JPS59212989A - Software vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Technical field This invention relates to a software vending machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Today, with the spread of personal computers, a large amount of software for games, learning, business, etc. is being sold in large quantities. This software is then copied onto a cassette tape or floppy disk at a software company, and sold at stores via the copied cassette tape or floppy disk.

However, it is difficult to accurately predict what will sell and what will not among various types of software, and as a result, there are various problems in managing the inventory of cassette tapes and floppies on which software has been copied. there were. for example,
In the case of popular software, there were many problems such as running out of stock and having to order more products, and conversely, in the case of unpopular software, it was difficult to dispose of inventory.

Purpose This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to replenish recording media on which nothing is recorded. Software that allows you to sell various software products without displaying them on store shelves, and also allows you to record the number of times each software is used (sales volume) and understand the sales status of each software. -Providing vending machines.

EXAMPLE Hereinafter, an example embodying this invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, a software vending machine (hereinafter referred to as a vending machine) 1 is provided with an operation table 2 equipped with various press operation keys, switches, etc., and on the back side of the table 2 is an upwardly extending display section. An exhibition device 3 is erected.

The exhibition device 3 displays, on its front display board 4, the contents 5 of 68 types of software, that is, in this example, anime-like pictures related to (8 J-Rough students and their software), as well as the contents. Each software -
Product number 6 is displayed for each item. In this example, software with product numbers 6 from 1 to 20 is software for various games, software with product numbers 21 to 40 is business software, and software with product numbers 6 from 41 to 60 is software for business use. Software with product numbers 61 to 68 is a variety of software for learning, and software with product numbers 61 to 68 is newly released software for games, business, and learning.

The display device 3 has display lamps 7 (fifth
(see figure) is installed and is turned on by medium heat treatment as described later.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation table 2 is provided with a CRT 8 as a visible display device in the center and covered with a transparent glass plate 9, and displays messages to the software purchaser and information about the purchaser's purchase. The contents of the software are displayed. A numeric keypad 10 serving as software selection means is provided on the right side of the CRT 8, and is used to select desired software with product number 6 from among the 68 types of software. A speaker 11 is provided above the numeric keypad 10 to generate game sounds, warning sounds, etc.

A start key 12 and keys 13 are provided in front of the numeric keypad 10. The start key 12 is used to input the software selected with the numeric keypad 10, and the reset key 13 is used to input the selected software. used when changing. Game selection switch 14. The business selection switch 15 and the learning selection switch 16 are provided in front of the start and reset key 12. Used when selecting.

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 execute and display the contents of the selected software (mainly game software) on the CRT 8. When the game is played, it is operated according to the content.

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. Receipt 1 to outlet 23 are provided on the back side of money display 22, and a receipt printed by a printer or a usage frequency list (sold quantity clothing) for each rough 1 to wear is printed out. .

The cassette tape playback device 24 is connected to the receipt output port 23.
It is installed at the rear of the display device 3 and is used when checking purchased software and when transferring source program data of various software displayed on the display device 3. A cassette display lamp PL1 and a copy display lamp PL2 are provided on the rear side of the cassette tape playback device 24, and the cassette display lamp PL1 is used to copy the software shown in FIG. It lights up when the cassette tape 25 as a recording medium runs out, and the bee display lamp PL2 lights up while software is being copied onto the tape 25 to the cassette. J5, the cassette tapes 25, which are stored in large numbers in the vending machine 1 and have not yet been copied, are the rough 1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5.
- The product is stored without the cover 27 on which the software name 26 of the software is printed. A label 27, which is also housed in the vending machine 1 and has a software name 26 printed thereon using a printer to be described later, is attached to the cassette tape 25 by the purchaser as appropriate.

On the front left side of the vending machine 1, three types of floppy disk devices 28°, 29.30 mm are installed, depending on the size of the floppy disks. is set and used when transferring the program data. A tape outlet 31 and a change outlet 32 are provided on the lower side of the floppy disk device 28, 29, 30, and the tape outlet 31 stores the copied cassette tape 2.
A bell 27 with 5 and a software name 26 printed thereon is sent out, and change is sent out to the change outlet 32.

A hard disk 33 serving as a first and second storage device is housed in a door 34 with a key that can only be opened by the administrator of the vending machine 1, and is used to store the 68 types of software exhibited in the exhibition device 3. - a storage area for storing program data, and software name data corresponding to each rough 1 software;
It has a storage area for storing printing data and price data for printing 6, as well as each software.
It has an area that stores usage frequency data by date of sale. The storage area of the hard disk 33 for storing each program data and the storage area for storing data for prints 1 to 1 and price data are output from the floppy disk device 28, 29, 30 or the cassette tape playback device 24, respectively. Source program data for software for sale recorded on floppy or cassette tapes is stored by an administrator. Furthermore, the storage area for storing usage frequency data of the hard disk 33 is divided by sales date, and each divided storage area is a storage area for counting (updating) the usage frequency for each software. It is made up of areas.

Inside the door 34 is a power switch 35. A clear switch 36 and a write switch 37 are provided, the frequency switch 35 is used when it is desired to know the usage frequency of each software from the contents of the hard disk 33, and the clear switch 36 is used to know the usage frequency of each software stored on the hard disk 33. Used when you want to clear the usage frequency data of -. The write switch 37 is used when the program data of each software and the print data corresponding thereto stored in the hard disk 33 are not to be rewritten to new software program data and print data.

Next, the electric circuit of the vending machine 1 constructed as described above will be explained with reference to the electric block circuit diagram shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5, a first central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a first CPU) 41 and a second central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a second CPU) 42 as central processing units transfer data to each other and perform predetermined data transfer. The first CPU 41 receives data and ON signals from input devices such as the control disk device, various keys and switches, and receives command signals from the second CPtJ 42. The second CPU 42 is the first CPU/1
Input the command signal from 1.

Readable and replaceable memory for display (hereinafter referred to as display R)
(referred to as AM) 43 indicates each of the selection switches 14, 15.
16 and numeric keypad 10, the 70 gram data and print data of the desired software are read out from the hard disk 33 by the first CPU 41 and stored, and the transferred program data and Based on the data for the pudding mill, the first CPU 41 installs its software on the CR-r 8.
In other words, the content of the software (for example, if it is software 1 for a game, the game) is executed, and the label printer 44, which is a color tod printer built in the vending machine 1, is driven and controlled. and enter the software name 26 on the label 27.
is printed and the label 27 is ejected to the tape outlet 31.

A readable and rewritable memory for copying (hereinafter referred to as RAM for bee) 45 is designed to transfer the same program data and print data from the hard disk 33 in exactly the same way as the display RAM 43. The data is read out to the second CPU 42. The second CPU 42 drives and controls an automatic recording device 46 as a recording device built into the sales rs1 so as to copy only the program data out of both data onto the cassette tape 25.

Note that the automatic recording device 46 copies the program data of one software onto each cassette tape 25 of a large number of cassette tapes 25 housed in the sales illumination 1 based on the control signal of the second CPU 42. The copied cassette tape 25 is sent out to the tape outlet 32.

The detector 47 detects the presence or absence of the cassettes 1 to 25 supplied to the automatic recording device 46, and
When the cassette tape 25 to be copied runs out in step 6, it is turned on and outputs the on signal to the -th CPU 41.

Further, the first CPU 41 detects the banknotes and coins inserted through the banknote insertion slot 19 and the coin input slot 20.21 using the banknote and coin detector 48.49, and the C counter 50 calculates based on the detection signal. Enter the input amount data. Then, based on this input amount data, the first CI)
The U 41 displays the amount on the money display 22 and also displays the receipt printer 5 installed in the vending machine 1.
Is 1 printed? all '1Jru.

The lamp stipple circuit 52 controls the 68 display lamps 7 installed in the display device 3 based on the control signal of the first CPtJ41.
are turned on for each predetermined group, or one predetermined indicator lamp 7 is made to blink. 1/Δ converter 53
converts the digital control signal of the first CPU 41 into analog, and outputs the analog signal to the speaker 11 via the amplifier 54 to generate a warning sound when the game is over.

Next, the operation of the vending machine 1 constructed as described above will be explained with reference to the flowcharts of the first and second CPUs 41 and 42 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Now, when the power switch (not shown) of the sales unit 11 is turned on, the first and second CPUs 41 and 42 operate according to the flowchart shown in FIG. The first CPtJ41 checks whether there is a cassette tape 25 for copying software program data, and if there is no cassette tape 25, it lights up the cassette display lamp PL1, sounds the speaker 11, and replenishes the cassette tape 25. wait. When the cassettes 1 to 25 are loaded or refilled, the first CPU 41 switches the write switch 3 by the administrator.
72 Turn on the degree switch 35 or clear switch 36 or the business selection switch by the purchaser (hereinafter referred to as
It's called a business switch.

)15. It waits for the game selection switch (hereinafter referred to as game switch) 14 or the learning selection switch (hereinafter referred to as learning switch) 16 to be turned on.

Now, when the purchaser turns on the game switch 14 to buy game software, the first CPU 41 operates according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Product number 6 indicates the display lamp 7 corresponding to 1 to 20 to indicate the contents 5 of the software, and product number 6 indicates the newly released rough 1-ware with numbers 61 to 68, which is game software. Turn on the indicator lamp 7 corresponding to the corresponding product number 6.

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 the product number 6 using the numeric keypad 10. At the same time as this product number is input, the first CI U 41 displays product number 6 on the money display 22 and then turns on the star j key 13. When the start key 12 is turned on, the first CPLI 4
In response to this ON signal, 1 flashes only the display lamp 7 corresponding to the product number 6 of the selected rough 1 hardware, and also transfers the program data and print data of the selected rough 1 to hardware to the hard disk 3.
3 and transferred to display and bee RAMs 43 and 45. When the transfer is completed, the first CPU 41 reads the demonstration program data among the program data of the software from the display RAM 43, displays the demonstration image on the CRT 8 based on this data, and also displays the demonstration image on the CRT 8.
The list price data of the software stored in the software is read out, and based on this price data, the price and the message ``Please insert payment when purchasing'' are displayed on the CRT 8. Therefore, the purchaser can judge whether or not to purchase the selected software by looking at this demonstration image.

Next, the first CPU 41 holds the reset key 13 or inputs the money. If you want to change the selected software in this state, turn on the reset 1 key 13, and the first CPU 4.1 clears the contents of M43.45 for display and bee use. The display on the CRT 8 is stopped, the flashing display lamp 7 is stopped, and the input of the product number 6 of the newly selected software is waited for. On the other hand, when the purchaser inserts the money into the banknote insertion slot 19 or the coin insertion slot 20, 21 to purchase the software, the first CPU 41
compares the input amount data output from the counter 50 with the price data. When the input amount reaches or exceeds the price of the rough 1 to wear item, the first CPU 41 displays a message on the CRT 8, "Thank you very much," instead of the message displayed on the CRT 8, and sends the message to the cash register 1. ~Printer 51
is controlled to drive and control the registers 1 to 7 prints from the receipt outlet 23. Also, at this time, the first CPU 41
compares the input amount with the price data, and when it is determined that change is necessary, causes the change to be discharged to the change outlet 32.

On the other hand, the second CPU 42 does not immediately output the stored program data from the copy RAM 45, but drives and controls the automatic recording device 46 to record the program data onto the cassette tape 25. At the same time as this copying starts, the first CAPU 41 displays the copy display lamp PL2.
lights up to notify the purchaser that copying is in progress.

After turning on the copy indicator lamp PL2, the first CPU
41 reads the print data stored in the display RAM 43, and controls the label printer 44 based on this data to start printing the software name 26. Next, the first CPU 41 executes the program data stored in the display RAM 43, that is, displays the contents of the software on the CRT 8. In this case, the selected software game is started. Therefore, the purchaser does not have to wait without doing anything while the copy is being made to the cassette tape 25, and can enjoy the game while grasping the game contents.

When copying, label printing, and games are being performed, the second CPU 42 sequentially selectively checks whether copying to the cassette tape 25 is completed, and
P U 4.1 sequentially checks whether the game is finished and completed, and if it is not finished or completed, it continues the operation in each. Now, when the copying is completed, the second CPU 41
After the copied cullet tape 25 is ejected from the tape outlet 31 at step 6, a check is made as to whether or not ejection of the cullet tape is completed.

Eventually, the cassette tape 25 and the label 27 on which the software name 26 is printed are ejected from the tape outlet 31, and when the game ends, the first CPU 41 updates the usage frequency of the software 1 that has been copied. Wachi Hard 1
After adding 1 to the usage frequency data of the corresponding software recorded on the disk 33 by date of sale, the manager or purchaser operates the switch again.

Please note that the purchaser is purchasing software for business or educational purposes.
If you want to select
Alternatively, the learning switch 16 may be turned on. When the business switch 15 is turned on, each of the display lamps 7 of the display device 3 displays various business software.
Indicator lamp 7 whose product number 6 corresponds to 21 to 40 and product number 6 which corresponds to newly released rough 1 to ware with product number 61 to 68, which corresponds to business software. The lighting of the corresponding display lamp 7 is controlled. On the other hand, when the learning switch 16 is turned on, the display lamps 7 corresponding to the product numbers 41 to 60 and the display lamps 7 corresponding to the product numbers 61 to 60 instruct the display lamps 7 of the display device 3 to instruct various types of learning software. Indicator lamp 7 corresponding to product number 6 which corresponds to 68 newly released software and learning software.
The lighting is controlled.

After making the selection as described above, by performing the same operations as above, the desired software will be copied to the hL1~table 25, and the contents of that software will be displayed once on the CRT8. be done. Similarly, the software name 26 is printed on the label 25 and released, and the usage frequency of the sold software is recorded on the hard disk 33 by date of sale.

Next, cases will be explained in which the manager wants to change the rough numbers 1 to 4 that are being sold, the case where he wants to know the usage frequency of each piece of software he sells, and the case where he wants to obtain a new usage frequency of each software item.

I will explain what happens when you want to change one of the Rough 1 software that you are currently selling to a new software.

Now, transfer the floppy disk containing the source program data for the new software to the floppy disk drive 28, 29, 30 where the floppy disk was glued.
~do. Next, the administrator uses the key to listen to the door 34 and turns on the write switch 37 while the power switch of the vending machine 1 is turned on.

In response to the ON signal of the write switch 37, the first CPU 41 waits for an instruction as to which product number 6's software is desired to be changed. Then, when the product number 6 of the software to be changed is input using the numeric keypad 10, the first CPU 41 displays the product number 6 on the money display 22, and then presses the start key 12 or reset key 1.
Wait for operation 3. If you want to change the software to other software in this state, press the reset key 13.
If you turn on, the first CPtJ41 will turn on the numeric keypad 1 again.
Waiting for the input of product number 6 by 0, the new product number 6 to be changed is set by operating the numeric keypad 10.

When you have decided on the product number 6 you want to change and turn on the start key 12, the first CPU 41 is connected to the hard disk 33.
The software corresponding to the product number 6 in the storage area that stores the program data of each software.
At the same time, clear the print data and price data of the software corresponding to the product number 6 in the storage area where each print data and price data are stored. Next, the first CP
U/I 1 is the above 7 via disk installation.
1] Read the new software source program data recorded on the TUBEE, that is, the new rough 1~ware program data, print data, and price data, and transfer them to the respective storage areas cleared ahead of the hard disk 33. . Therefore, the contents of the hard disk 33 are rewritten, and from now on, when the product number 6 is specified using the numeric keypad, the new rough 1-ware will be selected.

In the above case, a floppy disk was used to change the software, but it is also possible to use a cassette tape. In this case, by setting the cassette tape in the cassette tape playback device 24, the software to be sold can be changed in the same manner as described above.

Next, let's explain what happens when you want to know how often each piece of software on sale is used.

Now, when the power switch 35 of the vending machine 1 is turned on and the frequency switch 35 is turned on, the first CPU 41 reads out the usage frequency data of each software from the hard disk 33 in response to this ON signal, and reads the usage frequency data of each software from the hard disk 33. Based on this, the CRT 8 displays the frequency of use of each software by date of sale, and the receipt print 51 is driven and controlled to print out the frequency of use of each software by date of sale.

Therefore, by viewing the contents of the CRT 8 and the printed sheets, the administrator can grasp the sales status of each rough 1-ware.

In addition, if it is desired to clear the usage frequency data of each software stored in the hard disk 33 and to newly obtain the usage frequency of each rough 1 to software from now on, this can be done by pressing the clear switch 36. That is,
The clear switch 36 is turned on, and in response to the on signal, the first CPU 41 clears the usage frequency data of each software on the hard disk 33, and records the usage frequency of each software from the time of clearing. .

As described above, in this embodiment, the desired rough l-ware is selected from among the plurality of types of software 1 prepared by operating Ten:E-10, and the amount corresponding to the price of the software is paid. By inputting the data, the selected rough 1 to ware program data is read out from the hard disk 33 in which the rough 1 to ware program data of the phase number type is stored, and this data is transferred to the cassettes 1 to 1 that have not been copied yet. I copied it to Dave and supplied it to the purchaser, and also displayed the contents of the rough 1~ware once on the CRT'8 in the copy so that I could show it to the purchaser, so nothing was copied. It is possible to sell various types of software without having to manage the stock of various software products at all, and without displaying various rough 1 to wear products on store shelves. You can press the contents by 1 yen.

In addition, a label 27 on which the name of the software is printed is also supplied to the purchaser along with the copied cassette tape 25. By pasting this label 27 on the cassette tape 25 as shown in FIG. 3, various software can be downloaded. It becomes convenient just by organizing it.

Furthermore, each time the software is copied to the cassette tape 25, the usage frequency data of the corresponding software on the hard disk 33 is updated, so the usage frequency of each of the 7 pieces of software is calculated based on this data. By displaying the information on the CRT 8 or printing it on paper, it becomes possible to grasp the sales status of each software.

Further, in this embodiment, a display device 3 is provided, and each rough l
- The content 5 of the software is displayed, and the display lamp 7 lights up so that it is easy to distinguish between game, business, and learning software, making it very easy for the purchaser to select the software.

In the vending machine 1 described in the above embodiment, the software name 26 is printed on the label 27 by the label printer 44, but this may be done by the cash register 1 to the printer 51. or,
The door 34 that seals the hard disk 33 is opened using a key, but the door 34 can be opened by using an electronic key such as an IDvA card owned only by the administrator or a keyword known only by the administrator using the numeric keypad 10. The opening/closing control I may be turned on. Also, door 3
4 is unnecessary so that the frequency switch 35. The clear switch 36 and the write switch 37 may be converted into keywords and executed using the numeric keypad 10.

Furthermore, instead of copying the rough 1 hardware program data to the cassette tape 25, it was copied to a floppy disk, and this floppy disk was supplied to the purchaser.
Shiyoi. Alternatively, instead of using the display device 3, a catalog may be prepared, and the catalog may be used to select the desired software. A first storage device for storing blockogram data of the software, and a second storage device for storing the usage frequency of the software for each of the rough 1 to ware are provided.
When a desired software is selected from among the software by the selection means, the program data of the selected software is copied to a recording medium by a recording device and supplied to the purchaser, and the second storage means Since the frequency of use of the selected software stored in the software is updated, it is possible to replenish the recording medium on which nothing has been copied, thereby eliminating the need for inventory management of various software products. It is possible to sell various types of software without displaying the products on store shelves, and moreover, it is possible to reliably grasp the sales status of each type of software from the frequency of use of each type of software.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

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 rough 1 to a table of the wear vending machine, and Fig. 3 is a front view of a cassette tape. Figure 4 is a front view of the label, Figure 5 is an electrical block circuit diagram of the software vending machine, and Figures 6 to 8 are flowcharts showing the operations of the second and second central processing units. . Software sales (1, display device 4, visual display HW
CRT 8 as '4, numeric keypad 10 as software selection means. Cassette tape 2 as a recording medium
5. Hard disk 3 as the second and second storage device
3. 1st and 2nd central processing units (1st and 2nd CPU) as central processing units 41. /12, Automatic recording device as a recording device 46゜Special terms Applicant Brother Industries, Ltd. Agent Patent attorney On 1) Hironobu

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A first storage means (33) for storing program data for a plurality of types of software, and a second storage for storing the number of times the software is used for each of the software. Means (33), and the plurality of types of software - desired software 1-
Software for selecting software - selection means (1
0) and a recording device (25) for recording data on the recording medium (25).
46), when software 1 to software is selected by the software selection means (10), the program data stored in the storage device (33) corresponding to the selected software is transferred to the recording device. (46) to the recording medium (25), and the selected
- a central processing unit (4) that controls to update the usage frequency stored in the second storage means (33) of the wear;
1,42) A software vending machine characterized by having the following.