JP2002215840A - Multi-point communication system and auction system using it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-point communication system which can realize an auction system keeping fairness. SOLUTION: On communication between a parent station 60 and plural substations 50-1-50-n, especially in a certain period, when information is transmitted from the plural substations 50-1-50-n to the parent station 60, information from the substations 50-1-50-n is congested at the parent station 60. A different spread spectrum code is allocated on each wireless terminal of the substations 50-1-50-n, and information, which relates the wireless terminal with the spread spectrum code, is prepared in a processing part (CPU) 61 of the parent station. The parent station 60 and plural substations 50-1-50-n have a frame modular circuit, which counts according to a repeat cycle of the spread spectrum and an inverted spread code of spread spectrum method, and set time between plural substations using the value as time information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multipoint communication system and a bidding system using the same, and more particularly to a PM system.
When information is transmitted from a plurality of slave stations to the master station within a certain time when communicating between one master station and a plurality of slave stations in a p (point-to-multipoint) multipoint communication system, The present invention relates to a technique in which a master station monitors information on a time indicating intention sent from a plurality of slave stations to the master station, mutually determines information on the indicated time, and extracts a slave station presenting the earliest time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A multipoint communication system for mutually communicating between one master station and a plurality of (n: n is an integer of 2 or more) slave stations is also used in a bidding system. As a communication medium, a wired medium is generally used. recent years,
In this auction system, a system using a wireless medium has been introduced.

In a bidding system, in a system for wirelessly transmitting the purchase intention of a buyer (a bidder), the purchaser presses a push button-type bidding button attached to a wireless terminal held by the purchaser. The presentation information of the will is transmitted on the radio wave from the wireless terminal to the master station.

[0004] On the other hand, the master station receives the presentation information of the purchase intention sent from the wireless terminal, and if the purchase intention is presented earlier than the other purchasers, makes a successful bid process and auctions (successful bid).
Is performed.

[0005] Usually, a plurality of buyers participate in the auction market, the number of wireless terminals possessed by the buyer is 10 to 200, and the form of the auction market (flowers, animals, fish, cars, etc.),
Depending on how to bid (auction, bid down, etc.), information including presentation of a purchase intention (a request for a successful bid) is transmitted from the plurality of wireless terminals to the master station almost simultaneously.

In such a multipoint communication system,
Conventionally, frequency division multiplexing (FDM: Frequency)
This is realized by weak radio using y-Division Multiple) or specific low-power radio.

[0007]

In the above-described conventional multi-point communication system based on frequency division multiplexing, since each buyer (successful bidder) has a wireless terminal, the buyer is required to recognize the buyer. Several minutes of radio frequency are required.

In the above multi-point communication system, the master station receives information including the will to purchase in a short time (preferably within 1 to 3 seconds) at a radio frequency corresponding to the number of purchasers, and sends the information to a plurality of purchasers. , It must be determined whether or not a purchase intention has been presented, and a successful bid process must be performed.

[0009] Further, when a plurality of buyers have indicated their intention to purchase, it is necessary to narrow down to one successful bidder, so that round trip of information between the wireless terminal of the slave station and the master station is required. Occurs and takes a long time to process a successful bid.

[0010] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the master station may perform reception processing by dividing radio frequencies for the number of purchasers into several groups. For example, when a 50 MHz frequency band is divided into five groups, and a 10 MHz band is further subdivided into several channels (one channel is associated with one wireless terminal) within the group to set a radio frequency. There is. In this case, the master station has a radio for each group and performs parallel processing.

However, the master station receives information including the will to purchase for each group in a short time (preferably within 1 to 3 seconds) and scans all channels to narrow down to one successful bidder. Exploration).

Usually, scanning is performed by switching channels, but the frequency of a local oscillator provided on the receiver side of the master unit is set to PL.
It is common to use an L (phase lock loop) synthesizer to change the settings.

However, since this local oscillator is constituted by a PLL, it takes time until the frequency is stabilized (the time until the frequency is stabilized is called a lock time). For example,
Assuming that the PLL lock time is 50 ms per channel, it takes more than "50 (ms) x the number of channels" to scan all the channels in one group. Also, if the master station has a radio for each group, it is necessary to wait until scanning (exploration) of all groups is completed.

When a bid is started and a plurality of buyers indicate a purchase intention, or when there is no buyer, the bid price is raised or lowered, and a scan must be performed each time the successful bid process is performed again. It takes time to process a successful bid.

In the auction market, fairness is required for successful bid processing. In the above example, however, there is a time difference of 50 × n (ms) between the first channel and the n-th channel.
If the bidding button is pressed within 0 × n (ms), depending on the direction in which the frequency is scanned, the later pressed button may detect the purchase intention earlier and perform the bidding process.

Further, the successful bid process lacks fairness in a unitary process by a software program or hardware (for example, a process by a fixed procedure from the first channel to the n-th channel).

On the other hand, in order to solve these problems, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
There has been proposed a method of unifying the times of wireless terminals in a system using a "read spectrum" system and adding the time when a bid is indicated to transmission data. Among them, communication with high traffic in a short time is CSMA /
CA (Carrier Sense Multiple)
Access with Collision Av
(i.e., multiple access techniques).

However, in this method, a so-called wireless LAN (Local Area Network) transmission control method is applied to a bidding system, and a bidding transaction controller and a bidding party wireless terminal and a bidding participant wireless terminal are connected to each other. It is estimated that communication is performed using one type of spreading / despreading code. In this case, if the wireless transmission from the auctioneer wireless terminal and the auction participant wireless terminal to the auction transaction controller is congested within a predetermined time, a collision occurs on the wireless propagation path.

Originally, in the CSMA / CA system, even if this collision occurs, if the transmission is performed again after a random time by the CSMA / CA protocol and the transmission quality is maintained without interference from other radio equipment, communication can be performed. It is a method based on the premise.

When there is a collision in the wireless propagation path, the CSMA / CA protocol must be executed for each wireless device in order to obtain bid information and the like from the bidder wireless terminal and all the bidder wireless terminals. Therefore, it takes time to execute and communicate with the software program.

Further, in the technology described in the above publication, it is proposed to use a first-come-first-served determination function in order to realize fairness of auction. This transmits the time signal (time) from the timing means provided in the bidding transaction controller to the bidder's wireless terminal and all the bidder's wireless terminals, and the timing means provided in each wireless terminal. Are unified to this time signal. In addition, the unified time is sent to the bidding transaction controller at the time of bidding, and the time is compared in the bidding transaction controller to determine the first bidder.

However, the details of the bidding transaction controller and the timekeeping means provided in the wireless terminal are unknown, but in terms of unifying the time by the time signal (time), processing by a software program is performed. It is common to be done. Since the processing steps and the time by the software program are different in all the wireless terminals, even if the timekeeping means is unified by the time signal (time), a variation of about 10 ms to 1 second occurs between the wireless terminals. .

In the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-319800, an ID (identification information) is used to identify a buyer participating in a bid, and this ID is included in other data and sent to a communication partner. To identify buyers participating in multiple bids
D is used and is included in the information (data) sent from the bidder terminal or the bidder terminal to the bid transaction controller.

Although this method is effective for a system that transmits random information (data), it is effective for a system in which information within a certain period of time is congested, such as a bidding system. The transmission efficiency decreases due to the increase in the volume, and the processing time by the software program increases, which hinders communication with high traffic.

In the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-328290, a wireless terminal is provided with a timekeeping means, and when transmitting data, timekeeping information is included in other data and sent to the master station.
In order to identify a buyer wireless terminal, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-3
ID is used in the same manner as the technology described in JP 19800,
It is included in other data and sent to the communication partner. Even in this technology, if the information is congested within a certain period, the transmission efficiency is reduced and the processing time by the software program is increased.

Further, in order to realize fairness of the auction, the buyer's wireless terminal is provided with a timer for measuring the current time, and the time data output from the timer when a switch is pressed.
The transmission data is included in the transmission data and sent to the master station radio to enable the earliest communication in the successful communication and prevent the communication order from being reversed.

However, the clock section for clocking the present time of the buyer wireless terminal is a general-purpose IC (integrated circuit) having a clock function.
And a quartz oscillator. However, since there is no time control means from the master station wireless device, the accuracy of the clock section of the buyer wireless terminal becomes the accuracy of the entire system. Therefore, unless the crystal oscillator has a highly stable oscillation frequency accuracy, the current time of all the buyer wireless terminals varies. This variation depends on the oscillation frequency accuracy, temperature and aging, but it is estimated that the variation will be at least about 1 to 30 seconds, so that fairness cannot be maintained.

In the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-198539, the master station transmits a signal to start timing to the slave station (timer reset command), synchronously starts the timing means of the slave station, and participates in a bid. When the user pushes a push button provided in the slave station, the counting of the timer stops, and after the stop, the master station collects the measured time of the slave station.

The clock means is a general-purpose clock IC or a clock (“10
It is generally realized by a hardware counter that counts a 10 ″ repetition signal), a programmable counter built in a microcomputer, and a soft counter by a software program.

However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-259 described above.
Similarly to the technology described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 201, when the timekeeping means of all slave stations are controlled by a software program in accordance with a signal to start the timekeeping, the processing steps and time by the software program are different from each other. Even if they are unified, a variation of about 10 ms to 1 second occurs between slave stations.

When the push button provided in the slave station of the participant who wants to make a bid is depressed, the counting of the timer stops, and after the stop, the master station collects the measured time of the slave station. However, in this process, it is determined whether or not the push button is pressed, and the counting stop of the timing means when the button is pressed is processed by the software program, so that a time delay occurs between the two. In addition, since this time delay occurs in the timing means of all the slave stations, the measurement time varies throughout the slave stations.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-point communication system capable of solving the above problems and realizing a bidding method capable of maintaining fairness, and a bidding system using the same. is there.

[0033]

A multi-point communication system according to the present invention is a multi-point communication system for communicating between a master station and a plurality of slave stations, wherein each of the master station and the plurality of slave stations is provided. And a radio unit that performs information transmission from the plurality of slave stations to the master station by a spread spectrum method, and is provided in the master station and identifies each of the plurality of slave stations to each of the plurality of slave stations. Means for performing based on the spread code of the spread spectrum method allocated in advance, and a timing signal provided in each of the master station and the plurality of slave stations and including a repetition period of the spread code and the despread code of the spread spectrum method. N dividing means for dividing by N (N is an integer), a frame counting circuit provided in each of the master station and the plurality of slave stations and counting the output of the N dividing means;
A multi-frame counting circuit provided in each of the master station and the plurality of slave stations and triggered by counting up of the frame counting circuit; and a time axis provided in the master station and defining each of the plurality of slave stations. Means for transmitting a specific pattern to each of the plurality of slave stations, and the frame count circuit and the multi-frame count provided in each of the plurality of slave stations and responsive to reception of the specific pattern from the master station. Means for resetting each circuit.

A bidding system according to the present invention is a system for communicating between a master station and a plurality of slave stations, provided in each of said master station and said plurality of slave stations and from said plurality of slave stations to said master station. A radio unit that performs information transmission to the base station by a spread spectrum method, and based on a spread code of the spread spectrum method provided in the master station and identifying each of the plurality of slave stations to each of the plurality of slave stations in advance. Means to do,
N dividing means provided in each of the master station and the plurality of slave stations and dividing the timing signal composed of the repetition period of the spread code and the despread code of the spread spectrum method by N (N is an integer); A frame counting circuit provided in each of the station and the plurality of slave stations and counting the output of the N frequency dividing means; and a trigger provided in each of the master station and the plurality of slave stations and counting up by the frame counting circuit. A multi-frame counting circuit, a means provided in the master station, and means for transmitting a specific pattern for defining a time axis of each of the plurality of slave stations to each of the plurality of slave stations, and each of the plurality of slave stations Means for resetting each of the frame counting circuit and the multi-frame counting circuit in response to reception of the specific pattern from the master station. Each of the plurality of slave stations includes a bidding button switch for presenting a purchase intention, and a count value of the frame counting circuit and the multi-frame counting circuit triggered by on / off of the bidding button switch. Latch means for latching, information including the presentation of the purchase intention in response to the pressing of the bidding button switch, and the time at which the purchase intention latched by the latch means is presented, and an indication of intention to participate in a bid. Means for sending the indicated attendance information to the master station, wherein the master station comprises:
Means for performing the successful bid processing of the auction based on the information including the presentation of the purchase intention and the time from the plurality of slave stations and the attendant information, and participation of the auction from a plurality of buyers in the successful bid processing And means for narrowing down to one successful bidder when the purchase intention is presented.

That is, the multipoint communication system according to the present invention is particularly useful when communicating between one master station and a plurality of slave stations in a p-mp (point-to-multipoint) multipoint communication system. When information is sent from a plurality of slave stations to the master station within a certain period of time, communication between the master station and the slave stations is performed by a wireless unit based on the SS (Spread Spectrum) method (direct spreading method). This makes it possible to identify each of the plurality of slave stations using the SS-based spreading code assigned to each of the plurality of slave stations in advance.

The radio section includes a high-frequency transmitting and receiving circuit including an antenna, a phase modulation / demodulation circuit, a spectrum spreading circuit for performing spectrum spreading, a spectrum despreading circuit, and a repetition period of the spread code and the despread code. Divider circuit for dividing the timing signal consisting of N by N (N is an integer), a frame counting circuit for setting a mutual time between a plurality of slave stations, a multi-frame counting circuit, and a marker for determining a time reference. And a latch that captures the count value of the frame counting circuit and the count value of the multi-frame counting circuit each time the push button type bidding button is pressed (the push button type bidding button and the latch (Only provided in the transmitting section of the station's wireless terminal) and a processing section comprising a microprocessor for executing a bid. Therefore, by using the count values of the frame counting circuit and the multi-frame counting circuit as the time information of the multipoint communication system, it is possible to determine the order of arrival of information from each of the plurality of slave stations.

When communication is performed from the wireless terminals of a plurality of slave stations to the master station, the identification of the wireless terminals of the plurality of slave stations is performed by using a spreading code assigned to each wireless terminal in advance.
The time axis between the master station and the wireless terminals of a plurality of slave stations is adjusted by using a unique word (U) added to the baseband signal sent by the master station at the receiver of the slave wireless terminal.
W) The code is detected by a signal processing circuit, and the unique word (UW) detection signal is logically ANDed (or ORed) with the control output signal of the processing section comprising a microprocessor.
A multi-frame marker (MFR # 0) is set via a flip-flop circuit, and a timing signal consisting of a repetition period of a despreading code and a PN (Pseudo) provided in a transmission unit of a wireless terminal of a slave station are set. Noise pat
(tern) Synchronizing the repetition cycle timing of the code generation circuit and synchronizing the multi-frame counting circuit provided in the transmission unit with the output of the flip-flop circuit when generating a multi-frame marker via the flip-flop circuit. The time axis of the receiving unit and the transmitting unit of the wireless terminal of the station are aligned. Therefore, the frame counting circuit of each of the plurality of slave stations operates with a timing signal synchronized with the code cycle of the PN code generation circuit included in the despreading circuit, thereby causing variations in the absolute time axis alignment of each of the plurality of slave stations. This can be easily performed without causing any time lag.

When the purchase intention is presented by the wireless terminals of a plurality of slave stations, the count value of the frame counting circuit and the count value of the multi-frame counting circuit are calculated based on the time when the purchase intention was presented (the frame counting circuit and the multi-frame). The transmission unit of the wireless terminal of the slave station is provided with a push button type bidding button, and when the bidding button is pressed, the attendant presentation, the purchase intention presentation, and the time at which the purchase intention is presented are determined. The information including is transmitted to the master station.

On the other hand, the master station receives information including the presentation of the attendant, the presentation of the purchase intention, and the time at which the purchase intention was transmitted from the wireless terminal of the slave station. Is displayed, a successful bid process is performed.

In the master station, when an attendant presentation and a purchase intention are presented by a plurality of buyers in the successful bid process,
When narrowing down to one successful bidder, the narrowing logic shortens the processing time from when a plurality of bid buttons are pressed to when a successful bid process is performed.

The processing section of the master station has a reference table for recording the attendance presentation for the number of purchasers, the presentation of the purchase intention, and the time at which the purchase intention was presented in the narrowing-down logic. In the case where the purchase intention is referred to by a predetermined number (the number is generally 3 to 4) or more, the bid price is immediately increased or decreased based on the predetermined range of the bid price, and a new bid is made. Offer a price and continue the auction.

On the other hand, if the purchase intention is less than the predetermined number, the purchaser presents the purchase intention indicated by the purchaser and refers to the purchaser (successful bidder) who presented the earliest time. Perform a successful bid process to make a successful bid. However, if it is the same time, the auction price is immediately increased or decreased based on the pre-specified price range, a new auction price is presented, and the auction is continued.

The present invention includes the above-mentioned means and the narrowing-down logic, so that even if there are a plurality of successful bidders, the means and the time at which the purchase intention is presented until the successful bidder becomes one. , It is possible to promptly perform a fair bidding process.

Incidentally, the attendant presentation in the successful bid process of the master station refers to the reference table, and whether the buyer participates in the successful bid process (bid) or does not participate including interruption is determined by whether the attendant is presented or not. Confirming will. If there is no attendant presentation, subsequent processing is not performed, so that the processing time can be reduced.

The time at which the purchase intention is presented is indicated by the count values of the frame counting circuit and the multi-frame counting circuit. The time axis (reference) is determined. Moreover, since the time axis is realized by each means by hardware, there is no intervention by software programs.Therefore, except for the radio wave propagation delay, there is little time delay or variation in the entire system. -Units.

The frame counting circuit and the multi-frame counting circuit of the receiving unit of the slave station perform correlation between the spread spectrum code included in the SS wave transmitted by the transmitting unit of the master station and the spectrum despreading code of the receiving unit of the slave station. A timing signal having a timing at which a value (a specific pattern is detected from a PN code and a repetition period of the PN code is found to determine a time axis) is taken as a timing signal is divided by N by an N divider circuit (N is an integer). ), And counting is performed using a count trigger signal which is an output. Since the accuracy of the count trigger signal is in units of the chip rate of the spread code, the accuracy is high.

Further, the frame counting circuit and the multi-frame counting circuit of the transmission section of the slave station divide the repetition cycle timing of the PN code generation circuit included in the spread spectrum code generation circuit of the transmission section of the slave station by N (N is an integer). The N frequency dividing circuit performs frequency division, and counts with a count trigger signal output from the N frequency dividing circuit. If synchronization is performed at the timing when the correlation value is obtained in the receiving section of the slave station based on the repetition cycle timing of the PN code generation circuit, the time axis of the transmitting section of the slave station can be easily adjusted to the time axis of the master station. It becomes possible.

Further, in the receiving section of the wireless terminal of the slave station, a unique word (UW) code added to the baseband signal sent by the master station is detected by a signal processing circuit, and the unique word (UW) is detected. Logical product (or may be logical sum) of the detection signal and the control output signal of the processing unit consisting of the microprocessor
And a multi-frame marker (MFR # 0) through a flip-flop circuit. If the output of the flip-flop circuit is passed to a multi-frame counting circuit of a transmitting unit and synchronized, The multi-frame markers of the receiving unit and the transmitting unit are located at the same position (time axis). This makes it possible to easily adjust the time axes of the transmission unit of the master station and the transmission units of the plurality of slave stations via the reception units of the slave stations.

As described above, the process of identifying the wireless terminal possessed by each buyer is simplified, and the processing time for performing a successful bid process from when a plurality of purchase intentions are presented to when one buyer is narrowed down is reduced. By making it possible and providing a means for making a purchaser (successful bidder) who first shows his / her intention to purchase a bid price presented, a bid system capable of maintaining so-called fairness is realized.

[0050]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a transmission unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a transmitting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a processing unit (CPU:
A central processing unit) 11, a phase modulation circuit 12, a spread spectrum circuit 16, a wireless transmission unit 20, a frame counting circuit 21, a multi-frame counting circuit 22, and a flip-flop (hereinafter referred to as F / F) 23. And the latch 24
A bidding button switch 25, a logical product circuit 26,
An antenna 27 is provided.

The phase modulation circuit 12 includes a signal processing circuit 13 and
A carrier generation circuit 14 and a multiplication circuit 15 are provided, and a spread spectrum circuit 16 is provided with a spread code generation circuit 17, an N frequency dividing circuit 18, and a multiplication circuit 19.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a receiving unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a receiving unit according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a processing unit (CPU) 31, a phase demodulation circuit 32, a spectrum despreading circuit 36, a radio receiving unit 40, a frame counting circuit 41, a multi-frame counting circuit, It comprises a circuit 42, an F / F 43, an AND circuit 44, and an antenna 45.

The phase modulation circuit 32 includes a signal processing circuit 33,
A carrier generation circuit 34 and a multiplication circuit 35 are provided, and a spectrum despreading circuit 36 includes a despreading code generation circuit 37 and N
A frequency dividing circuit 38 and a multiplying circuit 39 are provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a multipoint communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, a multipoint communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes slave stations (wireless terminals) 50-1 to 50-n and a master station 60.
, A central processing unit 70 and a display device 80.

The slave stations 50-1 to 50-n and the master station 60 include processing units (CPUs) 52-1 to 52-n and 61,
3-1 to 53-n, 62 and receiving units 54-1 to 54-
n, 63 and diplexers 55-1 to 55-n, 64
And antennas 56-1 to 56-n and 65. The slave stations 50-1 to 50-n are provided with bidding buttons 51-1 to 51-n, respectively.

Note that the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n and the master station 60
Transmitting units 53-1 to 53-n and 62 and receiving unit 54-1
54-n and 63 have the same structure as the transmitting unit shown in FIG. 1 and the receiving unit shown in FIG. However, the transmission section of the master station 60 is not provided with the latch 24 and the bidding button switch 25.

In the multipoint communication system according to the present embodiment, one master station 60 and slave stations 50-1 to 50-n, which are wireless terminals, have a 1: N ratio by a spread spectrum (SS) scheme (direct spreading scheme). (N is an integer of 2 or more) to constitute a multipoint wireless communication system.

The communication form is broadcast or one-to-one from one master station 60 to slave stations 50-1 to 50-n, while random communication is performed from slave stations 50-1 to 50-n to master station 60. , Communication can be performed in a time-division manner.

As for the radio frequency, each purchaser (applicant for a successful bid) individually has a radio terminal, but the communication path from the master station 60 to the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n and the slave station 50-n. 1 to
A communication path from 50-n to the master station 60 (slave stations 50-1 to 50)
-N all wireless terminals communicate using the same radio frequency). In addition, when the number of wireless terminals of the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n is large and one group is used, one wireless frequency is allocated to each group, and the master station 60 and the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n are allocated.
In some cases, the system may be constituted by a system with a plurality of groups of −n.

Each of the wireless terminals of the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n has a channel [frequency division multiplexing (FD)
M: Frequency Division Multi
iplex), a radio frequency is assigned to each wireless terminal.] This channel is associated with the code pattern of the spread spectrum code of the spread code generation circuit 17, and is previously assigned to the master station 60 and the slave stations 50-1 to 50-50. -N processing units (CPUs) 52-1 to 52-n, 6 of wireless terminals
1 is stored.

That is, in the frequency division multiplexing method, the number of radio frequencies required is equal to the number of radio terminals, but in the SS method, one radio frequency is required.
Even at one radio frequency, a spread spectrum code different for each wireless terminal only needs to have a code between the master station 60 and the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n, and the master station 60 is allocated to each wireless terminal. By sequentially changing the spectrum despreading code, a wireless terminal can be identified, and each communication path can be secured.

Therefore, in this embodiment, since the transmitting section 62 of the master station 60 is a communication system of 1 to N, only one type of spreading code is required. On the other hand, the receiving section 63 is a communication system of N to 1, so that the attendant, In order to receive the information of the purchase intention and the time when the purchase intention was presented in a short time (preferably within 1 to 3 seconds), it is necessary to sequentially change the spectrum despreading codes corresponding to all wireless terminals. good.

Normally, after changing the spectrum despreading code in the receiving system, the correlation value [PN (Pseudo Noise)
pattern), a specific pattern is detected from the code, the repetition period of the PN code is found, and the time axis is determined.]
It takes a long time to remove the signal, but this time depends on the number of chips of the spreading code, chip rate, and communication distance (propagation delay). Shorter. In recent years, some commercially available synthesizer ICs have a frequency that stabilizes in a short time, but control for changing the frequency generally takes a long time.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a frame structure of a frame and a multi-frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the multipoint communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention. These FIGS. 1 to 5
The processing operation of the multipoint communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. First, means for performing a fair winning process will be described.

In the above multipoint communication system,
When communication is performed between one master station 60 and a plurality of slave stations 50-1 to 50-n, the plurality of slave stations 50- 50
When information is transmitted from 1 to 50-n to the master station 60,
In the master station 60, information from the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n is congested.

If no measures are taken, the parent station 60
Depending on the information processing timing, processing logic, or procedure, there is a possibility that a buyer (successful bidder) who has shown his / her purchase intention will be awarded later, resulting in unfairness. As a countermeasure, in this embodiment, the above-described JP-A-9-259201, JP-A-11-328290, and JP-A-9-19
8539 has time information, time measuring means and means different from time setting means using a timer.

In this embodiment, the master station 60 and the plurality of slave stations 50-
The communication between 1 to 50-n is performed by a radio unit (transmitting unit and receiving unit excluding the processing units (CPUs) 11 and 31) by the SS system (direct spreading) and a microprocessor for executing a bid. Unit (CPU) 11, 31, 52-1 to 5
2-n, 61.

In particular, the transmitting section shown in FIG. 1 includes a high-frequency radio transmitting section 20 including an antenna 27, a phase modulation circuit 12 for performing primary modulation, a spread spectrum circuit 16 for performing secondary modulation (spread spectrum), and A frame counting circuit 21 for generating time information used for adjusting the time between a plurality of slave stations, and a multi-frame counting circuit 22 (frame count value) triggered by a count-up (carry over) of the frame counting circuit 21 Integer multiples of
And an F / F 23 for generating a multi-frame marker.

The receiving section shown in FIG. 2 includes a radio receiving section 40 including an antenna 45, a phase demodulating circuit 32 for performing primary demodulation,
A spectrum despreading circuit 36 for performing secondary demodulation (spectrum despreading), a frame counting circuit 41 for adjusting the time axes of a plurality of slave stations similarly to the transmitting section, and a count-up (carryov) of the frame counting circuit 41
er) as a trigger, a multi-frame counting circuit 42 (an integral multiple of the frame count value) and an F / F 43 for generating a multi-frame marker.

As shown in FIG. 1, only the transmitting units 53-1 to 53-n of the wireless terminals of the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n have the bidding button switch 25 (see FIG. 3). Buttons 51-1 to 51-n) and a latch 24 for capturing the count value of the frame counting circuit 21 and the count value of the multi-frame counting circuit 22 at the timing when the bidding button switch 25 is pressed are included. The bidding button switch 25
The circuits and means except the latch and the latch 24 are common to the master station 60 and the wireless terminals of the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n. Although the processing unit (CPU) 11 shown in FIG. 1 and the processing unit (CPU) 31 shown in FIG. 2 are separately described, one processing unit (CPU) is used as a transmission unit and a reception unit. Is also good.

Next, the frame counting circuits 21 and 41 and the multi-frame counting circuits 22 and 42 will be described. The configurations of the frame counting circuits 21 and 41 and the multi-frame counting circuits 22 and 42 are the same as those of the transmitting unit shown in FIG. 1 and the receiving unit shown in FIG.
1 to 50-n.

First, the functions of the frame counting circuit 21 and the multi-frame counting circuit 22 of the master station 60 will be described with reference to the transmitting section shown in FIG. The spread code generation circuit 17 of the transmission unit includes a PN code generation circuit (not shown) having a certain periodicity and a storage circuit (not shown) for associating a spread code pair code selection signal, and this PN code is used as a spread code. I have.

The PN code is an M-sequence having an autocorrelation function or G
It is generated by the code sequence of the old sequence, and is generated with a certain repetition period according to the number of chips or the number of spreads. In this embodiment, the period of the PN code is assigned to one symbol of the phase modulation circuit 12 that performs the primary modulation in the same manner as the number of chips. The spreading code is transmitted from the master station 60 to the slave station 50.
Receivers 54-1 to 54- of -1 to 50-n wireless terminals
Since the broadcast or the one-to-one communication is performed with respect to n, one type is allocated.

On the other hand, the frame counting circuit 21 divides a timing signal generated by the PN code generation circuit of the spread code generation circuit 17 with a certain repetition period by N by the N frequency division circuit 18 (N is an arbitrary value of integers 1 to 16). This is a counting circuit that counts f (f is 256) with the count trigger signal that is the output.

The N frequency dividing circuit 18 has a short repetition period of the PN code generating circuit, and cannot count a software counter by a software program via an interrupt process by the processing unit (CPU) 11 or a programmable counter provided in the microprocessor. In some cases, provision is made to extend the cycle until processing can be performed.

The value of the frequency division number N is determined based on a balance between the symbol rate of the phase modulation circuit 12 for performing primary modulation, the chip rate of the spreading code generation circuit 17 and the processing capability of the processing section (CPU) 11. Value. However, as the frequency division value increases, the information resolution at the time when the purchase intention is presented decreases, so it is desirable to set the value as small as possible. When the intervention by the processing unit (CPU) 11 is not required, the operation can be performed with the frequency division value set to 1.

The multi-frame counting circuit 22 counts up (carry over) of the frame counting circuit 21.
, Which is an integer multiple of the frame count value m (m
Counts 32). This multi-frame counting circuit 22
Is a mark indicating the periodicity in units of an integer multiple f of the frame count value, and at an arbitrary position under the control of the processing unit (CPU) 11 comprising a microprocessor. 0th multi-frame: MFR # 0) can be set.

At the same time as the setting of the multi-frame marker, a unique word (UW) code shorter than one frame length is added to the baseband signal by the processing unit (CPU) 11, and as a part of the transmission data, the master station. 60 to slave station 50-1
５０50-n. Here, the unique word is used for defining the time axis of the plurality of slave stations 50-1 to 50-n by hardware.

The processing section (CPU) 61 of the master station 60 adds a unique word (UW) code to the baseband signal, and transmits all the slave stations 50-1 from the master station 60 as a part of the transmission data.
To 50-n. On the other hand, slave stations 50-1 to 50-n
In the signal processing circuit 33, the unique word (UW)
The code is detected and used as a marker. This unique word (U
W) Since the code is broadcast from the master station 60 to the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n, they are detected at substantially the same time, although there is a time difference in propagation delay.

Although the detailed configuration of the signal processing circuit 33 of the receiving section shown in FIG. 2 is not shown, it comprises a primary demodulation circuit and a unique word (UW) code detection circuit, and in particular, a unique word (UW). The code detection circuit is a circuit that detects a specific pattern composed of a plurality of bits.

As shown in FIG. 4, the multi-frame marker is generated by counting up (ca) of the frame counting circuit 21.
(rover over) is used as the clock of the F / F 23, and at the same time when the unique word (UW) code is transmitted to the baseband, the marker output from the AND circuit 26 under the control of the processing unit (CPU) 11 is F / F. F / F2 as F23 data
With the output of 3, the count value of the multi-frame counting circuit 22 is set to 0.
Set to the (0th) multi-frame marker. At the same time, the count value of the frame counting circuit 21 is set to zero.

Thereafter, the multi-frame counting circuit 22 counts up (carry ov) of the frame counting circuit 21.
er) as a trigger, counting is continued until counting up, and after returning to 0, it returns to zero. Thereafter, the multi-frame counting circuit 22 repeats this operation.

The frame counting circuit 21 and the multi-frame counting circuit 22 are loaded into the processing section (CPU) 11, and
It may be realized by a software counter operated by a software program using a count trigger signal output from the N frequency dividing circuit 18 as an interrupt (trigger) or a programmable counter built in the processing unit (CPU) 11. The selection between the two is determined by the processing speed and amount (load) of the software program in the processing unit (CPU) 11. However, when it is desired to reduce the load of the software program processing on the processing unit (CPU) 11, it is better to provide the processing unit (CPU) 11 outside the processing unit (CPU) 11 as in the present embodiment.

Next, the functions of the spectrum despreading circuit 36, the frame counting circuit 41 and the multi-frame counting circuit 42 of the receiving section 63 in the master station 60 will be described with reference to the receiving section shown in FIG.

The despreading code generating circuit 37, like the spreading code generating circuit 17 of the transmitting section, stores a PN code generating circuit (not shown) having a certain periodicity and a storage circuit (FIG. This PN code is a despread code. This despreading code is transmitted to the slave station 50-
1 to 50-n transmitting units 53-1 to 53-n to the master station 60
In order to set a communication path to the receiving unit 63, the slave stations 50-1 to 50-1
Different types of codes are provided for 50-n wireless terminals. The despread code is stored in advance in the processing unit (CPU) 61 of the master station 60, and the slave stations 50-1 to 50-1.
It is also allocated to 50-n wireless terminals.

On the other hand, the frame counting circuit 41 divides the timing signal generated at a certain repetition period by the N frequency dividing circuit 38 into N (where N is an integer) Then, f (f is 256) is counted by the output of the count trigger signal. Also,
This frame counting circuit 41 counts up (carr
yover) is triggered by the multi-frame counting circuit 42 (m integer times the frame count value).

The multi-frame counting circuit 42 has a multi-frame marker (an integral multiple of the frame count value f unit) at an arbitrary position under the control of a processing unit (CPU) 31 composed of a microprocessor. (The 0th multi-frame) can be set. That is, the marker output from the AND circuit 44 under the control of the processing unit (CPU) 31 is used as the data of the F / F 43, and the count value of the multi-frame counting circuit 42 is set to 0 (the (0th) multi-frame marker. At the same time, the count value of the frame counting circuit 41 is set to zero.

The frame counting circuit 41 and the multi-frame marker receive information including the purchase intention and the time at which the purchase intention is sent from the wireless terminals of the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n to the master station 60. When it is necessary to wait for a certain period of time, it can be used as a trigger for this waiting timer, or the wireless terminals of the child stations 50-1 to 50-n can be
This is used when it is necessary to check with the processing unit (CPU) 31 whether or not the time axis is aligned.

The receiving section 63 of the master station 60 is connected to the slave station 50-1.
Since the despreading code is frequently changed in order to set up a communication path with the transmission units 53-1 to 53-n of the sub-stations 50-1 to 50-n. The autocorrelation between the spreading code of n and the despreading code of the master station 60 is obtained, but discontinuity may occur in the timing signal generated by the PN code generation circuit until the autocorrelation is obtained.

However, once the autocorrelation is obtained,
Unless the despreading code is changed, the slave stations 50-1 to 50-
If n is transmitting, this timing signal is stable.
In addition, the function hindered by the discontinuity of the timing signal is such that the frame counting circuit 41 and the multi-frame counting circuit 42 can be used by using a timing signal or a multi-frame marker generated at a certain repetition period in the PN code generation circuit of the transmission unit. And F / F43 are not used.

Next, the functions of the frame counting circuit 21 and the multi-frame counting circuit 22 in the wireless terminals of the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n will be described with reference to the transmitting section shown in FIG.

The spread code generation circuit 17 of the transmission section comprises a PN code generation circuit (not shown) having a certain periodicity and a storage circuit (not shown) for associating a spread code pair code selection signal. Is a spreading code. This spreading code is transmitted to the transmitting units 53-1 to 53- of the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n.
n to set a communication path from the n to the receiving unit 63 of the master station 60,
There are different types of codes for the number of wireless terminals of the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n.
Codes 1 to 50-n dedicated to wireless terminals are assigned.

On the other hand, the frame counting circuit 21 divides the timing signal generated by the PN code generation circuit with a certain repetition period by N (N is an integer) by the N frequency dividing circuit 18, and outputs f ( f is a counting circuit for counting 256). The multi-frame counting circuit 22 (m integer times the frame counting value) triggers the count-up (carry over) of the frame counting circuit 21 as a trigger. The multi-frame counting circuit 22 counts m (m is 32) in units of f integer times the frame count value.

Also, the output of the F / F 43 of the receiving unit shown in FIG. 2 of each of the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n is taken into the multi-frame counting circuit 22, and the multi-frame marker (frame count value) of the transmitting unit shown in FIG. Periodic landmarks in integral multiples of
By setting the second multi-frame: MFR # 0), these receiving units and transmitting units can be synchronized. The time axis alignment in the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n is based on the 0th frame (FR0) of the 0th frame included in the multiframe with the multiframe marker.

Next, when transmitting information including the purchase intention and the time at which the purchase intention is sent from the wireless terminals of the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n to the master station 60, the processing unit (CPU) 11 It is recognized that the bidding button 25 has been pressed as an interrupt, and the frame counting circuit 2
1 and the count value m of the multi-frame counting circuit 22
Are captured by the latch 24, their values are read, and the values are used as the time when the purchase intention is presented.

In this embodiment, the count value f of the frame counting circuit 21 is 0-255, and the count value m of the multi-frame counting circuit 22 is 0-31. It may be determined according to the relationship between the chip rate and the processing speed. In particular, the count value 0 of the multi-frame is used as the multi-frame marker. The function of the multi-frame and the multi-frame marker is used to adjust the time axis between the master station 60 and the wireless terminals of the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n. Used and the buyer presses the bidding button 25 with a slight time lag, 1
The previous frame count (0-255), the current frame count (0-255), and the subsequent frame count (0-255)
255), the same frame count value f may appear in the three cycles.

The frame count value f and the multi-frame count value m are used to distinguish between them. When the bidding button 25 is pressed with a time difference equal to or longer than the count value of the multi-frame counting circuit 22, Can be ignored, and when it is desired to increase the time difference, the count value m of the multiframe may be increased.

Note that the frame counting circuit 21 and the multi-frame counting circuit 22 are fetched into the processing section (CPU) 11 and a software program which uses the count trigger signal output from the N frequency dividing circuit 18 as an interrupt (trigger). And a programmable counter built in the processing unit (CPU) 11. The selection between the two is determined by the processing speed and the amount (load) of the software program in the processing unit (CPU) 11.

Next, the functions of the frame counting circuit 41 and the multi-frame counting circuit 42 in the wireless terminals of the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n will be described with reference to the receiving section shown in FIG.

The despreading code generating circuit 3 of the receiving section shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 7 denotes a PN code generation circuit (not shown) having a certain periodicity and a storage circuit (not shown) for associating a despread code pair code selection signal, and this PN code is used as a despread code. The despreading code is transmitted from the master station 60 to the slave stations 50-1 to 50-5.
Since broadcast or one-to-one communication paths are provided to the receiving units 54-1 to 54-n of the wireless terminals 0 to n, one type is assigned.

The frame counting circuit 41 and the multi-frame counting circuit 42 of the receiving unit shown in FIG.
Spread spectrum code included in S wave and slave stations 50-1 to 50-1
The N-divider circuit 38 divides a timing signal having a correlation value with the spectrum despread codes of the 50-n receivers 54-1 to 54-n by N (N is an integer) and outputs this signal. A counting circuit that counts f (f is 256) with a count trigger signal.

The count trigger timing is the same in the receiving units 54-1 to 54-n of all the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n except for the radio wave propagation delay. Further, the multi-frame counting circuit 42 counts using the count-up (carry over) of the frame counting circuit 41 as a trigger.

This multi-frame counting circuit 42
A unique word (UW) code added to the baseband signal sent by the "0" is detected by a signal processing circuit 33, and this unique word (UW) detection signal and a control output signal of a processing unit (CPU) 31 comprising a microprocessor are detected. Are ANDed (or may be ORed) by the AND circuit 44 to be a marker, and F /
A multi-frame marker (MFR # 0) is set via F43.

The output of the F / F 43 is output to slave stations 50-1 to 50-5.
0-n multi-frame counting circuit 2 of the transmission unit shown in FIG.
2, and sets a multi-frame marker (a periodic mark of an integral multiple of the frame count value, the 0th multi-frame: MFR # 0) of the transmission unit, and sets the reception unit and the transmission unit together. Can be synchronized. In addition, the multi-frame marker is used to confirm the time axis with the master station 60, and as shown in FIG. 5, information on the purchase intention and the time at which the purchase intention was presented is transmitted from the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n. It is sent continuously to the master station 60, but is also used at the timing of stopping the transmission.

Note that the frame counting circuit 41 and the multi-frame counting circuit 42 are fetched into the processing section (CPU) 31 and operated by a software program in which a count trigger signal output from the N frequency dividing circuit 38 is interrupted. A soft counter or a programmable counter built in the processing unit (CPU) 31 may be used. The selection between the two may be determined based on the processing speed and amount (load) of the software program in the processing unit (CPU) 31 and the ease of the system configuration.

Further, the functions of the frame counting circuit 41 and the multi-frame counting circuit 42 are not required when the functions are also used as the frame counting circuit 21 and the multi-frame counting circuit 22 of the transmission section shown in FIG.

Further, the timing signal generated from the PN code generating circuit of the despreading code generating circuit 37 is taken into the PN code generating circuit of the spreading code generating circuit 16 of the transmitting section shown in FIG. The time axis of the receiving unit and that of the transmitting unit can be matched, and the master station 60
Can be adjusted to the time axis of the transmitting unit 62.

A bidding system using the multipoint communication system according to the present embodiment will be described below. This bidding system is based on the above-mentioned master station 60 and slave stations 50-1 to 50-.
A bid method that can maintain fairness can be realized by using the identification of n and the time axis alignment between the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n. Further, by using the narrowing down logic described later, when a plurality of buyers indicate a purchase intention in the process of the successful bid process in the auction, the process is narrowed down to one successful bidder and the processing time of the successful bid process (successful bid) Can be shortened. Hereinafter, the successful bid process will be described.

The auction is started, and the child stations 50-1 to 50-n
Bidding buttons 51-1 to 51 provided on the wireless terminal
When −n is pressed, the count value f of the frame counting circuit 21 is
The count value m of the multi-frame counting circuit 22 is information on the time when the purchase intention is presented, and is sent to the master station 60 together with the information on the purchase intention.

On the other hand, in the master station 60, the slave stations 50-1 to 50-
n to the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n that have presented the attendant, based on the attendant presentation indicating that they want to participate in the auction sent from the wireless terminal of n. In other words, the information is received regardless of whether there is information including the purchase intention and the time at which the purchase intention was presented, and the information is stored in a reference table in a storage circuit of the processing unit (CPU) 31.

As shown in the processing flow shown in FIG. 5, the attendance confirmation is performed based on the information of the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n which cannot participate in the auction specified by the central processing unit 70 in advance. Despread codes are changed only for the child stations 50-1 to 50-n that can be received. Also, after the auction start notification, only the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n for which the attendant has been presented are received by changing the despreading code.

[0112] All slave stations 50-
After acquiring the information from 1 to 50-n, the processing unit (CPU) 61 of the master station 60 records a reference table (not shown) that records the purchase intention for the number of purchasers and the time at which the purchase intention was presented. ), But the slave station 50-1 where the attendant was presented.
If more than a predetermined number (approximately 3 to 4) of willingness to purchase is presented for ~ 50-n,
Raise or lower the bid price, offer a new bid price, and continue the bid.

The amount of increase or decrease in the auction price is determined by the processing unit (CPU) 61 based on a value previously instructed by the central processing unit 70 to the processing unit (CPU) 61, and the new auction price is determined. ) Is continued, and the new price is transmitted to the central processing unit 70 and the display device 80. In this way, the processing unit (CPU) 61 can also raise or lower the auction price, so that the processing time for a successful bid can be reduced.

On the other hand, if the purchase intention is less than the number designated in advance, the attendant presents from the purchaser,
By referring to the presentation of the purchase intention and the time at which the purchase intention was presented, the earliest time (the count value f of the frame counting circuit 21)
And a count value m of the multi-frame counting circuit 22). However, if it is the same time, the auction price is immediately raised or lowered, a new auction price is presented, and the auction (narrowing down) is continued until a successful bidder can be identified as one.

When the successful bidder can be specified to one person, the successful bid price and the successful bidder (the wireless terminal number of the slave station) are transmitted to the central processing unit 70, and the termination is notified to the slave stations 50-1 to 50-5.
0-n and the central processing unit 70.
The transmission of 50-n is stopped and the auction is ended.

Further, if there is no intention to purchase even after a certain period of time has passed since the notification of the auction start, the central processing unit 70 is informed that there is no purchase applicant, and the bid price is increased or decreased. Set a new price and continue the auction. When the state without the purchase applicant continues, the central processing unit 70 transmits the information on the start of a new auction, the number of purchase intentions, the auction price, the auction price range, and the child stations 50-1 to 50-n that cannot participate in the auction to the parent. The information is sent to the processing unit (CPU) 61 of the station 60, and the auction is performed again.

In the processing flow shown in FIG.
0 and the display device 80, the radio section and the processing section (CPU) 61 of the master station 60, and the radio terminals of the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n. Is shown.

Prior to the start of the auction, the central processing unit 70 transmits the information on the start of the auction, the number of purchase intentions, the auction price, the auction price range, and the slave stations that cannot participate in the auction to the processing section (CP
U) 61 (step S1 in FIG. 5). The processing unit (CPU) 61 of the master station 60 adds a unique word (UW) code to the baseband signal, and as a part of the transmission data, the master station 6.
0 to all the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n to instruct to establish multi-frame synchronization, and to request the master station 60 to send an attendant presentation indicating an intention to participate in a bid (FIG. 5). Steps S2, S31, S41).

The master station 60 is a slave station 50-1 that can participate in a bid.
The attendant presentation information is obtained while changing the despreading code of the despreading code generation circuit 37 for .about.50-n (steps S3, S32, S42 in FIG. 5). It is determined whether or not the attendant presentation information has been sent from all of the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n that can participate in the auction (step S4 in FIG. 5). Determines that there is no intention to participate in the auction, and notifies the start of the auction (steps S3 to S8, S33, and S43 in FIG. 5). The information required for the auction, such as the auction price, quantity, and product name, is displayed on the display device 80 under the control of the central processing unit 70 in advance.

When the buyer (successful bidder) wishes to make a bid under the conditions displayed on the display device 80, the slave station 50-1
It is sufficient to press the push button type bid buttons 51-1 to 51-n attached to the .about.50-n wireless terminals (steps S34 to S37, S44 to S47 in FIG. 5).

After notifying the start of the auction (step S8 in FIG. 5), the master station 60 notifies the slave stations 50-1 to 50-5 with the attendance presentation.
While the despreading code is changed for 0-n, the information is received regardless of the presence or absence of the time information of the presentation of the purchase intention and the purchase intention, and is stored in the lookup table in the storage circuit of the processing unit (CPU) 61. save. Further, the process of receiving information while changing the despreading code for the slave station with the attendant presentation and storing it in the lookup table in the storage circuit of the processing unit (CPU) 61 may be performed once or twice as necessary. It may be performed once or three times. In this embodiment, it is shown that the process is performed in one process (step S10 in FIG. 5).

Next, the processing unit (CPU) 61 executes the narrowing-down logic, and continues the auction (narrowing down) until the successful bidder can be specified as one (steps S9 to S9 in FIG. 5).
S19). Further, when the bid price is changed in the process of executing the narrowing down logic and the bid is executed again, the processing unit (CP
U) 61 again reflects the intention of the buyer (successful bidder) who wants to participate in the auction again, and
In some cases, the attendant presentation of n is confirmed (see case 2 in FIG. 5).

On the other hand, the processing units (CPUs) 52-1 to 52-n of the wireless terminals of the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n provide information including attendance presentation, purchase intention presentation, and time at which the purchase intention was presented. Is a single packet, and this packet is repeatedly transmitted from the request for the multiframe synchronization / attend presentation until the end notification is issued (steps S31 to S38, S41 to S48 in FIG. 5). Also, in the process of executing the narrowing down logic, when the bid price is changed and the bid is executed again, even if the bid start notification is sent, if there is an intention to participate in the bid, the attendant presentation is set to the presentation state. The purchase intention and the time information at which the purchase intention is presented have been reset (steps S33 and S43 in FIG. 5).

Prior to the start of the auction, the central processing unit 70 starts the bidding, the number of purchase intentions, the bidding price, the bidding price, between the central processing unit 70 and the display unit 80 and the processing unit (CPU) 61 of the master station 60. Price range, child station 5 that cannot participate in auction
The information of 0-1 to 50-n is the processing unit (CPU) of the master station 60.
61, but other information such as a new bid price, a successful bid price and a successful bidder (slave stations 50-1 to 50-
n of the wireless terminal number), and information of the end is sent from the processing unit (CPU) 61 of the master station 60 to the central processing unit 70 and the display device 80.
Sent to

Although not specified in the present embodiment, during the execution of the auction, as an observation process from the central processing unit 70 to the processing unit (CPU) 61 of the master station 60, the execution of the auction is suspended, stopped, and stopped. It also has a restart function.

In this embodiment, the master station 60 and the plurality of slave stations 50-
Although an example is shown in which the communication between 1 to 50-n is performed by a radio unit using the SS method (direct spreading), in addition to the SS method, TD
MA (Time Division Multiple)
Access) and TDM based on TDMA
A-TDD (TDMA-Time Division D
(plex) system and an SS system (frequency hopping).

In the TDMA system, the transmitting section shown in FIG.
The configuration is such that the phase modulation circuit 12, which is the secondary modulation unit, is left, and the spread spectrum circuit 16 of the secondary modulation unit is deleted. On the other hand, the receiving unit shown in FIG. 2 has a configuration in which the phase demodulation circuit 32 is left as the primary demodulation unit and the spectrum despreading circuit 36 of the secondary demodulation unit is deleted.

In particular, a plurality of slave stations 50-1 to 50-1 to
For T-50-n, a TDM communication form by broadcasting is used, and one radio frequency is required. In addition, a plurality of slave stations 50-1
TD by time division multiple access from ５０50-n to master station 60
It takes the form of MA communication and still requires one radio frequency.

A plurality of slave stations 50-1 to 50-n to a master station 6
To 0, a burst-like section is assigned to one slave station every certain time, and information is inserted into the section to which each of the plurality of slave stations 50-1 to 50-n is assigned, and sent to the master station 60. The burst-shaped sections are prepared for a plurality of slave stations 50-1 to 50-n, and are sequentially arranged in a certain repetition period (called a frame). In the TDMA system, slave stations 50-1 to 50-5
The identification of 0-n can be easily determined from the positional relationship by associating the burst-like sections sequentially arranged in a certain repetition period with the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n.

Further, the frame counting circuits 21 and 41 and the multi-frame counting circuits 22 and 42 correspond to TDM or TDMA.
Because of the communication form described above, the definition of the time axis and a certain repetition period must be generated, so the circuit is always provided. If the count values of these circuits are used as time information, it is not necessary to provide a new circuit. Furthermore, it can also be constituted by a simple circuit added to the processing units (CPU) 11, 31 by a microprocessor or the processing units (CPU) 11, 31 by a microprocessor as in the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the structure of a frame according to the TDMA-TDD system. Referring to FIG. 6, TDMA-T
The DD method will be described. In the TDMA-TDD system, while the TDMA system uses two radio frequencies, FIG.
, One radio frequency is transmitted from the master station 60 to the plurality of slave stations 50-1 to 50-n, and the plurality of slave stations 50-1 to 50-n.
This is a communication mode that is shared in a time-sharing manner from 0-n to the master station 60. From the master station 60 to a plurality of slave stations 50-1 to 50-
n, the first half section of a certain repetition period (called a frame) is transmitted from the plurality of slave stations 50-1 to 50-n to the master station 60 by T.
As in the DMA method, a burst-shaped section is prepared for the plurality of slave stations 50-1 to 50-n in the latter half section and sequentially arranged, and the plurality of slave stations 50-1 to 50-n can be easily determined from this arrangement order. Can be identified.

Further, since the frame counting circuit and the multi-frame counting circuit take a TDM or TDMA communication mode, it is necessary to define a time axis and to generate a certain repetition period as in the TDMA system. Circuit. If the count values of these circuits are used as time information, it is not necessary to provide a new circuit. Further, it may be configured by a simple circuit added to a processing unit (CPU) using a microprocessor or a processing unit (CPU) using a microprocessor as in this embodiment.

As described above, the plurality of slave stations 50-1 to 50-
By setting different spreading codes in advance for each of n, each of the plurality of slave stations 50-1 to 50-n can be identified. The count values of the frame counting circuits 21 and 41 and the multi-frame counting circuits 22 and 42 are used as time information, and the minimum value of the time information is determined to be the earliest. It is possible to easily determine the information first-come-first-served order from each of the n without any variation.

The frame counting circuit 41 of each of the plurality of slave stations 50-1 to 50-n operates with a timing signal synchronized with the code cycle of the PN code generation circuit included in the despreading code generation circuit 37. This timing signal indicates that the correlation between the modulated wave spread by the master station 60 and the despreading code generated by the spectrum despreading circuits 36 of the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n (coincidence of both codes) is obtained. Therefore, in the spectrum despreading circuits 36 of all the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n,
The positions where the correlation can be obtained are almost the same, although there is a difference due to the propagation delay.

On the other hand, the multiframe counting circuit 42 detects the unique word (UW) sent from the master station 60 by the signal processing circuit 33, and sets the count value of the multiframe counting circuit 42 to 0 at the detected position (time axis). , The time axes of each of the plurality of slave stations 50-1 to 50-n are processed by hardware without being processed by a software program through the intervention of a CPU. .

In the bidding system using the multipoint communication system according to the present embodiment, the processing unit (C
Prior to the start of the auction, the PU 61 receives information from the central processing unit 70 on the start of the auction, the number of purchase intentions, the auction price, the auction price range, and the slave stations that cannot participate in the auction. Then, independently of the communication with the central processing unit 70, the inquiry or the instruction, the processing is independently performed, the slave station presenting the attendant is determined, and the time information of the slave station intending to bid (the frame counting circuit 21, 41 and the multi-frame counting circuits 22 and 42) are determined to be the earliest, so that the successful bid processing time can be shortened.

In the multipoint communication system according to this embodiment, one master station 60 and a plurality of slave stations 50-1 to 50- are used.
n, when information is transmitted from the plurality of slave stations 50-1 to 50-n to the master station 60 within a certain period of time, the master station 60 uses the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n. The information from n is congested.

Conventionally, in order to identify a slave station even in a congested situation, a frequency division multiplexing method (FDM: Frequency
In a system based on (y Division Multiple), identification can be performed using a radio frequency designated for each radio terminal of a slave station. In the digital transmission system, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-319800, an ID is used to identify a buyer who participates in a bid, and is transmitted to a communication partner while being included in other data. Is analyzed and identified.

In this embodiment, a different spread spectrum code is assigned to each of the wireless terminals of the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n, and information associating the wireless terminal with the spread spectrum code is processed by the processing unit ( By providing the CPU 61, it is possible to easily identify the ID in the data easily and quickly.

Further, a plurality of slave stations 50-1 to 50-1 within a certain period of time.
When information is transmitted from 50-n to the master station 60, the information from the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n is congested in the master station 60. In this case, if no measures are taken, even if the information indicating the presentation of the purchase intention is sent wirelessly, the presentation of the purchase intention is indicated later depending on the information processing timing, processing logic or procedure of the master station. The buyer (successful bidder) who has the wireless terminal of the slave station that sent the information is awarded a bid and lacks fairness. To prevent this, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-259
In Japanese Patent Publication No. 201, the problem is solved by unifying the time of the wireless terminal and adding the time to the transmission data.

In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 9-319800, a timing clock is used. In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-328290, a wireless terminal is provided with a timekeeping means. When transmitting data, timekeeping information is included in other data. By sending to the station,
In the publication No. 198539, the master station transmits a timer reset command to the slave station, synchronously starts the timer of the slave station,
When the push button is pressed in the slave station, the timer stops, and after the stop, the master station collects the timer values of the slave stations, thereby preventing lack of fairness.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, if the technology is based on the TDMA system such as the SS system (direct spreading) or the TDMA-TDD system, the frame counting circuits 21 and 41 having a certain periodicity are provided. Since this count value is used as time information, there is no need to have a new time processing means, and it is easy to construct devices and systems.

In this embodiment, the number of purchase intentions, the auction price, the auction price range,
The processing unit (CPU) 61 of the master station 60 receives information on the slave stations 50-1 to 50-n that cannot participate in the auction, and processes the processing unit (CP) of the master station 60 from the start of the auction to the successful bid.
U) The successful bid process is performed according to the judgment of 61.

In particular, slave stations 50-1 to 50-1 that cannot participate in the auction
50-n, a slave station 50-1 to 50 that has an attendant presentation indicating an intention to participate in a bid, a reference table for recording the purchase intention, and a time at which the purchase intention is presented, and cannot participate in the bid. Regarding the information of -n, the amount of the deposit (compensation) is insufficient, and the wireless terminal of the slave station of the buyer (successful bidder) who has determined that the purchase is not suitable for the transaction is indicated. Even if there is a presentation, it can be excluded. Further, if there is no attendance presentation, even if there is a presentation of a purchase intention, it can be excluded.

Further, in the case where the presenting of the purchase intention is equal to or more than a predetermined number (the number is generally 3 to 4), the auction price is immediately increased or reduced based on the predetermined range of the price. Lower, offer a new auction price and continue the auction.

On the other hand, if the purchase intention is less than the predetermined number, the purchaser presents the purchase intention indicated by the purchaser and refers to the purchaser (successful bidder) who presented the earliest time. A successful bid process for making a successful bid can be performed. However, in the case of the same time, the bid price can be immediately raised or lowered based on the up / down range of the price specified in advance, a new bid price can be presented, and the bid can be continued.

In this embodiment, since the above functions are provided as narrowing down logic, the successful bid processing from the start of the auction to the successful bid of one buyer (successful bidder) is fair, and the central processing unit 70 , The successful bid process can be performed quickly.

The present invention can take the following aspects in connection with the description of the claims.

(1) A multipoint communication system for performing communication between a master station and a plurality of slave stations, wherein a communication between the master station and the plurality of slave stations is performed within a certain time period. A radio unit for performing communication between the master station and the plurality of slave stations in a spread spectrum system when information transmission from the plurality of slave stations to the master station is performed; and Means for identifying each of the plurality of slave stations by using a spread code of the spread spectrum method pre-allocated to each of the plurality of slave stations when performing communication to a station; and a spread code of the spread spectrum method and a reverse code. N frequency dividing means for dividing the timing signal consisting of the repetition period of the spread code by N (N is an integer), a frame counting circuit for counting the output of the N frequency dividing means, and counting up of the frame counting circuit as a trigger Multi-frame counting Multi-point communication system characterized by having a means for combining the road, the frame counter circuit and the multi-frame counter circuit each count time of mutual between the plurality of slave stations using.

(2) Bidding button switch for presenting a purchase intention, and latch means for latching the count values of the frame counting circuit and the multi-frame counting circuit triggered by on / off of the bidding button switch; In response to the pressing of the bidding button switch, the parent includes information including the presentation of the purchase intention and the time at which the purchase intention was latched by the latch means and attendance information indicating an intention to participate in a bid. The multipoint communication system according to (1), wherein means for transmitting to a station is included in each of the plurality of slave stations.

(3) means for performing the auction bidding process based on the information including the presentation of the purchase intention from the plurality of slave stations and the time and the attendance information, and a plurality of buyers in the bidding process. The multipoint communication system according to (2), wherein the master station includes means for narrowing down to one successful bidder when the participation in the auction and the purchase intention are presented.

(4) A reference table which records the participation of the bid for the number of buyers in the narrowing down logic, the purchase intention and the time at which the purchase intention was presented, and the participation of the bid with reference to the reference table. Means for presenting a new bid price by raising or lowering the price of the auction based on the predetermined width of the auction price when the presentation of the purchase intention is equal to or more than a predetermined number, and continuing the auction. Means for causing the buyer who presented the earliest time to make a successful bid based on the time when the purchase intention was presented when the participation in the auction and the presentation of the purchase intention are less than a predetermined number in the master station. The multipoint communication system according to (3), wherein:

(5) When the time at which the purchase intention is presented is the same time, the price of the bid is raised or lowered based on the vertical width of the bid price specified in advance, a new bid price is presented, and the bid is continued. The multipoint communication system according to (4), wherein the master station includes means for performing the operation.

(6) The frame counting circuit and the multi-frame counting circuit are one of a software counter based on a software program and a programmable counter provided in a microprocessor. 5. The multipoint communication system according to any one of 5).

(7) Communication between the master station and the plurality of slave stations is performed by TDMA (Time-Division Mu).
The multipoint communication system according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the multipoint communication system is performed by a wireless unit using a single access method.

(8) The communication from the master station to a plurality of slave stations is performed by TDM (Time-Division Multi).
ple) method is performed by the radio unit that enables broadcasting,
The communication from the plurality of slave stations to the master station is based on the TDMA
(7) The multipoint communication system according to (7), wherein the multipoint communication is performed by a wireless unit that enables time division multiple access by a system.

(9) The communication between the master station and the plurality of slave stations is performed by TDMA-TDD based on the TDMA system.
[TDMA (Time-Division Multi)
pleAccess) Time-Division
(7) The multipoint communication system according to (7), wherein the communication is performed by a wireless unit using a [Duplex] system.

(10) The communication between the master station and the plurality of slave stations is performed on the same time axis and in a certain time zone from the master station to the plurality of slave stations by TDM (TDM: Time-D).
Broadcasting is carried out by an multiplex multiple method, and TDMA (Time-Division) is transmitted from the plurality of slave stations to the master station in a time zone other than the certain time zone.
(9) The multipoint communication system according to (9), wherein communication is performed by time-division multiple access using an n Multiple Access method.

[0159]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a multi-point communication system for performing communication between a master station and a plurality of slave stations, a multipoint communication system is provided for each of the master station and the plurality of slave stations. A radio unit for transmitting information from the slave station to the master station by a spread spectrum method, and a spread code of the spread spectrum method provided in the master station and identifying each of the plurality of slave stations to each of the plurality of slave stations in advance. N dividing means for dividing the timing signal provided in each of the master station and the plurality of slave stations and comprising a repetition period of a spread code and a despread code of a spread spectrum method by N (N is an integer); A frame counting circuit provided in each of the master station and the plurality of slave stations and counting the output of the N dividing means; and a multi-frame circuit provided in each of the master station and the plurality of slave stations and triggered by counting up of the frame counting circuit. By maintaining the fairness by providing a timer counting circuit and means provided in each of the plurality of slave stations and using the count values of each of the frame counting circuit and the multi-frame counting circuit to adjust the time between the plurality of slave stations. There is an effect that it is possible to realize a bidding system that can perform the auction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a transmission unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a receiving unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a multipoint communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a frame structure of a frame and a multi-frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the multipoint communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a frame according to the TDMA-TDD scheme.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11, 31, 52-1, 52-n, 61 Processing unit 12 Phase modulation circuit 13, 33 Signal processing circuit 14, 34 Carrier generation circuit 15, 19, 35, 39 Multiplication circuit 16 Spread spectrum circuit 17 Spread code generation circuit 18 , 38 N frequency dividing circuit 20 Wireless transmission section 21, 41 Frame counting circuit 22, 42 Multi-frame counting circuit 23, 43 Flip-flop 24 Latch 25, 51-1, 51-n Bidding button switch 26, 44 Logical product circuit 27 , 45, 56-1, 51-n, 65 Antenna 32 Phase demodulation circuit 36 Spectrum despreading circuit 37 Despreading code generation circuit 40 Wireless receiving units 50-1 to 50-n Slave stations 53-1, 53-n, 62 Transmitters 54-1, 54-n, 63 Receivers 55-1, 55-n, 64 Diplexer 60 Master station 70 Central processing unit 80 display device

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 5K022 EE02 EE36 FF01 5K028 AA00 BB06 CC05 DD01 DD02 EE09 HH05 KK12 MM04 5K047 AA18 BB01 CC02 GG34 HH15 MM55 MM56 5K067 AA21 BB21 CC02 CC04 CC10 DD10 DD53 EE EE

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A multipoint communication system for performing communication between a master station and a plurality of slave stations, wherein the multipoint communication system is provided in each of the master station and the plurality of slave stations, and is provided from the plurality of slave stations to the master station. A radio section for transmitting information to
Means provided in the master station and performing identification of each of the plurality of slave stations based on the spread code of the spread spectrum method pre-allocated to each of the plurality of slave stations; and each of the master station and the plurality of slave stations. And N dividing means for dividing a timing signal consisting of a repetition period of the spread code and the despread code of the spread spectrum method into N (N is an integer), and provided in each of the master station and the plurality of slave stations. A frame counting circuit for counting the output of the N frequency dividing means, a multi-frame counting circuit provided in each of the master station and the plurality of slave stations and triggered by counting up of the frame counting circuit; A means provided in a station and transmitting a specific pattern for defining a time axis of each of the plurality of slave stations to each of the plurality of slave stations; and a means provided in each of the plurality of slave stations and Multi-point communication system; and a means for resetting the frame counting circuit and the multi-frame counter circuit each in response to receiving the specific pattern from the station. 2. The multi-frame counting circuit according to claim 1, wherein the frame counting circuit and the multi-frame counting circuit are one of a software counter based on a software program and a programmable counter provided in a microprocessor. Point communication system. 3. The communication between the master station and the plurality of slave stations is performed by TDMA (Time-Division Multi).
3. The multipoint communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication is performed by a wireless unit based on an IP Access method. 4. The communication from the master station to a plurality of slave stations is performed by T
DM (Time-Division Multipl)
e) a radio unit that enables broadcasting by a system; and a communication from the plurality of slave stations to the master station is performed by a radio unit that enables time division multiple access by the TDMA system. 4. The multipoint communication system according to claim 3, wherein: 5. A communication between the master station and the plurality of slave stations is performed by a TDMA-TDD [TD] based on the TDMA scheme.
MA (Time-Division Multiple)
Access) Time-Division Du
4. The multipoint communication system according to claim 3, wherein the communication is performed by a radio unit based on a [plex] method. 6. The communication between the master station and the plurality of slave stations is performed on the same time axis and in a certain time zone from the master station to the plurality of slave stations by TDM (Time-Div).
Broadcasting is performed by a session multiple (TDM) method, and the plurality of slave stations transmit the time-division MDMA from the plurality of slave stations to the master station in a time zone other than the fixed time zone.
6. The multipoint communication system according to claim 5, wherein communication is performed by time division multiple access using a multiple access method. 7. A system for performing communication between a master station and a plurality of slave stations, wherein said system is provided in each of said master station and said plurality of slave stations and transmits information from said plurality of slave stations to said master station. A radio unit that performs the spread spectrum method, and a unit that is provided in the master station and performs the identification of each of the plurality of slave stations based on the spread code of the spread spectrum method assigned to each of the plurality of slave stations in advance; and N dividing means provided in each of the master station and the plurality of slave stations and dividing the timing signal composed of the repetition period of the spread code and the despread code of the spread spectrum system by N (N is an integer); A frame counting circuit provided in each of the plurality of slave stations and counting an output of the N frequency dividing means; and a count-up circuit provided in each of the master station and the plurality of slave stations and counting up by the frame counting circuit. A multi-frame counting circuit, a means provided in the master station and transmitting a specific pattern for defining a time axis of each of the plurality of slave stations to each of the plurality of slave stations, and the plurality of slave stations. And a means for resetting each of the frame counting circuit and the multi-frame counting circuit in response to reception of the specific pattern from the master station. A bidding button switch for presenting a purchase intention, latch means for latching count values of the frame counting circuit and the multi-frame counting circuit triggered by on / off of the bidding button switch; and Information including the presentation of the purchase intention and the time at which the purchase intention latched by the latch means is presented in response to the depression of the button switch; Means for sending attendance information indicating an intention to participate in the master station to the master station, wherein the master station includes information including the presentation of the purchase intention from the plurality of slave stations and the time, and Means for performing the bidding process of the auction based on the attendant information, and means for narrowing down to one successful bidder when participation in the auction from a plurality of buyers and the purchase intention are presented in the auction process. A bid system characterized by having.