel encoding 702 presented therein. As such, for images comprising computer readable pixel encoding 702, the background process may cause the interface 1002 automatically overlay the dynamically calculated relatively accurate purchase pricing 1001.

[113] In embodiments, the processing 500 comprises calculating display coordinates at step 510 with reference to the XY accordance 307 within the encoding 300 so as to display a dynamic cost popover at step 512.

[114] Specifically, figure 10 shows the image 1002 comprising two regions 602 as specified by the XY coordinates 307 of the encoding 300. As such, the checkout controller 109 is able to display the dynamically calculated pricing data on or adjacent the respective regions 602. [115] In embodiments, the coordinates may be calculated with reference to the location of the computer readable pixel encoding 702. For example, the background process monitoring the display port of the display 103, when identifying the computer readable pixel encoding 702, may ascertain the on-screen display coordinates of the computer readable pixel encoding 702 so as to be able to calculate relative offset of the display position of the dynamically calculated pricing with reference to the XY coordinates data 307 of the encoding 300.

[116] As such, utilising the aforedescribed example where in the image 1002 shows the bikini model, dynamically calculated pricing data may be overlaid the bikini top and bikini bottom without having to make a remote server call to the server 202.

[117] As such, in this manner, the user is able to substantially instantaneously view relatively accurate e-commerce pricing for the various images displayed by the display 103 as the user scrolls through the various images served by the image sharing platform 203.

[118] As such, the user is able to make a near instantaneous purchasing decision.

[119] Having made a purchasing decision, the purchaser may capture a screenshot of the viewport or take other user interface action to select the image 102 or e-commerce product regions 602 at step

513.

[120] In embodiments, at step 514, the purchaser mobile communication device 100 may retrieve extra data from the server 202 at step 514. As alluded to above, the extra data may be any e- commerce parametric data not necessarily required for the dynamic allocation of relatively accurate purchase pricing which may, for example, include extra image data of each e-commerce product.

[121] In embodiments, the extra data retrieved via the server 202 may further comprise dynamic e- commerce parametric data including stock availability.

[122] At step 515, e-commerce product data (which may include the extra e-commerce product data) is displayed for the at least one e-commerce product.

[123] Specifically, figure 11 shows an interface 1100 comprising a modal overlay 1101 comprising various e-commerce product data for the e-commerce products encoded within the image 1002.

[124] In the embodiment shown, the overlay 1101 may comprise the extra e-commerce parametric data retrieved from the server 202 which may comprise the extra product image data 603. Additional e-commerce product data 604 may be displayed including that retrieved from the computer readable pixel encoding 702. Each e-commerce product may comprise the dynamically calculated purchase price 1001.

[125] In embodiments, wherein the e-commerce parametric data comprises options data 507 such as, for example, a user selectable colour option or the like, the user may provide such a selection via the interface 1100 such that the checkout controller 109 is able to perform a further dynamic cost calculation 506 in accordance with the user received user-specified options.

[126] For example, for the aforedescribed example, should the user choose the colour white for the bikini top, the checkout controller 109 would increment the dynamic cost calculation by $10.

[127] At step 518, the controller 109 implements an e-commerce purchase utilising the payment controller 113 and payment instrument data 114. In embodiments, the payment controller 113 may be a third-party software application of the mobile communication device 100, such as Apple or Samsung Pay™, or a web-based payment provider such as Stripe (wherein the payment instrument data 114 may comprise a credit card token).

[128] Figure 12 shows an exemplary interface 1202 displayed by the purchaser mobile communication device 100 to confirm purchase.

[129] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, they thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Appendix A - exemplary encoding 300

{

"sellerlD": "18762",

"products" : [

(

"productID": "98762",

"remote" : "https : //www. example . com/ 98762 " ,

"name": "Walker Top White",

"Desc": "The Walker Top White is our one and only boob tube style masterpiece" ,

"options " : [

{

"size" : [

{"small": "28.99"},

{"med": "38.99"},

("large": "48.99"}

]

},

"colour" : [

{"black": "+0"},

{"white": "+10"}

]

] ,

"shipping" : [

{"origin": "-33.865143 151.209900"}

{"local": "0"},

{"interstate": "+12"},

{"international": "+48"}

] ,

"XY":"68 167 100 20"

},

{

"productID": "13689",

"remote" : "https : //www. example . com/ 13689",

"name": "Zeta bottoms white",

"Desc": "The saucy white Zeta bottoms go great with the Walker

Top White",

"options " : [

{

"size" : [

{"small": "18.99"},

{"med": "28.99"},

{"large": "38.99"}

]

] ,

"shipping" : [

{"origin": "-33.865143 151.209900"}

{"local": "0"},

{"interstate": "+12"},

{"international": "+48"}

] ,

"XY" : "83 297 100 20"

Claims

1. An e-commerce system comprising:

a mobile communication device comprising a processor configured for:

browsing a plurality of images from a web resource across a wide area network, detecting the computer readable pixel encoding within the image, decoding the computer readable pixel encoding to obtain a data encoding;

interpreting the data encoding to extract e-commerce product parametric data including pricing array data for at least one e-commerce product;

calculating, without making a remote server call, a dynamic purchase price according to the pricing array data and at least one user-specific parameter;

displaying the purchase price; and

processing an e-commerce payment using payment instrument data according to the dynamic purchase price.

2. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a further mobile communication device comprising a further processor configured for:

loading image data;

receiving the e-commerce parametric data for the at least one e-commerce product; generating the data encoding comprising the e-commerce parametric data and the pricing array data;

generating the computer readable pixel encoding of the data encoding;

embedding the computer readable pixel encoding within the image data; and communicating the image data across the wide area network.

3. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the computer readable pixel encoding is a visible computer readable pixel encoding.

4. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the computer readable pixel encoding comprises a 2-D code.

5. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the computer readable pixel encoding is able to encode greater than 4000 alphanumeric characters.

6. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the data encoding is configured to encode more than one e-commerce product.

7. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the data encoding is configured to encode more than four e-commerce products.

8. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured for autonomously detecting the computer readable pixel encoding within the image when the image is rendered by a display of the mobile communication device and autonomously displaying the purchase price.

9. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the e-commerce product data further comprises XY coordinate data and wherein the processor is further configured for the autonomous display of the dynamic purchase price with reference to the XY coordinate data.

10. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured for calculating a viewport display position of the computer readable pixel encoding and displaying the dynamic purchase price with further reference to the on-screen display position.

11. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured detecting the computer readable pixel encoding within the image in response to a user interface action.

12. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the user interface action comprises a screenshot user interface action.

13. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the processor implements a screenshot event listener configured for detecting a screenshot event.

14. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pricing array data comprises shipping cost array data.

15. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured for calculating a distance between the location of the mobile communication device and a source location.

16. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the location is at least one of user- specified and obtained from a GPS receiver of the mobile communication device.

17. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the e-commerce product data comprises source location data.

18. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pricing array data comprises e- commerce product option pricing array data.

19. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the at least one user specific parameter is a stored user option preference and wherein the processor is further configured for calculating the dynamic purchase price using the e-commerce product option pricing array data and the user option preference.

20. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the stored user option preference is determined by the mobile communication device from a previous e-commerce transaction.

21. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mobile communication device is configured for making a remote server call to obtain extra e-commerce parametric data from a remote server.

22. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the extra e-commerce parametric data comprises e-commerce product image data.

23. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the extra e-commerce parametric data comprises e-commerce product stock availability data.

24. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the further processor is configured for determining if the data encoding exceeds a character threshold.

25. An e-commerce system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data encoding is redundantly encoded within the computer readable pixel encoding.