DE19832448A1 - Software automatic 'filling station' for computer shops etc. - Google Patents

Abstract

The 'filling station' includes a program system know as FASTLOAD, which transfers program and data files to another personal computer incredibly quickly using a special parallel cable. Components such as electronic cash systems, cash machines, floppy disc and CD-ROM are integrated.

Description

Functional description 1.0 Overview

An overview of the interaction between the receiver PC, transmitter PC, ATM and receipt issuer is shown in FIG. 1.

1.1 Functional description - software upload / "petrol stations" -Automat

The program system "software filling station" enables that from a sending PC via a menu system Programs via a parallel cable / USB / Firewire to the connected receiving PC can be transferred directly and quickly. This Programs contain a virus check (checksum check, CRC32) and are in the directory of the operating system of the receiving device registered.

For paid programs, payment is made via an integrated Cash card machines or electronic cash machines including receipt issuing by means of a cash or code card or via a previously agreed code, the Load the programs, or the output on a (multiple) -writable Data carriers (e.g. floppy, CD) allowed and the debit is carried out.

If necessary, the following search aspects can / must be entered via the menu system:

• - program name
• - program version
• - Duration of trial test for demo versions
• - Author, publisher, subject area
• - Enter the necessary parameters that are necessary for loading

The menu system gives corresponding information based on the search questions:

• - Manufacturer specifics for hardware
• - Brief functional description
• - Notes on the program and charging function
• - Type of software (fee-based, trial period, shareware etc.)
• - loading time.

If the customer wants a program to be loaded onto his PC or output via a drive (floppy, CD), the system gives him menu-guided instructions on how to make the payment and the process. The normal process looks like this:

• - Enter program number, version
• - The customer receives information about what the program or the test costs
• - Insert the money card, code card or the previously received release code enter
• - Enter the parameters required by the system
• - Name and address if necessary
• - If OK, the system loads the program onto the customer's PC
• - In between, there may be information from the system or other loading parameters to be necessary
• - When the charging function has been carried out completely, the License number entered and a receipt issued showing all necessary Contains information that is customary for a receipt. Furthermore the program number and license number are also on the receipt  
• - Ev. Hotline number, warranty period, voucher for an order Manuals, CD, trial period can also be issued.

The program system and the "SW petrol station" device are available in the following versions:

• - simple coupling PC to PC (1: n relationship without interaction with ATMs)
• - Send PC is also with a money card or code card system
• - equipped including receipt Alternatively and aditively, data can be output on a data carrier

1.2 Possible uses Advantages of the integrated system

The software filling station system has the following possible uses and advantages:

• - Use in the computer shop; The customer can immediately download the program to their PC play or notebook and can immediately test the loaded program on Runnability
• - The programs are loaded very quickly
• - Self-service without staff, at any time of the day

1.3 Program function description as a single program

The "Fastload" program system is also an invariant without the machine function executable and transfers on the basis of a parallel, USB (Universal Serious Bus) or Firewire interface between 2 computers (PC, notebook, server) with programs extremely high speed on another computer. This doesn't happen on physical but on a logical basis. Although invisible, it uses that Program system the respective organization of the operating system and adds Execution of the loaded programs in the corresponding directory of the respective Operating system.

The following properties are included in the program system:

• - Compressed loading depending on the transmission interface
• - Support for different operating systems. Currently MSDos, MSWindows, Win NT file systems supported
• - N-times simultaneous loading of programs using an interface multiplier on several computers (1: n), optional additional hardware is required.
• - Transfer of several programs using program sequences

An overview of the interaction of the "Fastload" program system between the receiver PC and the transmitter PC is shown in FIG. 2.

1.4 Areas of application

The use of this program system is particularly suitable where there are programs transfer from one computer to another at extremely high speed would like to. This is always when there is no network connection or a mobile one Commitment is given.  

Typical applications are:

• - The on-site technician wants a new driver version of his notebook, for example or play a test program on the PC to be serviced.
• - For all sales people who make a customer visit and there quickly and simply want to play their software on the PC installed there, e.g. B. for a Customer demonstration
• - At seminars, lectures, congresses with a fixed computer to which individual programs are then temporarily transmitted.
• - Within groups and departments, where quickly a new version or one new program to be imported on site.
• - For test operation, laboratories, where program statuses are only temporarily on one special computers are brought and tested.
• - For all cases where high security and protection requirements are necessary are, e.g. B. Virus test, personnel / data protection-related programs.
• - For all those cases where certain not yet released programs always must be transferred back to a test system.
• - For fairs where certain programs on the respective PC for demonstrations should be saved.
• - For all work areas where many different programs are used and the hard disk space is insufficient but not of a variety of Floppy disks, CD-ROMs should be loaded and also the time factor plays an important role.
• - For private use, to be able to dub programs without a network, e.g. B. Program exchange among friends
• - In the PC shop to provide the customer with additional programs on site to be able to play safely.
• - In PC repair shops to carry out test programs and updates on those to be repaired To be able to install PC.
• - For the new installation of a PC.
• - For installing and maintaining new systems, e.g. B. Infoteken, ATMs where the appropriate software for security reasons and Performance reasons may only be loaded from a master PC.
• - For loading variants to be selected, e.g. B. Language variants.
• - For PC distribution warehouses, where the required software is based on customer orders should be installed.
• - For meetings where participants come from distant places and a Program exchange is carried out, or programs are loaded have to.
• - In car workshops where the factory specialist offers new software or Diagnostic programs must be loaded.
• - For demo rooms where different permanent software is imported and exported must become.
• - Install mobile work notebooks, e.g. B. for sales people, sellers, mobile advisor, insurance agent, customer service advisor, through a central Job.

The advantages of this new system are mainly where you can extreme programs want to move quickly from one computer to another. About that it is also very useful where there is a computer connection on site (max. Distance without additional hardware is up to 5 meters).  

The programs are loaded using an ECP interface a transfer rate of max. 2 megabytes per second.

Claims (1)

The protection claims are made for the following areas:

• - for the described individual program system (FASTLOAD), which logically transfers files (programs, data) extremely quickly to another PC via the described interfaces, based on a specially used parallel cable.
• - for the integration of money or code card systems or electronic cash systems in connection with the previously described program system (software upload / "petrol station" machine "), which conventional products for cash card systems, receipt printers and data storage systems (floppy) Disk, CD-ROM etc.) Integrated in the program.