Method and a system for computer software distribution using networked software dispensing vending machines

• US 6,959,285 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2002
• Issued: 10/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Access Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Palmsource Incorporated (Access Company Limited)
• Inventors: Stefanik, Steve, Sharp, Maurice
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jeffrey A.
• Application Number:
  US10/087,370
• Publication Number:
  US 20030163382A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,335 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 705/16, 703/23, 703/27, 709/200
• US Class Current: 705/27.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

A method and a system for dispensing software programs from a networked software dispensing kiosk device or ATM. Software developers can place software for sale within the network thereby causing various remote software ATMs to offer the software. The user causes a display of a list of different categories of software titles available through a remotely located software ATM, e.g., located in a retail market place, or other public place. The user makes a selection from the list and may optionally execute the selected software using an on-screen emulation of the user'"'"'s device. If the user is satisfied with the execution of the selected software, the user can purchase or rent the selected software using automated vending equipment of the software ATM. Purchased or rented software titles are electronically communicated from the software ATM to the user'"'"'s portable computer system. The software ATM can also provide backup and archiving services for a portable computer user.

Claims

1. A method for distributing software programs comprising:

transmitting a plurality of software programs from a networked server computer to a remote software-dispensing device;

storing said plurality of software programs on said software dispensing device;

in response to a user request, displaying a directory of said plurality of software programs on said software dispensing device;

in response to a software selection, emulating, on said software dispensing device, a portable computer system, executing said selected software program, wherein a user can manipulate said selected software program;

in response to a software selection by a user, accepting payment from said user for a selected software program; and

in response to said payment, communicating an instantiation of said selected software program from said software dispensing device to a portable. computer system of said user.

2. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said software dispensing device is a computer system comprising:

a processor coupled to a bus;

a memory coupled to said bus;

a display screen coupled to said bus; and

a communication unit coupled to said bus and for communicating with a portable computer system of said user.

3. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said directory comprises a name, description and price for each of said plurality of software programs.

4. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said transferring is performed wirelessly.

5. A method as described in claim 4 wherein said transferring is performed using Bluetooth communication.

6. A method as described in claim 4 wherein said transferring is performed using infrared communication.

7. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said portable computer system of said user is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

8. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising backing up information from said portable computer system of said user onto said software dispensing device.

9. A method as described in claim 8 further comprising restoring said information from said software dispensing device onto a replacement portable computer system of said user.

10. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising archiving inactive software programs from said portable computer system of said user onto said software dispensing device.

11. A method for distributing software programs comprising:

transmitting a plurality of software programs from a networked server computer to a remote software dispensing kiosk;

storing said plurality of software programs on said software dispensing kiosk;

in response to a user request, displaying a directory of said plurality of software programs on said software dispensing kiosk;

in response to a software selection, emulating, on said software dispensing kiosk, a portable computer system executing said selected software program, wherein a user can manipulate said selected software program;

in response to a software selection by a user, accepting payment from said user for a selected software program; and

in response to said payment, transferring an instantiation of said selected software program to a hand held computer system of said user.

12. A method as described in claim 11 wherein said software dispensing kiosk is a computer system comprising:

a processor coupled to a bus;

a memory coupled to said bus;

a display screen coupled to said bus; and

a communication unit coupled to said bus and for communicating with said hand held computer system of said user.

13. A method as described in claim 11 wherein said directory comprises a name, description and price for each of said plurality of software programs.

14. A method as described in claim 11 wherein said transferring is performed wirelessly.

15. A method as described in claim 14 wherein said transferring is performed using Bluetooth communication.

16. A method as described in claim 14 wherein said transferring is performed using infrared communication.

17. A method as described in claim 11 wherein said hand held computer system of said user is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

18. A method as described in claim 11 further comprising backing up information from said hand held computer system of said user onto said software dispensing kiosk.

19. A method as described in claim 18 further comprising restoring said information from said software dispensing kiosk onto a replacement hand held computer system of said user.

20. A method as described in claim 11 further comprising archiving inactive software programs from said hand held computer system of said user onto said software dispensing kiosk.

21. A network system for distributing software programs comprising:

a networked server for receiving and storing software programs from software developers;

a remotely located software dispensing kiosk networked with said server and for receiving and storing software programs from said networked server;

in response to a user request, said software dispensing kiosk displaying a directory of said software programs;

in response to a software selection, emulating, on said software dispensing kiosk a portable computer system executing said selected software program, wherein a user can manipulate said selected software program;

in response to a software selection by a user, said software dispensing kiosk accepting payment from said user for a selected software program; and

in response to said payment, said software dispensing kiosk communicating an instantiation of said selected software program to a portable computer system of said user.

22. A network system as described in claim 21 wherein said software dispensing kiosk comprises:

a processor coupled to a bus;

a memory coupled to said bus;

a display screen coupled to said bus; and

a communication unit coupled to said bus and for communicating with said portable computer system of said user.

23. A network system as described in claim 21 wherein said directory comprises a name, description and price for each of said software programs offered by said software dispensing kiosk.

24. A network system as described in claim 21 wherein said portable computer system of said user is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

25. A network system as described in claim 21 wherein said software dispensing kiosk is also for backing up information from said portable computer system.

26. A network system as described in claim 21 wherein said software dispensing kiosk is also for archiving inactive software programs from said portable computer system.