U.S. patent application number 10/038757 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-28 for virtual reality generator for use with financial information.
Invention is credited to Marshall, Paul Steven.
Application Number | 20020178096 10/038757 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25495912 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020178096 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marshall, Paul Steven |
November 28, 2002 |
Virtual reality generator for use with financial information
Abstract
A virtual reality generator having an input module that receives
as input financial information is disclosed. The virtual reality
generator outputs to a display device a virtual reality world
generated from the financial information. The financial information
can be pre-processed by a financial analytic system prior to input
to the virtual reality generator. The financial information can be
received from a data file. The virtual reality generator can
dynamically display and continuously update the virtual reality
world. Further, movement through the virtual reality world can be
simulated.
Inventors: |
Marshall, Paul Steven; (New
York, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAVIDSON, DAVIDSON & KAPPEL, LLC
485 SEVENTH AVENUE, 14TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10018
US
|
Family ID: |
25495912 |
Appl. No.: |
10/038757 |
Filed: |
January 2, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10038757 |
Jan 2, 2002 |
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09588127 |
Jun 2, 2000 |
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09588127 |
Jun 2, 2000 |
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08946315 |
Oct 7, 1997 |
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6073115 |
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08946315 |
Oct 7, 1997 |
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07954775 |
Sep 30, 1992 |
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5675746 |
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08946315 |
Oct 7, 1997 |
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08267107 |
Jun 27, 1994 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/35 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06T 15/00 20130101;
G06Q 40/06 20130101; G06T 11/206 20130101; G06T 15/10 20130101;
G06Q 40/00 20130101; G06F 3/04815 20130101; G06Q 40/04
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/35 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A virtual reality generator comprising an input module that
receives as input financial information; and means for outputing to
a display device a virtual reality world generated from the
financial information.
2. The virtual reality generator of claim 1 wherein the financial
information is pre-processed by a financial analytic system prior
to input to the virtual reality generator.
3. The virtual reality generator of claim 2 wherein the financial
analytic system pre-processes the financial information in
real-time.
4. The virtual reality generator of claim 1 wherein the financial
information is received from a data file.
5. The virtual reality generator of claim 1 wherein the financial
information is received from a real-time data source.
6. The virtual reality generator of claim 1 wherein the display
device is a monitor.
7. The virtual reality generator of claim 1 wherein the display
device is a visual stereoscopic head-mounted display device.
8. The virtual reality generator of claim 1 further comprising
means for dynamically displaying and continuously updating the
virtual reality world.
9. The virtual reality generator of claim 1 further comprising
means for simulating movement through the virtual reality world
under the control of a control device.
10. The virtual reality generator of claim 9 wherein the control
device is a trackball.
11. The virtual reality generator of claim 9 wherein the control
device is a data glove.
12. The virtual reality generator of claim 9 wherein the control
device is a binocular omni orientation monitor.
13. The virtual reality generator of claim 9 wherein the control
device is a mouse.
14. The virtual reality generator of claim 9 wherein the control
device is a wand.
15. The virtual reality generator of claim 9 wherein the control
device is a joystick.
16. The virtual reality generator of claim 9 wherein the simulated
movement is controlled by movement of a headset containing the
display device.
17. The virtual reality generator of claim 1 wherein the virtual
reality world comprises a plurality of metaphors, each one of the
plurality of metaphors representing a subset of financial
information.
18. The virtual reality generator of claim 17 wherein the plurality
of metaphors are output for display as graphical primitives.
19. The virtual reality generator of claim 17 further comprising a
user interface module controlling a window display, the window
display enabling input of a plurality of parameters to define the
characteristics of the plurality of metaphors.
20. The virtual reality generator of claim 19 wherein the plurality
of parameters and the financial information determines the size,
shape, color, and movement of each one of the plurality of
metaphors.
21. The virtual reality generator of claim 19 wherein each one of
the plurality of metaphors has a visual consistency and wherein a
predetermined one of the plurality of parameters and the financial
information determines the visual consistency of each one of the
plurality of metaphors.
22. The virtual reality generator of claim 19 wherein each one of
the plurality of metaphors has a texture and wherein a
predetermined one of the plurality of parameters and the financial
information determines the texture of each one of the plurality of
metaphors.
23. The virtual reality generator of claim 17 wherein the plurality
of metaphors are animated.
24. The virtual reality generator of claim 1 wherein the virtual
reality world is defined by a configuration parameter set.
25. The virtual reality generator of claim 24 further comprising a
memory wherein the configuration parameter set is stored in the
memory.
26. The virtual reality generator of claim 1 wherein the financial
information is pre-processed by a knowledge-base system prior to
input to the virtual reality generator.
27. The virtual reality generator of claim 1 wherein the financial
information is pre-processed by a neural network prior to input to
the virtual reality generator.
28. A virtual reality generator to display on a display device a
stream of financial information received from a financial analytic
system as a virtual reality world, the virtual reality generator
comprising: an input module to continuously receive the stream of
financial information from the financial analytic; and a virtual
reality generator module including: (i) means for generating and
continuously modifying the virtual reality world so that the
virtual reality world correspondingly represents the stream of
financial information, (ii) means for causing the virtual reality
world to be displayed on the display device from a plurality of
perspectives, and (iii) means for simulating, on the display
device, movement through the virtual reality world.
29. A virtual reality generator to display on a display device
financial information as a virtual reality world, the virtual
reality generator comprising: an input module to receive as input
the financial information; and a virtual reality generator module
including: (i) means for generating the virtual reality world
representing the financial information, (ii) means for causing the
virtual reality world to be displayed on the display device from a
plurality of perspectives, and (iii) means for simulating, on the
display device, movement through the virtual reality world.
30. The virtual reality generator of claim 29 wherein the input
module receives the financial information from a real-time data
source.
31. The virtual reality generator of claim 29 wherein the input
module receives the financial information from a database.
32. The virtual reality generator of claim 29 wherein the input
module receives the financial information from a real-time data
source and a database.
33. The virtual reality generator of any one of claims 29, 30, 31
or 32 wherein the financial information is pre-processed by an
analytic system prior to receipt by the input module.
34. A virtual reality generator to display financial information as
a virtual reality world, the virtual reality generator comprising:
an input module receiving financial information from a financial
analytic system; a user interface module receiving as input a
plurality of display parameters and a plurality of filter
parameters, the user interface module modifying the financial
information to comply with the plurality of filter parameters; and
a virtual reality generator module generating and continuously
modifying a virtual reality world, the virtual reality world
representing the modified financial information and satisfying the
plurality of display parameters.
35. The virtual reality generator of claim 34 wherein the virtual
reality generator module further comprises means for displaying the
virtual reality world from a plurality of perspectives.
36. The virtual reality generator of claim 34 wherein the virtual
reality generator module further comprises means for simulating
movement in the virtual reality world.
37. The virtual reality generator of claim 34 wherein the modified
financial information is displayed as a plurality of metaphors in
the virtual reality world.
38. The virtual reality generator of claim 34 wherein the plurality
of metaphors are geometric primitives.
39. The virtual reality generator of claim 34 wherein the plurality
of metaphors are polygons.
40. The virtual reality generator of claim 34 wherein the plurality
of metaphors are rotatable.
41. The virtual reality generator of claim 34 wherein the plurality
of metaphors have variable luminance.
42. The virtual reality generator of claim 34 wherein a subset of
the plurality of metaphors is selected to rotate by a predetermined
one of the plurality of display parameters, each metaphor in the
subset generated by the virtual reality generator module such that
it rotates.
43. The virtual reality generator of claim 34 wherein the plurality
of metaphors have user defined textures.
44. The virtual reality generator of claim 34 wherein the plurality
of metaphors are colored.
45. The virtual reality generator of claim 44 wherein the color of
each of the plurality of metaphors is determined by a predetermined
one of the plurality of display parameters.
46. The virtual reality generator of claim 34 wherein a subset of
the plurality of metaphors is selected to flash by a predetermined
one of the plurality of display parameters, each metaphor in the
subset generated by the virtual reality module such that it
flashes.
47. The virtual reality generator of claim 35 wherein the plurality
of display parameters comprise attributes of financial
instruments.
48. The virtual reality generator of claim 35 wherein the user
interface module includes means for displaying a simulated
cockpit.
49. The virtual reality generator of claim 35 wherein the virtual
reality world is divided into a grid of sub-regions.
50. The virtual reality generator of claim 49 wherein the virtual
reality world represents the financial information for a single
industry and each sub-region represents the financial information
for the single industry in a plurality of markets.
51. The virtual reality generator of claim 49 wherein the virtual
reality world represents the financial information for a single
market and each sub-region represents the financial information for
a plurality of industries in the single market.
52. The virtual reality generator of claim 49 wherein the virtual
reality world represents the financial information for stocks,
options and bonds in a single market and each sub-region represents
the financial performance of the stocks, options and bonds having a
predetermined expiration date in a predetermined industry
group.
53. The virtual reality generator of claim 34 wherein the financial
information comprises financial information concerning stocks.
54. The virtual reality generator of claim 34 wherein the financial
information comprises financial information concerning bonds.
55. The virtual reality generator of claim 34 wherein the financial
information comprises financial information concerning
commodities.
56. The virtual reality generator of claim 53 wherein the virtual
reality world comprises a plurality of metaphors representing a
plurality of stocks, each one of the plurality of stocks displayed
in the virtual reality world satisfying the filter parameters.
57. The virtual reality generator of claim 56 wherein each one of
the plurality of metaphors have shape, size, position, behavior and
color to represent financial information concerning one of the
plurality of stocks.
58. The virtual reality generator of claim 43 wherein the user
defined texture includes a logo.
59. The virtual reality generator of claim 35 wherein the virtual
reality world is updated at least 30 times per second.
60. The virtual reality generator of claim 34 wherein the virtual
reality generator module includes means for generating and
simultaneously displaying a plurality of virtual reality
worlds.
61. The virtual reality generator of claim 37 wherein the user
interface module includes means for selecting one of the plurality
of metaphors and wherein the virtual reality generator module
includes means for displaying information relating to the selected
one of the plurality of metaphors.
62. The virtual reality generator of claim 61 further comprising
means for producing sounds relating to the selected one of the
plurality of metaphors.
63. A computer system to create a virtual reality world
representing financial information, the computer system comprising
an input port receiving as input financial information; a
programmable processor coupled to the input port including means
for generating the virtual reality world from the financial
information; a display device coupled to the programmable processor
for displaying the virtual reality world; and a control device
coupled to the programmable processor to control display of and
movement through the virtual reality world.
64. The computer system of claim 63 wherein the programmable
processor is a microprocessor.
65. The computer system of claim 63 wherein the display device is
at least a 20 inch, high resolution monitor.
66. The computer system of claim 63 wherein the display device is a
headset.
67. The computer system of claim 63 wherein the control device is a
trackball.
68. The computer system of claim 63 wherein the display device is a
binocular omni orientation monitor.
69. The computer system of claim 63 wherein the control device is a
dataglove.
70. The computer system of claim 63 wherein the means for
generating the virtual reality world utilizes a plurality of
object-oriented library functions.
71. The computer system of claim 70 wherein the plurality of
object-oriented library functions generate the virtual reality
world.
72. The computer system of claim 63 further comprising a memory
device coupled to the programmable processor to store the virtual
reality world.
73. A virtual reality generator to generate a virtual reality world
representing financial information, the virtual reality generator
comprising: an input module continuously receiving from a financial
analytic system the financial information; and a virtual reality
generator module for generating and continuously modifying the
virtual reality world such that the virtual reality world
correspondingly represents the financial information.
74. A virtual reality generator to display on a display device
financial information as a virtual reality world, the virtual
reality generator comprising: means for receiving as input the
financial information; and a virtual reality generator module
including means for (i) generating the virtual reality world
representing the financial information, (ii) displaying on the
display device a virtual reality world representing the financial
information, (iii) displaying the virtual reality world from a
plurality of perspectives, and (iv) simulating, on the display
device, movement through the virtual reality world.
75. A computer system to create a virtual reality world
representing financial information, the computer system comprising
an input port receiving as input financial information; a plurality
of programmable processors coupled to coupled to the input port
including means for generating the virtual reality world from the
financial information; a display device coupled to at least one of
the plurality of programmable processors for displaying the virtual
reality world in stereoscopic form; and a control device coupled to
at least one of the plurality of programmable processors to control
display of and movement through the virtual reality world.
76. A virtual reality generator comprising: an input module to
receive packets of financial information at regular predetermined
intervals; display means for displaying on a display device a
virtual reality world generated from the financial information; and
processing means for updating the virtual reality world when a new
packet of financial information is received by the input
module.
77. The virtual reality world of claim 76 further comprising: means
for receiving input from a user; and means for modifying the
display on the display device in response to the input received
from the user.
78. A method for displaying and manipulating large quantities of
financial information, the method comprising the steps of: a.
receiving as input pre-processed financial information; b.
controllably selecting a part of the preprocessed financial
information for display; c. generating a virtual reality world from
the financial information selected for display, the virtual reality
world representing the financial information; and d. displaying the
virtual reality world.
79. The method of claim 78 further comprising the steps of: e.
continuously updating the virtual reality world using the
pre-processed financial information; and f. simulating movement
through the virtual reality world.
80. The method of claim 78 further comprising the step of
simulating movement through the virtual reality world.
81. The method of claim 78 further comprising the steps of
continuously updating the virtual reality world using the
pre-processed financial information.
82. A method for displaying and manipulating financial information,
the method comprising the steps of: a. receiving as input the
financial information; b. generating a virtual reality world from
the financial information, the virtual reality world representing
the financial information; and c. displaying the virtual reality
world.
83. The method of claim 82 further comprising the steps of: d.
continuously updating the virtual reality world using the financial
information; and e. simulating movement through the virtual reality
world.
84. A method for displaying and manipulating financial information,
the method comprising the steps of: a. continuously receiving as
input packets of financial information; b. generating a virtual
reality world from the packets of financial information, the
virtual reality world representing the financial information; c.
displaying the virtual reality world d. updating the virtual
reality world when a packet of financial information is received;
and e. simulating movement through the virtual reality world.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to a virtual reality
generator, and more particularly, a virtual reality generator for
use with financial information.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Virtual reality is a three dimensional computer-generated
interface that allows users to see, move through and interact with
information displayed as a three dimensional world. The three
dimensional world is called a virtual reality world or Cyberspace.
For example, a virtual reality world could be the inside of a
building or a golf course. The virtual reality world is displayed
using sophisticated output devices, such as high resolution color
screens or a headset with a monitor in front of each eye to give
the user the illusion that he or she is situated in the virtual
reality world.
[0003] The virtual reality world can display real world objects.
For example, a chair could be displayed in a virtual reality world,
representing a chair in the real world and appearing to have all
the physical properties of a real world chair. In such a virtual
reality world, the user views and interacts with the display as if
the user was in the real world.
[0004] The virtual reality world is usually generated using a high
speed computer processor and specialized graphics hardware. The
computer processor and graphics hardware can be controlled by a
program, called a virtual reality generator, to create and
continuously modify a virtual reality world and to simulate
movement through the virtual reality world.
[0005] Virtual reality is regarded as having three features, namely
immersion, navigation and interaction. Immersion is the use of
sophisticated output devices to create the illusion of being inside
the computer generated virtual reality world. For example, a head
mounted display with a high resolution two dimensional color
monitor in front of each eye can be used along with advanced three
dimensional display techniques to create the illusion to the user
that the user is inside the computer generated display.
Alternatively, a high resolution color display, such as the NEC
brand 20 inch monitor could be used "immerse" the user into the
virtual reality world.
[0006] The second feature of virtual reality is the ability of the
user to navigate through the virtual reality world. For example,
the virtual reality generator could create a computer module of a
molecule or a city and enable the user to move through the molecule
or city. The user can navigate through the virtual reality world
using control devices, such as a trackball or spaceball, an
electronic dataglove, a magnetic head position tracker, a keyboard,
a joystick or a steering wheel. The use of a magnetic head position
tracker and dataglove creates a high feeling of immersion and
grants the user a great power of navigation (for example, by
gestures) through a virtual reality environment.
[0007] The third feature of virtual reality, interaction, is the
ability of the user to interact with and control the virtual
reality world. For example, a user can specify the parameters that
define and metaphors that comprise the virtual reality world.
Navigation and interaction are closely related concepts.
[0008] Virtual reality environments can be created using
object-oriented libraries of functions. These functions can be
inserted into a computer program for rapid prototyping to easily
complete application development. A well known example of an
object-oriented library of functions is that created by the Sense8
Corporation of Sausalito, Calif., called the WorldToolKit
library.
[0009] The WorldToolKit library is a library of C routines that
lets a developer rapidly and easily build real-time three
dimensional simulations and virtual world applications that run on
desktop computers. The WorldToolKit library integrates a simulation
manager, a real-time rendering pipeline, an object manager,
texturing functions, animation sequences, input sensors, lights and
graphics display devices in a flexible object-oriented library. The
WorldToolKit library's texturing functions enable the development
of applications with real-time texture mapping. Video-realistic
textures can be applied to object surfaces in any orientation and
scale, enabling the creation of compelling and lifelike virtual
reality worlds. The WorldToolKit library has drivers for many
popular control devices and output devices so that the user can
configure input and output. Head-tracking, gesture tracking and
object manipulation are accomplished by coupling sensors to
graphical objects (or metaphors) and viewpoints. The WorldToolKit
library is fully described in the WorldToolKit Reference Manual,
1991, published by the Sense8 Corporation, Sausalito, incorporated
herein by reference.
[0010] Money managers and financial analysts must absorb large
quantities of financial information and pick out trends in this
information.
[0011] Money manager's and financial analysts often simultaneously
view several computer screens watching data come in from a wide
variety of sources in real-time and from other sources that are
performing calculations on financial information. The money manager
must determine movements in the market and other financial
influences while making quick decisions. It is difficult, however,
to view numerical data from many sources in real-time to notice
overall trends and to consider the distinct underlying
characteristics of each security in ones portfolio. Even if the
information is displayed in graphical form on each computer screen,
trends that concern all sources are difficult to spot. It is also
difficult to visualize the behavior of all the dimensions
underlying individual security elements.
[0012] Trading firms and investment houses use personal computers
to create graphical maps and charts as metaphors of their portfolio
holdings. Many of these do not use real-time data inputs. Advanced
firms use decision-support systems that allow traders on the floor
to monitor real-time incoming data using complex graphical models.
Money managers and analysts use spreadsheets and graphs to
understand financial information and trends. For example, a common
system used for financial visualization is the WingZ graphical
spreadsheet program. Another is the PV-Wave data analysis program.
Such programs cannot display many different elements with unique
characteristics at the same time or display embedded dimensions,
interactive three-dimensional animations or multiple visual cues,
especially cues that independent of each other.
[0013] Financial trading groups, for example stock and commodity
brokers and foreign exchange traders, receive continuous streams of
data via communications links information providers such as Reuters
and Dow Jones. Spreadsheets and two and three dimensional graphs
have been used to display segments of this data, but only a very
limited segment of data is able to be displayed at any one time and
the trader is unable to see trends across wide segments and
dimensions of data. Further, graphical representation are more
likely than tabular representations to show patterns and
irregularities, because humans are much better at pattern and scene
recognition than at number processing and comparison. However, a
two dimensional or a three dimensional graph is limited in the
amount of information that can be displayed and the amount of
information a user can interact with.
[0014] Analytic programs now in use do not enable the user to view
trends in large amounts of financial information in a superior
graphical form while at the same time have the ability to view
highly detailed data about specific items of this information.
Current user interfaces and display techniques for large quantities
of financial information are limited. A money manager is unable to
"immerse" himself or herself into financial data representing many
world markets and manipulate this data graphically. In particular,
money managers and financial analysts currently can not use virtual
reality techniques to analyze financial data.
[0015] It is known the art to use virtual reality to model real
world objects. For example, virtual reality has been used to create
software applications that let architects "view" interiors of
buildings and then enable a disabled person to "move" through the
building to see if the design is satisfactory. Virtual reality has
also been used to implement games that allow a user play-act within
a virtual reality world, to enable a pilot to simulate flying an
aircraft, to allow a surgeon to simulate a difficult operation and
to allow a user to simulate visiting an art museum.
[0016] The use of virtual reality to allow a money manager or
financial analyst (or other information professional) to view,
manipulate, structure and travel through a three dimensional
virtual reality world of financial information is not known. Nor is
it known to use virtual reality techniques in combination with
tools that carry out financial analysis, or to create artificial
terrains where the boundaries of features of the terrain are
related to the taxonomy of system that is being modelled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The present invention uses virtual reality techniques to
allow money managers and financial analysts to easily view
otherwise unmanageable amounts of complex information and in
particular, financial information about financial markets such as
information about equities, commodities, currencies, derivatives
and their related markets.
[0018] The virtual reality world created by the present invention
does not map real world objects. Rather, the information displayed
in virtual reality world created by the present invention is
abstract information about the real world that does not have a
physical object equivalent in the real world. The representative
embodiment is directed to generating a virtual reality world from
financial information, although in other embodiments, other
abstract information, for example, sports results, legal
information and defense information could be used to create the
virtual reality world.
[0019] When abstract information, such as financial information, is
displayed in a virtual reality world, it is represented by real
world objects in three dimensional form, called metaphors. The
present invention, in the representative embodiment, creates a
three-dimensional virtual reality world of financial information.
The virtual reality world presents specific financial information
as three dimensional objects, or metaphors, as part of the virtual
reality world. The user is able to view, manipulate, and travel
through the metaphors, which are displayed in such a way to allow
the user to easily locate relevant financial information, interact
with different characteristics and see financial trends.
[0020] Further, the user is able to use the virtual reality world
generate by the present invention to funnel information and trends
from various sources into one object of the virtual reality
world.
[0021] In effect, a virtual reality world created using financial
information can be considered as displaying a hybrid of financial
information and market geography representing a virtual financial
world having terrain categorized and structured to enable a user to
easily extract patterns and interconnections. Thus, for example,
the geography of the virtual reality world (in the representative
embodiment, it is market geography), is defined, in part, by a
three dimensional coordinate system that sets out the borders of
"geographical" features in the terrain. The geography can represent
information elements that are non-integer taxonomies of the
financial information. Thus, the present invention can map many
characteristics of the system being modelled to a representative
geography of the system where its taxonomy comes to life as a
terrain.
[0022] If structured correctly, a virtual reality world has the
advantage of presenting a very large amount of information in
pictorial form. People can comprehend interactions and
interrelationships between information when it is presented
visually. Thus, an experienced virtual reality user can easily see,
comprehend and remember complex interrelationships between items of
information and, using visual cues, take advantage of the natural
perceptual process of the human mind that processes visual
information. This is particularly important for money managers and
financial analysts who daily use large volumes of financial
information from variety of sources.
[0023] The present invention, in a representative embodiment,
comprises four modules. An input module continuously receives a
stream of financial information. In the representative embodiment,
this stream comprises real-time data about financial markets and is
pre-processed by a financial analytic system. The second module, a
user interface module, allows the user to input criteria to select
certain parts of the stream of financial data for display and to
input display settings for the virtual reality world and metaphors
in the virtual reality world. In effect, the user interface module
allows the user to define his or her virtual reality worlds. The
third module, a filter module, selects the parts of the stream of
financial data for display in the virtual reality world based upon
the criteria input by the user. The fourth module is a virtual
reality generator that generates and continuously modifies the
virtual reality world representing the financial data. The virtual
reality generator allows the user to "travel through" the virtual
reality world and to select metaphors in the virtual reality world
for detailed display.
[0024] The input module in the representative embodiment takes as
input information structured by an analytic system. (In alternative
embodiments, the input can be received from a knowledge base,
neural network, artificial intelligence system or any system that
structures or categorizes data.) An analytic system organizes and
structures raw financial information into various forms commonly
used by money managers and financial analysts. In the
representative embodiment, the analytic system that produces the
pre-processed stream of financial information is the CAPRI
financial analysis system, produced by Maxus Systems International
of New York, N.Y. The CAPRI analytic system itself receives as
input real-time, financial data from on-line services such as the
Reuters' and the Knight-Ridder Inc.'s digital data feed servers.
The CAPRI analytic system takes this information (in the form of
"raw" financial data), and using financial models and analysis
techniques, builds a database of financial information. Systems
such as the CAPRI analytic system are also able to store financial
information for later analysis. (The CAPRI analytic system can
display the financial data in standard spreadsheet-like windows
operating in a Microsoft Windows environment. It also allows a user
to export information to other application programs, a feature used
by the input module of the present invention.) For example, the
CAPRI analytic system allows a user to define areas of interest
from large areas of financial information, and then create price
and volume charts for any stock issue, including futures, stocks,
indexes, currencies, bonds and commodities. The CAPRI analytic
system, for example, can provide a graphical profit and loss and
risk evaluation analysis for options strategies, create price
volume charts including intra day charts with real time updating,
create options strategies that can be saved for future analysis,
undertake time, bond and futures analysis, and analyze and screen
financial data (and generate reports) using techniques such as
moving averages, momentum, Wilder's relative strength, stochastics
and ordinary least squares. In the representative embodiment, the
CAPRI analytic system is used to feed in real-time complex and
voluminous financial information to the input module. In short, the
more functions that the analytic system performs, the more
functions that can be mapped to a virtual reality is world.
[0025] The input module, in other embodiments, can be designed with
simple modifications to receive input from rule-based expert
systems (such as the Level5 Object program), neural networks that
learn (such as the BRAINCEL neural network add-in for the EXCEL
brand spreadsheet program by the Microsoft Corporation), knowledge
bases that use fuzzy logic and the like. It is preferred if these
input sources are DDE or OLE compatible, as explained below, to
enable easy interaction and sharing of information.
[0026] The analytic system, as described above, requires a real
time data feed. Alternatively, financial data can be entered
manually into the analytic system or can be imported in batches and
stored in the analytic system. In such cases, the analytic system
would not operate in real time and therefore the virtual reality
generator would not operate in real-time.
[0027] The analytic system that passes data to input module in the
representative embodiment must be able to export financial data.
For example, the CAPRI analytic system is able to export financial
data to the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet program via the dynamic
data exchange ("DDE") protocol in real-time. The DDE protocol is
used by the input module of the representative embodiment to
receive a stream of financial information. (In the representative
embodiment, the input module, the user interface module and the
filter module are all DDE and OLE compatible.) The financial data
received by the input module can be that selected for display by
the user using the user interface module, which interacts with the
input module to request (using DDE protocol commands) selected
financial data. In an alternative embodiment, the input module can
be coupled directly to the financial data feed, such as the
Reuter's data feed. In such an embodiment, the input generator
requires a sub-module to interpret the data feed into a form
recognized by the virtual reality generator. In another embodiment,
the virtual reality generator can store, in an associated database,
the financial information that is required to create the virtual
reality world. In such circumstances, the virtual reality generator
does not operate in real time. In a further embodiment, the input
module of the present invention can be coupled to an application
program, such as a spreadsheet program or a database program, and
access financial information that is stored in such a program. The
input module would therefore communicate with the application
program using a protocol recognized by the application program.
[0028] The virtual reality generator of the present invention
generates a virtual reality world from the inputed financial
information. The virtual reality world represents the financial
information. In the representative embodiment, the virtual reality
world is constantly changing to represent changes in the financial
information. For example, if the financial information concerns the
futures market, the virtual reality world could represent the
current state of the futures market.
[0029] The following is an example of a virtual reality world that
can be generated by the virtual reality generator of the present
invention. The virtual reality world is defined by the use of the
user interface module. Assume that the user has selected as the
virtual reality world the stock markets of Tokyo and New York. The
user may designate that the three-dimensional virtual reality world
be divided into a grid comprising four squares. One of the axis of
the grid will represent the two stock markets, the other axis will
represent two industry groups, such as "financial" and
"industrials". Therefore, one square on the grid represents, for
example, New York Industrials. Each square on the grid can be
further divided to represent industry sub-groups for that market.
Each stock is represented by a metaphor, for example, a polygon.
The numbers of sides of the polygon can be selected by the user to
represent, for example, the degree of capitalization of the stock.
The color of the polygon can represent, for example, profit or
loss. The height of the polygon (above or below the plane) can
represent, for example, the price change or volatility of the
stock. Polygons representing companies that are about to declare a
dividend can be made to spin. Companies in bankruptcy can be
represented by a flashing polygon. Each company's corporate logo
can be textured on the top or side of the polygon. Visual arrow
vectors, whose dimensions represent information about financial
movement, can be coupled to a polygon to represent trends. Polygons
that spin or blink can represent the results of the best 50 stocks
selected by a certain criteria from a database. Other visual ques
can be used to represent financial information about the stocks, as
selected by the user.
[0030] The shapes, colors, positions, animations and textures of
the metaphors can be selected by the user to represent different
characteristics of the financial data.
[0031] Several incoming data streams can be the source of the
financial information for one virtual reality world. (The sources
can be combined by the analytic system or by the input module. In
the representative embodiment, the sources are combined by the
CAPRI analytic system.) As the financial data changes, the
position, shape, color and texture of the metaphors in the virtual
reality world also change.
[0032] The virtual reality world created by the virtual reality
generator of the present invention allows the user to "fly" through
a virtual world representing financial information. As another
example, assume that the virtual reality world designed by the user
concerns one stock market arranged by industry groups and
sub-groups. The user can position himself or herself in the virtual
reality world so that the user has a bird's eye view of the stock
market. In the example, the stock market could be represented as a
grid pattern of geometric primitives, such as polygons or cubes, on
a geographic-like terrain. Navigating with a device such as a
spaceball, the user can then "fly" down to ground level and view
the financial information from this perspective, to see which
stocks are situated above or below ground level. For example, if
the stock information depicted as a polygon is the trading price of
one stock relative to the prior weeks' moving average of the stock,
the user can fly down to ground level and view whatever stock is
trading up (above average) or down (below average) depending on
whether the polygon is above or below ground level.
[0033] Many financial indicators can be specified by the user using
the user interface module. The user is presented with a virtual
reality world of selected financial information where location,
colors, sounds, shapes and movement all specify financial
information that the user has requested information about. (This
information may also include information about positions a user has
in his or her portfolio.) The user, examining and moving through
just one screen (i.e. the virtual reality world in three
dimensions) can immediately spot important information. The user
can then zoom in on this information (for example by flying to this
polygon) and view all the information available about this
instrument. This information can be presented on a separate screen
or can be presented as part of the virtual reality. If the user
flies down and selects an instrument, in an alternative embodiment,
the user is able to receive verbal or sound information about the
instrument.
[0034] Additionally, the user can be "positioned" so that the user
feels like he or she is in the cockpit of a fighter plane, and
navigate this plane around the virtual reality world. Instruments
on the planes control panel can represent other information. For
example, the user has the option of defining a characteristics
seeking missile to be launched from the plane. The user may define
the missile as a profit seeking missile (using a preselected
definition of profit). When activated, profit seeking missiles will
zoom in on, for example, the stocks that are the most likely to be
profitable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the modular structure of a
representative embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 2 is an example of the interface panel generated by the
user interface module of the present invention.
[0037] FIGS. 3a to 3d are examples of a typical screen displays
generated by the virtual reality generator of the present
invention.
[0038] FIG. 4 is a flow chart indicating the flow of control of the
virtual reality generator of FIG. 1.
[0039] FIGS. 5a to 5c are examples of the sampled filtered input
received by the input module of the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 6 is an example of the instruments user interface card
generated by the user interface module of FIG. 1.
[0041] FIG. 7 is an example of a super-groups user interface card
generated by the user interface module of FIG. 1.
[0042] FIG. 8 is an example of a sub-groups user interface card
generated by the user interface module of FIG. 1.
[0043] FIG. 9 is an example of a industry group user interface card
generated by the user interface module of FIG. 1.
[0044] FIG. 10 is an example of an action user interface card
generated by the user interface module of FIG. 1.
[0045] FIG. 11 is an example of a metaphor box generated by the
user interface module of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0046] Referring now to the drawings, and initially FIG. 1, there
is illustrated a representative embodiment, in block diagram form,
of the modular structure of the present invention.
[0047] A user interface module 2 is used by a user to input user
instructions 10, such as display parameters and filter parameters.
The user instructions 10 also comprise instructions to create a
virtual reality world, to store the parameters for a virtual
reality world in a configuration file 6, and to retrieve the
parameters for a stored virtual reality world for the configuration
file 6. The user instructions 10 are interpreted by a virtual
reality generator 4 to create a virtual reality world.
[0048] The virtual reality generator 4 interprets the user
instructions 10 and coordinates interaction with the configuration
file 6. Using the user instructions 4, the virtual reality
generator causes an input module 8 to obtain from an analytic
system (not shown), using queries 12 understandable by the analytic
system, pre-processed financial information 14 that complies with
the user instructions 10. This financial information is supplied to
the virtual reality generator 4.
[0049] Using information in the configuration file 6 and where
required the financial information supplied by the input module 8,
the virtual reality generator 4 creates a virtual reality world
which is output 16 on a display device (not shown). The virtual
reality generator 4 uses functions from a toolkit 18 to create and
manipulate the virtual reality world.
[0050] In an alternative embodiment, the pre-processed financial
information 14 is supplied to the input module 8 in pockets at
periodic intervals. The packets may or may not be in response to
queries 12 from the input module 8. For example, the pre-processed
financial information 14 may be supplied in flat table form to the
input module 8 every four hours. The input module 8, with reference
to the user instructions 4, selects from the packet the financial
information to be used by the virtual reality generator 4. In this
embodiment, the analytic system can be a database and need not be
permanently connected to a real-time source of financial
information. It is useful for the database, when updated, to record
what information has been updated, and supply this information to
the input module 8 to simplify processing.
[0051] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a
representative embodiment of an interface panel 20 controlled by
the user interface module 2 of the present invention.
[0052] The interface panel 20 is used by a user to input parameters
to define a virtual reality world and to instruct the present
invention to create a virtual reality world. The interface panel
(as well as the other user interface cards explained below) in the
representative embodiment uses the Microsoft Windows 3.0 protocol.
Users interact with the interface panel 20 using standard GUI
commands.
[0053] The input module 8 of the present invention allows the user
to define a virtual reality world. The input model 8 in the
representative embodiment of the present invention cause a window
to be displayed on a computer monitor. The window generated by the
user interface module 2, in the representative embodiment, has five
sections.
[0054] The first section is a virtual reality world indicator 22.
The virtual reality world indicator 22 allows the user to nominate
which virtual reality world the user desires to define or view.
Each virtual reality world can be represented by a configuration
number to allow the configuration of the virtual reality world to
be saved and retrieved. For example, ten virtual reality worlds can
be saved at the one time in the representative embodiment. Once a
virtual reality world has been defined by a user, the definition
can be save for later use, and is saved and retrieved using the
virtual reality world indicator 22.
[0055] The second section of the window generated by the user
interface module 2 comprises a mix switch 24. The mix switch 24 in
the representative embodiment is a mix button which can be
activated by a user. Activation of the mix button will cause the
virtual reality generator 4 to create the virtual reality world as
indicated by the virtual reality world indicator 22. In alternative
embodiments, the mix switch can be used to save the configuration
of the current virtual reality world in the configuration file
6.
[0056] The third section of the window generated by the user
interface module comprises a set of action indicators 26. Action
indicators 26 allow the user to determine how certain features of
the financial information will be displayed or highlighted in the
virtual reality world. The action indicators 26 are used to set
display parameters. For example, an action may be the flashing of
an object or the spinning of an object. If the metaphors used are
polygons, the action indicators can define which metaphors will be
spinning polygons and flashing polygons.
[0057] In the representative embodiment, there are three action
indicators, a spinning indicator 30, a flashing indicator 32 and a
sound indicator 34, and one special action indicator 36, a profit
(or other characteristic) seeking missile, as explained below.
[0058] In general terms, the action indicators 26 can be used to
define areas of interest concerning three types of financial
information, often called analytic types: derivatives, fundamentals
and technicals. Derivatives are parameters relating to options on a
stock, bond, commodity or future, as well indexes (such as the
theoretical Black-Sciholes value of options on the Standard and
Poors's 100 index) and warrants. Fundamentals are particular
parameters defining a company's financial performance, for example,
a company's price/earnings ratio or price/growth ratio. A technical
is a financial parameter about a stock relative to a broad market
index, such as the S&P 500 index or an indicator, like a moving
average, price momentum or relative strength. By using the action
indicators 26, the user can select a criteria from the lists of
fundamentals, derivatives and technicals for each action indicator
26, as explained below with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. The user
can define his or her own fundamental, derivative or technical for
an action indicator 26.
[0059] An expert agent (or expert action) is a special analytic
type. An export agent is a user defined complex financial analysis
program, sub-program or formula that can be linked to the present
invention. An example of an expert agent may be a neural network,
rule-based expert system or news wire service that produce a list
financial instruments. For example, a rule-based expert system
could produce a list of the ten most promising stocks.
[0060] For each action indicator 26, the user is able to define,
specific areas of interest such as a specific derivative,
fundamental or technical. For example, the flashing indicator 32
could be defined in relation to a fundamental as all industrial
stocks having a price earnings ratio of the relative industry group
greater than six. In the virtual reality world, all metaphors
representing industrial stocks with price earnings ratios greater
than six will be displayed as flashing metaphors. By way of
example, the flashing indicator 32 in FIG. 2 has been nominated by
the user to be a fundamental action. (The user used the screen
display of FIG. 11 to nominate the category as "fundamental" as
explained below.) The user could have alternatively chosen
`derivative`, `technical`, or `expert agent`. By using an icon 32a,
the user is able to list all defined fundamental actions. (The
defined fundamental actions are specified and defined using the
interface card of FIG. 9.) The user can chose a fundamental form
the list. The chosen fundamental is displayed in a combo box
32b.
[0061] The special action indicator 36 is, in the representative
embodiment, a characteristics seeking missile. The user defines a
financial characteristic, for example profit, bankruptcy, or
volume. Using known analytical formulas, the virtual reality
generator 4 of the present invention will seek out the area or
areas in the virtual reality world that best satisfy the
characteristic defined by the user. For example, if the user
selects as the characteristic profit, thus defining a profit
seeking missile, the virtual reality generator 4 can be used to
"seek out", for example, stocks that are likely to generate a
profit. In the virtual reality world generated by the virtual
reality generator 4, the profit seeking missile, when activated,
will fly through virtual reality world to the most profitable
stocks, thus being a highly visible que for the user. The user can
define the characteristic of the special action indicator 36 using
a define section in the window generated by the user interface
module 2. The user can activate the characteristic seeking missile
from an input device, such as a button on a trackball. In
alternative embodiments, other actions can be given to the special
action indicator 36. For example, the special action indicator 36
may be a cockpit display where the instruments, as defined by the
user, represent financial information and the user's position in
the virtual reality world.
[0062] The fourth section of the window generated by the user
interface module is a display parameters section 40. The display
parameters section 40 allows the user to set display parameters for
objects in the virtual reality world. In the representative
embodiment, there are the display parameters include shape, color,
texture and axis. A shape display parameter determines what the
shape of the object in the virtual reality world signifies. For
example, the user may set a three sided metaphor to represent stock
having small capitalization, a four sided metaphor to represent
stock of medium capitalization and a five sided metaphor to
represent stock of large capitalization (where small, medium and
large capitalization are further defined by the user). A color
display parameter 44 may be set to indicate, for example, companies
making a profit or a loss. Thus, a blue metaphor in the virtual
reality world may represent a company making a profit and a red
metaphor may represent a company making a loss. (The colors of the
metaphors can be of various shadings, representing degrees of
profit and loss.) A textures display parameter 46 allows the user
to set identifying symbols for each object in the virtual reality
world. For example, the user may set the textures display parameter
46 so that national flags, representing stocks trading on stock
markets in foreign countries, are placed on each metaphor
representing a foreign stock. Or a corporate logo may be placed on
an object in the virtual reality world to identify it as
representing a stock of that corporation. In the representative
embodiment, the display parameters in the display parameter section
40 are set by activating the appropriate labeled button, causing a
further interface card to be displayed which allows the user to set
the various parameters.
[0063] Additionally, in a representative embodiment, an action
parameter 50 allows the user to specify what input stream is to be
used as input to the input module 8 for processing by the virtual
reality generator 4 and what parts of the information from that
input stream are of interest to the user. For example, in the
representative embodiment, the user will specify that the input
stream is the output of the CAPRI analytic system and can then
specify what sub-set of the possible information that can be
generated by the CAPRI analytic system is to be displayed. (In the
representative embodiment, the user's selections are translated by
the user interface module into a form that the CAPRI analytic
system can understand. The CAPRI analytic system will then output
to the input module 8 of the present invention only that
information that satisfies the defined queries. For example, the
user's selections are translated into the form as specified in the.
CAPRI manual, Chapter 19. In particular, the queries sent to the
CAPRI analytic system conform with the DDE protocol and are of the
form set out in Chapter 19.4 of the CAPRI manual. Alternatively,
the input module 8 can receive packets of information, for example,
in a form illustrated in FIGS. 4a-4c. The input module 8 screens
this information based upon the display parameters and filters that
were set by the user.
[0064] In other embodiments, as discussed above, a data base
containing financial information can be used in place of the
analytic engine. For example, financial information can be stored
in a application program data base. In such a case, the query
generated by the virtual reality generator must be in a form
understood by the database application program. Therefore, the
action parameter 50 is used to specify what file or application
program is to be the source of the financial data input and sets
actions to take place on that file or by that application program
to screen the information that is input.
[0065] In particular, the action parameter 50, in the
representative embodiment, is a button that, when activated, causes
the interface card of FIG. 10 to be displayed. This interface card
enables the user to set and define available actions for each
analytic type. These actions can be linked to an action indicator
26.
[0066] An axis display parameter 48 allows the user to set the
Z-axis (sometimes called the vertical axis) of the three
dimensional virtual reality world. (The X-axis and Y-axis are set
as discussed below with reference to FIG. 11.) Generally, the three
axes can represent any category of financial information. For
example, one axis can be set to represent countries, a second axis
can be set to represent industry groups and a third axis can be set
to represent price changes. Alternatively, the user could set the
first axis to define two stock markets, for example New York and
Tokyo, the second axis to represent two types of stocks, for
example utilities and financial, and the third axis to represent
percentage change in value of the stock over any user defined time
period. Alternatively, the user could set the first axis to
represent industry groups in a country, the second axis to
represent option maturity dates and the third axis to represent
price or volatility.
[0067] In the representative embodiment, the Z-axis is set using
the axis display parameter 48. Examples of common settings for the
Z-axis include an issues' percentage change over any user defined
time period, today's price of an issue relative to a moving average
over any user defined time period, the price of an issue relative
to an average of the high/low price over any user defined time
period and the price of an issue relative to any broad market index
over any user defined time period.
[0068] The user has total flexibility to set the virtual reality
world display parameters 40 so that the virtual reality world
generated by the virtual reality generator 4 of the present
invention is a representation of the financial information which
interests the user. For example, the shape display parameter 42 can
be set to represent three degrees of any financial information that
the user desires. The interface cards of the representative
embodiments illustrated are a convenient way to allow a user to
specify the makeup and composition of a virtual reality world,
using financial categories commonly used by money managers. The
user interface module 2 of the present invention can be designed to
suit the needs of each user and display interface cards and have
various filters that allow the virtual reality world to be created
with great flexibility. Accordingly, the interface cards discussed
are for illustration only and are not intended to limit the broad
concepts and uses for the virtual reality world of the present
invention.
[0069] The fifth section of the window generated by the user
interface module is a filter section 60. In the representative
embodiment, the filter section allows the user to set parameters so
that a filter module or the input module 8 can select the parts of
the stream of financial data 14 for display. The parts of the
financial data which are displayed in the virtual reality world
depends upon the criteria input by the user in the filter section
60 of the window generated by the user interface module 2.
[0070] In the representative embodiment, there are five filters
that can the set using the filter section of the window generated
by the user interface module, namely, an instruments filter 62, a
countries filter 64, a super-group filter 66, an industry group
filter 68 and a sub-group filter 70.
[0071] The instruments filter 62 allows the user to select any
combination of financial instruments for display in the virtual
reality world (see FIG. 6). All possible instruments can be
displayed, including stocks, options, futures, commodities,
financial indexes, foreign exchange, bonds, and mutual funds. For
example, if the user was only interested in stocks and bonds, the
user could select, using the instrument filter 62, stocks and bonds
so that the virtual reality world comprises financial information
concerning stocks and bonds, and no other instruments.
[0072] The countries filter 64 allows the user to specify
countries. The financial information displayed in the virtual
reality world will be that related to the specified countries. Also
displayed are the country's exchanges to which the user is able to
access.
[0073] The super-group, industry group and sub-group filters (66,
68, 70) allow the user to specify and define groups of financial
information about types of industries. For example, the super-group
filter 66 can be used to filter for display information about any
combination of industries, such as utilities, financial,
industrials and the like. Using the industry group filter 68, the
user can select specific industrial groups such as computers,
construction, auto, and the like. Using the sub-group filter 70,
the user can select for display particular sub-groups of industry
groups, such as information about auto manufacturers that make
light trucks.
[0074] The five filters described above are examples of the types
of filters that can be used to select for display areas of
financial information. The user interface module 2 uses the
filters, as set by the user, to filter out the information for
display that is of interest to the user. In the representative
embodiment, the user interface module interprets the filters set by
the user and only requests financial information for the analytic
system that satisfies the filters. Alternatively, the filters can
be used to screen packets of information supplied to the input
module 8.
[0075] When the user activates the mix switch 24, the virtual
reality generator 4 is activated. The virtual reality generator 4,
when activated, first stores the display parameters, the action
indicator settings and the filters as configurations in the
configuration file 6. In the representative embodiment, the
configurations are used to define the display of the virtual
reality world and filter the input stream of financial information
14. The virtual reality generator 18, using the configurations,
constructs the virtual reality world in conformity with the
configurations. In the representative body embodiment, the virtual
reality generator 4 instructs the input module 8 to obtain
information that satisfies the configurations from the analytic
system. (The input module 8, in the representative embodiment, can
use the information in the configuration file 6 to query the
analytic system. The analytic system uses the queries 12 to provide
the relevant information to the input module 8, which feeds that
information to the virtual reality generator 4.)
[0076] In a further embodiment, the virtual reality generator 4 can
query a plurality of analytic systems and knowledge base systems
arranged in a network. For example, each analytic system can be
connected to a separate real-time source of financial information.
The virtual reality generator 4 can then send queries 12 to the
network which will be directed by the network to the correct
analytic system.
[0077] Once the input stream of financial information is defined
and an initial set of financial information has been input from
this stream, the virtual reality generator 4, using the
configurations in the configuration file 6, creates the virtual
reality world. In the representative embodiment, the virtual
reality world is implemented by the virtual reality generator 4
using the WorldToolKit library of C-language routines, developed by
the Sense8 Corporation of Sausalito, Calif. The virtual reality
generator, using this library of routines 18, redraws the virtual
reality world 30 times per second. This, in effect, allows for
real-time simulation of movement through the virtual reality
world.
[0078] In the representative embodiment, a 486 microprocessor
manufactured by the Intel Corporation and an Intel DVI 2 board is
used to render the virtual reality images. Alternatively,
Risc-based workstations from IBM, Sun Microsystems Inc., Silicon
Graphics Inc. or the Digital Equipment Corporation could be used. A
20 inch NEC color monitor is used to display the virtual reality
world. The input/output of the present invention is DDE compatible
and operates under the Microsoft Windows 3.0 or higher operating
system protocol.
[0079] Referring now to FIGS. 3a-3d, these are illustrated four
typical screen display generated by the virtual reality generator 4
of the present invention. FIG. 3a shows a top perspective 100 of a
virtual reality world. In this example, stock markets are the
parameters for first set a axis 102 and industry groups are
parameters for a second set of axis 104. A financial instrument is
displayed represented by a metaphor, being a geometric primitive,
such as a polygon or cube (e.g. 106 and 108.) The metaphors are,
from this perspective, two-dimensional. When the user travels
through the virtual reality world, it can be seen that the world
and the primitives are in effect three-dimensional. The colors and
shape of the metaphor are significant, as discussed above.
[0080] FIG. 3b shows the same virtual reality world as FIG. 3a from
the perspective (10a) of a user moving through the virtual reality
world.
[0081] FIG. 3c shows a further perspective (10c) of the same
virtual reality world as in FIG. 3a. The area of the virtual
reality world 110 in central view consists of information
concerning Hong Kong financials.
[0082] FIG. 3d shows the same virtual reality world as FIG. 3a from
the perspective (100d) of a user "located" at ground level in the
virtual reality world. The different shaped metaphors can be
clearly seen. The height relationship of a metaphor represents
financial information. A pointer 112 allows a user to select a
metaphor so that further information can be displayed (either
visually or through sound or both) to the user about the financial
instrument represented by the selected metaphor.
[0083] As is apparent from FIGS. 3a-3d, the virtual reality world
is three-dimensional which the user can travel through.
[0084] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated in flow chart
form the simulation loop used by the virtual reality generator 4 of
FIG. 1 to render a virtual reality world.
[0085] At step 150, the virtual reality generator receives
financial information. This information could be received in
response to a query 12 to an analytic system or database of
pre-processed financial data. Alternatively, the input could be
received at regular intervals in predetermined packets of financial
information.
[0086] At step 152, an action function is called. The action
function is related to a universe and the metaphors it contains and
defines and controls activity in the simulation. In the action
function, events involving metaphors, graphical or otherwise, can
be specified. (Examples of events which might be specified in the
action function include (a) program termination in response to the
user processing a button or a mouse; (b) simulation of changing
lighting conditions; (c) event handling for the virtual reality
world, such as when a metaphor is selected by the user.)
[0087] At step 154, the metaphors in the universe are updated based
upon any new financial information received.
[0088] At step 156, the graphical metaphors are set to perform any
user defined tasks, such as spinning or blinking.
[0089] At step 158, the universe is rendered on a display device.
Steps 150 to 158 are repeated until the user gives a predetermined
stop command.
[0090] As required, the steps above, in the representative
embodiment, may involve function calls to a World Toolkit functions
that perform the task of simulating a virtual reality world, and if
required, function calls to the input module 8. When necessary, the
virtual reality generator 4 accesses the configuration file 6 to
obtain parameters concerning the virtual reality world and the
metaphors.
[0091] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated an example of
the input 14 received by the input module 8 of FIG. 1.
[0092] In a representative embodiment, the input is received in
three files or packets, namely FUND.PRI, DAILY.PRI and SPIN.PRI.
The input can be received in response to a query 12 from the input
module 8 or at regular predetermined intervals. All input files, in
the examples, are in the Reuter's symbol format. The files can be
stored in a memory and accessed by the present invention or they
can be input as often as required.
[0093] FIG. 5a is an example of the contents of the FUND.PRI input
file, which contain fundamentals information. (This file can be
generated by a database program or analytics system. Alternatively,
it can be manually entered into the input module 8.) Each line
contains a set of information. In this figure, the first line 170
lists the type of information in each line. (This is not usually
input to the virtual realty generator 4 and is for purposes of
illustration only.) Taking the last line 172 as an example, the
issue has issue code 7267. The type of issue is "S" (for stock).
(Other types of issues include "I" for index and "F " for futures).
The dividend was 10. The Book Value was 800. Earnings were 70.
Estimated earnings are 82. There is no entry made for the Sedol
Holdings number or market capitalization in this file. The name of
the stock is "Honda Motors" and the industry group is "Autos".
[0094] FIG. 5b is an example of the contents of DAILY.PRI file The
DAILY.PRI file is named after the date on which the information in
the file relates, in this example, "122191" for Dec. 21, 1991. This
file can be entered daily, or at more regular intervals if
required. It contains information on daily price changes and
volatility calculated over a predetermined period. By way of
example, the last line 174 contains information for stock number
023 on the Hong Kong exchange. The last bid for this stock was 38,
with a high (in the predetermined period) of 38.25 and a low (in
the predetermined period) of 37.5. The volume of stock traded was
3060527. The price change since the previous day was zero.
[0095] FIG. 5c is an example of the contents of the SPIN.PRI file.
This file contains screened financial information, about an issue,
such as percentage annual profit and other well-known financial
indicators. Each issue, such as the issue marked 176, has
information that takes two lines of FIG. 5c. Each item of
information (e.g. 178a) relates to the corresponding category
listed in the first two lines (e.g. 178b).
[0096] Referring to FIG. 6, there is illustrated an instruments
cards 200 generated by the user interface module 2 of FIG. 1 when
the user activates the instruments filter button 62. Using standard
GUI techniques, the user is able to filter (or select) instruments
201, in any combination, for display in the virtual reality
world.
[0097] Referring to FIG. 7, there is illustrated a super-groups
Card 210 generated when the user activates the super-groups filter
button 66 from the interface panel 20 of FIG. 2. Using standard GUI
techniques, the user is able to define for display various
super-groups of industries. The user enters a user defined name in
a name box 214, which then appears in a super-group box 216, in
highlighted form 218. From an available industries box 212, the
user selects industry groups to be members of the user defined
super-group 218. Once the super-group has been defined the user
saves the super-group definition using an add button 220. The
composition of a selected super-group 218 can be viewed if the user
activates the "show makeup of group" square 222.
[0098] Referring to FIG. 8, there is illustrated a sub-groups card
240, which is displayed when the user activates the sub-group
button 70 on the interface panel 20 of FIG. 2. The sub-groups card
240 allows the user to select for display various industry
sub-groups, or other sub-groups of financial information. From the
available box 242, the user selects (using standard GUI methods,
e.g., by activating a select button 244) available sub-groups from
the available box 242. Selected sub-groups are displayed in an
assigned box 246. (Sub-groups can be defined, by a user activating
a set up button 248 on the sub-group card 240, which causes to be
displayed a setup sub-group card. The setup sub-group card allows a
user to assign industry groups to sub-groups.)
[0099] The sub-group card 240 indicates that there a three
subgroups assigned for display (246), namely "autos-light trucks",
"financial-banking" and "industrial-machinery". The first term in
the sub-group (e.g. "industrial") is the industry group to which
the sub-group (e.g. "machinery") belongs. The sub-group information
is derived from the input files, such as the FUND.PRI file. In the
example of FIG. 8, the three sub-groups assigned for display will
be those categories of stocks about which information will be
displayed in the virtual reality world. In particular, these
sub-groups may be listed along one axis of the virtual reality
world. The user can delete an assigned sub-group using a delete
button 247.
[0100] The sub-group interface card 240 also indicates that there
are other "Available" sub-groups (242) which the user can select
for display. The user can select an available sub-group (242) for
display using a select button 244. When the user has finished
selecting and deleting sub-groups for display, the user can
activate an "ok" button 249, which will cause control to return to
window generated by the user interface module 2.
[0101] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is illustrated an industry
group card 260, which is displayed when the user activates the
industry group button 68 on the interface panel of FIG. 2.
[0102] This card allows a user to select for display instruments of
various industry groups. A user selects an instrument icon from a
configure instruments section 262 of the industry group card 260.
In the example of FIG. 9, "stocks" 264 have been selected as the
instrument. Available industries relating to stocks are displayed
in an available industries box 266. A user may select any
combination of these industries for display in the virtual reality
world. Those industry selected are placed in an assigned box 268.
(If another instrument was selected from the configure instruments
section 262, the available industries box 266 would comprise
"industries" relating to that instrument.)
[0103] A three-D stack box 270 allows a user to "stack" industry
groups for display in the virtual reality world on a number of
discrete levels in the world.
[0104] The industry groups card 260, the sub-groups card 240, the
super-groups card 210 and the instruments card 200, along with a
country's card (not illustrated) allow the user to set what
elements may appear on the axes of the virtual reality world.
[0105] Referring now to FIG. 10, there is illustrated an action
card 300. The action card 300 is displayed when the user activates
the action button 50 on the interface card 20 of FIG. 2. The action
card 300 allows the user to define formulas for the set of action
indicators 26. The user select an analytic category (fundamental,
technical, derivative or expert action) from an analytic type box
302, sets, where applicable, a range from an action screen 304 and
defines and builds a formula for that analytic category. A range,
for example, could be the top 10 companies by yield.
[0106] The user names the action using an action name box 306.
Actions that have already been named and defined appear in an
available actions box 308. The formula for an action is defined in
a formula box 310 using constructs from a formula builders box
312.
[0107] When an action has been named and defined, the user is able
to select the action using the action indicators 26 and a metaphor
box explained below with reference to FIG. 11.
[0108] FIG. 11 illustrates a metaphor box 400, displayed when the
user activates the metaphor icon 72 from the interface card 20 of
FIG. 2. For each action represented by the action indicators 26,
the user must select whether the action relates to a derivative,
fundamental, technical or expert agent. To do this, the user
"connects" each one of the action icons 402 to the appropriate
switch box 404. The interface card then displays the appropriate
name (e.g. derivative, fundamental, etc) under the "connected"
action indicator 26. (From the interface panel of FIG. 2, the user
can then select the action indicator box, which will display all
actions for that analytic type, which were defined by the user
using the action card 300.) For example, the flashing indicator 32
could be set to the fundamental switch box 406 using the metaphor
box 400. All fundamentals defined by the user from the action card
300 will then be displayed for selection of the user activates the
appropriate icon 32a on the flashing indicator 32. The selected
fundamental is displayed in a combo box 32b of the flashing
indicator 32.
[0109] As another example, the list produced by the expert agent
can be displayed (using the action indicators 26) via actions
relating to the listed stock's metaphors in the virtual reality
world.
[0110] A configure matrix layout section 410 of the metaphor box
400 allow the user to select one of six possible grid arrangements
for the X-axis and Y-axis for the virtual reality world. For
example, if the user selects the third arrangement 412, then the
virtual reality world will be displayed consisting of countries
selected using the countries filler 64 on one axis and industry
groups (or sub-groups) selected using the industry groups card 260
on another other axis.
* * * * *