Computer software vending machine

Patent 5267171 Issued on November 30, 1993. Estimated Expiration Date:

March 19, 2011. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Software vending system
Patent #: 4654799
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Automatic vending system
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Patent #: 5088586
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Inventors

Assignee

Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha

Application

No. 671473 filed on 03/19/1991

US Classes:

700/234, Demonstration or duplication of article (e.g., software, video)700/237, Authorization (e.g., password, time usage limit, personal identification number (PIN)705/26Electronic shopping (e.g., remote ordering)

Examiners

Primary: Smith, Jerry
Assistant: Gordon, Paul P.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Oliff & Berridge

International Class

G06F 015/21

Foreign Application Priority Data

1990-03-29 JP

Abstract

A computer software vending machine includes an information storage unit for storing user information relating to a particular user when the user utilizes the computer software vending machine. An information reading unit reads various information from the information storage unit. The storing unit stores a plurality of computer software and user information relating to the user when the user utilizes the computer software vending machine. A comparing unit compares the user information stored in the storing unit with the user information relating to the user when the user utilizes the computer software vending machine. A selecting unit selects computer software which has been supplied from the computer software vending machine after the user last utilized the computer software vending machine from the information storage unit, on the basis of the comparison with the comparing unit. The displaying unit displays the computer software selected by the selecting unit.