Auction information transmission processing system

Claim 1

An auction information transmission system, comprising: a first host computer generating auction data signals; a single most significant front computer connected to said first host computer; a plurality of front computer means each connected to said most significant front computer; a second host computer connected to said first host computer for receiving therefrom said auction data signals; satellite signal transmitting means connected to said second host computer for transmitting satellite signals comprising said auction data signals to a satellite; and a plurality of dealer terminal means each respectively connected to said plurality of front computer means through a ground communication line and including means for receiving said satellite signals containing auction data signals transmitted through said satellite by said satellite signal transmitting means, wherein each of said dealer terminal means selects one of (1) a preview mode where said dealer terminal means receives the auction signals from said first host computer transmitted both through the ground communication line and the satellite communication line, (2) a view-only mode where said dealer terminal means receives only the auction data transmitted through the satellite communication line, (3) an auction participating mode where said dealer terminal means receives the auction signals from said first host computer transmitted both through the ground communication line and the satellite communication line and transmits signals to the front computer through the ground communication line, and (4) a combination mode where said dealer terminal receives a television signal of auction data taken by a camera at an actual auction site through the satellite communication line and transmits signals to the front computer through the ground communication line.