FR2795844A1 - INTERACTIVE DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR MULTIMEDIA DATA - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a data transmission installation comprising user stations (2), a managing station (1) for generating a primary data flow, a high throughput transmission link, for sending digital primary audio, video and information data, wherein are inserted open-ended and dynamically variable data between the managing station and the user stations, while each station (2) is connected to the managing station through a return wire transmission link (4) and arranged to enable the user to send secondary data to the managing station. Each user station (2) comprises interface means enabling its user to send to the managing station (1), by way of secondary data, a station identifier and an instruction, and the managing station (1) is designed to selectively modify the open-ended data on the basis of some at least of the instructions received.

Description

The invention relates to facilities for the bidirectional exchange of data between a management station and delocalized users equipped with a station authorized to perform such an exchange. . This invention applies more particularly, although in a non-limiting way, to auctions. In some of these sales, there is at the point of sale a management station controlled by an auctioneer, or one of his assistants, and which is connected to dedicated posts allowing their users to participate actively in auctions. These users are usually called subscribers. Such an installation is known, for example, from patent document US Pat. No. 5,818,914. In this installation, the user stations (terminals dedicated to bidding only) comprise display means making it possible to display the current auctions which are addressed by the base station simultaneously on first and second forward transmission links. To enable users to perform live bidding, their stations are connected to the base station via a reverse link. The first forward link is satellite. The second forward link and the reverse link form a wired bi-directional tree link from the management station and each level is controlled by an intermediate station. Each intermediate station provides in the forward direction the dissemination of data to the intermediate positions of the lower sub-level and in the return direction the selection of one of the bids from the intermediate positions of the sub-level it controls. The auction that arrives first at the top of the tree, that is to say at the management station, is the one that is accepted. The bid selected is controlled by an operator and then sent to the user stations via the two forward links. This type of installation requires a heavy and bulky infrastructure that contributes to increasing costs. In addition, this installation uses a technology known as "data overlay" that does not allow to recreate the atmosphere that reigns in a place of sale. The present invention aims to improve the situation. It proposes for this purpose an installation in which

a single high-speed, preferably satellite, forward link is provided for sending digital, audio, video and informational primary data, in which scalable, dynamically variable data is inserted and a single wire return link is provided;

at each user station, interface means are provided which enable the user to address to the management station secondary data comprising a station identifier and an order; and

the management station is capable of selectively modifying the evolutionary data according to at least some of the orders received. In this way, it is now possible to display on each user station, simultaneously, any type of multimedia data, audio, video and information, which in an application to sales by auction can follow live actions and words of the animator, as well as the evolution of the auctions.

In addition, the orders are directly centralized by the management station, and analyzed once, so that the data exchange times are very small and the chances of the users are identical. Real real-time work with a very short response time is therefore possible. Loops with a duration of the order of about 0.1 seconds can be obtained. In addition, the return link uses a public infrastructure that avoids the installation of a specific structure. Preferably, the management station comprises a front-end communication station for receiving the secondary data and capable of selecting the secondary data transmitted by one of the user stations according to a chosen criterion (for example the order of arrival). , for a period beginning after each sending of primary data including modified scalable data. According to another characteristic of the invention, the installation comprises a first memory connected, preferably, to the front station, to allow storage of at least the item identifier and the order, which are contained in the secondary data. selected, in correspondence of an arrival time. In this way, the history of all the selected orders is available, for example during a sales session. According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the management station comprises a control station supplied with secondary data selected by the front station, and intended to display at least the order contained in these second data. This control station is also equipped with interface means to allow an operator to control the order received and allow the selective modification of at least some of the scalable data according to this order.

In addition, to enhance the security of the exchanges, the primary data sent are preferably coded (or encrypted). In this case, the transceiver of the user stations has a decoder at least on its receiving part.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, as well as the attached drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 schematically illustrates an installation according to the invention in a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional links between the constituents of the control station of the management station of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram detailing the functional links between the constituents of the broadcasting module of the control station of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram detailing the functional links between the components of the sales module of the control station of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram detailing the functional links between the components of the front station of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a logic diagram detailing the steps of operation of the general automation module of the front station of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram detailing the functional links between the constituents of the buyer station of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram detailing the functional links between the components of the communication module of the buyer station of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a logic diagram detailing the operating steps of the human / machine interface module of the buyer station of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram detailing the functional links between the components of the receiving and decoding module of the buyer station of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram detailing the functional links between the components of the buyer item processing module of FIG. 7; and FIG. 12 is a logic diagram detailing the operating steps of a task of the processing module of FIG. 11. The appended drawings comprise numerous elements which, for the most part, are of a certain character and that it is difficult. to describe completely. As a result, they can serve to better understand the invention, but also contribute to the definition of it, if any. In what follows, we will describe a data transmission installation according to the invention, in an application to the sale by auction (or auction) of used vehicles. Of course, the invention is not limited to the auction of used vehicles, but more generally relates to any type of auction. It is not limited only to auctions, but generally concerns the interactive exchange of data between user stations and a management station. Here we mean by user both sellers and buyers.

In FIG. 1 is illustrated an auction facility comprising a management station 1 linked to a multiplicity of buyer stations 2 via a high speed satellite forward link 3 and a wired link 4 preferably using the telephone network. switched type RTC. The forward link is here satellite, but it is clear that any other type of broadband means of diffusion can be considered.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, only one buyer station 2 is shown. However, several hundred or even thousands of stations 2 can be connected to the management station 1 via the wired link 4. For this purpose, the wired link 4 is preferably of TRANSPAC type (X25 or IP). The satellite forward link is intended to transmit audio, video and information data, from the management station 1, in which dynamically variable changing data is inserted. These data are called hereinafter primary data. In order to transmit to the communication satellite 3 the primary data from the management station 1, it is possible, for example, to use the digital satellite broadcasting means 5 proposed, for example, by the company CANAL PLUS. A recording and transmission device 51 is provided for recording continuously and live images and words of a sales presenter who controls the sales near the management station 1. The recorded audio and video data are then transmitted by this device 51 to the diffusion means 5, via a "point-to-point" wired link of the videodyne type. The informational data is delivered by the management station and, preferably, by a control station 6 beside which the facilitator is placed. As shown in FIG. 1, the satellite broadcasting means 5 are not necessarily integrated in the location where the management station 1 is located. In order to make it possible to combine (or multiplex) the audio and video data coming from the device recording and transmission of images and sounds 51 via a "point-to-point" wired link of the videodyne type, and the informational and evolutionary data coming from the control station 6 via a PSTN or ISDN type wired connection, the means broadcast 5 comprise a multiplexer 50. The broadcast means 5 are arranged to synchronize the audio and video data with the information and evolutionary data. This operation can be seen as an insertion of scalable data into other data. Generally, this insertion requires applying to the informational and evolutionary data a slight delay (of a chosen duration). Preferably, the point-to-point link, of the video-dyne type, must support a bit rate in the MPEG 2 format of approximately 2 megabits / second. This is in fact a normal image quality of television picture type, typically 800 kbit / s. The shooting device may be, for example, a SONY DCX VX 1000 digital camcorder providing digital images in PAL format. The audio data is initially analog, and is converted at the broadcast means 5 into digital audio data. They can be collected by a microphone connected to the audio input of the camcorder. Furthermore, in order to secure the primary data that is transmitted, via the satellite, to the positions of the buyers 2, provision is made at the broadcast means 5, a coding device 52 for encrypting (or coding) the audio data , video and information multiplexed. The installation offers two modes of operation. A first mode called "consultation" in which the management station 1 addresses informational data presenting, in the form of a catalog, the vehicles that will be sold during the next sales session. These data consist of photographs (from one to four or more) of each vehicle, taken from different angles, the value of the vehicle, a relative estimate of its general condition, for example noted on a scale of 1 to 5, as well as in particular, the amount of the repairs to be made to him, possibly. This information relating to each vehicle has been provided previously by an accredited expert.

Of course, instead of photographs we could provide video-type images. Referring now to Figures 2 to 4 to describe the control station 6 of the management station shown in Figure 1. This control station 6, or host station, is controlled by an operator. In practice the operator is a collaborator of the animator, responsible for seizing his orders or instructions. Control Station 6 is responsible for both the management of the dissemination of informational data, which will be discussed later, as well as the management of online sales. To carry out these two managements, the control station 6 comprises several modules that cooperate with each other. The term "module" here refers to both electronic circuit components (computer hardware), software, and more generally a program module. A first module 7 provides the human-machine interface (HMI). It is connected to a hard disk comprising a database 8, for example of the ACCESS type, in which the informational data relating to the second-hand vehicles to be sold are stored. Preferably, all such informational data is stored as tables in a text format. On the other hand, digital photos are preferably coded in JPEG format. The size of a JPEG photo file relating to a vehicle is preferably less than or equal to 50 Kbytes. The animator, and / or the operator, can prepare the sale by displaying on the monitor of the checkpoint 6, a sales catalog. Of course, any type of manipulation of the images can be considered, such as close-ups on the photos ("zoom"). The HMI 7 module of the control station 6 also manages the sale. It is therefore connected to a sales module 13 which is better detailed in FIG. 4. The sales module 13 and the human-machine interface HMI 7 exchange orders for the animation of the sale, and consequently the status of evolving sales data, such as current price, number of bids, bid value, and so on. This sales module 13 is connected by a bidirectional link to a communication interface module CCO 9, itself connected by bidirectional links to a network card 10, preferably ETHERNET which, in this embodiment, is connected to a front-end communication station 11 to which we will return later and which receives the sales orders (secondary data) issued by the buyer stations 2. The communication interface module CCO 9 is also connected by a bidirectional link to a Modem card 12, ISDN type preference, which provides the link between the control station 6 and the satellite broadcast means 5. The sales module 13 is also connected to the database 8 so that all the results of the sale are stored as and as it is, in correspondence of a date and a time. As indicated above, the detail of the sales module 13 is illustrated in FIG. 4. This sales module comprises a sales administration automaton 14 which is connected to a first order processing module to be addressed towards the front-end position. communication 11 and satellite broadcast means 5 via, respectively, the ETHERNET link and the ISDN link. The administration machine 16 is also connected to an order processing module received from the buyer stations 2, which is connected to the ETHERNET network card 10 connected to the front station 11. Furthermore, the sales module 13 is also connected to a CDF diffusion module 17, to transmit to it the states of the evolutionary data concerning the sale. This broadcasting module 17 is detailed in FIG. 3. It comprises, first of all, a module 18 for managing the distribution of the information and evolutionary data, which is connected to the communication interface module CCO 9, so that the data can be broadcast by the satellite 3 via the ISDN modem card 12 and the broadcast means 5. The broadcast module 17 also comprises a second module 19 for managing the loading of the informational data which are stored on the hard disk, in the database 8. Preferably, the module 19 is capable of scanning the information data stored in the database 8, so as to extract those to be broadcast. Then this data to be broadcast is again sent to the database for storage and are then transmitted to the module 18 for managing the broadcast. Advantageously, the broadcast module 17 includes a time stamp 20 so as to "timestamp" the data that will be broadcast. To do this, we can use a FIFO type memory ("First In First Out"). As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the broadcast module 17 is also connected to the human-machine interface module 7 as well as to the sales module 13 to which it transmits the states of the information data. The CDF diffusion module 17 thus manages the loading of the data coming from the database 8, the formatting of these informational data, so that they can be exploited by the control station 6 as well as by the buyers' stations. 2, and finally all the operations of transfer of informational and evolutive data to the satellite broadcasting means 5. The sales module 13 therefore manages the entire live sale of the objects of a catalog (here vehicles of opportunity). It allows to transfer to the front station 11 the files of subscribers who are allowed to participate in the sale of used vehicles catalog. It is also connected to the means of diffusion (in real time) by satellite 5, and transmits and receives all the orders and auction orders. Finally, this sales module 13 generates a database of results which are preferably stored in the database 8. The communication interface module CCO 9 thus manages the connection and disconnection of the control station 6 with the front station 11 and the satellite broadcast means 5, both in catalog transfer mode, that is to say before the start of the auction, than in auction mode. Such a module CCO 9 can be qualified as active. Indeed, it is always at the initiative of a connection request with a remote station. Preferably, it is implemented in the form of a specific software (of DLL type, for "Dynamic Link Library") which makes it possible to independently drive the ETHERNET interface <B> 10, the interface </ B> FTP <B > 12 on the ISDN <B> link and </ B> the TCP / IP interface on that same ISDN link. The TCP / IP connection on the ISDN line manages the data communication protocol used by the satellite broadcasting means 5. The MODEM card 12 may be, for example, of the GAZEL Pro PCI or US Robotics ISDN type. Referring now to FIG. 5, the front communication station 11, which is part of the exemplary embodiment of the management station 1, is described. This front station 11 provides and manages both the connections and the exchanges. information between the positions of the buyers 2 and the checkpoint 6, via the broadband wired backlink, type TRANSPAC. This front station 11 operates autonomously and its role is really effective only during the auction, insofar as in the catalog distribution mode that precedes this sale, only the forward link between the checkpoint is activated. 6 and the buyers' posts 2. As a result, apart from the sale, the front station 11 is waiting for connection. Such connections are initiated either by the control station 6 when the latter, after having sent primary evolutionary data to the positions of the buyers 2 expects from them, in return, orders, in the form of secondary data, or by the buyers 2 when they want to address a specific order, via the TRANSPAC link (or router), to the management station 1. Such a front position 11 can manage, several hundred buyers 2 positions, thanks to its TRANSPAC link (or RTC). For example, 300 connections can be made. In addition, during the auction, the front-end position 11 provides follow-up functions. It keeps track of all the events that occur during the sales session, namely the connections and disconnections, as well as the trace of all sales orders that are received and selected for each lot for sale in the catalog. To enable the implementation of all these functions, the front station 11 firstly comprises a general FAG 21 PLC for managing the interpretation of the commands from the control station 6 and the different connected buyers' posts 2. It then comprises an FCD connection / disconnection module 22 intended to manage the connections and disconnections between the control station 6 and the buyers' stations 2. It then comprises a reading module FRD 23 intended to manage the reading of the commands originating from the station. 6, or the buyers' stations 2. I1 then comprises a FWR 24 write module for managing the sending of commands on the ETHERNET local network, towards the control station 6. The connection, disconnection, receiving commands, and sending commands on the local network ETHERNET (which provides the link between the control station 6, the database 8 and the front station 11) are managed by a hardware interface 25, which controls a ETHERNET network card 26. Preferably, each of the FCD 22, FRD 23 and FWR 24 modules allow temporal marking of the information relating to the events received from the mat interface. 25. These three modules are connected to a hard disk 27 so as to allow the recording of events they mark for possible future exploitation. Moreover, these three modules are preferably connected to a monitor (or console) 28 to allow the display of information relating to the events that must be stored on the hard disk 27. The FCD connection / disconnection module 22 can be considered as a passive module, in that it is still waiting for a connection request from a remote station. This FCD module 22 performs a task called FCD TASK which can be broken down into steps, as follows - a connection event waiting, or disconnection, or error;

an identification of the communication port concerned; a request for an SEM CTX access semaphore;

- an allocation or release of the context (buyer or seller) depending on the event;

a release of semaphore SEM CTX;

a trace of the connection or disconnection, followed by a writing in a file of the hard disk 27 and the display of the information on the console 28; and

- a return to the first indent (event waiting). The reading module FRD 23 manages all the data that are received from the buyers 2 and the control station 6. I1 decodes, if necessary, the messages that come from the different positions and stores them in a memory control 29, of the FIFO type. This FRD module 23 can be considered as a passive module, insofar as it is still waiting for data on one of the active communication ports of the hardware interface 25. It performs a task called FRD TASK which can be broken down into steps, as follows - a read event wait ("READ"); - an identification of the communication port;

a reading of the (secondary) data buffer of the hardware interface 25;

- a control of the data (by access to the database 8);

a write control trace by writing to a file on the hard disk 27, as well as by a display on the console 28; and

- a return to the first indent (event waiting).

This FRD module 23 receives the read event (READ) of the hardware interface 25. Such an event concerns both data from the control station 6 and data from the buyers' stations 2. The FWR write module 24 is intended to manage all the data that must be transmitted to the control station 6. It is connected to a transmission memory 30, preferably made in the form of a FIFO, to read the messages (or data) which are temporarily stored therein, then transmit them on the communication port of the control station 6, via the hardware interface 25 and the ETHERNET network card 26. This FWR module 24 can be considered as a passive module, since it is still waiting for an event stored in the FIFO 30 and coming from the FAG 21 PLC module. This module performs a FWR TASK task which can be broken down into steps, as follows

an expectation of an event stored in the FIFO 30;

a write in the buffer memory of the hardware interface 25;

the formation of a write trace for the backup of the operation on the hard disk 27, and

- a return to the first indent (event waiting). The FAG 21 PLC module which feeds the FIFO 30, is intended to interpret and process the commands from the control station 6 and the buyers' stations 2, via the hardware interface 25 and the FRD read module 23. A flow diagram of operation of this PLC module 21 is illustrated in FIG. 6. This PLC is still waiting for commands that are stored in the FIFO 29. First of all, in a step 100, a general initialization phase of the FIFO is provided. together global variables of the system and tasks of the modules FCD 22, FWR 24 and FRD 23. Next, in a step 110, an initialization of the sales session. The PLC module 21 is then in a standby mode. He is waiting for a "SESSION ON" start-of-sale order. Upon receipt of such a command, it updates the variables that manage the session. Then, in a step 120, the controller module 21 will read ("unstack") the command that is stored in the FIFO 29 in order to analyze it. If this command can be taken into account, the PLC module 21 performs all the actions associated with it. It may be, for example, the presentation of a batch (step 130) or a command to start or resume the auction (step 140). As illustrated in FIG. 6, two types of actions can be envisaged, depending on whether one operates in manual mode (step 145) or in automatic mode (step 150). If the order can not be taken into account, it is destroyed (or rejected). Whether this command is taken into account or not, the PLC module 21 then waits for a new command if the FIFO 29 is empty, or processes the next command when this FIFO 29 is not empty. The controller module 21 manages the updating of the contexts that are associated with each connection of the buyers' items 2. This makes it possible to store all the information relating to a buyer item during the duration of the sale. The creation and the destruction of these contexts is ensured by the module of connection / disconnection FCD 22. Many evolutive data can be updated during the sale. Regarding the buyer items (buyer context) it may be the subscriber identifier, a bid order, a proposed price, a lot number, etc. The data of the checkpoint 6 that can be updated are, for example, the current price of the current lot, the current lot, the reference of the first acquirer, etc.

It is obvious that all these evolutionary data are initialized at the beginning of each session. Furthermore, the disconnection of the control station 6 triggers, preferably, the reset of the entire FAG 21 PLC module. Reference is now made to FIGS. 7 to 11 to describe an embodiment of a buyer station. 2. A buyer's post 2 is intended to manage the exchanges between the buyer who controls it and the checkpoint 6 (in a more general way the management station 1), with which it forms an interactive and dynamic communication loop . Preferably, this post is an individual computer in which is installed software dedicated to the auction application. Preferably, the distribution of a catalog before a sale is done at the initiative of the animator post 6 (checkpoint). It is preceded by the awakening of the posts concerned. As will be seen later, this alarm clock can be obtained using a PAGER or by a telephone connection, mobile type. Once the buyer or seller has been woken up, the catalog is broadcasted and stored on a hard disk 32. It may possibly be displayed simultaneously on a monitor 33. During the sale, the buyer station 2 allows the live visualization of the catalog lots that are offered for sale, as well as images (primary video data) and sound (primary audio data), which are recorded continuously and live in Management Station 1 so as to allow the follow-up of the facts, gestures and words of the facilitator. In addition, the buyer item 2 displays all informational and scalable sales data, such as price, bids, validation, and so on.

Firstly, in a preferred embodiment, the buyer station 2 comprises an IRD satellite reception module 34 comprising a decoder 35 for decrypting the encrypted primary data transmitted by the satellite 3. This data transmission mode primary is preferred, as it ensures the securing of subscriber data. Such a satellite receiver module 34, equipped with a decoder 35, is marketed, for example, by the company CANAL PLUS. The primary data from the satellite 3 are transmitted to the processor module 31 via an interface 36. More preferably, the receiving module 34 is arranged to break down the primary data into three parts. The video data are transmitted to a video acquisition card, for example of the MATROX MYSTIC type, equipped with a RAINBOW RUNNER type acquisition module, then sent to a human-machine interface 37 for display on the monitor. 33. The audio data is directly addressed to a sound card 38, for example of the SOUND BLASTER type, in order to be audited by loudspeakers 39. The informational and scalable data are transmitted to the interface 36, then to the module The informational and scalable data are then transmitted, after processing, to the human-machine interface 37 for display on the monitor 33, simultaneously with the video data. With this human-machine interface 37, the buyer can enter a number of orders (or commands) intended either to change the display at the monitor 33 or to communicate with the management station 1, by example to send a bid order. To send such commands (or commands) to the management station 1, and in particular to its front station 11, the buyer station 2 comprises a communication management module 40 coupled to a modem 41 which provides the connection to the wired return link of type TRANSPAC (RTC). Preferably, the man-machine interface 37 comprises a control box 42 provided with a key whose actuation triggers the generation of a bid order by the automatic processor module 31. This box is preferably made separately interface 37, so as to be directly connected to the PLC 31. Preferably, the value of the auction is set by the host at the beginning of the sale of a lot. But, this auction value can be modified by the presenter during the sale, even for the same batch. It may also be noted here that the presenter may in the process of auctioning modify the minimum threshold value that the seller had set before the sale, of course with the authorization of the latter. Thus, thanks to the 42 order transfer case, it is extremely simple and quick to bid. Each subscriber user who is authorized to participate in the current sale has, thanks to the invention, a very large amount of information, as if he was himself in the auction room. He sees, live and continuously, the animator who directs the sale in the studio, and comments on the lots on sale and the evolution of the sale. It also has informational and evolutionary data, which allows it to follow live and continuously the evolution of each sale, that is to say the current selling price. In addition, it also has informational data on the vehicle (or lot) in the course of sale, namely one or more photos and information on the condition of this vehicle and any repair costs (in fact all the information from expertise). Moreover, and preferably, the buyer has on his monitor a complementary evolutionary data relating to the value of its outstanding financial outstanding. Indeed, in a high security embodiment, the management station is connected, through its front station 11, to an auxiliary station intended to transmit it before each session of sale the credit balance of an outstanding financial credit (or line of credit) authorized for each buyer. The authorized amount for a buyer is negotiated before the sales session, for example with a financial company in which the auxiliary position is located. Preferably, the financial outstanding of each buyer, authorized to participate in the sale, is stored in the hard disk 27 of the front station 11. It is preferably also stored in the database 8. At the beginning of each session sales station, the management station 1, addresses to each authorized user station, through its checkpoint 6, the financial outstanding available to its user. This outstanding amount is, for each user, an evolutionary data that varies dynamically, since it is refreshed each time the user concerned has seen his bid selected by the management station 1. The selection is carried out at the level of the user. the front station 11 according to a chosen criterion. Preferably, this chosen criterion relates to the order of arrival of the secondary data sent by each buyer station 2 on the wired return link, of the TRANSPAC type.

The first secondary data received are those retained, provided that, on the one hand, the subscriber's identifier which systematically accompanies the order (or command) contained in the secondary data, belongs to the list of identifiers of subscribers authorized to participate in the sale, and secondly, that the outstanding financial outstanding of the buyer, identified by his post identifier, allows the auction made by it. If this is the case, the order contained in the selected secondary data is transmitted to the control station 6 where it will preferably be controlled by the operator of the control station, or by the animator, then possibly commented by this operator before being authorized to be broadcast to all subscribers participating in the sale. Preferably, the front station 11 initiates a timer after each transmission of primary data containing evolutionary data, so that only secondary data can be selected for a duration chosen by the facilitator. The received order generally consists of an auction of a fixed value (by actuation of the case 42), so that in the checkpoint 6, the evolutionary data representing the current price of the vehicle can be incremented by the value of the vehicle. bid and then broadcast via the satellite without control and / or authorization by the animator. At the same time, the value of the outstanding amount of the buyer, who has placed the auction order, is decremented by the value of this auction and then sent, again via the satellite, to the buyer's post in order to 33. A subscriber can also see at any time whether he has made the last bid taken into account by the management station 1, or if the latter bid is from a other buyer position.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to Figures 8 to 11 to describe the main elements constituting a user station 2 according to the invention. In FIG. 8 is illustrated the communication module TCO 43 of the communications management module 40.

The TCO communication module 43 makes it possible to manage the connection and disconnection functions on the wired return link, of the TRANSPAC type. I1 can also allow the sending of wake up commands of a module ("PAGER") to signal to the processor 31 the opening of a sales session to which the user station 2 is allowed to participate. Such a PAGER may allow the display of a message on the monitor 33, which indicates the beginning of a sales session, or that the sales session will begin in a few moments. As indicated above, instead of a PAGER can be used a telephone connection, mobile type. The TCO communication module 43 is powered by a control memory 44, preferably a FIFO of the type described above. This FIFO 44 receives commands (or orders) from the processing controller 31, for example when the key of the box 42 is actuated. However, it may be another order or another command. from the man-machine interface 37. The communication module TCO 43 is intended to perform a processing task. This task is initialized when the user launches the auction application. It is made active only after a connection request to the management station 1. The purpose of such a task is to manage the flow of commands to be sent to the front station 11. Moreover, this processing task is destroyed during of the disconnection to the wired return link, of the TRANSPAC type.

A single connection can be made active either to the management station 1 or to the PAGER. A connection to PAGER can be made via a TRANSPAC (RTC) link using a particular phone number. It may be, for example, the BIPLUS service of FRANCE TELECOM. The secondary data (which contains the identifier of the buyer item and an order (or order) transit, preferably, through the kiosk X25 TRANSPAC, which is accessed by the switched telephone network (PSTN). Once the TRANSPAC connection made, the processing task is waiting for data to be sent in. It is woken by the presence of data in FIFO 44, or on a direct connection request requested by the buyer, which is then sent directly via the PLC. 31. In Fig. 9 is illustrated a flow diagram of the operation of the man-machine interface 37. In a first step 200, the auction application is opened, and in a second step 210 a display screen is displayed. The home is displayed on the monitor 33. In a third step 220, an interface task is initialized with the IRD satellite reception module 34. In a fourth step 230, the initialization is initiated. the processing task performed by the TCO communication module 43. In a fifth step 240, the TCO communication module 43 is initialized. Then, in a step 250, it is placed in an event waiting mode. It may be the expectation of a specific display command concerning the monitor 33 (step 252), or an order or instruction entry, or a command by the user causing the transmission of this order to the processor 31 (step 254), or a request to display photographs of the vehicle to be sold (step 256).

In FIG. 10 is illustrated the TII module 36 of inter face with the satellite reception module 34. This interface module 36 is intended both to program the decoder 35 of the satellite reception module 34 (configuration of the socket parallel, numbers of the PIDs to extract ("Packet Identifier"), etc), and to retrieve the informational and scalable primary data from the management station 1 via the satellite 3. The TII interface module 36 is intended to perform a processing task initiated by the PLC module 31. Initially, this task initializes all the global variables of the TII interface module 36, then programs the IRD reception module 34 via the API (Application Program Interface ). The task then waits for data coming from the IRD reception module 34. Preferably, the TII interface module 36 is capable of managing stream data in the MPEG 2 format. Of course, it could be adapted to any other type of flow. Finally, the TII interface module 36 is coupled to a buffer memory 45 for temporarily storing the data that has just been received and which must be transmitted to the automation module TAT 31. In FIG. The module TAT processing module 31. This module is responsible for managing the transitions of the data in the user station 2. It may be "input" data from the buffer memory 45 or the human interface. machine 37, and in particular of its housing 42, or of "output" data such as the informational data of the catalog which must be stored on the hard disk 32 or the commands intended for the display or the management station 1, via the FIFO memory 44. The processing module TAT 31 performs a task whose main steps are illustrated in FIG. 12.

The first step 300 represents the opening (or launch) of the actual spot. In a second step 310, the task is waiting for an event signaling the presence of data in the buffer memory 45, or coming from the man-machine interface 37, and in particular of the box 42. In the case of a When the box 47 passes, the PLC module 31 is woken up and processes the event by sending the corresponding command (or command) to the TCO communication module 43 (step 312). Of course, this function is enabled only when a sale is in progress, and the TRANSPAC connection with the management station 1 has been established.

In the case of data present in the buffer memory 45, the automatic processing module TAT 31 decodes the type of command or order represented by these data. It may be an order signaling the start of receipt of a catalog or an order signaling the start of a sale.

 Depending on the type of command received, the controller 31 is placed in a "current" state and changes only upon receipt of a command signaling the end of receipt of the catalog or the end of a sale.

 In the case of receiving a "block" of data, such as a catalog, the task allows the reading of the data on the hard disk 32 (step 314).

 Finally, upon receipt of an order during the sale (step 316), the task calls a function for transmitting said command to the man-machine interface 37 which is waiting.

 Finally, the user station 2 can at any time, but preferably outside of a sale, allow the user to view all the information data contained in a catalog stored on the hard disk 32 previously powered by the management station 1.

 The subscriber buyer will then be able to display on his monitor 33 the date of the sale associated with the catalog, the composition of the lots, the photos and technical details of each vehicle of each lot, etc.

 The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It embraces all the variants that those skilled in the art can develop within the scope of the claims below. Thus, an application has been described at the motor vehicle auction. But, the invention relates to any type of auction. It also concerns, and more generally, all installations in which audio and video information and data are exchanged live by several stakeholders.

 Furthermore, an embodiment has been described in which the forward link was of the satellite type. But, any other type of broadband means of diffusion can be envisaged.

Claims (26)

<U> Claims </ U> A data transmission installation, comprising user stations (2) provided with display means (33), a management station (1) arranged to generate a primary data stream, a forward transmission link between this station management and user stations, while each station (2) is connected to the management station by a return transmission link (4), and arranged to allow the user to send secondary data to the management station , characterized in that - the forward link is a high-speed link, for sending digital, audio, video and information primary data, where dynamically variable scalable data is inserted, - the reverse link is a link wired, - each user station (2) comprises inter face means (41) to allow its user to address to the management station (1), as secondary data, a stationary identifier e t - an order, and - the management station (1) is arranged to selectively modify said scalable data based on at least some of the orders received, allowing to work in real time with a very short response time. 2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the management station (1) comprises a front communication station (11) connected to the wire return link (4) for receiving secondary data and arranged, for a selected duration starting after each sending of primary data containing changing data selectively modified in response to a user command, for selecting the secondary data transmitted by one of the user stations according to a selected criterion. 3. Installation according to claim 2, characterized in that said selected criterion relates to the order of arrival of the secondary data transmitted in each user station (2), the first arrivals being those selected. 4. Installation according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that it comprises a first memory (27) connected to the front station and own to store at least the item identifier and the order contained in the secondary data selected, in correspondence of an arrival time at said front station. 5. Installation according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said management station (1) comprises a control station (6) connected to the front station (11) to receive the selected secondary data, suitable for displaying at the less the order contained in these second data, and provided with means for human-machine interface (7) to allow an operator to control said order and allow the selective modification of at least some of the scalable data according to this order . 6. Installation according to claim 5, characterized in that the control station (6) is adapted to display the order contained in the second data selected in correspondence of the identifier of the station having issued this order. 7. Installation according to one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the control station (6) is arranged to provide said primary information data to be transmitted via the forward link. 8. Installation according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that said management station (1) comprises audio and video recording and transmission means (51) for continuously filming a live commentator animator a at least part of the secondary data displayed on the checkpoint (6). 9. Installation according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that it comprises multiplexing means (5,50) comprising two inputs respectively connected to said recording and transmission means (51) and said auditing device. control station (6) for combining the audio, video, information and evolutionary data, and an output supplying the forward link. 10. Installation according to claim 9, characterized in that said inputs of the multiplexing means (5, 50) are respectively connected to the recording means (51) by a point-to-point wired connection, and to the control station ( 6) by a wired link of the ISDN type. 11. Installation according to one of claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the multiplexing means (5, 50) are arranged to apply to the primary data evolutionary and informational a delay of a chosen duration with respect to the primary audio data and video. 12. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the user stations (2) are individual computers equipped with a transmitting / receiving module comprising at least partly receiving (34) means (35) decoding the primary data. 13. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the user stations (2) are arranged to force the display of a specific message indicating a start of data exchange with the management station (1). ). 14. Installation according to claim 13, characterized in that the control station (6) is arranged to selectively send to some of the user stations an authorization message to receive the primary data and to issue secondary data in response to these data. primary messages, said message being capable of causing the display of the specific message. 15. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that each user station comprises man-machine interface means (37,42) comprising a housing (42) provided with a clean key in case of actuation to generate a chosen order. 16. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that said primary informational and evolutionary data relate at least in part to objects for sale by auction, each object having a chosen starting price. 17. Installation according to claim 16, characterized in that said man-machine interface (7) of the control station (6) is arranged to allow its operator to change the starting price of the object being auctioned. 18. Installation according to one of claims 16 and 17, characterized in that said order is an auction of a chosen value. 19. Installation according to claim 18, characterized in that said man-machine interface (7) of the control station (6) is arranged to allow its operator to choose the value of the auction. 20. Installation according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that it comprises a second memory (8) connected to the control station (6) and storing an informational database of objects for sale by auction. 21. Installation according to one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that it comprises an auxiliary station connected by wire to the front station (11) and adapted to associate each user station (2) a predetermined financial outstanding for each auctioning session, and in that said front office (11) is arranged, on the one hand, to store the financial outstanding associated with each item and update these financial outstanding as and when bids, and on the other hand, to reject the secondary data containing an order likely to exceed an incessant being stored. 22. Installation according to claim 21, characterized in that the control station (6) is arranged to generate scalable primary data specific to each user station (2), representative of their outstanding financial outstanding, so that the outstanding current financial information for each position is posted on its display. 23. Installation according to one of claims 16 to 22, characterized in that said objects are used vehicles. 24. Installation according to one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that the front station (11) and the second memory (8) are connected to the control station (6) by ETHERNET type links. 25. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the wired return link (4) between the user stations (2) and the base station is of TRANSPAC type. 26. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the forward link between the management station (1) and the user stations (2) is of the satellite type.