Automatic stock trading system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for automatically trading real investment items desirably on at least one trading exchange based on predetermined conditions. The present invention includes a data interface for receiving investment data identifying at least one item capable of being traded and containing information uniquely associated with the item. An individual trading computer receives predetermined trading criteria for making a trade. The individual trading computer receives the investment data and the predetermined trading criteria. The individual trading computer then analyzes the investment data with the trading criteria and outputs a trade request signal desirably with no manual intervention in response to the analysis determining that the item should be traded. The trade request signal identifies at least one trade of the item to be made by a trader and authorizes the trader to make the trade identified in the trade request so that at least a portion of the trade identified in the trade request signal can be consummated.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An individual trading computer for automatically trading investment items, the individual trading computer comprising: 
 an input unit receiving predetermined trading criteria from an individual for making a trade;    a data interface receiving investment data from a data source selected by the individual, the investment data identifying at least one item capable of being traded and containing information uniquely associated with the item for making a trade;    a computer in communication with the data interface and the input unit, the computer receiving information selecting a market trader, and automatically analyzing the investment data with the predetermined trading criteria and automatically outputting a trade request signal to the market trader in response to the analysis determining that the item should be traded, the trade request signal identifying at least one trade of the item to be made by the market trader and authorizing the market trader to make the trade identified in the trade request signal whereby at least a portion of the trade identified in the trade request signal is capable of being consummated.    
     
     
         2 . The individual trading computer of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined trading criteria are stored in the computer, the predetermined trading criteria including multiple instructions to form a trading sequence relating to the same investment item.  
     
     
         3 . The individual trading computer of  claim 1 , wherein the input unit, data interface and computer are all provided as components on a single physical computer.  
     
     
         4 . The individual trading computer of  claim 1 , wherein the computer outputs trade request signals to more than one individual selected market trader, and an investment item portfolio is stored on the computer, the investment item portfolio including a first investment item maintained in an account by one individual selected market trader, and a second investment item maintained in an account by another individual selected market trader.  
     
     
         5 . The individual trading computer of  claim 4 , wherein the investment item portfolio stored on the computer is maintained confidentially.  
     
     
         6 . A method for automatically trading investment items based on predetermined conditions, comprising: 
 receiving an individual's selection of at least one individual selected data source;    receiving investment data identifying at least one item capable of being traded and containing information uniquely associated with the item from the individual selected data source;    receiving predetermined trading criteria for making a trade;    receiving the individual's selection of an individual selected market trader;    analyzing the investment data with the predetermined trading criteria;    outputting, automatically, a trade request signal to the individual selected market trader in response to the analysis determining that the item should be traded, the trade request signal identifying at least one trade of the item to be made by the individual selected market trader and authorizing the trader to make the trade identified in the trade request signal whereby at least a portion of the trade identified in the trade request signal is capable of being consummated.