Visual asset structuring tool

• US 9,307,884 B1
• Filed: 01/27/2003
• Issued: 04/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
• Inventors: Fouts, Noel F., Matheson, Michael I., Coleman, Don, Dodson, Jeff
• Primary Examiner(s): JOHNSON, GREGORY L
• Application Number:
  US10/351,958
• Time in Patent Office: 4,824 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/502 Shakers for dust-cloths or mops; Bumpers therefor
• 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 50/16 Real estate

Abstract

Systems and techniques for graphically representing a commercial deal by defining entities, assigning roles for relating entities, accessing commercial deal information corresponding to the entities, defining objects for related entities, and automatically generating a visual representation depicting a relationship between entities involved in a commercial deal.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for graphically representing a commercial deal, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a first entity definition from a user through a graphical user interface associated with a computing system, wherein the first entity definition is associated with at least one first entity;

receiving a second entity definition from the user through the graphical user interface, wherein the second entity definition is associated with at least one second entity;

receiving role information from the user through the graphical user interface for the at least one first entity and the at least one second entity, wherein the role information comprises role relationship information and assignment information, wherein the role relationship information comprises a role assumed by the at least one first entity and the at least one second entity, the identity of the at least one first entity and the at least one second entity as related to the at least one first entity, and an exposure of the at least one first entity or the at least one second entity, and wherein the assignment information comprises an associated type of role for each of the at least one first entity and the at least one second entity and a timing of the associated type of role assumed by each of the at least one first entity and the at least one second entity;

receiving commercial deal information corresponding to the at least one first entity and the at least one second entity from the user through the graphical user interface;

defining graphical objects for the at least one first entity and the at least one second entity, wherein the graphical objects comprise one or more of a shape, an image, a picture, a photograph, and a graphic, and wherein defining the graphical objects comprises the computing system automatically associating a graphical object with an entity based on the received first entity definition, the received second entity definition, the role information, and the received commercial deal information;

automatically generating by the computing system an electronic visual representation on a display of the computing system depicting with the graphical objects relationships among the at least one first entity and the at least one second entity involved in the commercial deal corresponding to the received commercial deal information including relationships among the at least one first entity and the at least one second entity and an overall deal structure, wherein generating the electronic visual representation comprises the computing system automatically making connections between the graphical objects to visually convey the relationship between the at least one first entity and the at least one second entity on the display, and wherein the electronic visual representation of the entities is selectably rendered in at least one mode on the display corresponding to ownership structures, cash flow structures, and servicing relationship structures, wherein selecting the at least one mode facilitates specifying a level of the overall deal structure to be viewed via the electronic visual representation; and

storing the electronic visual representation in a non-transitory computer readable medium in electronic communication with the computing system;

wherein the graphical user interface is configured to display a default electronic visual representation, wherein the default electronic visual representation is programmed to enable the user to manipulate the default electronic visual representation so that the overall deal structure that best fits parameters of the commercial deal is displayed; and

wherein the graphical user interface is configured to enable the user to save the electronic visual representation as a part of the commercial deal information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the received commercial deal information comprises one or more loan transactions.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one first entity and the at least one second entity comprise one or more of an asset, a business, an individual, a property, collateral, and an account.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first entity definition comprises entity information describing specific attributes of the at least one first entity.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first entity definition comprises one or more of entity type, tax identification number, name, telephone number, facsimile number, address, website address, and parent company relationship.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the role assumed by the at least one first entity and the at least one second entity comprise one or more of borrower, shareholder, investment, property manager, underwriter, principal, closer, employer, and employee.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving role information from the user comprises receiving role information associated with a selected entity.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the received commercial deal information comprises servicing agreement information and wherein the servicing agreement information includes details of conditions and services provided among the at least one first entity and the at least one second entity.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising continuously updating the commercial deal information over a lifetime of the commercial deal.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising automatically updating the electronic visual representation as the commercial deal information changes over a predetermined period of time.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the received commercial deal information comprises cash management agreement information, and wherein the cash management agreement information comprises details of property and deal level cash flow streams and waterfall requirements among the at least one first entity and the at least one second entity.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising rendering the electronic visual representation to the user as a structure of the graphical objects joined by connectors.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the structure is rendered in multiple levels.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein increasing the multiple levels increases the number of graphical objects displayed in the electronic visual representation.

15. A communications system comprising:

a host system in communication with one or more client systems, the host system including a loan production system configured to;

define entities through a graphical user interface associated with a computing system;

assign roles for relating entities according to role information;

access commercial deal information corresponding to the entities;

define a first graphical object for a first group of related entities, wherein the first graphical object is selected from the group consisting of a shape, an image, a picture, a photograph, and a graphic, and wherein defining the first graphical object comprises the computing system automatically associating the first graphical object with the first group of related entities based on entity information, role information, and commercial deal information;

define a second graphical object for a second group of related entities, wherein the second graphical object is selected from the group consisting of a shape, an image, a picture, a photograph, and a graphic, and wherein defining the second graphical object comprises the computing system automatically associating the second graphical object with the second group of related entities based on entity information, role information, and commercial deal information, and wherein the first graphical object is different from the second graphical object; and

automatically generate by the computing system an electronic visual representation depicting with the first graphical object and the second graphical object a relationship among entities involved in a commercial deal corresponding to the commercial deal information including relationships among related entities and an overall deal structure, wherein generating the electronic visual representation comprises the computing system automatically making connections between the graphical objects to convey the relationship between entities on the display based on the entity information, the role information, and the commercial deal information, wherein the electronic visual representation of the objects is selectably rendered in at least one mode corresponding to ownership structures, cash flow structures, and servicing relationship structures, wherein selecting the at least one mode facilitates specifying a level of the overall deal structure to be viewed via the electronic visual representation; and

automatically update the electronic visual representation based on the commercial deal information over a lifetime of the commercial deal;

display a default electronic visual representation, wherein the default electronic visual representation is programmed to enable a user to manipulate the default electronic visual representation so that the overall deal structure that best fits parameters of the commercial deal is displayed; and

wherein the graphical user interface is configured to enable the user to save the electronic visual representation as a part of the commercial deal information.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions embedded therein, the instructions, when executed, causing an electronic computer to:

receive a first entity definition from a user, wherein the first entity definition is associated with at least one first entity;

receive a second entity definition from the user, wherein the second entity definition is associated with at least one second entity;

receive role information from the user for the at least one first entity and the at least one second entity, wherein the role information comprises role relationship information and assignment information, wherein the role relationship information comprises a role assumed by the at least one first entity and the at least one second entity, the identity of the at least one first entity and the at least one second entity as related to the at least one first entity, and an exposure of the at least one first entity or the at least one second entity, and wherein the assignment information comprises an associated type of role for each of the at least one first entity and the at least one second entity and a timing of the associated type of role assumed by each of the at least one first entity and the at least one second entity;

access commercial deal information corresponding to the at least one first entity and the at least one second entity;

receive a user-defined graphical object for each of the related entities, wherein the graphical objects comprise one or more of a shape, an image, a picture, a photograph, and a graphic; and

automatically generate an electronic visual representation depicting with the graphical objects relationships among entities involved in a commercial deal including relationships among related entities and an overall deal structure based on entity information, role information, and the commercial deal information, wherein generating the electronic visual representation comprises automatically making connections between the graphical objects to convey the relationship between entities, wherein the electronic visual representation is capable of being rendered in at least one mode corresponding to ownership structures, cash flow structures, and servicing relationship structures, wherein selecting the at least one mode facilitates specifying a level of the overall deal structure to be viewed via the electronic visual representation;

display a default electronic visual representation, wherein the default electronic visual representation is programmed to enable the user to manipulate the default electronic visual representation so that the overall deal structure that best fits parameters of the commercial deal is displayed; and

save the electronic visual representation as a part of the commercial deal information.

17. A computer-implemented method for graphically representing a commercial deal, the method comprising the steps of:

defining entities through a graphical user interface associated with a computing system, wherein the entities are selected from a group consisting of an asset, a business, an individual, a property, collateral, and an account;

assigning roles for relating each of the defined entities, wherein the roles are selected from a group consisting of borrower, shareholder, investment, property manager, underwriter, principal, closer, employer, and employee;

accessing commercial deal information corresponding to the defined entities, wherein the commercial deal information is selected from a group consisting of transactions, servicing agreements, and cash management agreements;

defining graphical objects for related entities, wherein the graphical objects are selected from a group consisting of a shape, an image, a picture, a photograph, and a graphic, and wherein defining the graphical objects comprises the computing system automatically associating an object with an entity based on entity information, role information, and commercial deal information; and

automatically generating by a computing system an electronic visual representation on a display depicting with the graphical objects relationships among entities involved in a commercial deal including relationships among related entities and an overall deal structure based on entity information, role information, and commercial deal information, wherein generating the electronic visual representation comprises the computing system automatically making connections between the graphical objects to convey the relationship between entities, wherein the electronic visual representation of the objects is capable of being rendered in at least one mode corresponding to ownership structures, cash flow structures, and servicing relationship structures, wherein selecting the at least one mode facilitates specifying a level of the overall deal structure to be viewed via the electronic visual representation; and

storing the electronic visual representation in a non-transitory computer readable medium in electronic communication with the computing system;

displaying a default electronic visual representation, wherein the default electronic visual representation is programmed to enable a user to manipulate the default electronic visual representation so that the overall deal structure that best fits parameters of the commercial deal is displayed; and

wherein the graphical user interface is configured to enable the user to save the electronic visual representation as a part of the commercial deal information.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein defining entities comprises receiving entity information describing specific attributes of the entities, wherein the entity information is selected from the group consisting of entity type, tax identification number, name, telephone number, facsimile number, address, website address, and parent company relationship.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein assigning roles comprises receiving role information associated with a selected entity, wherein the role information is selected from the group consisting of a specific role assumed by the entity, a timing of each specific role, a role relationship information for associating the selected entity with one or more other entities, and an assignment information for assigning a selected entity to the commercial deal.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the commercial deal information comprises one or more of loan information, property information, cash management agreement information, and servicing agreement information.

21. A computer-implemented method for graphically representing a commercial deal, the method comprising the steps of:

defining entities using a computing system, wherein the entities comprise one or more of an asset, a business, an individual, a property, collateral, and an account, and wherein defining entities comprises electronically receiving through a graphical user interface associated with the computing system entity information describing specific attributes of the entities, wherein the entity information comprises one or more of entity type, tax identification number, name, telephone number, facsimile number, address, website address, and parent company relationship;

assigning roles for relating defined entities, wherein the roles comprise one or more of borrower, shareholder, investment, property manager, underwriter, principal, closer, employer, and employee, and wherein assigning roles comprises receiving role information associated with a selected entity, wherein the role information comprises one or more of a specific role assumed by the entity, a timing of the specific role, role relationship information for associating the selected entity with one or more other entities, and assignment information for assigning the selected entity to the commercial deal;

accessing commercial deal information corresponding to the defined entities, wherein the commercial deal comprises one or more loan transactions, servicing agreements, and cash management agreements;

defining graphical objects for related entities, wherein the graphical objects comprise one or more of a shape, an image, a picture, a photograph, and a graphic, and wherein defining the graphical objects comprises the computing system automatically associating an object with an entity based on entity information, role information, and commercial deal information, wherein the graphical objects are stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium; and

automatically generating by the computing system an electronic visual representation on a display associated with the computing system, the electronic visual display depicting with the graphical objects relationships among entities involved in a commercial deal including relationships among related entities and an overall deal structure; and

wherein automatically generating the electronic visual representation comprises the computing system automatically making graphical connections between the graphical objects to convey the relationship between the entities based on entity information, role information, and commercial deal information; and

wherein the electronic visual representation of the objects is capable of being rendered in at least one mode corresponding to ownership structures, cash flow structures, and servicing relationship structures, wherein selecting the at least one mode facilitates specifying a level of the overall deal structure to be viewed via the electronic visual representation, and wherein the electronic visual representation comprises a first graphical object representative of a first individual and a second graphical object representative of a first collateral;

wherein the graphical user interface is configured to display a default electronic visual representation, wherein the default electronic visual representation is programmed to enable a user to manipulate the default electronic visual representation so that the overall deal structure that best fits parameters of the commercial deal is displayed; and

wherein the graphical user interface is configured to enable the user to save the electronic visual representation as a part of the commercial deal information.