US011200621B2

(12) United States Patent

Gilbert et al .
( 10) Patent No .: US 11,200,621 B2
(45 ) Date of Patent : Dec. 14 , 2021
( 54 ) SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FINANCIAL ( 52 ) U.S. CI .
INSTRUMENT INSPECTION CPC G06Q 40/06 (2013.01 ) ; G06Q 40/00
(2013.01 ) ; G06Q 40/04 (2013.01 )
( 71 ) Applicant: BGC PARTNERS , INC . , New York , . ( 58 ) Field of Classification Search
NY (US ) CPC G06Q 40/04 ; G06Q 40/00 ; G06Q 40/06
See application file for complete search history.
( 72 ) Inventors: Andrew C. Gilbert , Califon, NJ (US ) ; ( 56 )
William P. Tselepis, New Providence, References Cited
NJ (US ); Andrew Stergiopoulos , New U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
York , NY (US )
3,656,148 A 4/1972 Belcher et al.
( 73 ) Assignee : BGC Partners , Inc. , New York , NY 3,976,840 A 8/1976 Cleveland et al .
( US ) 4,674,044 A 6/1987 Kalmus et al .
(Continued )
( * ) Notice : Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
U.S.C. 154 (b ) by 278 days .
EP 0762304 3/1997
( 21 ) Appl. No .: 16 /414,867 EP 1109122 6/2001
(Continued )
(22 ) Filed : May 17, 2019
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
( 65 ) Prior Publication Data
US 2019/0272594 A1 Sep. 5 , 2019 Business / Technology Editors, Lycos Delivers Unprecedented Per
sonalization of Finance Data with Launch of My Lycos Investing ,
Business Wire, May 23 , 2000 ( Year: 2000 ) . *
Related U.S. Application Data ( Continued )
( 60 ) Continuation of application No. 13 / 609,978 , filed on Primary Examiner Hao Fu
Sep. 11 , 2012 , now Pat. No. 10,325,318 , which is a
continuation of application No. 11 / 567,369 , filed on (57 ) ABSTRACT
Dec. 6 , 2006 , now Pat. No. 8,290,837 , which is a Systems and methods for user -configurable financial instru
division of application No. 10/ 144,695 , filed on May ment inspection are provided. A user may select the type of
10 , 2002 , now abandoned . financial performance information and presentation format
( 60 ) Provisional application No. 60/290,713 , filed on May of the financial performance information to be displayed
14 , 2001 . when the user selects a particular financial instrument. The
user may associate a set of financial performance informa
( 51 ) Int . CI.
tion and presentation format with a particular financial
market for financial instruments . The financial instrument
G06Q 40/06 ( 2012.01 ) inspector may also facilitate trading of financial instruments .
G06Q 40/00 ( 2012.01 )
GO6Q 40/04 ( 2012.01 ) 19 Claims , 9 Drawing Sheets
500
TRADESPARK
FILE ACTIONS VIEW OPTIONS CUSTOMER GRIDS HELP LAST PRICE
SYMBOL MARKET
+ EUR /JPY_1W ATM 18.10 X60 18.10
+ EUR 6X
+ EUR
+ EUR
+ EUR
+ EUR SELECT DATA FORMAT MARKET
+ JPY SYMBOL 502
+ JPY
+ JPY 504
+ USD
+ TUSD PREV. CLOSE - 38.50
+ USD LAST TRADE - 42.00 508
+ USD DAY'S RANGE - 38.25 - 43.00
+ USD MARKET CAPITALIZATION .
COMMAND 9.38B
STATUS 506 TRADE REF. # COMMENTS
52 WEEK HIGH: $ 53.00
52 WEEK LOW : $ 35.00
CANCEL CLEAR APPLY
514 512 -510
 US 11,200,621 B2
Page 2

( 56 ) References Cited U.S. Appl. No. 11 / 567,369 , filed Dec. 2006 , Gilbert et al .
U.S. Appl. No. 60 /290,713 , filed May 2001 , Gilbert et al .
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS Notification of Transmittal of the International Search Report or the
Declaration for Application No. PCT /US2002 /017672 dated Apr.
5,003,473 A 3/1991 Richards 11 , 2003 ( 5 pages) .
5,038,284 A 8/1991 Kramer International Preliminary Examination Report for Application No.
5,161,103 A 11/1992 Kosaka et al . PCT/US2002/017672 dated Feb. 2 , 2004 ( 6 pages ).
5,220,500 A 6/1993 Baird et al . UK Examination Report for Application No. GB 0328622.6 dated
5,230,048 A 7/1993 Moy Aug. 12 , 2004 ( 6 pages ) .
5,267,148 A 11/1993 Kosaka et al . USPTO Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 10/ 144,695 , dated Jul. 31 ,
5,270,922 A 12/1993 Higgins 2003 ( 10 pages).
5,297,031 A 3/1994 Gutterman et al .
5,297,032 A 3/1994 Trojan et al . USPTO Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 10/ 144,695 , dated Jan. 16 ,
5,371,844 A 12/1994 Andrew et al . 2004 ( 11 pages) .
5,675,746 A 10/1997 Marshall USPTO Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 10 / 144,695 , dated Oct. 12 ,
5,689,650 A 11/1997 McClelland et al . 2004 (3 pages ).
5,778,357 A 7/1998 Kolton et al. USPTO Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 10/ 144,695 , dated Jan. 6 ,
5,893,079 A 4/1999 Cwenar 2005 (9 pages).
5,946,666 A 8/1999 Nevo et al . USPTO Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 10 / 144,695 , dated Sep. 12 ,
6,134,535 A 10/2000 Belzberg 2005 ( 10 pages ).
2,134,118 A1 5/2001 Foss USPTO Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 10 / 144,695 , dated Dec. 15 ,
6,408,282 B1 6/2002 Buist 2005 (3 pages ).
6,772,146 B2 8/2004 Khemlani et al . USPTO Examiner Interview Summary Record for U.S. Appl. No.
6,801,741 B2 10/2004 Bates et al .
10/ 144,695 , dated Jul. 24 , 2006 ( 3 pages ) .
6,915,486 B2 7/2005 Li et al .
USPTO Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 11 / 567,369 , dated Feb. 26 ,
7,036,089 B2 4/2006 Bauer
7,212,999 B2 5/2007 Friesen et al . 2009 ( 13 pages) .
8,290,837 B2 10/2012 Gilbert et al . USPTO Examiner Interview Summary Record for U.S. Appl. No.
2002/0049713 A1 * 4/2002 Khemlani G06Q 20/40 11 /567,369, dated Jul. 23 , 2009 ( 2 pages).
2002/0174043 Al 11/2002 Gilbert et al . EPO Communication with Declaration for Application No.02253355 .
2007/0100718 A1 5/2007 Gilbert et al . 8 , dated Mar. 10 , 2003 ( 3 pages ) .
2013/0159213 A1 6/2013 Gilbert et al . USPTO Notice of Allowance and Fees Due and Examiner Interview
Summary Record for U.S. Appl. No. 11 / 567,369 , dated Nov. 17 ,
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS 2009 (24 pages).
Brad A. Meyers, “ Windows Interfaces — A Taxonomy of Window
WO
WO
WO
WO
98/45830
99/01983
10/1998
1/1999
Manager User Interfaces , ” IEEE Computer Graphics and Applica
WO WO 01/27843 4/2001 tions ( Sep. 1998 ) , vol . 8 , No. 5 , pp . 65-84 .
WO WO 98/49639 11/2008 USPTO Notice of Allowability for U.S. Appl. No. 11 / 567,369 , dated
Sep. 21 , 2012 ( 3 pages ) .
USPTO Notice of Allowance and Fees Due for U.S. Appl. No.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS 11 / 567,369 , dated Jun . 18 , 2012 ( 21 pages ).
U.S. Appl. No. 10 / 144,695 , filed May 2002 , Gilbert et al . * cited by examiner
U.S. Patent Dec. 14 , 2021 Sheet 1 of 9 US 11,200,621 B2

10

USER 12
COMPUTER

14
USER USER
COMPUTER 12 COMPUTER -12

14 14

COMPUTER 16
NETWORK

15

SERVER 18

FIG . 1
U.S. Patent Dec. 14 , 2021 Sheet 2 of 9 US 11,200,621 B2

12

22 20 24
MEMORY AND CONTROL DISPLAY
STORAGE CIRCUITRY

26

USER INPUT
DEVICE

USER COMPUTER

FIG . 2
U.S. Patent Dec. 14 , 2021 Sheet 3 of 9 US 11,200,621 B2

30

SELECT FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

INFORMATION ITEMS FROM A LIST OF
AVAILABLE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 32
INFORMATION ITEMS

ARRANGE PRESENTATION FORMAT OF THE

SELECTED FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 34
INFORMATION ITEMS

SELECT AT LEAST ONE FINANCIAL 36

INSTRUMENT FOR INSPECTION

RETRIEVE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

INFORMATION RELATED TO THE SELECTED
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION 38
ITEMS , THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
INFORMATION CORRESPONDING TO THE
SELECTED FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT

DISPLAY RETRIEVED FINANCIAL

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION IN THE 40
ARRANGED PRESENTATION FORMAT

FIG . 3
U.S. Patent Dec. 14 , 2021 Sheet 4 of 9 US 11,200,621 B2

LEX 130

126 FINAC L INSTRUME CALU TOR 128

146

CREF#TORMAENDTES
112 118 BUY SEL 148146
124
PLRAISCTE 18.10 1.30 16.25 16.65 13.50 13.65 15.20 14.10 12.80 7.0 10.50
1 1.51 PLMP
18 5.03
+
NY 27 1
:
2
COMENTS
MENT
144
770 142
102
MARKET X60
SPOT FWD7D DUSEPO OFFCUT- RDELTA SAPTRIDO
116 18.10 X30 X30 X30 X30 TR/PNIANIMTSCET 140 4
.
FIG

18.20 18.25 18.30 18.35

X60
138
MARKET SIZE
S@FM*_TEXRPOADBTS417R0KHGCOVAUFRPESTILODEMPNSWR F1SXOY0PMTB85O0L 18.10
30L 30L 122
136

114EUR/JPY_1W_ATM ATM EUR/JPY1MATM+ EUR/JPY2MATM 1WATMEURUSD ATM TYPE

134
EURUSD2W+_ATM EUR/USD_1M /to E3M
USD
EUR
ATM
2M ATMU+RUSD USD/JPY1WATM USD/JPY2WATM+ EUR/JPY1W_ATM L:COIMNAED
JEUR/PY_2W
STA US
100 104 106 120 132
U.S. Patent Dec. 14 , 2021 Sheet 5 of 9 US 11,200,621 B2

25X FXOPT47 X30 X30 X30 X30

18.20 18.25 18.30 18.35

202
X60 CREF#TOMREANDTSE
MARKET 18.10
VTDREIACHWNEGD 30L 3OL 1 1.51
PLMP
18
+

JEUR/PY_1W_ATM
SPOT FWD7D
D5USE.P0O3- NYCUT-OFF- 27DELTA- 21RSAPTIROD-
L:COIMNAED
COMENTS
X60
MARKET 212 TIME 5
.
FIG
DATE/PNAMEINSTRICE
18.10
210
FXOPT50
SM@F*_TEXRAPODSBTEA4R170KHGCOVUAFREPSITLODEMPSNWR SHMTIOASRCTDAKOUEIRSVYE 208 SIZE
SYMBOL TYPE
206
1JPY
EUR
/ JPY ATM
+W_ATM 2W
ATM
/
EUR
+ EUR
1M
JPY
+ 2M
/ ATM
JPY 1USD
/
EUR
+ /+W_ATM U+
EUR ATM
1M
USD
/ 3M
EUR
+
2
USD
/
EUR
+ M _A TM ATM
USD +
/
EUR
+ ATM ATM
JPY2W
/
USD
EUR/SD_2W_ATM J+USD/PY_1W_ATM +USD/JPY_1M_ATM
2M
JPY
/
USD
+ 3+JPY
/
USD
M _ A T M UAUD
ATM
/+SD_2W ATM
UAUD
/ 1+AWU_DAUTSMD
/SD_2M ATM
+SD_1M UATM
AUD
+ 3M
USD
/
AUD
+

STA US
2004
U.S. Patent Dec. 14 , 2021 Sheet 6 of 9 US 11,200,621 B2

COX 302
X30
X3018.35
X30130L8.20X30130L8.2518.30
MARKET
PLRAISCET 18.10 1.30 16.25 16.65 13.50 13.65 15.20 14.10 12.80 7.00 10.50 1 .0 10.70 1 .30 2.0 10 .0 FXOVTDPREIA4C7HWN1GEDX334SYMBOL X601-EUR
JPY
/
8W._1A0TM

MARKET X60
/RPAITCE
18.10
1

6
.
FIG

FXOPT50
SM@F_*ETXRPAODSBTE4AR1K70HGCOVAUFRPESTILODEMPNSWR SHMTIOARSCDTKUOEISRYV NISTAIYMSZPTEUS
SYMBOL
++
USD
ATM
/
EUR
1W ATM ATM
2W
USD
/
EUR EUR
1M
USD
/
+ ATM
2M
USD
/ 3USD
EUR
+ ATM ATM
EUR
2W
JPY
/
+ ATM ATM
+PY_3M +
USD
/
EUR
1W 2WE+URUSD
ATM
1W
JPY
/
EUR
+ ATM
1M
JPY
/
EUR
+
J+EUR/PY2W_ATM +EUR/JPY_2M_ATM /M_ATM +
EUR
+ 1W
JPY
/
EUR
JEUR/+PY_1M_ATM +EUR/JPY_2M_ATM ATM
JEUR
/

300
U.S. Patent Dec. 14 , 2021 Sheet 7 of 9 US 11,200,621 B2

LOX
CREF.#TORMAENDTES
420
15

0X5
5
PLRAISCTE 18.10 1.30
0

422
416 AP LY
c414 -424
X6018.10
CLEAR FIG
.
7

MARKET CANCEL
426
408
412410 MFDSAOERLKMTAC RQUTITRYN I)
(
EROE
ON
) RON
(
ROI
V
NEVTSUMRENT
ACUSRETNS LCIUABRLIETNS CMAPITRLKZEOTN V52WEEKHIGH LOWWEEK752 GVPW52ERFEAOMPNHKCE ATSOTEALS CWAOPRIKTANLG
HGCOVAUFRPESITLOEDMPNSWR 418

SYMBOL
TRADESPK 406
ATM
1W
JPY
/
EUR
+
/ USD
5 JPY
JPY JPY
/
EUR
+ EUR
/ EUR
+ /
EUR
++ USD
/
EUR
E+URJPY +USD/JPY +USD/EUR +EUR/JPY USDEUR+ JPY+EUR/ JPY+/USD EURJPY/+ +JPY/EUR
COMAND STAUS
400
402
U.S. Patent Dec. 14 , 2021 Sheet 8 of 9 US 11,200,621 B2

LEX COMENTS
#
.
REF
TRADE

PLRAISCTE 18.10
500 COX 508
AP LY
510

X60
MARKET 43-RD8A.NY02G'5ES CLEAR
512
(
FIG
8
.

MHELP ARKET 18.10 504

3-CPREV.8L.O5S0E -4TLAST2R.A0DE
CMAPITRLKZEON 9.38B 506
} CAN EL
514

FDSOERALMTCA 502
53.00
$
:
HIGH
WEEK
52 35.00
$
:
LOW
WEEK
52
SYMBOL
GCOVUAFRPSTIODEMLSNWR
SYMBOL
TRADESPK 1JPY
/+W_ATM
EUR
EUR + EUR
+ EUR * EUR
+ EUR
++ ++
+ JPY
JPY JPY + USD
USD USD + USD
+ USD
+ COMAND STAUS
U.S. Patent Dec. 14 , 2021 Sheet 9 of 9 US 11,200,621 B2

LEX
COMENTS
PLRAISCTE 18.10
16X 606 AP LY
608

600
X60
-610 MARKET 602 CLEAR
610
9
.
FIG
612
MARKET 18.10 FORMAT CANCEL

HGCOVAFURPESITLOEDMPNSWR
B O N D S
DSEALTCA STOCKS-604 OM DITES OCURENIS
OFMUTNUDASL C0 BTORIELASURSY

SYMBOL LCOIMNAED STA US

TRADESPK ATM
1W
JPY
/
EUR
+
 US 11,200,621 B2
1 2
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FINANCIAL ments of a particular market ( e.g. , stock market, bond
INSTRUMENT INSPECTION market, futures market, options market, etc. ) . The user may
select from relevant financial information to be displayed ,
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
5
including financial performance statistics , metrics, graphs,
APPLICATIONS any combination thereof, or any other suitable information .
The financial instrument inspector may facilitate trading
This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 13 / 609,978 of financial instruments . The financial instrument inspector
filed Sep. 11 , 2012 , which is a continuation of Ser. No. may list deliverable financial instruments related to trades .
11 / 567,369 filed Dec. 6 , 2006 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,290 , In some embodiments, the financial instrument inspector
837 ) , which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. 10 may provide links to third party vendors of financial instru
No. 10/ 144,695 ( U.S. Patent Application Publication No.US ments .
2002/0174043 ) , filed May 10 , 2002 , which claims the ben
efit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/290,713 , BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
filed May 14 , 2001 , both of which are hereby incorporated 15
by reference herein in there entirety. Further features of the invention, its nature and various
advantages will be more apparent from the following
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like
The present invention relates to systems and methods for reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in
financial instrument inspection . More particularly, the pres- 20 which :
ent invention relates to systems and methods for user- FIG . 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative financial
configurable financial instrument inspection that may allow instrument inspector system in accordance with various
a user to view specific information related to a financial embodiments of the present invention ;
instrument in a desired format. FIG . 2 is a schematic diagram of illustrative computer
Presently, in order to research financial instruments , 25 equipment in accordance with various embodiments of the
investors may need to seek several sources of information to present invention ;
retrieve financial performance information relating to a FIG . 3 is an illustrative flow diagram for a method for
particular investment instrument. An investor may have a financial instrument inspection in accordance with various
personal preference for the types of financial performance embodiments of the present invention ;
information that he or she would like to view before making 30 FIG . 4 is an illustrative financial instrument inspector
an investment decision . In many instances, the content of the display in accordance with various embodiments of the
information resource and its presentation format is not present invention ;
configurable by a user . An investor may spend a significant FIG . 5 is an illustrative financial instrument inspector
amount of time searching various sources of financial infor- display where a separate window containing performance
mation in order to collect investment performance informa- 35 information for aa selected financial instrument is displayed
tion that an investor deems to be most important in making in accordance with various embodiments of the present
an investment decision . Market conditions for a particular invention ;
investment instrument may be changing while an investor FIG . 6 is an illustrative financial instrument inspector
conducts research . display where a separate window containing an alternative
It would therefore be desirable to provide systems and 40 arrangement of performance information of a selected secu
methods for a user -configurable financial instrument inspec- rity is displayed in accordance with various embodiments of
tor that may allow a user to view specific information related the present invention;
to a financial instrument in a desired format.
a FIG . 7 is an illustrative financial instrument inspector
display with a separate window where a user may configure
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 45 which financial performance information may be displayed
when the user selects an investment instrument for inspec
In accordance with the present invention, systems and tion in accordance with various embodiments of the present
methods for a user -configurable financial instrument inspec- invention ;
tor are provided. A user may select the type and presentation FIG . 8 is an illustrative financial instrument inspector
format of financial performance data to be displayed when 50 display with a separate window where a user may configure
the user selects a particular investment instrument. The user the presentation format of the selected financial performance
may associate financial performance information and pre- data in accordance with various embodiments of the present
sentation formats with particular financial investment instru- invention ; and
ments. The financial instrument inspector may also facilitate FIG . 9 is an illustrative financial instrument inspector
trading of investment instruments . 55 display with a separate window where a user may link a
In some embodiments, financial information for a selected selected presentation format and financial performance
investment instrument may appear on a separate display information with a particular market segment in accordance
screen , a separate display window, a user - selected window, with certain embodiments of the present invention .
a combination thereof, or in any suitable area or device .
The user may also customize the financial performance 60 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
information of a selected investment instrument to be dis INVENTION
played . For example , the user may configure the display
format and spatial orientation of the selected financial per- The present invention is now described in more detail in
formance information of an investment instrument. In some conjunction with FIGS . 1-9 .
embodiments, the user may also configure which financial 65 FIG . 1 is aa schematic diagram of an illustrative financial
performance information is displayed and the spatial loca- instrument inspector system 10 suitable for implementation
tion of the information in the display for financial instru- of instrument inspection and trading in accordance with
 US 11,200,621 B2
3 4
various embodiments of the present invention . Aspects of sions , private network transmissions, packet -based
the invention apply to various types of financial instruments . transmissions, or any other suitable type of transmissions.
System 10 may be used to provide financial instrument Communications links 14 and 15 may include cable con
inspection to users of various computer equipment. A finan- nected to cable modems, digital subscriber lines ( DSL) ,
cial instrument inspector application may be used to provide 5 integrated services digital network (ISDN) lines , or any
users with the ability to view various information related to other suitable paths.
financial instruments. In one suitable approach, the financial Traders or users at user computers 12 may view infor
instrument inspector application may run locally on com- mation related to financial instruments by interacting with
puter equipment. Computer equipment, such as user com- the financial instrument inspector application. The financial
puter 12 may be a computer, processor, personal computer, 10 instrument inspector application may provide a user at user
laptop computer, handheld computer, personal digital assis- computer 12 with displays (e.g. , display 100 illustrated in
tant, computer terminal, any other suitable computing FIG . 4 ) containing various trading and market information .
device , or a combination of such devices. In another suitable For example, the user may be presented with displays that
approach, the financial instrument inspector application may allow the user to make trades , view relevant trade informa
run using a client - server or distributed architecture where a 15 tion , or any other suitable screen in connection with the
portion of the financial instrument inspector application may inspection of financial instruments .
be implemented locally on the computer equipment in the The financial instrument inspector application may pro
form of, for example, a client process . Another portion of the vide the user with interactive displays containing menus and
financial instrument inspector application may be imple- selectable options that allow the user to navigate through the
mented at a remote location , such as on a server or any other 20 financial instrument inspector application and select finan
suitable equipment as , for example, a server process. A cial performance information and spatial placement of the
server such as server 18 may be any suitable server, pro- financial performance information displayed related to a
cessor, computer, data processing device, or a combination financial instrument. With user computer 12 , the user may
of such devices . In one example, server 18 may be a server use a keyboard , mouse , trackball, touch pad , or other suit
powered by eSpeed, Inc. 25 able input or pointing device to navigate the various menus
A generalized schematic diagram of user computer 12 is and selectable options .
shown in FIG . 2. User computer 12 may include control The user may access the financial instrument inspector
circuitry 20 , memory and storage 22 , display 24 , and user application by browsing to an Internet web site or a site on
input device 26. Control circuitry 20 and memory and a private network, by running a local program , or by any
storage 22 may have communications, memory, and pro- 30 other suitable method .
cessing circuitry suitable for supporting functions such as FIG . 3 is an illustrative flow diagram for method 30 for
accessing the financial instrument inspection application. financial instrument inspection .
Text and graphics associated with the financial instrument As shown in FIG . financial performance information
inspector application may be presented to a user using items may be selected from a list of items related to financial
display 24. Display 24 may be a computer monitor, a 35 performance information at step 32. Financial performance
handheld computer display, a laptop computer display, a information items that may be listed may include depth of
personal digital assistant display, or any other suitable market, price levels , deposit rates , spot rates, cut -off, Federal
display equipment. In some embodiments , a plurality of wire information, total assets, long -term notes payable ,
displays may be connected to user computer 12 . shareholder equity, capital stock , retained earnings, current
The user may interact with control circuitry 20 using any 40 ratio, quick ratio , cash ratio, working capital , market capi
suitable user input device 26 , such as a keyboard , aa wireless talization , outstanding shares, debt/ equity ratio, earnings,
keyboard, a mouse , a trackball, a touch pad , or any other revenue , equity, dividend yield , return on equity (ROE ) ,
suitable input device . return on investment ( ROI ) , return on capital investment
Referring back to FIG . 1 , computer network 16 may link (ROIC ) , current assets , cash and equivalents, short and long
user computers 12 and server 18. Server 18 may be con- 45 term investments, accounts receivable , inventories and pre
nected to computer network 16 by one or more communi- paid expenses, current liabilities , accounts payable, accrued
cations links 15. Computer network 16 may be any suitable expenses , income tax payable , short term notes payable ,
computer network including the Internet, an Intranet, a long term debt payable , book value , enterprise value , price/
local - area network (LAN ), a wide -area network (WAN ), a sales ratio, price /earnings ratio , accounts receivable turn
metropolitan area network (MAN ), a virtual private network 50 over, days sales outstanding (DSO ) , inventory turnover,
( VPN ), a wireless network , an optical network , an asyn- previous close price , last trade price , day's price range , 52
chronous transfer mode network ( ATM ), aa cable network , a week price range , volume traded , average volume traded,
frame relay network , a digital subscriber line network any combination thereof, or any other relevant financial
( DSL ) , or a combination of such networks . instrument performance information .
The components of system 10 may be interconnected 55 For example, a user may select financial performance
using various communications links, such as links 14 and information items from a list of items. Financial perfor
15. Communications links 14 and 15 may include satellite mance information related to the selected items may be
paths , coaxial cable paths, fiber optic paths , twisted pair displayed in conjunction with a financial investment instru
paths, other wire or cable - based links, modems, wireless ment ( e.g. , stocks , bonds , futures, options , etc. ). Thus, a user
paths through free space , any other suitable paths, or a 60 may select financial performance items such as debt / equity
combination of such paths. Communications over commu- ratio, earnings, revenue , and return on equity, wherein the
nications links such as links 14 and 15 may involve analog financial performance information related to these selected
transmissions, digital transmissions, wireless transmissions, items are displayed in connection with selected stocks . The
microwave transmissions, radio - frequency transmissions, user may also select financial performance items such as
optical transmissions, audio transmissions, any other suit- 65 interest, yield , or term , wherein the financial performance
able type of transmissions , or a combination of such trans- information related to these selected items is displayed when
missions . Communications may involve Internet transmis- the selected financial instrument is aa bond .
 US 11,200,621 B2
5 6
Alternatively, a financial instrument inspection system mance data column 110 may be a list of market performance
( e.g. , system 10 illustrated in FIG . 1 ) may select the financial information corresponding to the financial instrument sym
performance information items related to aa selected financial bol listed in adjacent symbol column 108. For example,
instrument (e.g. , bond , stock , etc. ). In yet another alternative financial instrument performance data 116 may indicate the
embodiment, a financial instrument inspection system may 5 financial performance of a financial instrument listed in the
select default financial performance information items (e.g. , adjacent symbol column 108. As shown in FIGS . 7-9 and
debt/equity ratio , earnings, revenue , return on equity, etc. ), described below, the type of financial performance data
wherein the financial performance information related to displayed, the display format, and spatial location within
these selected items may be displayed until a user selects financial instrument inspector application display 100 may
specific financial performance information items. 10 be user -configurable.
The presentation format for the selected financial perfor- Last price column 112 may contain a list of prices that
mance information items may be arranged at step 34. In may be correlated with the financial instruments listed in
some embodiments, a user may manipulate a user input symbol column 108. In some embodiments, the information
device (e.g. , user input device 26 illustrated in FIG . 2 ) to in last price column 112 may be automatically updated on a
arrange the display of the financial performance information 15 periodic basis ( e.g. , every second, minute, hour, or any other
items . Alternatively, a financial instrument inspection sys- suitable time interval) in order to reflect changes in valuation
tem may arrange the presentation format for the financial of the financial instruments in the market (e.g. , the financial
performance information items. instruments listed or traded on the New York Stock
At step 36 , at least one financial instrument may be Exchange (NYSE ), AMEX , NASDAQ , Chicago Board of
selected for inspection . For example, a user may select a 20 Trade , Chicago Options Exchange, Tokyo Stock Exchange,
financial instrument ( e.g. , bond, stock, option , etc. ) using a FTSE , Paris Stock Exchange, any combination thereof, or
user input device ( e.g. , user input device 26 ) in order to any other suitable exchange ). Financial instrument price
obtain financial performance information related to the 118 , listed in last price column 112 , may be the current price
selected financial instrument. of aa financial instrument ( e.g. , financial instrument 114 ) .
At step 38 , the financial performance information related 25 Financial instrument inspector window 120 may include
to the selected financial performance information items may the name of the financial instrument, the financial instrument
be retrieved . The financial performance information may be symbol, the financial performance information for the
retrieved from user computer 12 , server 18 , any computing instrument, any combination thereof, or any other suitable
device or server connected to computer network 16 , any information . In some embodiments, the financial perfor
combination thereof, or any other suitable device . At step 40 , 30 mance information displayed in financial instrument inspec
the retrieved financial performance information may be tor window 120 may relate to the investment instrument
displayed in the arranged presentation format. (e.g. , financial instrument 114 ) selected in financial instru
FIG . 4 is an illustrative financial instrument inspector ment listings window 106. The type of financial instrument
application display 100. Title bar 102 of display 100 may (e.g. , stock , bond , futures, option , etc. ) , the financial perfor
include the name of the financial instrument inspector appli- 35 mance information displayed ( e.g. , return on equity, return
cation, the name of the user, a financial trading account on investment, current assets, current liabilities , market
number of the user, or any other suitable information. capitalization, total assets , working capital, etc. ) , or format
Menu items bar 104 may include menu items such as file , of performance data ( i.e. , where financial performance data
actions , view , options , customer, grids , help, any combina- is spatially displayed) may be configured by the user . If the
tion thereof, or any other suitable item . When a menu item 40 user does not specifically configure the type and format of
is selected by the user , a list of options may be provided to the performance information to be displayed , predefined
the user, each of which may be selectable by the user . For default financial performance information , formats , and spa
example, if the file menu item is selected, a user may select tial positioning of the financial performance information
from options such as new , open, close , save , save as , exit, or may be used . For example , if the financial instrument is a
any other suitable option . In some embodiments, when an 45 stock and the user has not selected financial performance
option is selected , an additional list of options may be information , format, or spatial location , financial informa
displayed that are related to the selected option . If there are tion such as return on equity, debt/equity ratio , and return on
no sublists associated with a selected option , the selected investment information for the stock may be displayed. The
option may be executed (e.g. , the request may be processed predetermined default financial performance information
by system 10 of FIG . 1 ) . 50 displayed may depend upon the type of financial instrument
Financial instrument listings window 106 may be aa list of (e.g. , stocks , bonds , futures, etc.) or the market in which the
financial instruments, pricing information related to the financial instrument may be traded ( e.g. , stock exchange,
instruments, or any other suitable information . Financial commodity market, currency market, bond market, etc. ).
instrument listings window 106 may contain various col- Financial instrument inspector window 120 may also
umns of information , including symbol column 108 , market 55 include command line 122 , financial performance data 124 ,
performance data column 110 , last price column 112 , or any buy button 126 , sell button 128 , financial instrument calcu
other suitable column Symbol column 108 in financial lator 130 , any combination thereof, or any other suitable
instrument listings window 106 may contain a list of sym- items.
bols representing financial instruments (e.g. , financial instru- Command line 122 may accept commands from the user .
ment 114 ) . Financial instruments in this list may be select- 60 For example, the user may enter commands at command line
able by the user. In some embodiments, the user may select 122 using user input device 122 of FIG . 2. From command
a financial instrument by using user input device 26 of FIG . line 122 , the user may trade financial instruments, request a
2. The user may select a financial instrument in order to comparison of different financial instruments , change the
obtain financial instrument performance data (e.g. , debt/ display format of financial performance data, or perform any
equity ratio, earnings, revenue, etc.). Market performance 65 other suitable action .
data column 110 may be aa column of information contained Financial performance data 124 may include depth of
in financial instrument listings window 106. Market perfor- market, price levels , deposit rates, spot rates, cut-off, Federal
 US 11,200,621 B2
7 8
wire information , total assets , long -term notes payable, Status column 134 may list the status of at least one trade
shareholder equity , capital stock , retained earnings, current of at least one financial instrument. For example, status
ratio , quick ratio , cash ratio , working capital, market capi- column may indicate whether the trade has been executed or
talization, outstanding shares, debt/ equity ratio, earnings, not , or it may provide any other suitable information. Type
revenue , equity, dividend yield , return on equity ( ROE) , 5 column 136 may list the type of trade (e.g. , stock , bond,
return on investment (ROI ) , return on capital investment futures, options , etc. ) that has been executed or may be
( ROIC ) , current assets, cash and equivalents, short and long executed . Size column 138 may list the number of financial
term investments, accounts receivable, inventories and pre instruments involved in aa trade or the total value of the trade.
Instrument name column 140 may display the symbol or
paid expenses, current liabilities, accounts payable, accrued 10 name
expenses, income tax payable, short term notes payable, involvedforinata least one financial instrument that may be
long term debt payable , book value , enterprise value , price! be the price paid for aa trade or .forPrice
trade transaction
an
/rate column 142 may
individual investment
sales ratio , price / earnings ratio, accounts receivable turn instrument. Time 144 may be the time
over, days sales outstanding (DSO ) , inventory turnover, executed . Comments column 146 may when a trade was
previous close price , last trade price , day's price range , 52 15 description which may characterize the transactiona. Inwritten
contain
some
week price range , volume traded , average volume traded , embodiments, a user may enter comments in comments
any combination thereof, or any other relevant financial column 146 by using user input device 26 of FIG . 2. Trade
instrument performance information . reference number column 148 may be aa number assigned to
Buy button 126 , when selected by a user, may execute a the trade to identify the trade for the purposes of record
buy trade of at least one financial instrument ( e.g. , financial 20 keeping . Information such as the status, type , size , price/
instrument 114 that may be selected by the user) . For rate, time , comments, any combination thereof, or any other
example, the user may select a financial instrument from suitable information may be stored or retrieved by system 10
symbol column 108 be purchased , and select button 126 to of FIG . 1 .
execute the trade. Buy button 126 may be any suitable A user may select aa financial instrument, such as financial
selectable item (e.g. , selectable by a user with user input 25 instrument 114 , from list of financial instruments included in
device 26 of FIG . 2 ) . Sell button 128 , when selected by a symbol column 108. Financial instrument inspector window
user, may execute sale trade of at least one financial 120 may display the symbol of the selected financial instru
instrument (e.g. , financial instrument 114 ) . ment and its financial performance information . Financial
Financial instrument calculator 130 , when selected by a instrument inspector window 120 may also show user
user , may be used to compare the performance of financial 30 configured financial performance information 124 that may
instruments ( e.g. , stocks , bonds , options , futures , etc. ) or be used to render investment decisions by a user . The
may perform any other suitable financial calculation . For presentation of user-configured financial performance infor
example , financial instrument calculator 130 may be a mation may prevent a user from having to spend time
convertible bond calculator. A user may input the valuation searching for preferred performance information from a
date, bond characteristics, market information underlying 35 variety of sources .
equity, or any other suitable information . Bond characteris- Command line 122 , buy button 126 , sell button 128 ,
tics may include , for example, maturity date , time to matu- options calculator 130 or other suitable items may be used
rity, coupon rate, frequency ( e.g. , annual, semiannual, or any to trade investment instruments . Details of aa trade may be
suitable time period ), par value , conversion ratio , any com- listed in trade window 132. The status, type , size , price ,
bination thereof, or any other suitable information. Market 40 time , trade reference number, comments or other suitable
information may include convertible bond price, straight information may be listed in trade window 132 .
bond yield , risk free rate, any combination thereof, or any FIG . 5 is an illustration of a financial instrument inspector
other suitable information . Underlying equity may include , application display 200 in which detached trading view
for example, underlying share price dividend yield , annual- window 202 may contain financial performance information
ized volatility , any combination thereof, or any other suit- 45 of a selected financial instrument. The features of financial
able information . instrument inspector application display 200 are similar to
After the user has inputted information into the convert- financial instrument inspector application display 100 illus
ible bond calculator, calculator 130 may output information trated in FIG . 4 and described above .
to display to the user (e.g. , on display 24 illustrated in FIG . Financial instrument inspector window 202 may include
2 ) . For example , the outputted information may include 50 the name of the financial instrument, the financial instrument
accrued interest, market conversion (e.g. , conversion price symbol, financial performance data for the instrument, or
per share , conversion premium or discount, etc. ) , return any other suitable information . The financial performance
characteristics ( e.g. , yield to maturity , current yield , etc.) , information contained in window 202 may be similar to that
convertible bond component value ( e.g. , straight bond price, contained in financial instrument inspector window 120
straight bond price per share, straight bond premium /dis- 55 described above and illustrated in FIG. 4 .
count, embedded option price / share , etc. ) , theoretical pric- As illustrated in FIG . 5 , trade window 204 of financial
ing ( e.g. , option price / share, option value , convertible bond , instrument inspector application display 200 may contain
etc. ) downside risk ( e.g. , to straight bond price, to conver- similar options and functionality to trade window 132
sion implied price, maximum downside risk , etc. ) , any described above and illustrated in FIG . 4. For example ,
combination thereof, or any other suitable information . 60 information on the status, type, size , instrument name,
Trade window 132 may include information related to price / rate, time , trade reference number, comments, or any
trades of investment instruments . Trade window 132 may other suitable information may be presented.
include status column 134 , type column 136 , size column Trade window 204 may include active orders tab 206 ,
136 , instrument name column 140 , price /rate column 142 , which may be selected by a user to view financial informa
time column 144 , comments column 146 , trade reference 65 tion related to orders for trades of financial instruments .
2

number column 148 , any combination thereof, or any other Active orders tab 206 may be any selectable item that may
suitable information . be selected by a user to display information related to orders
 US 11,200,621 B2
9 10
for trades of financial instruments. Trade history tab 208 , Apply button 422 may be selected by a user when the user
when selected by a user, may display a list of trades of has completed selecting the financial performance items to
financial instruments that have been made by the user. be displayed during instrument inspection . Selection of
Market history tab 210 , when selected by a user, may display apply button 422 may retain the settings of selected financial
a list of historical financial performance information (e.g. , 5 performance items in the financial instrument inspection
52 week high, 52 week low , 52 week range, trading volume , application . Apply button 422 may be a graphical button or
etc. ) for a financial instrument (e.g. , stock , bond, futures , any other suitable selectable item .
options , etc.) in a particular market. For example, selection Clear button 424 may be selected by the user to deselect
of market history tab 210 by a user may provide historical all financial performance data items that may have been
financial performance information on IBM stock traded on 10 previously selected . Clear button 424 may be a graphical
the New York Stock Exchange. Status tab 212 , when button or any other suitable selectable item .
selected by a user, may display the status of at least one Cancel button 426 may be selected by the user to exit
particular trade . For example , a user may select status tab financial performance data configurations window 408 .
212 to view whether a set of requested trades have been Selection of cancel button 426 may cause any settings
executed . 15 modifications that may have been made prior to selecting
FIG . 6 is an illustrative financial performance application cancel button 426 not to be retained by the financial instru
display 300 , which may include detached trading view ment inspector application .
window 302. Detached trading view window 302 is similar Selection of format tab 412 by the user may display
to detached trading view window 202 described above and financial performance data configurations window 500 illus
illustrated in FIG . 5. As illustrated in FIGS . 5-6 , detached 20 trated in FIG . 8. A user may spatially locate financial
trading view windows (e.g. , detached trading view window information in financial performance data configurations
202 and 302 ) may be configured by the user to be in any window 500. For example , a user input device ( e.g. , user
location in the financial instrument inspector application input device 26 of FIG . 2 ) may allow a user to move
display (e.g. , display 200 , display 300 , etc. ) . previously selected financial performance items ( e.g. , return
FIG . 7 is an illustrative financial instrument inspector 25 on equity, return on investment, current assets, current
application display 400 containing financial performance liabilities, market capitalization , total assets, working capi
data configurations window 408 that may allow a user to tal , etc.) into a presentation format. Alternatively, default
configure the viewable financial performance information of financial performance items may be located spatially within
a financial instrument. financial performance data configurations window 500 if
A user may view financial performance data configura- 30 financial performance data items have not previously been
tions window 408 from financial instrument inspector appli- selected .
cation display 400. For example, a user may select menu Financial instrument market symbol 502 may be the
item (e.g. , ns , view , options , etc.) from menu options symbol associated with the financial instrument be
bar 402 in order to view display 408. Alternatively, a user inspected. In the format configuration financial performance
may select aa financial instrument ( e.g. , financial instrument 35 data configurations window 500 , financial instrument mar
406 ) in order to view financial performance data configu- ket symbol 502 may be aa generic symbol that may be freely
rations window 408. Financial performance data configura- moved so that the user may define the location of financial
tions window 408 may be displayed on financial instrument instrument market symbol 502 .
inspector application display 400 , a different display from Performance graph 504 may be a graph, chart or other
display 400 , or in any suitable location. 40 form of a graphical nature depicting the financial perfor
Financial performance data configurations window 408 mance of an investment instrument over a particular period
may contain several different selectable tabs or items (e.g. , of time . The range of time may be selectable by the user. The
select data tab 410 , format tab 412 , market tab 414 , etc. ) scale of the axes of the chart or graph may also be configured
which may display information related to the selected tab . by the user (e.g. , using user input device 26 of FIG . 2 ) .
For example , if select data tab 410 is selected by the user, 45 Performance graph 504 may be displayed when format tab
financial performance criteria 416 (e.g. , return on equity, 412 ( FIG . 7 ) is selected , depending on whether such a graph
return on investment, current assets, current liabilities, mar- was selected by a user from the list of available financial
ket capitalization, 52 week high , 52 week low , 52 week performance information . Performance graph 504 may be
performance graph , total assets, working capital, etc. ) may freely moved about financial performance data configura
be displayed such that a user may select from financial 50 tions window 500 by a user to a desired location .
performance criteria 416 in order to configure the financial Data items 506 may be related to performance graph 504 .
performance information displayed when a user performs Data items 506 may be displayed if a user has selected these
instrument inspection . Financial performance criteria 416 items from the list of available financial performance infor
displayed to the user may relate to the type of financial mation . Alternatively, default financial performance infor
instrument inspection . For example, the financial perfor- 55 mation that may relate to performance graph 504 may be
mance criteria displayed may be different for stocks , bonds ,displayed if the user has not previously selected financial
futures , options , or other suitable financial instruments. performance information (e.g. , selecting data element 418 of
Selectable financial performance items 416 may be data list 416 in FIG . 7) . Data items 506 may be spatially
selected by a user by selecting selection boxes 418. Selec- moved about window 500 by a user to a desired location .
tion boxes 418 may be checkboxes or any other appropriate 60 Selected financial performance data 506 may be displayed
selectable items . Multiple selection boxes may be selected in the window only if the items have been selected by the
by the user in order to have multiple financial performance user from the list of financial performance items . The
data items listed during instrument inspection . Scroll bar location of the financial performance data may be moved
420 may be used to scroll through the list of selectable throughout the window . Items may be moved individually or
financial performance items. Scroll bar may not be necessary 65 in selectable groups .
if the amount of information to be displayed fits appropri- Apply button 510 may be selected by a user when the user
ately in a given area . has completed arranging the location of financial perfor
 US 11,200,621 B2
11 12
mance data items to be displayed during instrument inspec- button 608 to complete the selection process . Selection of
tion . After selecting the arrangement of information for cancel button 612 may discontinue the configuration pro
financial instruments, selection of apply button 510 may cess .
retain the positions such that when a user selects an instru- Accordingly, systems and methods for a financial instru
ment for inspection , the desired information may be pre- 5 ment inspector are provided. It will be understood that the
sented in the selected format. Selecting clear button 512 may foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of the
return the financial performance data items to a predeter invention and the various modifications can be made by
mined default location in financial performance data con those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and
figurations window 500. Cancel button 514 may be selected spirit of the invention , which is limited only by the claims
by the user to exit a configuration session . Cancel button 10 that follow .
What is claimed is :
may be a graphical button or any other suitably selectable 1. A method comprising:
item . Selection of cancel button 514 may cause any settings generating an electronic signal for causing to be displayed
modifications related to selection of financial performance at a graphical user interface of an electronic display
that may have been made prior to selecting the cancel button 15 device, by at least one processor of at least one com
not to be retained . puter in electronic communication with at least one
Turning again to FIG . 7 , when market tab 410 is selected other computer via an electronic communications net
by the user, financial performance data configurations win work , a plurality of data items in a spatial arrangement;
dow 600 of FIG . 9 may be displayed. Financial performance generating an electronic signal for causing to be displayed
data configurations window 600 may include a list of 20 at the electronic display device, by the at least one
markets to select from such that a set of financial perfor- processor , a configurations window at the graphical
mance data and a presentation format for the performance user interface, the configurations window including a
data may be associated with a particular market. plurality of selectable tabs , the plurality of selectable
Selectable market categories 602 may be selected by a tabs including a select data tab, a format tab and a
user to associate preferences of financial performance data 25 market tab , and the configurations window configured
and the presentation formation of the data with a particular to overlay a financial instrument listings window at the
market ( e.g. , stock market, bond market, futures market, graphical user interface in response to user interaction
etc. ) . Thus, when a user selects an investment instrument for with the graphical user interface;
inspection , the financial performance data and the manner in receiving , by the at least one processor, electronic data
which the information is displayed may differ amongst 30 representing a user selection of at least one market from
financial instruments, depending upon the market ( e.g. , a list of markets in response to user interaction with the
stock market, bond market, futures market, etc. ) for the market tab ;
financial instrument. More than one market may be selected receiving , by the at least one processor, electronic data
by a user to be affiliated with the selected financial perfor- representing a user selection of the plurality of data
mance information and the presentation format. 35 items from aa list of data items relating to performance
Selectable buttons 604 may be radio buttons , check boxes , of financial instruments in the selected at least one
or any other suitable selectable graphical items. market in response to user interaction with the select
Scroll bar 606 may be used to scroll through the list of data tab , wherein the list of data items is linked to the
selectable market categories (e.g. selectable market catego- list of markets such that availability of data items on the
ries 602 ) . Scroll bar may not be necessary if the amount of 40 list of data items varies for selectable markets of the list
information to be displayed fits appropriately in a given area . of markets ;
Apply button 608 may be selected by a user when the user generating an electronic signal for causing altering, at the
has completed selecting the financial performance data items graphical user interface of the electronic display
to be displayed during instrument inspection . Selection of device, a spatial position of a first subset of the plurality
apply button 608 may retain the setting of selected items. 45 of data items relative to a spatial position of a second
Apply button may be any suitable selectable item . subset of the plurality of data items in response to user
Clear button 610 may be selected by the user to deselect interaction with the format tab ;
all financial performance data items that had been previously generating an electronic signal for causing the at least one
selected . Clear button 610 may be any suitable selectable processor to save the altered spatial position of the first
item . 50 subset of the plurality of data items and the altered
Cancel button 612 may be selected by the user to exit a spatial position of the second subset of the plurality of
configuration session . Selection of cancel button 612 may data items in memory ;
cause any settings modifications related to selection of receiving , by the at least one processor, electronic data
financial performance that may have been made prior to representing a user selection of a financial instrument,
selecting the cancel button not to be retained . Cancel button 55 wherein the user selection of the financial instrument
612 may be any suitable selectable item . occurs in the financial instrument listings window ;
The user may elect to configure the type and format of the generating an electronic signal for causing to be displayed
financial performance information displayed during instru in the graphical user interface at the electronic display
ment inspection . Investment instruments which are traded in device , by the at least one processor, the first subset of
different markets may be configured to display particular 60 the plurality of data items and the second subset of the
performance information in a specific presentation display . plurality of data items in an inspection window of the
The selection of the market may precede the selection of graphical user interface in response to receiving the
financial performance data and its arrangement. The initial user selection such that:
selection of the market may alter the number of selectable the first and second subsets are displayed in the saved
performance data items . The user may select clear button 65 altered spatial position in the inspection window , but
610 to deselect all of items in markets list 602. When a user only when the selected financial instrument belongs
has finished selecting the markets, the user may select apply to the at least one selected market , and
 US 11,200,621 B2
13 14
the inspection window is displayed concurrently with execute a trade associated with the selected financial instru
the financial instrument listings window of the ment in response to user interaction , and the buy and sell
graphical user interface; and buttons are arranged adjacent to the first and second subsets
generating an electronic signal for causing to be displayed 5 of the plurality of data items in the inspection window of the
at the electronic display device , by the at least one graphical user interface.
processor, data values of the plurality of data items in 11. An apparatus comprising:
the inspection window in response to receiving the user at least one processor of at least one computer in elec
selection , wherein the data values indicate performance tronic communication with at least one other computer
of the selected financial instrument. via an electronic communications network ; and
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: 10
at least one memory having instructions stored thereon
causing to be displayed, by the at least one processor, a that are configured to , when executed , cause the at least
graph in response to receiving the user selection of the one processor to :
financial instrument; and generate an electronic signal to cause to display at a
causing to be displayed , by the at least one processor,
graphics in the graph in response to receiving the user 15 graphical user interface of an electronic display
selection , wherein the graphics indicate performance of device a plurality of data items in a spatial arrange
the selected financial instrument over a period of time . ment;
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising: generate an electronic signal for causing to display at
causing to be displayed, by the at least one processor, the the electronic display device a configurations win
graph ; 20 dow at the graphical user interface, the configura
altering the spatial position of the graph relative to the tions window including a plurality of selectable tabs ,
spatial positions of the plurality of data items in the plurality of selectable tabs including a select data
response to receiving a second user input; and tab , a format tab and aa market tab, and the configu
saving the altered spatial position of the graph, wherein : rations window configured to overlay a financial
the graph is displayed in the saved altered spatial position 25 instrument listings window at the graphical user
in response to receiving the user selection. interface in response to user interaction with the
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a graphical user interface;
user selection of the plurality of data items prior to display- receive electronic data representing a user selection of
ing the plurality of data items in the spatial arrangement, at least one market from aa list of markets in response
wherein the user selection comprises selecting a symbol 30 to user interaction with the market tab ;
corresponding to the financial instrument from a list of receive electronic data representing a user selection of
symbols displayed in aa column in the financial instrument the plurality of data items from a list of data items
listings window . relating to performance of financial instruments in
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the financial instrument the selected at least one market in response to user
listings window comprises: 35 interaction with the select data tab , wherein the list
a first column listing a plurality of symbols representing of data items is linked to the list of markets such that
respective financial instruments, and availability of data items on the list of data items
a second column listing a plurality of data values indi varies for selectable markets of the list of markets;
cating performance of the respective financial instru- generate an electronic signal to cause to alter, at the
ments . 40 graphical user interface displayed in the electronic
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying a display device, a spatial position of a first subset of
financial instrument calculator in the inspection window . the plurality of data items relative to a spatial posi
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving the tion of a second subset of the plurality of data items
user selection of the at least one market prior to displaying in response to user interaction with the format tab ;
the plurality of data items in the saved altered spatial 45 generate an electronic signal to cause the altered spatial
arrangement. position of the first subset of the plurality of data
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the plurality of data items and the altered spatial position of the second
items is selected by default in response to receiving the user subset of the plurality of data items to be saved in the
selection of the at least one market. at least one memory ;
9. The method of claim 7 further comprising: 50 receive electronic data representing a user selection of
receiving, by the at least one processor, a user selection of a financial instrument, wherein the user selection of
a different financial instrument; the financial instrument occurs in the financial instru
causing to be displayed, by the at least one processor, the ment listings window ;
first subset of the plurality of data items and the second generate an electronic signal to cause to display in the
subset of the plurality of data items in response to 55 graphical user interface at the display device the first
receiving the user selection of the different financial subset of the plurality of data items and the second
instrument, wherein the first subset is displayed in the subset of the plurality of data items in an inspection
saved altered spatial position in the graphical user window of the graphical user interface in response to
interface; and receiving the user selection , wherein the first subset
causing to be displayed , by the at least one processor, 60 and second subset are displayed in the saved altered
values of the plurality of data items in the inspection spatial position in the inspection window , but only
window in response to receiving the user selection of when the selected financial instrument belongs to the
the different financial instrument, wherein the data at least one selected market, and wherein the first and
values indicate performance of the selected different second subsets are caused to be displayed in the
financial instrument. 65 inspection window concurrently with the financial
10. The method of claim 7 wherein the inspection window instrument listings window of the graphical user
includes a buy button and a sell button each configured to interface; and
 US 11,200,621 B2
15 16
generate an electronic signal to cause to display at the the select data tab , wherein the list of data items is
display device data values of the plurality of data linked to the list of markets such that availability of
items in the inspection window in response to receiv data items on the list of data items varies for selectable
ing the user selection , wherein the data values indi- markets of the list of markets ;
cate performance of the selected financial instru- 5 generate an electronic signal to cause to alter, at the
ment. graphical user interface displayed in the electronic
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the instructions are display device, a spatial position of aa first subset of the
further configured to cause the at least one processor to : plurality of data items relative to a spatial position of a
display a graph in response to receiving the user selection second subset of the plurality of data items in response
of the financial instrument; and 10 to user interaction with the format tab ;
display graphics in the graph in response to receiving the generate an electronic signal to cause the altered spatial
user selection , wherein the graphics indicate perfor- position of the first subset of the plurality of data items
mance of the selected financial instrument over a period and the altered spatial position of the second subset of
of time . the plurality of data items to be saved in memory ;
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the instructions are 15 receive electronic data representing a user selection of a
further configured to cause the at least one processor to : financial instrument, wherein the user selection of the
display the graph ; financial instrument occurs in the financial instrument
alter the spatial position of the graph relative to the spatial listings window ;
positions of the plurality of data items in response to generate an electronic signal to cause to display in the
receiving a second user input ; and 20 graphical user interface at the display device the first
save the altered spatial position of the graph , wherein : subset of the plurality of data items and the second
the graph is displayed in the saved altered spatial position subset of the plurality of data items in response to
in response to receiving the user selection . receiving the user selection, wherein the first subset and
14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the instructions are 25 the second subset are displayed in the saved altered
further configured to : spatial position in an inspection window of the graphi
cause the at least one processor to receive a user selection cal user interface, but only when the selected financial
of the plurality of data items prior to displaying the instrument belongs to the at least one selected market,
plurality of data items in the spatial arrangement; wherein the first and second subsets are caused to be
receive a user selection of a different financial instrument; displayed in the inspection window concurrently with
display the first subset of the plurality of data items and 30 the financial instrument listings window of the graphi
the second subset of the plurality of data items in cal user interface; and
response to receiving the user selection of the different generate an electronic signal to cause to display at the
financial instrument, wherein the first subset is dis display device data values of the plurality of data items
played in the altered spatial position ; and in the inspection window in response to receiving the
display values of the plurality of data items in response to 35 user selection , wherein the data values indicate perfor
receiving the user selection of the different financial mance of the selected financial instrument.
instrument, wherein the data values indicate perfor- 17. The article of manufacture of claim 16 in which the
mance of the selected different financial instrument. computer -readable medium to store instructions which ,
15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein when executed by the processor, direct the processor to :
the user selection comprises selecting a symbol corre- 40 display a graph in response to receiving the user selection
sponding to the financial instrument from a list of of the financial instrument; and
symbols displayed in a column in the financial instru- display graphics in the graph in response to receiving the
ment listings window . user selection, wherein the graphics indicate perfor
16. An article of manufacture comprising a computer mance of the selected financial instrument over a period
readable medium that is non -transitory , in which the com- 45 of time.
puter - readable medium to store instructions which, when 18. The article of manufacture of claim 17 in which the
executed by a processor, direct the processor to : computer-readable medium to store instructions which ,
generate an electronic signal to cause to display at a when executed by the processor, direct the processor to :
graphical user interface of an electronic display device display the graph;
a plurality of data items in a spatial arrangement; 50 alter the spatial position of the graph relative to the spatial
generate an electronic signal to cause to be displayed at positions of the plurality of data items in response to
the electronic display device, a configurations window receiving a second user input; and
at the graphical user interface, the configurations win- save the altered spatial position of the graph, wherein :
dow including a plurality of selectable tabs , the plural- the graph is displayed in the saved altered spatial position
ity of selectable tabs including a select data tab , a 55 in response to receiving the user selection .
format tab and a market tab , and the configurations 19. The article of manufacture of claim 16 in which the
window configured to overlay a financial instrument computer- readable medium to store instructions which ,
listings window at the graphical user interface in when executed by the processor, direct the processor to :
response to user interaction with the graphical user cause the processor to receive a user selection of the
interface; 60 plurality of data items prior to displaying the plurality
receive electronic data representing a user selection of at of data items in the spatial arrangement;
least one market from a list of markets in response to receive a user selection of a different financial instrument;
user interaction with the market tab ; display the first subset of the plurality of data items and
receive electronic data representing a user selection of the the second subset of the plurality of data items in
plurality of data items from aa list of data items relating 65 response to receiving the user selection of the different
to performance of financial instruments in the selected financial instrument, wherein the first subset is dis
at least one market in response to user interaction with played in the altered spatial position ; and
 US 11,200,621 B2
17 18
display values of the plurality of data items in response to
receiving the user selection of the different financial
instrument, wherein the data values indicate perfor
mance of the selected different financial instrument.
5
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