JPS59212988A - 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 microcomputers, 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 a store 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 out of stock and having to order more products, and conversely, it was difficult to dispose of unpopular software.

Purpose This invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the purpose is to eliminate the need to manage the location of various rough toe and wear products at all, and to eliminate the need to display various rough toe and wear products on store shelves. Various types of software can be sold directly, and the content of the software can be shown to the purchaser at the same time as the purchase, allowing the purchaser to grasp the content of the software. The software that can be used is to provide a vending machine. .

EXAMPLE An example embodying these eight proposals will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In Figure 1, at 13, various operation tables 1 to 1 (ruff 1 to wear vending machines (hereinafter referred to as vending machines)) and 1 t (hereinafter referred to as vending machines) are set up with operation tables 2 equipped with keys, switches, etc.;
An exhibition device 3 serving as an exhibition section extending upward is erected on the rear side.

The display device 3 displays contents 5 of 68 types of software on its front display board 4, that is, in this embodiment, software names and anime-like pictures related to the software. A product number 6 is displayed for each software. 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 includes newly released game, business, and learning software, categorized and exhibited. .

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

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 1'1j'-pull 2 is provided with a CRT 8 serving as an iJ visual display device in the center thereof, and is covered with a glass plate 9, and the software-purchaser Message for and rough 1~ purchased by the buyer
The contents of the software are displayed. Rough 1-Ware The numeric keypad 10 as a selection means is a CRT8
The speaker 11 is installed on the right side of the product number 6, and is used when selecting the desired sono 1~u~a from the rough 1~wear of the above 68(φb;a) with the product number 6. The game ?ff+' is set above the numeric keypad 10.
l-'f warning sounds, etc. are now being generated.

In front of the numeric keypad 10, there is provided a start=l=-12 relet key 13, the start key 12 is used to input the rough 1-ware selected by the numeric keypad 10, and the reset 1-key 13 is used to input the rough 1-wear selected by the numeric keypad 10. ) Used once when the preselected software is changed. Game selection switch 14. The business start and reset keys 1 to 12 are provided in front of keys 12 and 13, and before selecting software with the numeric keypad 10, select which software is rough 1-ware for games, business, or learning. used when selecting the

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 used to control the content of the selected software (mainly game software 1) to the CRT 8. When this is executed and displayed, the user operates the game according to the content.

A bill insertion slot 19 is provided on the left side of the CRT 8, into which 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 sum of money put into the bill slot 10 and the coin slot 20, 21, and the product number 6 selected with the numeric keypad 10. It has become. The receipt outlet 23 is provided on the rear side of the money display 22,
Receipt printed by the printer mentioned below or each software i
・The usage frequency table (sold number m table) of sea urchin■ and ar is Vrinj
・He is out and gets a C.

The Cullet Earp regenerated head 24 is the receipt extractor "12".
3 is installed on the back side of the software 1 that you purchased.
It is used when creating a book and when transferring source program data of various software displayed on the display device 3. Kase! - On the rear side of the tape playback device 24, there are provided a cassette indicator lamp PL1 and a cassette indicator lamp PL2, and a large number of cassette indicator lamps P1-1 are housed in the vending machine 1 as shown in FIG. When the cassette tape 25, which is used as a recording medium for copying software, is used up, the copy indicator lamp P lights up.
L2 has software installed on the caret tape 25.
It lights up while being played. Note that the tapes 1 to 25, which are stored in large numbers in the vending machine 1 and have not yet been copied, are labeled with numbers 771 to 26 of rough 1 to wear shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. 27 is housed without being attached. Then, the purchaser attaches a label 27, which is also housed in the vending rack 1 and has a software name 26 printed thereon using a printer to be described later, to the cassette tape 25 as appropriate.

On the left side of the front of the vending machine 1, three types of floppy disk devices 28°, 29.30 mm, depending on the size of the floppy disks, are installed. A recorded floppy disk is set and used to transfer the program data. Floppy disk device 28.29.30
A tape outlet 31 and a change outlet 32 are provided on the lower side. The copied cassette tape 25 and a label 27 on which the software name 26 is printed are sent out from the tape outlet 31, and the change outlet 32 is fed out. Change is being sent out.

A hard disk 33 serving as a 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 stores printing data for the 68 types of software displayed on the display device 3. 1-L! A storage area 4i for storing software name data corresponding to each software, i.e. data for printers 1 to 1 to print the software name 26 on the label 27, and price data. Both have an area for storing usage frequency data for each software by year and month 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 respectively stored in the floppy disk device 28, 29, 30 or the floppy disk playback device 24. )]” The copy is from Kare 1~
Rough 1~ware source program data for sale recorded in Arp is tube J! II,, If J,
- It will be memorized. In addition, the storage area of the hard disk 3a for storing historical data is divided into 10 areas for each month and year of sale. f
Area ii consists of 114 storage areas for counting (updating) the frequency of use for each rough item to wear.

Inside the door 34 is a power switch 35. A clear switch 36 and a write switch 37 are installed, and the frequency switch 35 is used when it is desired to know the counter number used for each software 71 from the contents of the hard disk 33. This is used when you want to clear the usage frequency data for each software. Moreover, the Yoshikomi switchboard 37 is used when the program data of each software stored in the hard disk 33 and the print data corresponding thereto are not replaced with new rough 1-ware program data and print data. be done.

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 the first CPU) 41 and a second central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as the second C,))) 42, which serve as central processing units, mutually transfer data. The first CPU 41 operates according to a predetermined control program, and when data and ON signals are input from input devices such as the floppy disk device, various keys and switches, the first A command signal from the CPU 42 is input, and the second CPU 42
Inputs the command signal from U41.

A readable and replaceable memory for display (hereinafter referred to as display RAM) 43 is connected to each of the selection switches 14' and 15.
．． 16 and numeric keypad 10, the desired rough 1-ware's program data and print 1-
data is read out from the hard disk 33 by the first CPU 4.1 and stored therein, and based on the transferred program data and print data, the first CPU 41 transfers data to the CRT 8. In addition to executing the program data of the software, that is, displaying the contents of the software (for example, if it is rough 1-ware for a game, the game), a color dot printer is used as a printer built into the vending machine 1. The label printer 4/I is driven and controlled to print the name 26 on the label 27 to the software 1 and eject the label 27 to the tape outlet 31.

A readable and exchangeable memory for copying (hereinafter referred to as a copying RAM) 45 is configured such that the same program data and print data are transferred 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 vending machine 1 so as to copy only the program data out of both data onto the cassette tape 25.

The automatic recording device 46 is housed in the vending machine 1 and copies the program data of one piece of software onto one cassette tape 25 based on a control signal from the second CPU 42 on a large number of cassette tapes 25. The copied cassette tape 25 is sent out to the tape ejection port 32.

The detector 47 detects the presence or absence of the tape 25 to the cassette 1 supplied to the automatic recording device Fj'16, and the automatic recording device I! I6 turns on when the cassette 1-tape 25 to be copied runs out, and sends the on signal to the first CPU/
+ 'I is output.

In addition, the first CPU 41 detects the banknotes and coins inserted from the banknote insertion slot 19 and the coin input [Z120.21] with the banknote and coin detector 48.49, and based on the detection signal, the τ counter 5o is activated. Enter the calculated input amount data. Then, based on this input amount data, the first CPU 41 displays the amount on the money display 22, and also displays the amount on the sales (receipt printer 5 installed in the Shin 1).
Cover 1 with print control.

The lamp lighting circuit 52 lights up the 68 display lamps 7 installed in the display device 3 for each predetermined group or blinks one predetermined display lamp 7 based on the control signal from the first CPU 41. Tariru. The D/A converter 53 converts the digital control signal of the first CPU 41 into an analog signal, and sends the analog signal to the speaker 1 via the amplifier 54.
1 to emit a game sound or warning sound.

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 vending machine 1 is turned on, the first and second CPUs 41 and 42 operate according to the flowchart 1 shown in FIG.
Based on the presence or absence of the on signal, the first CPU 41 checks whether there is a cassette tape 25 for copying the software program data, and if there is not, it turns off the cassette display lamp PL1 and sounds the speaker 11. Waiting for the replenishment of cassette i-tape 25. When there is a cassette tape 25 or when the cassette tape 25 is replenished, the first CPU 41 controls whether the administrator turns on the write switch 3, the frequency switch 35 or the clear switch 36, or the purchaser turns on the business selection switch (hereinafter referred to as "business switch").

)15. Wait for the ON operation of the game selection switch (hereinafter referred to as Goomswidth) 1/I or the Gaku\\t3U selection switch (hereinafter referred to as the Gakumon switch) 16.

Now, if you turn on the game software F-14, the first CI) U41 will follow the flowchart p-1 shown in Figure 7. The product number 6 is activated, and the product number 6 is first instructed to indicate the contents 5 of each of the games displayed on the display device 3.
Indicator lamp 7 corresponds to '1 to 20 and product number 6 corresponds to newly released software with product number 61 to 68] Game software (corresponding product number 6) The display lamp 7 corresponding to the button is turned on.

Next, the purchaser enters the display device 3 and selects one or four of the various game software that are instructed to turn on using the display lamp 7.
Select the desired Sono 1 hardware and enter its product number 6 using the numeric keypad 10. At the same time this product number is entered, the first CPU 41tit gold 6. After displaying the product number 6 on the display 22, it waits for the star 1 key 13 to be turned on. When Star 1 to Key 12 are turned on, the first C
In response to this ON signal, the P U 41 flashes only the display lamp 7 corresponding to the selected software product number 6, and also stores the program data and print data of the selected software on the hard disk 33. RAM 43 for reading from, displaying and]
．． Transfer to 45. When the transfer is completed, the first CPU 41
reads the demonstration program data from the display RAM 43 among the program data for the sonoto and air, displays the demonstration image on the CRT 8 based on this data, and also displays the list price data of the software stored in the hard disk 33. 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 Sonotoware by looking at the demonstration image.

Next, the first CPU 41 waits for the reset key 13 or the input of money. Then, if you want to change the selected Sono1~wear in this state, press Reren h-1--13.
-> Clear the contents of the display and heat RAM 43.45 of the first CPU U 41 +,
At the same time as stopping the display on the CRT 8 and stopping the blinking operation of the blinking display lamp 7, insert the product number 6 of the product into the newly selected screen 1. On the other hand, when four people purchase the software, they insert the money into the banknote insertion slot 19 or coins n2 (1st 77 if inserted into 1 and 21), and the CPU 41 inputs the input amount data output from the counter 50. Compare with the price data. When the input amount exceeds the price of the software or more, the first CPU 41
Instead of the message displayed at 8, the message ``Thank you very much 7j J'' will be displayed on the CRT, and the printer 51 will be controlled to drive the cash register 1 through the receipt output port 23. Let the pudding go out. Also, at this time, when the first CPU 4.1 compares the input amount with the price data and determines that change is required,
The change is released into the change outlet 32.

On the other hand, the second CPU 42 immediately outputs the stored program data from the copying RAM 45 and drives and controls the automatic recording device 46 to copy the program data onto the cassette 1-tape 25. At the same time as this copying starts, the first CPU 41 turns on the copy display lamp P.
L-2 is lit to notify the purchaser that copying is in progress.

After turning on the copy display lamp PL2, the first CPU
41 reads data for printers 1 to 1 stored in the display RAM 43, and prints the label printer 44 based on this data.
is driven and controlled to start the printing operation of rough 1 to 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 caret tape 25, and can enjoy the game while grasping the game contents.

The second CPU/12 sequentially selects whether or not the 21st Bee to the cassette tape 25 is completed, and the second CPU /12 sequentially checks whether the game is finished and completed, and each continues its operation if it is not finished or completed.And now, the second verse of =lbee has completed. The CPU 41 of the automatic recording device 46 records the following:
After executing the operation to avoid discharging the cassette 1 to the tape unloading L131, the process moves on to checking whether or not the discharging of the cassette 1 has been completed.

Eventually, the label 27 on which C, Karen 1 to Dave 25, and the software name 26 are printed is discharged to the Dave outlet 31, and when the game is over, the first CPU 41 reads the copied Iζ software. Update the frequency of single use of the software after adding 1 to the 4 bars 1 - the number of uses of the corresponding software that is recorded separately on disk 33 for the year and month of sale. , again has the above-mentioned administrator or purchase name switch operation V''.

In addition, if the purchaser wants to select software for business use or learning use, there is a business switch for each.
15 or the learning switch 16 should be turned on. When the business switch 15 is turned on, the display lamps 7 of the display device 3 indicate various types of business software and air, and the product numbers 6 correspond to 21 to 40. The display lamp 7 corresponding to product number 6, which is newly released software 61 to 68 and corresponds to Sonomyware for business use, is controlled to turn on. On the other hand, when the learning switch 16 is turned on, the product number 6 is set to 41 to indicate various types of learning rough 1 to wear among the display lamps 7 of the display device 3.
Display lamp 7 and product number 6 corresponding to ~60 are 61~
68's newly released Rough 1 Hairware - C1
The display lamp 7 corresponding to the product number 6 corresponding to the learning software is turned on.

After making the above selection, perform the same operations as above to select the desired software or file name.
i-B2 (5 to 11 is displayed, and the contents of the software are displayed on the 119CRT8. Similarly, the name 26 of the software is printed on the label 25, and the software is released. The usage frequency of the soft r''noair is recorded on the hard disk 33 by sales date.

Next, if the administrator wants to change the software that is being sold, if he wants to know how each software he sells is used, or if he wants to forcefully find the frequency of use of each software, I will explain about it.

I will explain what happens when you want to change one of the rough 1 to woo la currently on sale to a new software.

first,? Place the floppy disk containing the 11-gram data on the floppy disk in the IJ disk drive 28, 20°30. uses the giP to listen to the door 34, and turns on the old power switch 37 while the power switch is turned on.

In response to the ON signal of the output switch 37, the first CPU/11 has an instruction as to which product number 6 software is desired to be changed. Then, enter J: the product number 6 of the software you want to change on the numeric keypad 10, the first CPLI will display the product number 6 on the money display 22, and then display the star 1-2. -12? -r
L/< has the operations of relets 1-21 and 13. In this state, if you want to change the software [Hera Air] to another software, turn on key 13 to Sera 1 (
J, the first CPIJ41 is again y1 using the numeric keypad 10
The product number G is input, and 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 3.
3's each rough 1 ~ Woo LA's progera 1Xf - Memorization of evening 1! ! When clearing the program data of the software corresponding to product number 6 in the area d3, the Sonomyware print corresponding to product number 86 in d3 is cleared in the storage area that stores each printing data and price data. Clear data and price information
Ru. Next, the first CPU 41 receives the source program data of the new software, print data, and price recorded on the floppy disk via the floppy disk device. - Read the data and transfer them to each previously cleared storage area of the hard disk 33. Therefore, the contents of bar 1 to disk 33 are rewritten, and when the product number 6 is specified using the numeric keypad from now on, the new rough 1 hardware will be selected.

In the above case, the software sold using a floppy disk was modified, but it is also possible to use a cassette tape. In this case, the cassette tape is
- Software sold in the same way as described above can be changed by sending a message to the tape playback device 24.

Next, we will explain the case where you want to know the usage frequency of each software share that is sold.

Now, when the power switch 35 of the Hanuri Low 1 is turned on and the frequency switch 35 is turned on, the first CPU 41 responds to this on signal by reading out the usage frequency data of each software from the hard disk 33, and Based on the data, the usage frequency of each software is displayed on the CRT 8 by sales date, and the cash register 1 to print 51 are driven and controlled to display the usage frequency of each software to print 1 by sales date. I'll do 1~.

Therefore, the manager can grasp the sales status of each software by viewing the contents of the CRT 8 and the printed sheets.

If it is desired to clear the usage frequency data of each software stored in the hard disk 33 and obtain a new usage frequency of each software from now on, this can be done by pressing the clear switch 3G. Just then, the clear switch 36 is turned on, and in response to the on signal, the second CPU 41 clears the usage frequency data of each rough 1 to ware on the hard disk 33, and from the time of clearing, the use of each software thereafter. Record the frequency.

In this way, in this embodiment, a desired air is selected from among the plurality of types of rough 1-ware used by operating the numeric keypad 10, and the price of the rough 1-ware is selected according to the price of the rough 1-ware. I decided to invest the amount of money I received, - because of this 1v (
The selected software is selected from the hard disk 33 in which program data of thousands of rough 1 to ware are stored.
[Read 1 Geramchi'-Yu, and this i--9 has not been 2 Jpied yet) JI = Leek 1~-no and supply it to the C1 purchaser, During copying, I displayed the contents of the rough 1-ware to the purchaser by displaying 1 on the 8th column.・You can sell various software without having to worry about inventory management of various software products, and you can immediately understand the contents of the software without having to stock up on the store shelves. You can run a j-shop.

In addition, a label 27 with the name of the software printed on it is also provided to the recipient along with the copied cassette tape 25 (this label 27 is to be attached to the cassette tape 25 as shown in Figure 3). For example, it becomes convenient just by organizing various rough items.

Roughly speaking, each time software is copied to cassette 1-tape 25, the usage frequency data of the corresponding software is updated on the hard disk 33. By displaying the usage frequency of each software 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 installed to display the contents 5 of each software, and the illumination of the display lamp 7 makes it easy to distinguish between game, business, and academic software. This makes it very easy for the purchaser to select 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 receipt printer 51. Also, the tonneau 134 that seals the i-isk 33 to the bar 1 can be opened and closed with a key, but it can be used with an electronic key, such as an ID magnetic card or an ID magnetic card owned only by the Ministry of Color Burying. It is also possible to use the key [to control the opening and closing of the C1-A 34 by operating the node with the J-Knee 10]. Also, in order to eliminate the need for the 1ζa 34, the power switch 35. Clear switch 36 and circle included I switch 37
It is also possible to turn it into a keyword and execute it with den-1==-'10.

In addition, the cassette tape 25 (this is a cassette tape 25) is loaded onto a floppy disk rather than copying 1 gram data, and this floppy disk is supplied to the purchaser. , Installation of exhibition device 3-, I 1.t
It is also possible to prepare a catalog and select the rough 1 to wear of the desired lead by looking at the J-talog.

``Effects'' - Revised] Small 7j (this invention (this invention) stores the program 1-1 gram data of 6 kinds of software in the storage device, and the rough 1 heu]-A selection means. :Select the desired software from among the software, copy the program data of the selected rough 1-ware onto a recording medium using a recording device, and supply it to the purchaser. By displaying the contents of the selected software on the copy on a visual display device to show it to the purchaser, inventory management of various software products can be completely eliminated by simply replenishing recording media on which nothing has been copied. It is possible to sell various rough items to wear without having to display various software products on store shelves, and it has the effect that the purchaser can understand the contents of the software at the same time as purchasing.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 shows Rough 1~wear sales (which embodies this invention).
Figure 2 is a partially cutaway plan view showing the table of the rough 1-ware vending machine, Figure 3 is a front view of the cassette tape, Figure 4 is a front view of the label, and Figure 5 is a front view of the label. Software - Electrical block circuit diagram of the vending machine, Figures 6 to 8 are diagrams showing the operation of the first and second central processing units. Software - Vending machine 1, display device 4, visible Place it on the display CLJ) CRT8, Soft; - air j-10 as a means of recording, cassette as a recording medium.
r---125), disk 333 to bar 1 of -C as a storage device, second and second medium heat processing equipment (first and second CI) as a central 1B processing equipment (U) 41.42, Automatic recording device 4G for recording purposes. Q! I+i'l appearance (person: Brother Industries Co., Ltd. judge representative person: patent attorney On 1) Fuxin

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A memory bag @ (33') for storing program data of a plurality of types of software; and software for selecting the desired rough 1 to wear from among the software for several kinds of FUs. When the selection means (10), the visual display device (8), and the recording device ware for recording the program data of the selected software on the recording medium (25) are selected, the selected rough 1-- The program data stored in the storage device (33) corresponding to the software is transferred to the -C recording medium (25) via the recording device (46).
a central processing unit (41, 42) for controlling the program data to be copied to the computer and, during the copying, for controlling the program data to be executed using the visual display device (8);
A software vending machine comprising: