Financial analysis interface

Abstract

In one embodiment, a financial analysis interface includes a first panel formed from a plurality of first windows stacked either vertically or horizontally or both, the first windows arranged in a non-overlapping manner such that each first window is visible simultaneously, each first window configured to display therein, in alphanumeric form, financial data corresponding to one of a plurality of different financial instruments. The first panel is linked to a corresponding second panel that is displayed when activated by a single user action, the second panel presenting a plurality of second windows, the second windows arranged in a non-overlapping manner such that each window is visible simultaneously, each second window representing a separate graphic view corresponding to one of the plurality of different financial instruments, and each second window displaying, at least in part, the same financial data as displayed in a corresponding one of said first windows.

1 . An apparatus to display an interface for a financial analysis system comprising:
 a computer having a display screen, the computer configured to display on the display screen
 a first panel formed from a plurality of first windows stacked either vertically or horizontally or both, the first windows arranged in a non-overlapping manner such that each first window is visible simultaneously to a user, each first window configured to display therein, in alphanumeric form, financial data corresponding to one of a plurality of different financial instruments, each different financial instrument individually selected by the user, said first windows further configured to be updated from a remote data source, and 
 a second panel configured to correspond to the first panel, the second panel configured to be displayed when activated by a single user action, the second panel configured to present a plurality of second windows, the second windows arranged in a non-overlapping manner such that each window is visible simultaneously to the user, each second window representing a separate graphic view corresponding to one of the plurality of different financial instruments, and each second window configured to display, at least in part, the same financial data as displayed in a corresponding one of said first windows. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the computer is further configured to display on the display screen:
 at least one icon activatable to cause retrieval from a remote data source of data related to, and supplemental of, data presented in said first and second panels for a particular one of said financial instruments. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the computer is further configured to display on the display screen a plurality of said icons. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3  in which the user is enabled to select the data sources to be associated with at least one of said icons to thereby define the source from which said data is to be retrieved on activation of said icon. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4  in which the user is enabled to select the data sources to be associated with at least a plurality of said icons to thereby define the source from which said data is to be retrieved on activation of said icon. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5  in which said data is retrievable at least in part from sources accessible over the public switched telephone network. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the computer is further configured to display on the display screen:
 a plurality of user-selectable functions for analysis of financial data, wherein the user-selectable functions are selectable to operate upon the financial data corresponding to one or more of the different financial instruments. 
 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the financial data in each first window of said plurality of first windows is updatable from a different remote data source. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein at least one remote data source is accessible over the Internet. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each first window is configured to display price movements of one of the different financial instruments in alphanumeric form, and each second window is configured to display a chart graphically depicting price movements of one of the different financial instruments. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first and second windows corresponding to a particular financial instrument are located at the same relative location on a display screen when displayed to the user. 
     
     
         12 . A computer-implemented method for operating an interface for a financial analysis system comprising the steps of:
 providing a first panel formed from a plurality of first windows stacked either vertically or horizontally or both, the first windows arranged in a non-overlapping manner such that each first window is visible simultaneously, each first window displaying therein, in alphanumeric form, financial data corresponding to one of a plurality of different financial instruments, each different financial instrument individually selected by a user;   updating the first windows from a remote data source; and   linking the first panel to a corresponding second panel that is displayed when activated by a single user action, the second panel presenting a plurality of second windows, the second windows arranged in a non-overlapping manner such that each window is visible simultaneously, each second window representing a separate graphic view corresponding to one of the plurality of different financial instruments, and each second is window displaying, at least in part, the same financial data as displayed in a corresponding one of said first windows.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of:
 providing at least one user-selectable icon selection of which retrieves from a remote data source data related to, and supplemental of, the financial data presented in the first and second panels for a particular one of the financial instruments.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of:
 associating data sources with at least one of said icons to thereby define the source from which said data is to be retrieved on activation of said icon.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the financial data is retrieved, at least in part, from sources accessible over the public switched telephone network. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of:
 analyzing financial data in response to selection of a user-selectable function, the user selectable function causing analysis of financial data corresponding to one or more of the different financial instruments. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of:
 updating the financial data in each first window of said plurality of first windows from a different remote data source. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein at least one remote data source is accessed over the Internet. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the steps of:
 configuring each first window to display price movements of one of the different financial instruments in alphanumeric form; and 
 configuring each second window to display a chart graphically depicting price movements of one of the different financial instruments. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the steps of:
 configuring the first and second windows corresponding to a particular financial instrument to be located at the same relative location on a display screen when displayed to the user. 
 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus to display an interface for a financial analysis system comprising:
 a computer having a display screen, the computer configured to display on the display screen
 a first panel formed from a plurality of first windows stacked either vertically or horizontally or both, the first windows arranged in a non-overlapping manner such that each first window is visible simultaneously to a user, each first window configured to display therein, in alphanumeric form, financial data corresponding to one of a plurality of different financial instruments, each different financial instrument individually selected by the user, the first windows configured to automatically display differing amounts of financial data for the financial instruments in response to a number of financial instruments selected to be displayed by the user, the amounts of financial data inversely related to the number of financial instruments to be displayed, the first windows further configured to be updated from a remote data source, and 
 a second panel configured to correspond to the first panel, the second panel configured to be displayed when activated by a single user action, the second panel configured to present a plurality of second windows, the second windows arranged in a non-overlapping manner such that each window is visible simultaneously to the user, each second window representing a separate graphic view corresponding to one of the plurality of different financial instruments, and each second window configured to display, at least in part, the same financial data as displayed in a corresponding one of the first windows.