DYNAMIC VISUAL STATISTICAL DATA DISPLAY AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LIMITED DISPLAY DEVICE

• US 20120303548A1
• Filed: 05/23/2012
• Published: 11/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visible Market, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Visible Market, Inc.
• Inventors: Gunther, Nicholas Langdon, Johnson, Jennifer Ellen, Morris, John Keoni, de Brun, Stephen Carl
• Granted Patent: US 8,972,295 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/36.R
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04101 2.5D-digitiser, i.e. digitiser detecting the X/Y position of the input means, finger or stylus, also when it does not touch, but is proximate to the digitiser's interaction surface and also measures the distance of the input means within a short range in the Z direction, possibly with a separate measurement setup
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04104 Multi-touch detection in digitiser, i.e. details about the simultaneous detection of a plurality of touching locations, e.g. multiple fingers or pen and finger
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04803 Split screen, i.e. subdividing the display area or the window area into separate subareas
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04806 Zoom, i.e. interaction techniques or interactors for controlling the zooming operation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04808 Several contacts: gestures triggering a specific function, e.g. scrolling, zooming, right-click, when the user establishes several contacts with the surface simultaneously; e.g. using several fingers or a combination of fingers and pen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 7/00 Methods or arrangements for processing data by operating upon the order or content of the data handled logic circuits H03K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/00 Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators image data processing or generation, in general G06T

Abstract

Embodiments include methods for distributing visual display information related to a plurality of items to one or more display devices, and methods for rendering visual display information related to a plurality of items by a display device. Embodiments also comprise display devices, servers, and computer-readable media embodying one or more of these methods. Embodiments display of large data sets and associated statistics, such as trading activity of securities or other business statistics, on devices with limited-size display screen, e.g. smartphone or tablet. Embodiments enable visual navigation of large dynamic data sets via relative and absolute contextual statistics. Embodiments combine dynamic visual displays with a multi-tiered navigation structure, supporting more effective information gathering and processing across a variety of users with different objectives. Embodiments provide more relevant, individualized user experience through flexibility to observe patterns, correlation, and contextuality, and to explore subsections of the data quickly via unique navigation paths.

Claims

1. A method of displaying statistical data on a mobile computing device, comprising:

displaying an activity map on a mobile computing device, wherein

the activity map comprises a plurality of icons of substantially similar size and shape,

each icon corresponds to one of a plurality of items of a similar type,

each one of the plurality of items is associated with one of a plurality of sectors or groups, and each icon is displayed in a display region associated with said one of a plurality of sectors or groups, such that each icon displayed in a display region corresponds to one of the plurality of items associated with said sector or group,

each icon is displayed in one of a plurality of display colors, wherein the display color for each icon relates to a statistical data value for the one of the plurality of items corresponding to the icon;

updating the statistical data values for a portion of the plurality of items; and

changing the display color for each icon in the activity map to reflect the updated value for the item corresponding to the icon.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein an item represents at least one of a stock, bond, exchange traded fund, futures contract, currency, commodity, individuals or groups of individuals performing the same or a similar task or job, and elements or parts of one or more systems used for a particular purpose.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein each icon is a rectangular tile.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein there is a plurality of sectors or groups.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising arranging the icons in display regions.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising arranging the icons according to one of the following patterns:

total number of items, with largest in center and spiraling outwards, top left to bottom right ordering based on total number of items, price change, activity, or alphabetical.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising re-arranging the icons in a display region into a different pattern.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein updating the statistical data for a plurality of items further comprises pulling updated statistical data from a statistical data server.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising pulling updated statistical data from the statistical data server when the activity map is restored to active display.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising receiving a configuration file in a binary format from a statistical data server and modifying a display value of an icon.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising receiving an updated current data file from a statistical data server and updating the display of one or more icons corresponding to updated values in the updated current data file.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising receiving a updated historical data file in a binary format from a financial data server and updating the display of one or more icons corresponding to updated values in the updated historical file.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the display color for each icon is based on a price differential between the current value of the corresponding item and one of the following:

an index value, a value related to the sector of the corresponding item, a value of the corresponding item at the end of the most recent historical period, a value of the corresponding item over a selected historical period.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the current value of the corresponding item is the volume of the corresponding item during a current period; and

the value of the corresponding item over a selected historical period is the volume of the corresponding item over a selected historical period or a value related to the volume over a selected historical period of the sector or group with which the corresponding item is associated.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the mobile computing device comprises a touch screen display.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising touching a display region to enhance the display of all items in the sector or group associated with the display region.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising touching an icon to reveal additional detail about the item corresponding to the icon.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising touching an icon to reveal time series data for one of the plurality of items.

19. A method of navigating a display of statistical data, comprising:

displaying on a display device a plurality of icons, wherein

each one of the plurality of icons corresponds to one of a plurality of items of a similar type,

the plurality of icons are grouped into a plurality of display regions, each one of the plurality of display regions comprising a plurality of icons,

each icon has a first display parameter, wherein the first display parameter is substantially the same for each one of the plurality icons,

each icon has a second display parameter, wherein the second display parameter is substantially the same for each one of the plurality icons, and

each icon has a variable display parameter, wherein the variable display parameter for each icon changes to reflect a change in the value of a datum concerning the icon'"'"'s corresponding item;

enhancing the display of the icons comprising a particular display region, in response to receiving a signal indicating the selection of the particular display region; and

displaying a first set of additional data relating to one of the plurality of items, in response to receiving a signal indicating the selection of one of the plurality of icons corresponding to the one of the plurality of items.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein each icon is a colored tile of substantially the same size.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the first display parameter is shape, the second display parameter is size, and the variable display parameter is color.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the display device comprises a touch screen interface.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the signal indicating the selection of the particular display region comprises a zoom in signal from the touch screen interface indicating at least one of selection of an icon grouped within the particular display region and selection of a display area within the particular display region.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein enhancing the display of the icons in the particular display region comprises at least one of displaying only the icons in the particular display region, increasing the size of icons in the particular display region, and darkening the icons outside of the particular display region.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein enhancing the display of the icons in the particular display region comprises enlarging each icon and displaying only the selected display region.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the signal indicating the selection of the particular icon comprises a zoom in signal from the touch screen interface indicating at least one of selection of the particular icon and selection of a display area comprising the particular icon.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising displaying the plurality of display regions in response to receiving a zoom out signal from the touch screen interface.

28. The method of claim 19, wherein the first set of additional data concerning the corresponding item includes one or more of price data, volume data, news, and identifying information.

29. The method of claim 19, wherein the variable display parameter changes when the datum is dynamically updated.

30. The method of claim 19, wherein the display device has a limited display size.

31. For use with a financial data delivery system comprising a financial data source, a financial data server, a data store, a distribution server, and a display device coupled to the distribution server via a communications network, a method of distributing financial data, comprising:

storing, on the data store, configuration data, historical data, and current data, wherein

the configuration data relates to each one of a plurality of market units, wherein associated with each market unit is a first dynamic data type that varies over time,

the historical data comprises a plurality of first historical data values, each first historical data value being a value of the first dynamic data type, the plurality of first historical data values comprises data for each one of the plurality of market units, and the plurality of first historical data values comprises data for each one of a plurality of historical time periods, and the current data comprises a plurality of first current data values, each first current data value being a value of the first dynamic data type, the plurality of first current data values comprises data for each one of the plurality of market units, and the plurality of first current data values comprises data for a current time period;

storing on the distribution server, for distribution to the display device, one or more configuration files, one or more historical data files, and one or more current data files, wherein

each of the one or more configuration data files comprises configuration data and is encoded in a binary format;

each of the one or more historical data files comprises historical data and is encoded in a binary format;

each of the one or more current data files comprises current data and is encoded in a binary format;

importing new data from the financial data source, the new data comprising new data of the first dynamic data type;

updating the data store with the new data;

preparing, when the new data comprises configuration data, an updated configuration data file;

preparing, when the new data comprises historical data, an updated historical data file;

preparing, when the new data comprises current data, an updated current data file; and

storing on the distribution server, for distribution to the display device, at least one of the updated configuration data file, the updated configuration data file, and the updated historical data file.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the market unit is one of a stock, bond, exchange traded fund, futures contract, currency, or commodity.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the first dynamic data type is one of price or volume.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the current time period is the current day.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of historical time periods comprises one week, one month, three months, six months, one year, and five years.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein one of the one or more current data files comprises time series data for a single market unit.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising creating time series data for a single market unit, comprising:

a) determining a tick count, c, where c is based on a display parameter of the display device and the current time period;

b) dividing the current time period into c time intervals of even duration; and

c) calculating a price value and a volume value for the market unit for each of the c time intervals that has elapsed from the beginning of the current time period to the time of calculation.

38. The method of claim 31, wherein one of the one or more historical data files comprises time series data for a single market unit.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising creating time series data for a single market unit, comprising:

a) determining, for one of the plurality of historical time periods, a tick count, c, where c is based on a display parameter of the display device and the historical time period;

b) dividing the historical time period into c time intervals of even duration;

c) calculating, for each of the c time intervals, a price value and a volume value for the market unit during each of the c time intervals;

d) repeating steps a) through c) for each one of the plurality of historical time periods.

40. The method of claim 31, wherein one of the one or more historical data files comprises data relating to price, volume, and quantity outstanding for each of the plurality of market units.

41. The method of claim 31, further comprising reversably encoding identification data for a market unit.

42. The method of claim 31, wherein the configuration data comprises reversably-encoded identification data for each of the market units.

43. The method of claim 31, wherein the configuration data comprises a mapping of the plurality of market units to a plurality of sectors.

44. The method of claim 31, wherein the communications network comprises a telecommunications network.

45. The method of claim 31, wherein the communications network is bandwidth-constrained.

46. The method of claims 31, wherein the display device comprises one or more of a telephone, personal digital assistant or tablet computer.

47. The method of claims 31, wherein the display device is a mobile display device having a touch screen interface.

48. A method of displaying statistical data, comprising:

creating a plurality of icons, each icon having substantially the same size and shape, wherein each one of the plurality of icons corresponds to one of a plurality of items of a similar type;

grouping the plurality of items into a plurality of sectors or groups, wherein each one of the plurality of sectors or groups is associated with one of a plurality of display regions;

grouping the plurality of icons into the plurality of display regions, wherein each icon grouped in particular display region associated with a particular sector or group corresponds to one of the plurality of items grouped into the particular sector or group;

arranging the display of icons within each one of the plurality of display regions;

displaying on a display device each one of the plurality of icons as arranged in each one of the plurality of display regions;

displaying each one of the icons in a shade of a base color, the shade for each one of the plurality of icons corresponding to a value of a datum related to the icon'"'"'s corresponding item;

dynamically updating the value of the datum for each one of the plurality of items; and

changing the shade of each icon to reflect a difference between a reference value and the updated value of the datum of each icon'"'"'s corresponding item.

49. A method for distributing visual display information related to a plurality of items of a similar type to one or more devices, comprising:

receiving current performance data for the plurality of items;

combining the current performance data with historical performance data to create updated performance data for the plurality of items;

storing the updated performance data as historical performance data for the plurality of items;

generating based on the updated performance data a plurality of display information files comprising a configuration file and a plurality of time series files for each of the plurality of items; and

writing the plurality of display information files to a data store where each display information file is individually accessible to the one or more devices, wherein;

the configuration file comprises information related to when each of the plurality of display information files was last updated, and

the plurality of time series files for each item comprises information that enables visual display of a plurality of times series for that item, with each time series corresponding to a different temporal duration.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the plurality of time series files for each item do not comprise graphical images.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein the plurality of display information files further comprise a historical comparison file and a static information file.

52. The method of claim 49, wherein the plurality of time series files for each item comprises a historical information file for each item and a current information file for each item.

53. The method of claim 49, wherein the plurality of items comprises securities.

54. The method of claim 49, wherein the plurality of items comprises individuals or groups of individuals performing the same or a similar task or job.

55. The method of claim 49, wherein the plurality of items comprises elements or parts of one or more systems used for a particular purpose.

56. A method for rendering visual display information related to a plurality of items of a similar type by a display device, comprising:

retrieving from a data store a configuration file comprising version information related to when each of a plurality of display information files stored on the data store was last updated;

determining which of the plurality of display information files are newer than corresponding display information files stored on the display device;

retrieving at least a portion of the display information files that were determined to be newer than corresponding display information files stored on the display device;

rendering current visual display information based on the retrieved portion of display information files;

receiving a signal indicating that the current visual display information should be updated;

retrieving an additional portion of the display information files that were determined to be newer than corresponding display information files stored on the display device; and

rendering updated visual display information based on the retrieved additional portion of the display information files.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the plurality of items comprises securities.

58. The method of claim 56, wherein the plurality of items comprises individuals or groups of individuals performing the same or a similar task or job.

59. The method of claim 56, wherein the plurality of items comprises elements or parts of one or more systems used for a particular purpose.

60. The method of claim 56, wherein the signal indicating that the current visual display information should be updated comprises a signal indicating that updated visual display information should comprise information related to fewer of the plurality of items than the current visual display information.

61. A server for distributing visual display information related to a plurality of items of a similar type, comprising:

a processor;

a communications interface; and

at least one memory including program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the server to;

receive, via the communications interface, current performance data for the plurality of items;

combine the current performance data with historical performance data to create updated performance data for the plurality of items;

store, in the at least one memory, the updated performance data as historical performance data for the plurality of items;

generate based on the updated performance data a plurality of display information files comprising a configuration file and a plurality of time series files for each of the plurality of items; and

send, via the communications interface, the plurality of display information files to a data store where each display information file is individually accessible to the one or more devices, wherein;

the configuration file comprises information related to when each of the plurality of display information files was last updated, and

the plurality of time series files for each item comprises information that enables visual display of a plurality of times series for that item, with each time series corresponding to a different temporal duration.

62. The server of claim 61, wherein the plurality of time series files for each item does not comprise graphical images.

63. The server of claim 61, wherein the plurality of display information files comprise a historical comparison file and a static information file.

64. The server of claim 61, wherein the plurality of time series files for each item comprises a historical information file for each item and a current information file for each item.

65. The server of claim 61, wherein the plurality of items comprises securities.

66. The server of claim 61, wherein the plurality of items comprises individuals or groups of individuals performing the same or a similar task or job.

67. The server of claim 61, wherein the plurality of items comprises elements or parts of one or more systems used for a particular purpose.

68. A display device for rendering visual display information related to a plurality of items of a similar type, comprising:

a processor;

a communications interface;

a display; and

at least one memory including program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the display device to;

retrieve from an external data store, via the communications interface, a configuration file comprising version information related to when each of a plurality of display information files stored on the external data store was last updated;

determine which of the plurality of display information files stored on the external data store are newer than corresponding display information files stored in the at least one memory;

retrieve, via the communications interface, at least a portion of the display information files that were determined to be newer than corresponding display information files stored on the display device;

render on the display current visual display information based on the retrieved portion of display information files;

receive a signal indicating that the current visual display information should be updated;

retrieve an additional portion of the display information files that were determined to be newer than corresponding display information files stored on the display device; and

render on the display updated visual display information based on the retrieved additional portion of the display information files.

69. The display device of claim 68, wherein the plurality of items comprises securities.

70. The display device of claim 68, wherein the plurality of items comprises individuals or groups of individuals performing the same or a similar task or job.

71. The display device of claim 68, wherein the plurality of items comprises elements or parts of one or more systems used for a particular purpose.

72. The display device of claim 68, wherein the signal indicating that the current visual display information should be updated comprises a signal indicating that updated visual display information should comprise information related to fewer of the plurality of items than the current visual display information.

73. The display device of claim 68, wherein:

the display is a touchscreen display; and

the program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the display device to receive a signal indicating that the current visual display information should be updated comprises program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the display device to receive a signal from the touchscreen display.

74. A computer-readable medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed on a server, causes the server to:

receive current performance data for a plurality of items of a similar type;

retrieve historical performance data for the plurality of items from a memory operably connected to the server;

combine the current performance data with the historical performance data to create updated performance data for the plurality of items;

store, in the memory, the updated performance data as historical performance data for the plurality of items;

generate based on the updated performance data a plurality of display information files comprising a configuration file and a plurality of time series files for each of the plurality of items; and

send the plurality of display information files to a data store where each display information file is individually accessible to the one or more devices, wherein;

the configuration file comprises information related to when each of the plurality of display information files was last updated, and

the plurality of time series files for each item comprises information that enables visual display of a plurality of times series for that item, with each time series corresponding to a different temporal duration.

75. The computer-readable medium of claim 74, wherein the plurality of time series files for each item does not comprise graphical images.

76. The computer-readable medium of claim 74, wherein the plurality of display information files further comprise a historical comparison file and a static information file.

77. The computer-readable medium of claim 74, wherein the plurality of time series files for each item comprises a historical information file for each item and a current information file for each item.

78. The computer-readable medium of claim 74, wherein the plurality of items comprises securities.

79. The computer-readable medium of claim 74, wherein the plurality of items comprises individuals or groups of individuals performing the same or a similar task or job.

80. The computer-readable medium of claim 74, wherein the plurality of items comprises elements or parts of one or more systems used for a particular purpose.

81. A computer-readable medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed on a display device, causes the display device to:

retrieve from an external data store a configuration file comprising version information related to when each of a plurality of display information files stored on the external data store was last updated;

determine which of the plurality of display information files stored on the external data store are newer than corresponding display information files stored on the display device;

retrieve at least a portion of the display information files that were determined to be newer than corresponding display information files stored on the display device;

render current visual display information based on the retrieved portion of display information files;

receive a signal indicating that the current visual display information should be updated;

retrieve an additional portion of the display information files that were determined to be newer than corresponding display information files stored on the display device; and

render updated visual display information based on the retrieved additional portion of the display information files.

82. The computer-readable medium of claim 81, wherein the plurality of items comprises securities.

83. The computer-readable medium of claim 81, wherein the plurality of items comprises individuals or groups of individuals performing the same or a similar task or job.

84. The computer-readable medium of claim 81, wherein the plurality of items comprises elements or parts of one or more systems used for a particular purpose.

85. The computer-readable medium of claim 81, wherein the signal indicating that the current visual display information should be updated comprises a signal indicating that updated visual display information should comprise information related to fewer of the plurality of items than the current visual display information.

86. The computer-readable medium of claim 81, wherein the instructions that, when executed by the display device, cause the display device to receive a signal indicating that the current visual display information should be updated comprises instructions that, when executed by the display device, cause the display device to receive a signal from a touchscreen display.