Browser interface and network based financial service system

• US 7,171,384 B1
• Filed: 11/14/2000
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: UBS Business Solutions AG (UBS Ag)
• Original Assignee: UBS Financial Services Incorporated (UBS Ag)
• Inventors: Mauer, Robert, Hummelberg, David, Martone, Brian, Fitzpatrick, William, Furlong, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Kyle, Charles R.
• Application Number:
  US09/712,358
• Time in Patent Office: 2,268 Days
• Field of Search: 705/36, 705/36.R, 345/775, 345/774, 345/962, 345/779
• US Class Current: 705/36.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/06 Asset management; Financial planning or analysis

Abstract

A browser interface for providing financial services is provided. The interface comprise a toolbar; a menu for presenting one of an application menu and a market data function menu; and at least one view window for presenting information from at least one of an application and a market data function. Also provided is a network based financial service system comprising a client computer having Internet access; a browser interface operable on the client computer, the browser interface having a toolbar, a menu for presenting one of an application menu and a market data function menu, and at least one view window for presenting information from at least one of a financial application and a market data function; and a server having access to a plurality of applications and a plurality of market data functions, the applications and functions being accessible from the browser interface of the Internet access. The interface and system provides timely, proactive financial advice. Users are afforded the opportunity to set and achieve investment goals based on real-time financial data and the ability to access financial applications.

Claims

1. A computer readable medium having financial advisor software stored thereon that when executed on a computing device displays an interface comprising:

an application menu;

a market data function menu; and

a display window;

wherein the market data function menu comprises a market data function selection that upon activation displays market data in the display window in real time;

wherein the application menu comprises;

a client information application selection that upon activation presents a display in the display window that enables a user of the financial advisor software to search for and monitor client account and client transaction information in the display window in real time, including real time information from an investor trading system regarding an active client transaction at the investor trading system;

a research application selection that upon activation presents a display in the display window that enables the user of the financial advisor software to research investments;

a financial planning application selection that upon activation presents a display in the display window that enables the user of the financial advisor software to analyze the impact of the active client transaction and to determine alternative asset allocations and specific investment alternatives;

a broker entry application selection that upon activation presents a display in the display window that enables the user of the financial advisor software to intercede in the active client transaction at the investor trading system in real time by entering or correcting client transaction orders through the display based on information obtained from one or more selections of the application menu and the market data function menu.

2. The computer readable medium of claim 1, further comprising a management application that enables the use of the financial advisor software to report problems in execution of client transactions.

3. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the client information application comprises a client inquiry feature selection that enables the user of the financial advisor computing device to search for and display in the display window information that includes client account balances, client account statements, client transaction confirmations, and client tax statements.

4. A network based financial services system comprising:

computing devices having financial advisor software stored thereon that when executed displays an interface operable on the computing devices;

one or more servers connected directly or indirectly to the computing devices via the Internet having access to a plurality of applications and a plurality of market data functions, at least one of the one or more servers receiving real time information from an investor trading system regarding an active client transaction at the investor trading system and storing the real time information in at least one database;

wherein the interface comprises;

an application menu;

a market data function menu; and

a display window;

wherein the market data function menu comprises a market data function selection that upon activation displays market data in the display window in real time;

wherein the application menu comprises;

a client information application selection that upon activation presents a display in the display window that enables a user of the financial advisor software to search for and monitor client account information and client transaction information stored in the at least one database in the display window in real time, including the real time information from the investor trading system regarding the active client transaction at the investor trading system;

a research application selection that upon activation presents a display in the display window that enables the user of the financial advisor software to research investments;

a financial planning application selection that upon activation presents a display in the display window that enables the user of the financial advisor software to analyze the impact of the active client transaction and to determine alternative asset allocations and specific investment alternatives;

a broker entry application selection that upon activation presents a display in the display window that enables the user of the financial advisor software to intercede in the active client transaction at the investor trading system in real time by entering or correcting client transaction orders through the display based on information obtained from one or more selections of the application menu and the market data function menu.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a management application that enables the use of the financial advisor software to report problems in execution of client transactions.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the client information application comprises a client inquiry feature selection that enables the user of the financial advisor computing device to search for and display in the display window information that includes client account balances, client account statements, client transaction confirmations, and client 1099 statements.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein an authentication system is connected to at least one of the one or more servers, the authentication system comprising:

a controller;

a shell initialization module;

a browser interface launch module;

a password module;

and a move/add/change function;

one or more databases storing the level of entitlement of the user to the client account and the client transaction information.