Circular Quote Interface with Color-Coded Liquidity Bands

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current stock trading interfaces, particularly Level II access, lack a dynamic visual representation of liquidity changes, making it difficult for traders to quickly gauge and react to market opportunities, and do not provide integrated order entry options that enhance trading efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A graphical user interface that centralizes Level I quote information with dynamic, color-coded bands representing liquidity changes, allowing users to place orders with one-click functionality and includes liquidity ratio and flow indicators to assist in trading decisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If traditional Level II quote display is used, then detailed market maker information is provided, but traders cannot quickly gauge liquidity changes and react to market opportunities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrader reaction speedVSAvoidvisual representation of liquidity changes
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color-coded bands to visually represent liquidity changes at different price levels. Green bands indicate increasing liquidity (buying pressure) while red bands indicate decreasing liquidity or selling pressure. This color-coding system allows traders to instantly grasp market sentiment and liquidity dynamics without manually analyzing numerical data, directly addressing the contradiction by providing both detailed information and rapid visual assessment capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms traditional two-dimensional tabular quote data into a multi-dimensional visual representation by adding color, bandwidth width, and positional dimensions. The bandwidth width at each price level visually encodes the quantity of liquidity, while the color adds another dimension indicating the direction of pressure. This dimensional enrichment allows traders to perceive liquidity changes at a glance while retaining all underlying market maker information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If detailed Level II information is displayed, then comprehensive market data is available, but the interface complexity increases making it harder to quickly interpret market conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarket data completenessVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex Level II market data into organized horizontal bands grouped by price levels. Each band represents a specific price level and contains segmented information about different market makers and their liquidity positions. This segmentation transforms the overwhelming wall of text into structured, visually separated units that are easier to scan and interpret while preserving all underlying data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses color-coding to categorize and differentiate various elements within the detailed data structure. Different colors represent different market makers, order types, or liquidity conditions, allowing traders to quickly distinguish between various data elements without increasing textual complexity. This color-based organization reduces perceived interface complexity while maintaining data completeness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Productivity

If manual order entry procedures are used, then order details can be verified, but trading efficiency is reduced due to multiple steps required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrading efficiencyVSAvoidorder entry time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements pre-configured order templates and default parameters that are established in advance. Traders can set up common order types, quantities, and price targets beforehand, allowing them to quickly deploy pre-thought-out trading strategies without manually entering each parameter during market opportunities. This preliminary preparation significantly reduces order entry time while maintaining the ability to verify order details before execution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent provides streamlined order entry pathways that allow traders to bypass intermediate verification steps when market conditions demand rapid execution. The system enables express ordering mechanisms where pre-validated order parameters can be executed with minimal additional confirmation, allowing traders to rush through the ordering process when speed is critical while still maintaining safeguards for non-urgent trades

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentUS7835972B2Quote and order entry interface
Publication Date: 2010.11.16 CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
  • US7835972B2 patent drawing
  • US7835972B2 patent drawing
  • US7835972B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A graphical user interface centralizes Level I quote information in the center of a circular display while Level II (or regional) data appears in peripheral bands layered on the outside of the Level I information. The interface is also split into two main sections, a “bid” quote information section and an “ask” quote information section. The bid quote information appears on the left of the interface while the ask quote information appears on the right side of the interface. Through clicking in any one of the peripheral bands, an order can be placed at that price point.