JPS59229673A - Selling device of software - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain labor saving of stock control of various software products in each shop by incorporating a sub-storage device in a terminal system operably coupled with a host system. CONSTITUTION:Data are transferred mutually between a host CPU37 and the 1st central processor 41 through an MODEM interface 38 and an MODEM interface 39 of a sales machine in each shop. The same program data as that of a displaying RAM44a are transferred from a magnetic disc 40 to a copying readable/ writable memory 44b which is used as a substorage device. Simultaneously, picture data corresponding to program data are transferred from an RAM43. The 2nd RAM42 reads out the program data and picture data from the copying RAM44b and copies the read-out data in a cassette tape.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Technical field This invention relates to a software sales device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Today, with the spread of microcomputers, a large amount of various software for games, learning, business, etc. is being sold in large quantities. This software is copied onto a cassette tape or floppy at a software company, and sold via the copied cassette tape or floppy. Then, the software company or the sole agent delivered various software products to each store in response to orders.

However, software companies or sole agents may
~ It is difficult to accurately predict what will sell and what will not sell, and as a result, we have to manage inventory of cassette tapes and floppies with various software copies in order to respond to the fluctuating orders of each retailer. There were various problems regarding this.

Similarly, each retailer had various problems with inventory management of the various software products delivered.

Purpose This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to eliminate the trouble of inventory management of various software products for each sales store at a software company or general agent, and to stock various software products in response to orders. It is possible to supply a variety of software without having to deliver cassette tapes or floppy diskettes containing copies of the software to each retailer, and it also saves the trouble of inventory management of various software products even if each retailer has J3 software. It is possible to sell various types of software without displaying it on store shelves, and when the desired software is purchased, it is possible to check whether the program data of the software is reliable, and there is no problem between the purchaser and the retailer. To provide a software sales device capable of preventing unnecessary troubles.

EXAMPLE An example embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, a software vending machine (hereinafter referred to as sales tii) 1 as a terminal system is installed at each software store, and the vending machine 1 at each store is connected to a host system 2 installed at a software company. They are connected via a dedicated line and information is exchanged at any time.

The vending machine 1 is provided with an operation table 1a equipped with various operation keys and switches 1 to 1, and an exhibition device 3 serving as an exhibition section extending upward is provided on the rear side of the table 1a.

The display device 3 displays, on its front display board 4, the contents 5 of 68 types of software, in this embodiment, the names of the software and anime-like pictures related to the software, as well as the contents 5. At the top, a product number 6 is displayed for each software. In this embodiment, the software with product numbers 6 from 1 to 20 are various software for games, the software with product numbers 21 to 40 are business software, and the software with product numbers 6 from 41 to 6 are software for business use.
The software with product number 0 is a variety of learning software, and the software with product numbers 61 to 68 are newly released game, business, and learning software.

The display device 3 has display lamps 7 (fourth
(see figure) is provided and is turned on by a central processing unit (described later).

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation table 1a has a CRT 8 as a visible display device disposed in the center thereof and is covered with a transparent glass plate 9 to send messages to the software purchaser and the software purchased by the purchaser. The content and demonstration screens are displayed.

The numeric keypad 10 as a software selection means is a CRT8
It is provided on the right side of , and is used when selecting desired software from the 68 types of software using product number 6. A speaker 11 is provided above the numeric keypad 10 to generate game sounds, warning sounds, etc.

A start key 12 and a reset key 13 are provided on the front side of the numeric keypad 10, and the start key 12 is connected to the numeric keypad 1.
0 is used when inputting the selected software, and the reset key 13 is used when changing the inputted selected software. Game selection switch 14. A business selection switch 15 and a learning switch 16 are provided in front of the start and reset keys 12. Used when deciding which to select.

A pair of left and right joysticks 17 provided on the front side of the CRT 8 and four joy keys 18 provided between both joysticks 17 are activated when the content of the selected software (mainly game software) is executed and displayed on the CRT 8. , are operated when playing the game according to the contents.

A banknote insertion slot 19 is provided on the left side of the CRT 8,
A thousand yen bill can be inserted. Coin slot 20
．． 21 accepts 100 yen coins and 10 yen coins, respectively. A money display 22 is provided on the left side of the coin slot 20, and displays the total amount of money inserted into the bill slot 10 and the coin slot 20, 21, and the product number 6 selected using the numeric keypad 10. It has become. A cash register 1 outlet 23 is provided on the rear side of the money display 22, and a receipt printed by a printer to be described later is printed out.

A cassette tape recording/playing device 24 as a recording device is installed behind the receipt outlet 23 and is used when checking purchased software, and its operation is performed using the return key KY1 and stop key KY2 arranged in a row on the front side. ．．
Playback key KY3. Fast forward key KY4 and recording key KY5
This is done by appropriately operating the . A copy display lamp PL1 is provided on the rear side of the cassette tape recording/playback device 24, and a large number of copy indicator lamps PL1 are installed in the vending machine 1.As shown in FIG. It is designed to match points while being copied.

A tape outlet 26 and a change outlet 27 are provided on the front left side of the vending machine 1, and the tape outlet 26 feeds out a copied cassette tape, and the change outlet 27 feeds change. There is.

On the other hand, the host system 2 has a printer 28°CRR.
A printer 2 and a keyboard 30 are provided.
8 prints out the frequency of use of each software sold at each store 11 by date of sale, and the CRT 29 similarly displays the frequency of use.

Next, the electric circuit of the software sales apparatus constructed as described above will be explained according to the electric block circuit diagram shown in FIG.

In FIG. 4, host central processing bag M of host system 2
(hereinafter referred to as host CPLI) 37 is a MODEM interface 38. And 10 MODE vending machines at each store
Data is transferred to and from a first central processing unit 41, which will be described later, via the M interface 39. A magnetic disk 40 as a main storage device is provided in the host system 2, and has a storage area for storing source program data of 68 types of software exhibited in the exhibition device 3, and software price data corresponding to each software. and a storage area to store usage frequency data by date of sale of each software for each vending machine at each store. The storage area for storing each program data and the storage area for storing price data of the magnetic disk 40 are pre-stored with the source program data and price data of each software by the manager of the software company. In addition, the storage area for recording usage frequency data is divided for each vending machine 1 installed at each store, and each vending machine 1
The storage area divided by date is further divided by sales date. Each storage area divided by sales date is further divided into storage areas for counting the number of times each software is used (number of sales). A first central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as "first CPU") 41 and a second central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as "second CPU") 42, which serve as control means and verification means, transfer data to each other and perform predetermined processing. The first CPU 41 operates according to a control program, and the first CPU 41
37. Data and ON-signals from input devices such as various keys and switches are inputted, and a command signal from the second CPU is inputted, and the second CPU 42 inputs the command signal from the first CPL.
Input the command signal from J41.

A readable and rewritable memory for demonstration display (hereinafter referred to as demonstration display RAM) 43 stores demonstration screens created corresponding to each of the 68 types of software displayed on the exhibition device 3 on 08-8. Screen data for each demonstration to be displayed, various message data, and price data for each software are stored in advance.

A readable and rewritable memory for display (hereinafter referred to as display RAM) 44a is connected to each of the selection switches 14 and 15.
．． 16 and the numeric keypad 10, the program data of the desired software selected from among the various software exhibited on the exhibition device 3 is read out from the magnetic disk 40 via the host CPL 137 and the first CPU 41 and stored. It has become so. Then, the first C1) U 41 reads the program data from the display RAM 44a and displays the C1) based on the program data.
The RT8 is configured to execute the program data, that is, to display the contents of the software (for example, if it is game software, the game).

A readable and rewritable memory for copying (hereinafter referred to as copying RAM) 44b as a sub-storage device has exactly the same program data as that of the displaying RAM 44a transferred from the magnetic disk 40, and also has the same program data as the displaying RAM 44a.
The screen data corresponding to the program data is transferred from the AM 43, and the program data and screen data are read out by the second CPU 42. Then, the second CPLI 42 reads program data and screen data from the copying RAM 44b, drives and controls an automatic recording device @ 45 as a recording device built in the vending machine 1, and records the same data on the cassette tape 25. make a copy. In addition, automatic recording device 4
5 is a large number of cassette tapes 2 housed in the vending machine 1.
5, the program data and screen data of one software are copied to one cassette tape 25 based on the control signal of the second CPU 42, and after rewinding the tape, the copied cassette tape 25 is transferred to the tape ejection port 26. It is designed to be sent to

In addition, the first CPLI 41 detects the banknotes and coins inserted through the banknote insertion slot 19 and the coin input slot 20.21 with a banknote and coin detector 46.47, and a counter 48 calculates based on the detection signal. Enter the input amount data.

Then, based on this input amount data and the price data, the first CPU 41 sends a copy R to the second CPU 42.
While reading program data and demonstration screen data from AM44b, automatic recording device 45
A command signal is output for driving the cassette tape 25 to copy the same data to the cassette tape 25. Furthermore, the first CP
Based on the input amount data, the LI 41 displays the amount on the money display 22 and also controls the receipt printer 49 provided in the vending machine 1 to print.

The lamp lighting circuit 50 controls the 68 display lamps 7 provided in the display device 3 based on the control signal of the first CPLI 41.
are turned on for each predetermined group, or one predetermined display lamp 7 is made to blink. The D/A converter 51 converts the digital control signal of the first CPU 41 into an analog signal, and outputs the analog signal to the speaker 11 via the amplifier 52 to generate a warning sound when the game is over.

Next, the operation of the software sales apparatus configured as described above is explained by the first and second CPUs 41 and 41 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
The explanation will be given according to the flowchart No. 42.

Now, when the power switch (not shown) of the sales unit 11 is turned on, the second CPLI 41 becomes able to exchange information with the host CPU 37 via a dedicated line, and first, a business selection switch (hereinafter referred to as a business switch) by the purchaser is activated. )15. A game selection switch (hereinafter referred to as a game switch) 14 or a learning selection switch (hereinafter referred to as a learning switch) 16 is turned on.

Now, when the purchaser turns on the game switch 14 in order to purchase game software, the first CPU 41 instructs the content 5 of each game software displayed on the display device 3. Display lamps 7 corresponding to numbers 1 to 20 and product numbers 6 light up display lamps 7 corresponding to product numbers 6 corresponding to game software, which are newly released software numbers 61 to 68.

Next, the purchaser selects desired software from among the various game software indicated by the display lamp 7 on the display device 3, and inputs its product number 6 using the numeric keypad 10. At the same time as this product number is input, the first CPU 41 displays product number 6 on the money display 22 and then waits for the start key 13 to be turned on. When the start key 12 is turned on, the first CPU 41 responds to this on signal by blinking only the display lamp 7 corresponding to the product number 6 of the selected software.
Demonstration screen data and price data of the selected software, as well as predetermined message data, are stored in the demo display RAM.
43.

The first CPU 41 creates a demonstration screen of the software based on this demonstration screen data.
In addition to displaying the price on T8, the price and the message "Please insert the payment when making a purchase" are displayed on C based on the software's price data and message data.
Display on RT8. Therefore, the purchaser can judge whether or not to purchase the selected software by looking at this demonstration screen.

Next, the first CP (J41) waits for the reset key 13 or the input of the payment. Then, if you want to change the selected software in this state, turn on the reset key 13, and the first CPL J41 stops displaying on the CRT8. At the same time, the blinking operation of the blinking display lamp 7 is stopped, and the product number 6 of the newly selected software is displayed.
has an input of On the other hand, when the purchaser inserts money into the bill insertion slot 19 or coin insertion slot 20, 21 to purchase the software, the first CPLI 41 compares the input amount data output from the counter 48 with the price data. . When the amount invested is equal to or greater than the price of the software, the first CPLI 41 reads out the specified message data from the demo display RAM 43 and displays the message ``Thank you for your continued support'' in place of the message displayed on the CRT 8. The receipt is displayed on the CRT 8 and the receipt printer 49 is driven and controlled to print out the receipt through the receipt output port 23. Also, at this time, when the first CPtJ 41 compares the input amount with the price data and determines that change is necessary, it causes the change to be discharged to the change outlet 27.

Along with the printout, the first CP (J41 stores the program data of the selected software on the magnetic disk 4).
A command signal is output to the host CPU 37 via a dedicated line to store the data in the display and copy RAM 448.44b. In response to this command signal, the host cPU 37 reads source program data corresponding to the selected software from the magnetic disk 4°, and reads the source program data corresponding to the selected software from the first CP (
Transfer to J41 via a dedicated line. And the first CP
U41 temporarily stores this program data in display and copy RAMs 44a and 44b. Next, the first CPU
41 reads demonstration screen data corresponding to the program data from the demonstration display RAM 43 and stores it in the bee RAM 44b.

On the other hand, the second CPtJ42 immediately stores this copy RAM.
The automatic recording device 1 reads the program data and demonstration screen data stored in the 44b.
The demonstration screen data and program data are copied to the cassette tape 25 by driving and controlling the W45. At the same time as this copy starts, the first CPU 4
1 lights up the copy indicator lamp PLI to inform the purchaser that copying is in progress.

After turning on the copy indicator lamp PLI, the first CPU
41 reads program data from the display RAM 44a and executes the program data, that is, displays the contents of the software on the CRT 8. In this case, start the selected software game. Therefore, the purchaser does not have to do anything while the cassette tape 25 is being copied, and can enjoy the game while grasping the game contents.

When the copy and game are being played respectively, the second C
l) The U 42 sequentially selectively checks whether the copying to the cassette tape 25 has been completed, and the CPU 4 in the text box
1 sequentially checks whether the game is finished or completed, and if the game is not finished or not completed, the operation is continued respectively. Now, when the copying is completed, the second CPU 41 causes the automatic recording device 46 to perform an operation for rewinding the copied cassette tape 25 and ejecting it to the tape ejection port 26, and then The process moves on to checking whether or not the cassette tape ejection is completed.

Eventually, when the cassette tape 25 is ejected to the tape outlet 26 and the game ends, the first CPU 41 reads one of the cassette tape boonicks from the demo display RAM 43.
The message data of the program is read out and the message "Please use the cassette tape recording/playback device to check the program data of the cassette tape" is displayed on the CRT8. The purchaser looks at this message and decides whether or not to check the program data copied onto the cassette tape and the source program.

Now, when the purchaser decides that the check is not necessary and stops any further operations and a new purchaser operates the game, business or school switch 14.15.16 in order to purchase the desired software, Or, when the purchaser judges that the check is not necessary and operates each switch such as the game switch 14 in order to purchase another new software, the first CPU 41 updates the usage frequency of the previously copied software, that is, the above-mentioned A command signal is output to the host CPU 37 to add 1 to the usage frequency data of the corresponding software stored in the magnetic disk 40 by sales date for each sale #a1.

In response to this command signal, the host 1 to the CPU 37 update the usage frequency data of the corresponding software stored in the magnetic disk 40. After the usage frequency data has been updated, the first CPU 41 controls the lighting of the display lamp 7 of the display device 3 in accordance with the turned on game switch, etc., and selects the desired software based on the same operation as described above. is copied onto the cut tape 25.

On the other hand, when checking the program data copied to a purchased cassette tape, the purchaser first attaches the ejected cassette tape 25 to the caret tape recording/playback device 24 on the operation table 1a and sets it in a playable state. Turn on the playback key KY3. Based on the ON signal of the playback key KY3, the first CPU 41 first displays the demo display R.
A predetermined message data is read from AM43, and based on the same data, the message "Please wait for a while as we are currently checking the program data of the cassette tape" is displayed on the CRT8, and the recording/playback device 24 is activated. Read the program data copied to the cut tape 25 and transfer the same data to the copy RA.
Comparison is made with the demonstration screen data and source program stored in M44b.

Then, if the program data recorded on the cassette tape matches the screen data and the source program data, the first CPU 41 outputs predetermined message data from the demonstration display RAM 43 and displays it on the CRT 8 based on the same data. "As a result of verification, there were no abnormalities."
After updating the usage frequency data of the corresponding software stored in the magnetic disk 40 in the same manner as described above, the same operation as described above is performed for selling new software.

On the other hand, if the program data copied to the cassette tape does not match the screen data and the source program, the first CPU 41 reads predetermined message data from the demo display RAM 43 and displays the message data based on the data.
After displaying the message "As a result of verification, there was an error, please rewind the cassette tape once and then set the cassette tape in the Kareto tape recording/playback device to recording mode." Wait until the tape 25 is set to the recording state.

According to the message, the purchaser operates the return key KY1 to rewind the cassette tape 25 and put it in a recordable state, and then turns on the recording key KY5, the first CP
U4.1 responds to this ON signal by turning on the recording/playback device 2.
RA for copying to the cassette tape 25 by driving and controlling the
The screen data and program data of 144b are copied to the new l[, and the copy display lamp PL1 is turned on. The subsequent operations are the same as when the rough 1-ware was purchased for the first time, except that the cassette tape recording and reproducing device 24 is controlled instead of the automatic recording device 45. Therefore, the purchaser can finally purchase the cassette tape 25 on which the program data exactly the same as the source program is copied.

Note that when the purchaser operates each switch such as the game switch 15 while waiting for the cassette tape 25 to be ready for recording, the first CPU 41 starts recording the cassette tape 25.
Immediately update the message displayed on the CRT 8 without re-copying the message, then update the usage frequency data of the corresponding software stored on the magnetic disk 40 in the same way as above, and then copy the new software. Wait for operations similar to those described above for sale.

If the purchaser wishes to select software for business or learning, he or she may turn on the business switch 15 or academic switch 16, respectively. When the business switch 15 is turned on, the display lamps 7 corresponding to the product numbers 21 to 40 and the display lamps 7 corresponding to the product numbers 61 to 68 to indicate various business software among the display lamps 7 of the display device 3. The lighting of the display lamp 7h corresponding to product number 6, which is newly released software and corresponds to business software, is controlled.

On the other hand, when the learning switch 16 is turned on, among the display lamps 7 of the exhibition device 3, the display lamps 7 whose product numbers @6 correspond to 41 to 60 and the display lamps 7 whose product numbers 6 correspond to 61 to 60 instruct the various learning software. The display lamp 7 corresponding to the product number @6, which is newly released software 68 and corresponds to learning software, is controlled to turn on.

After making the selection as described above, by performing the same operations as described above, the desired rough 1 to wear are copied to the cassette tape 25, and the contents of the software are once displayed on the CRT 8. Similarly, the usage frequency of the sold software is recorded on the magnetic disk 40 of the host system 2 by date of sale.

Incidentally, if the software company wants to know the usage frequency of each software sold by each vending machine 1, it can be found by operating the keyboard 30 of the host system 2. In this case, in response to an input signal from the keyboard 30, the host CPtJ37
Read predetermined usage frequency data and price data from 0,
Based on both data, the host system 2's CRT 29
Displays the usage frequency and sales amount of each software in the selected vending machine 1 by sales date, and also displays the usage frequency and sales amount of each software by driving and controlling the printer 28 of the host system 2. Print out by month and day.

As described above, in this embodiment, when a desired software is selected from among a plurality of types of software prepared by operating the numeric keypad 10, the price of the software and a demonstration screen for the selected software 71 are displayed on the CRT 8. Therefore, the purchaser can decide whether to purchase the selected software by looking at the price and both aspects.

Further, when the desired software is selected using the numeric keypad 10, the source program of the corresponding software stored in the magnetic disk 40 of the host system 2 is transferred to the display and copy RAM 44a of the vending machine 1 via a dedicated line.
44b.

Then, if you insert the amount corresponding to the price of the software displayed on the CRT 8, the copy RAM 44b
The program data of the selected software is read from the cassette tape 2 to which nothing has been copied yet.
Since software products are copied onto cassette tapes and supplied to the purchaser, software companies do not have to worry about delivering various software products copied onto cassette tapes to each retailer, and inventory management becomes very easy. Various software products can be sold without being displayed on store shelves, making inventory management extremely easy.

Furthermore, in this example, when purchasing software,
The program data copied to the cassette tape 25 is checked to see if it matches the source program data, and if they do not match, the source program data is copied to the cassette tape again, so the store can always be sure. The software can be supplied to the purchaser.

In the software sales apparatus described in this embodiment, the software program data is copied onto the cassette tape 25, but it may also be copied onto a floppy disk and the floppy disk may be supplied to the purchaser. Further, in the embodiment described above, information was exchanged between the host system 2 and each vending machine 1 via a dedicated circuit, but this may also be done via a telephone line. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the input amount is equal to or greater than the software price, the operation of copying the software program data to the cassette tape 25 is started, but this can be done by pressing a specific switch, for example, the start key 12. Copying may be started when the button is pressed. Also, software may be sold using a credit card.

Further, in the software sales apparatus of the embodiment, demonstration screen data, message data, and price data are stored in advance in the demonstration display RAM 43;
Although predetermined data is read out from the RAM 43 as appropriate, all of this data may be stored in the magnetic disk 40 and read out from the magnetic disk 40 at any time.

Effects As detailed above, the present invention stores program data of multiple types of software in the main storage device of the host system, and installs sub-storage devices in the terminal system operatively connected to the host system. When a desired software is selected from each software by a software selection means provided in the terminal system, the program data of the selected software is transferred from the main storage device to the sub storage device and is stored in the sub storage device. The program data recorded on the recording medium is recorded on a recording medium by a recording device, and the program data recorded on the recording medium is checked to see if it matches the original program data. If it does not match, the original program data is recorded on the recording medium again. This saves the trouble of managing the inventory of various software products for each sales outlet at a software company or general agency, and allows each software company or general agent to record the recording media such as cassette tapes or floppy disks on which various software has been copied. In addition to being able to supply various types of software without having to deliver them to retailers, each retailer also saves the trouble of inventory management of various software products, and can sell various types of software without having to display various software products on store shelves. Moreover, it has the effect of supplying reliable software to purchasers.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view of a software vending machine embodying the present invention, Fig. 2 is a partially cutaway plan view showing the table of the software vending machine, Fig. 3 is a front view of a cassette tape, and Fig. 4 is a software vending machine. The electrical block circuit diagrams of the vending machine, FIGS. 5 and 6, are flowcharts showing the operations of the first and second central processing units. Software sales *i as a terminal system, host system 2, CRT 8, numeric keypad 10 as software selection means, host central processing unit (host CPU) 37,
A magnetic disk 40 as a main storage device, and a first and second central processing unit (
41.42.1 Copying RAM 44b as a knob storage device, cassette tape recording and playback device 24 as a recording device, and automatic recording device 45
゜

Claims (1)

[Claims] A post system (2) having a main storage device (40) that stores program data of multiple types of software.
and a plurality of terminal systems (1) operatively connected to the host system (2), and the terminal system (1) is configured to select desired software from among the plurality of types of software. a selection means (10); and when software is selected by the selection means (10), the main storage device (10) corresponding to the selected software;
a sub-storage device (44b) for storing program data transferred from the sub-storage device (40); and a recording wave for recording the program data stored in the sub-storage device (44b) onto a recording medium (25).
24.45), and after the recording device (24, 45) finishes recording on the recording medium (25), the program data recorded on the recording medium (24, 45) and the original program data When the results of the verification by the verification means (41, 42) and the verification means (41, 42> match), the recording on the recording medium (25) by the recording wave fef (24, 45) is discontinued. and when the results do not match, the recording medium (25) by the recording device (24, 45)
) A software sales device characterized by comprising means (41, 42) for making re-recording possible.