Networked software and service dispensing vending machine

• US 7,343,329 B1
• Filed: 02/28/2002
• Issued: 03/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Access Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Palmsource Incorporated (Access Company Limited)
• Inventors: Sharp, Maurice
• Primary Examiner(s): Rudy; Andrew Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Frenel; Vanel
• Application Number:
  US10/087,373
• Time in Patent Office: 2,203 Days
• Field of Search: 700/234, 705/26, 705/14, 705/16, 705/27, 703/23, 703/27, 712/227, 717/176, 717/177, 717/178, 709/200
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a networked software and service dispensing vending machine (also referred to as a “software ATM”) for dispensing software and providing services to a portable computer system. Software stored on the software ATM is offered for sale and, once payment is received, downloaded into a portable computer system. A communications interface on the software ATM allows communications with the portable computer system. The software can be displayed on the software ATM prior to being purchased. Once payment is received for the software, it is downloaded into the portable computer system using the communications interface. A network connection on the software ATM provides communications with a network server.

Claims

1. A networked software dispensing vending machine comprising:

a bus;

a memory unit coupled with said bus for storing one or more software programs;

a communications interface coupled with said bus for communicating with a portable computer system;

a display device coupled with said bus, said display device displaying an emulation of an operating system used by said portable computer system to test the one or more software programs by installing the one or more software programs entirely onto the emulation of the operating system prior to actually downloading the one or more software programs onto the portable computer system;

a network interface coupled with said bus for communicatively coupling with a remote network server;

a device coupled with said bus for receiving a payment for said one or more software programs; and

a processor coupled with said bus for transferring said one or more software programs to said portable computer system in response to said payment.

2. The networked software dispensing vending machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said communications interface is a wireless communications interface.

3. The networked software dispensing vending machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said remote network server transmits additional software to said network interface for storage on said memory unit.

4. The networked software dispensing vending machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said network interface communicates a backup configuration of said portable computer system to said remote network server.

5. The networked software dispensing vending machine as recited in claim 4, wherein the configuration of said portable computer system is restored using said backup configuration.

6. The networked software dispensing vending machine as recited in claim 4, wherein said display device displays, in conjunction with said backup configuration, an emulated version of said portable computer system.

7. The networked software dispensing vending machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said remote network server archives an inactive software program for said portable computer system.

8. The networked software dispensing vending machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said remote network server transmits an updated version of said software program to said portable computer system.

9. A software dispensing vending machine comprising:

a bus;

a memory unit coupled with said bus for storing a software program;

a communications interface coupled with said bus for communicating with a portable electronic device;

a display device coupled with said bus, said display device displaying an emulation of an operating system used by said portable electronic device to test the software program by installing the software program entirely onto the emulation of the operating system prior to actually downloading the software program onto the portable electronic device;

a device for accepting a payment for said software program coupled with said bus; and

a processor coupled with said bus for transferring said software program to said portable electronic device in response to said payment.

10. The software dispensing vending machine as recited in claim 9, wherein said communications interface is a wireless communications interface.

11. The software dispensing vending machine as recited in claim 9, further comprising a network interface for communicating with a remote network server.

12. The software dispensing vending machine as recited in claim 11, wherein said remote network server transmits additional software to said network interface for storage onto said memory unit.

13. The software dispensing vending machine as recited in claim 12, wherein said network interface transmits a backup configuration of said portable electronic device to said remote network server for storage thereon.

14. The software dispensing vending machine as recited in claim 12, wherein said portable electronic device is restored using said backup configuration.

15. The software dispensing vending machine as recited in claim 13, wherein said display device displays an emulated version of said portable electronic device using said backup configuration.

16. The networked software and service dispensing vending machine as recited in claim 9, wherein said remote network server stores an inactive software program for said portable electronic device.

17. The networked software and service dispensing vending machine as recited in claim 9, wherein said remote network server updates said software program.

18. A networked device for dispensing software comprising:

a bus;

a memory unit coupled with said bus for storing a software program;

a communications interface coupled with said bus for communicating with a hand held computer system;

a display device coupled with said bus, said display device displaying an emulation of an operating system used by said hand held computer system to test the software program by installing the software program entirely onto the emulation of the operating system prior to actually downloading the software program onto the hand held computer system;

a network interface coupled with said bus for communicating with a network;

a device coupled with said bus for receiving a payment for said software program; and

a processor coupled with said bus for downloading said software program into said hand held computer system in response to said payment.

19. The networked device for dispensing software as recited in claim 18, wherein said communications interface is a wireless communications interface.

20. The networked device for dispensing software as recited in claim 18, wherein said network interface receives additional software from said network for storage on said memory unit.

21. The networked device for dispensing software as recited in claim 18, wherein said network stores a backup configuration of said hand held computer system.

22. The networked device for dispensing software as recited in claim 21, wherein said hand held computer system is restored using said backup configuration.

23. The networked device for dispensing software as recited in claim 21, wherein said display device displays an emulated version of said hand held computer system using said backup configuration.

24. The networked device for dispensing software as recited in claim 18, wherein said network stores an inactive software program transmitted by said hand held computer system.

25. The networked device for dispensing software as recited in claim 18, wherein said network transmits an updated version of said software program to said hand held computer system.