Abstract: A method and a system for dispensing software programs from a networked software dispensing kiosk device or ATM. Software developers can place software for sale within the network thereby causing various remote software ATMs to offer the software. The user causes a display of a list of different categories of software titles available through a remotely located software ATM, e.g., located in a retail market place, or other public place. The user makes a selection from the list and may optionally execute the selected software using an on-screen emulation of the user's device. If the user is satisfied with the execution of the selected software, the user can purchase or rent the selected software using automated vending equipment of the software ATM. Purchased or rented software titles are electronically communicated from the software ATM to the user's portable computer system. The software ATM can also provide backup and archiving services for a portable computer user.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a networked software and service dispensing vending machine (also referred to as a “software ATM”) for dispensing software and providing services to a portable computer system. Software stored on the software ATM is offered for sale and, once payment is received, downloaded into a portable computer system. A communications interface on the software ATM allows communications with the portable computer system. The software can be displayed on the software ATM prior to being purchased. Once payment is received for the software, it is downloaded into the portable computer system using the communications interface. A network connection on the software ATM provides communications with a network server.

Abstract: A system and method of identifying a source of a software distribution between portable computer systems. A user of a first hand held computer may transfer software, for example operating system extensions, application programs and data sets etc. to a second hand held computer. This transfer may occur wirelessly. An identification token which may identify the source of the software distribution may also be transferred, and further transferred from the second hand held computer to an “e commerce” web site in an automatic manner. In this novel manner, the sources of software distribution of respective files among many hand held computer users, may be identified to the website. This may result in wider distribution of both information about available software and the software itself, and a multi-order multiplication of economic effects in the hand held industry, while overcoming many deficiencies in the prior art of software distribution for hand held computers.

Abstract: A method and a system for dispensing software programs from a networked software dispensing kiosk device or ATM. Software developers can place software for sale within the network thereby causing various remote software ATMs to offer the software. The user causes a display of a list of different categories of software titles available through a remotely located software ATM, e.g., located in a retail market place, or other public place. The user makes a selection from the list and may optionally execute the selected software using an on-screen emulation of the user's device. If the user is satisfied with the execution of the selected software, the user can purchase or rent the selected software using automated vending equipment of the software ATM. Purchased or rented software titles are electronically communicated from the software ATM to the user's portable computer system. The software ATM can also provide backup and archiving services for a portable computer user.

Abstract: A method and a system for dispensing software programs from a networked software dispensing kiosk device or ATM. Software developers can place software for sale within the network thereby causing various remote software ATMs to offer the software. The user causes a display of a list of different categories of software titles available through a remotely located software ATM, e.g., located in a retail market place, or other public place. The user makes a selection from the list and may optionally execute the selected software using an on-screen emulation of the user's device. If the user is satisfied with the execution of the selected software, the user can purchase or rent the selected software using automated vending equipment of the software ATM. Purchased or rented software titles are electronically communicated from the software ATM to the user's portable computer system. The software ATM can also provide backup and archiving services for a portable computer user.

Abstract: A method and a system for dispensing software programs from a networked software dispensing kiosk device or ATM. Software developers can place software for sale within the network thereby causing various remote software ATMs to offer the software. The user causes a display of a list of different categories of software titles available through a remotely located software ATM, e.g., located in a retail market place, or other public place. The user makes a selection from the list and may optionally execute the selected software using an on-screen emulation of the user's device. If the user is satisfied with the execution of the selected software, the user can purchase or rent the selected software using automated vending equipment of the software ATM. Purchased or rented software titles are electronically communicated from the software ATM to the user's portable computer system. The software ATM can also provide backup and archiving services for a portable computer user.