Computer software vending machine

• US 5,267,171 A
• Filed: 03/19/1991
• Issued: 11/30/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Mori, Yasuyo, Suzuki, Takamitsu
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jerry
• Assistant Examiner(s): GORDON, PAUL P
• Application Number:
  US07/671,473
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 364/479, 364/401, 364/403, 364/410, 364/518, 364/155, 235/375, 235/380, 235/381
• US Class Current: 700/234
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization

Abstract

A computer software vending machine includes an information storage unit for storing user information relating to a particular user when the user utilizes the computer software vending machine. An information reading unit reads various information from the information storage unit. The storing unit stores a plurality of computer software and user information relating to the user when the user utilizes the computer software vending machine. A comparing unit compares the user information stored in the storing unit with the user information relating to the user when the user utilizes the computer software vending machine. A selecting unit selects computer software which has been supplied from the computer software vending machine after the user last utilized the computer software vending machine from the information storage unit, on the basis of the comparison with the comparing unit. The displaying unit displays the computer software selected by the selecting unit.

Claims

1. A vending machine comprising:

information supplying means for supplying utilization information relating to a particular user'"'"'s last use of the vending machine to the vending machine;

storing means for storing an inventory of programs and for storing supply information relating to dates when the programs were added to the vending machine;

comparing means for comparing the utilization information with the supply information stored in said storing means;

selecting means for selecting from said storing means programs which have been added to the inventory after the user last utilized the vending machine on the basis of the comparison of said comparing means; and

displaying means for displaying the programs selected by said selecting means.

2. A vending machine as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said information supplying means supplies the vending machine with designated model information indicating a model of the user'"'"'s computer having an ability to execute programs;

said storing means stores information regarding models of computers having an ability to execute programs stored in said storing means;

said comparing means compares said utilization information supplied from said information supplying means with the supply information stored in said storing means and compares said designated model information supplied from said information supplying means with said model information stored in said storing means; and

said selecting means selects programs which were commonly obtained in both comparisons made by said comparing means.

3. A vending machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the information supplying means comprises information storage means for storing utilization information relating to a particular user'"'"'s last use of the vending machine and information reading means for reading the utilization information from the information storage means.

4. The vending machine as defined in claim 3, wherein said information storage means is a card having storage to which said utilization information is written.

5. The vending machine as defined in claim 3, wherein said information storage means is a card having storage to which said utilization information is written, said utilization information being rewritten when the user uses the machine.

6. The vending machine as defined in claim 5, further comprising:

information rewriting means for rewriting the utilization information.

7. A vending machine as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said information supplying means supplies category information relating to categories of programs previously purchased by the user;

said storing means stores information regarding categories of programs stored in said storing means;

said comparing means compares said utilization information stored in said information storage means with the supply information stored in said storing means and compares said category information stored in said information storage means with the category information stored in said storing means; and

said selecting means selects programs which were commonly obtained in both comparisons made by said comparing means.

8. A vending machine comprising:

information storage means for storing category information relating to categories of programs previously purchased by a particular user with the vending machine;

means for updating said category information, said category information being updated whenever the user uses said vending machine;

information reading means for reading the information from the information storage means;

storing means for storing programs and for storing descriptive information relating to the stored programs;

comparing means for comparing the descriptive information stored in said storing means with the updated category information stored in the information storage means;

selecting means for selecting from said storing means programs on the basis of the comparison made by said comparing means; and

displaying means for displaying the programs selected by said selecting means.

9. The vending machine as defined in claim 8, wherein said information storage means is a card, said information storage means further storing information indicating a date the user last utilized the vending machine.