||||||||||||l||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
`
`USUUG 105005A
`
`United States Patent
`[19]
`[11] Patent Number:
`6,105,005
`
`Fuhrer
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Aug. 15, 2000
`
`[54]
`
`SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED FINANCIAL
`TRADING SU|1]’()R’[‘
`
`[75]
`
`lnvcnlor: Evelyn Fuhrer. Brooklyn. NY.
`
`5:802:49"
`3.981%!)
`
`9-"1993 Swim“ 9131-
`4,:‘1999 (iinler el al.
`
`........................... .. 395i’489
`831096 Yanai cl al.
`5544,34?
`UHF}? Shiniazaki el al
`393082.04
`5.59030!)
`5,0213% snag? Bowman
`.. 379mm
`
`
`
`-- 395ml”;
`3953186
`
`
`Primary Examiner Tod R. Swarm
`Axs'ismm Examiner—Pedro R. Kanof
`Aimmqv, Agent, or Firin—Jiopgood, Calimafdc, Kalil &
`.ludlowc
`
`[57i
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`[3'3] Assigncc: Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.. New York,
`N-Y-
`
`[2|] Appl. No; 08f993,382
`
`[22
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 18, 1997
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`
`
`A mulli-purposc data processing system thal is capable of
`going on-linc lo provide an operative link wilh cslahlishcd
`financial markcls in supporl ol‘ subscribcr
`trading.
`'lhc
`SYSIC'“ has If“) 'Imdcs’nf 01""alio‘n‘ A fin“ "‘00" is dimmed
`‘0 “WWI 1‘” “"“iti’flll Err‘lmacmng “r lsml'f“ 1"“ 1m
`lcrluca .
`1c secon mocc accrcsqcsa ost
`a primary [fading Syslcm pursuant In a
`catastrophic cvcnt, and provides a remote trading platform
`10 a p-Iuralillg,r 0i prc-sclccl
`lradcrs. The second modc is
`accessible V121 disaster declaration, and thc system pcrmlls
`cuslom lermina] configuration in accordance wilh desig-
`nalcd lradcr-s. Operalion allow-'5 quick assess to markcls
`gmmnn
`5mm When [he pr'ma’y mark“ lmk “m1” ‘5 down'
`304.:‘408
`395r182.ll
`
`16 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`[63] Conlinualion of application No. 08,806,382, Sep. 15, 109?,
`EMIIdOHCd»
`Int. CL" ........................... .. GOSF 15130; 0061: 17:60
`[51]
`[52! U.S. c1.
`................................................. 70535; 70537
`.
`[58]
`1* icld of Search .......................... 70585, 37; 714:13;
`Tax“ 201; 360’825‘20’ 82327; 379“ U
`References Cited
`U.S. PA'I'EN'I' DOCUMENTS
`4403 gm (#1983 “mch ct al
`4:52:10}; 10:10er Slaler‘
`.
`5.291032
`snag-4 Trojan el al.
`5.504.8er
`4.319% Crockelt cl :1].
`
`
`
`[56]
`
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-01520
`
`Page 1
`
`
`
`
`32TH
`
`ENEMY
`
`
`
` 7|]
`
`ATS BRIDGE
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-01520
`Page 1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 15, 2000
`
`Sheet 1 0f 7
`
`6,105,005
`
`FIG.
`
`1
`
`10
`
`10
`
`WS
`
`W5
`
`10
`
`W5
`
`W3
`
`10
`
`20
`
`
`
`DATA
`(MARKET)
`
`30
`
`40
`
`50
`
`3270
`GATEWAY
`
`TPS
`
`70
`
`ATS BRIDGE
`
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-01520
`
`Page 2
`
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-01520
`Page 2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 15, 20m
`
`Sheet 2 0f 7
`
`6,105,005
`
`FIG. 2
`
`MONITOR
`
`100
`
`
`
`— com svs
`
`110
`
`120
`
`130
`
`140
`
`— 1/0
`
`150
`
`DDS
`
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-01520
`
`Page 3
`
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-01520
`Page 3
`
`

`

`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 15, 2000
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`
`6,105,005
`
`FIG. 3
`
`ATS DISASTER DECLARATION
`
`ZOO
`
` 210
`
`CHANGE TRADER
`
`
`
`PROFILE DATABASE
`
`
`SETUP T0 DISASTER
`
`
`
`220
`
`ENTER
`
`
`
`SecretCode SEQUENCE
`AND CONFIRM
`
`DISASTER
`CONFIRMED
`
`250
`
`290
`
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-01520
`
`Page 4
`
`
`
`TINY
`
`USER
`
`LOGGED
`
`ON
`9
`
`
`
`
`
`PRESENT LOGIN
`
`SCREEN
`
`
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-01520
`Page 4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 15, 2000
`
`Sheet 4 0f 7
`
`6,105,005
`
`F]G. 4
`
`DYNAMIC WORKSTATION CONFIGURATION VIA LOGIN (SIGNON)
`
`300
`
`310
`
` USER
`AUTHORIZED
`
`IN TRADER
`TERMINATE
`
`PROFILE
`PROCESSING
`SCREEN
`
`DATABASE
`
`
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-01520
`
`Page 5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`?
`
`54D
`
`
`
`TRADER PROFILE
`
`DATABASE USERLOG
`
`ENTER LOGIN IN
`
`
`
`PROFILE DATABASE
`
`
`
`550
`
`570
`
`DISPLAY DESK TOPS
`
`FIRST TO LAST
`
`GIVE FOCUS TO
`
`
`
`FIRST DESK TOP
`
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-01520
`Page 5
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug.15,2000
`
`Sheet 5 0f 7
`
`6,105,005
`
`FIG. 5
`
`DATABASE QUERY AND MAINTENANCE USING INSICNT
`
`400
`
`COMPILE
`
`SELECTION
`AND EXECUTE
`SELECTION
`
`REQUESTS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` 480
`
`EXIT FROM INSIGHT
`
`YES
`
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-01520
`
`Page 6
`
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-01520
`Page 6
`
`

`

`
`
`QMU
`
`tnetaup;
`
`Aug. 15, 2000
`
`Sheet 6 0f 7
`
`6,105,005
`
`m65K
`
`asd:
`
`me6:
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`m.a:EOE—m.
`
`
`
`E32;:82;3E;m:
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`
`20:5:an
`
`2489*
`
`$236
`
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`
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-01520
`
`Page 7
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-01520
`Page 7
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`
`
`«a.o:S
`
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`64mm”:
`
`234.92%
`
`5235
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`
`22.55
`
`235an
`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 15, 2000
`
`Sheet 7 0f 7
`
`6,105,005
`
`“Essa
`
`Emma
`
`20:52.:
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`
`64mm”:
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`
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-01520
`
`Page 8
`
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-01520
`Page 8
`
`

`

`
`
`6,105,005
`
`1
`SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED FINANCIAL
`TRADING SUPPORT
`
`This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
`306,382, filed Sep. 15, 1997, now abandoned.
`The present invention generally relates to a system for
`supporting rapid and flexible trading on financial markets. In
`particular, the present invention relates to a data processing
`system [or providing a seamless trading capability on-line
`after a catastrophic interruption of normal trading services.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Current financial markets are characterized by enormous
`computer systems centrally operated in select financial cen-
`ters. These elaborate data processing systems govern market
`transactions for the exchange of large sums of capital via
`interactive participation of many buyers and sellers and thus
`form discrete trading markets or “exchanges”. Specifically,
`traders are in continuous communication via the computer
`networks with other traders, forming transactions at select
`price and volume for particular securities. Access to these
`markets are via established trading applications such as TSS,
`NASD, and other custom design applications. Operation of
`a representative trading application is described in detail in
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,044 to Kalmus, et al., the contents of
`which are incorporated by reference as if restated in full.
`To support their efforts on behalf of their clients,
`the
`traders have access to a plethora of information services,
`e.g., Reuters, Telerate, Quotron and Bridge, which provide
`a cross section of important data to the trader (often in real
`time) to permit more successful and knowledgeable trading.
`To participate in this activity,
`the traders are often
`equipped with powerful multipurpose work stations inter-
`connected to that selection of information services and
`
`market participants important to that trader. For example,
`US. Pat. No. 5,297,032 to Trojan, et a]. provides a specific
`form of work station environment for participation in a
`select market; the teachings of this patent are incorporated
`by reference as if restated in full. The traders’ overall
`performance is significantly enhanced by their ability to
`keep abreast of market defining events, via on-line data
`acquisition.
`The importance of trading in a timely manner simply
`cannot be overstated. The rapid movement from one security
`to another based on the changing financial environment is
`critical to the overall profitability ofthe transactions and the
`u ltimatc success of the trader. Interruptions to the markets of
`interest simply cannot be tolerated for long, and therefore,
`must be avoided. However, the centralized level of activity
`by major brokerage houses to eITect the trading patterns on
`behalf of their clients has created a separate and only
`recently recognized danger of interruption.
`This risk was brought
`into prime focus by the 1993
`bombing of the World Trade Building complex in lower
`Manhattan—the “twin towers" located within blocks ofWall
`Street and the New York Stock Exchange {NYSE} trading
`floor. This event brought the major market traders “oil-line"
`for a signilicant length of time and represented a far greater
`level of service interruption to market activity on the NYSE
`and other markets than ever previously imagined. Even so,
`participants recognized that it could have been far worse in
`extent interference with capital market activity. The reper-
`cussions of being off—line for a major brokerage house are
`enormous, especially if world events are fast moving and
`create significant swings in asset value.
`Indeed, although the bombing of the World Trade Build-
`ing was a high profile event. it was not unique. Such events
`
`it]
`
`15
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`55
`
`2
`have occurred over the course of the last few years and
`include the llooding of the Chicago river—shutting down
`the Future Exchange in Chicago for a protracted period.
`Other interruptions in service were precipitated by trading
`floor fires in New York, Hurricane Andrew, a flood in New
`York associated with a water main break, and certain man-
`made interruptions (e.g., Audits). During the course of these
`interruptions, persons utilizing certain brokerage services
`were precluded from assessing market conditions and trad-
`ing in response to these conditions.
`trading
`The problem and vulnerability of the current
`systems reside, to some degree, in their centralized location
`coupled with the inability to reroute traders from the net-
`work of dedicated computer terminals for on—line trading. A
`catastrophic event can therefore take capital transactions
`off-line in a key market, causing short term losses and long
`term negative perceptions of the market performance. The
`present invention has been developed to address this prob-
`tern.
`
`SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT
`INVENTION
`
`it is an object of the present invention to provide a data
`processing system for managing financial trading activities
`in a comprehensive fashion in response to a system inter-
`ruption.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide an
`apparatus capable of going on-line to trade in financial
`markets in response to a interruption in current system
`operations, wherein said apparatus is a programmed con-
`trolled digital computer interconnected with a communica-
`tion system permitting direct trading access to one or more
`financial markets.
`
`It is still another object of the present invention to provide
`a method of data processing that enables continuous trading
`of securities on established markets on behalf of clients in
`response to a market interrupting event.
`It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
`a data processing system capable of operating in two modes.
`The first mode involves a day-to-day support activity for a
`particular aspect of the linancial services business, such as
`dividend maintenance, and a second mode relating to active
`real time trading of securities.
`The above and other objects of the present invention are
`realized in a digital computer system networked with mulv
`tiple nodes of work stations and interconnected to one or
`more markets for electronic trading of securities. The data
`processing system includes separately programmed work
`stations each linked to the markets and services necessary to
`effect
`trading of securities on behalf of the clients.
`In
`addition, each work station includes a second mode of
`operation, directed to some day-tonday activity that is relaA
`lively less critical to overall operations in comparison to
`security trading. These work stations are located at a remote
`site from the trading floor and the primary trading work
`stations. The remotely located Work stations are fully
`capable of financial trading transactions, but include security
`buffers to preclude unauthorized access.
`In accordance with the varying aspects of the present
`invention,
`the work stations and the system coordinator
`provide custom access codes for each work station so that a
`preselected codeword is employed to configure the work
`station to a particular trader. In this way, the trader logs onto
`the system with the access codeword and the interconnects
`specific to that trader are loaded into the work station to
`permit select access to the markets and services required by
`that trader.
`
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-01520
`
`Page 9
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-01520
`Page 9
`
`

`

`
`
`6,105,005
`
`3
`The foregoing features of the present invention may be
`more fully understood by reference to the following detailed
`description of a specific illustrative embodiment thereof,
`presented hereinbelow in conjunction with the accompany—
`ing drawings. in which:
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TIIE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a system diagram of the data processing work-
`stations used in permitting active on-Iine trading in accor-
`dance with the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a diagram of the operative elements associated
`with a single work station used in the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a logic flow chart presented in block form to
`depict the logic flow for disaster declaration in the inventive
`system during operation;
`FIG. 4 is a logic flow chart presented in block diagram
`form to depict dynamic configuration of each work station;
`FIG. 5 is a logic flow chart presented in block diagram
`form to depict database query and maintenance; and
`FIG. 6 is a logic flow chart presented in block diagram
`form to depict the virtual window manager as applied in the
`present inventive system.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION 01"” TIIE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMEN'I‘S
`
`l-‘irst briefly in overview, the present invention is directed
`to emulating a trading floor capability at a remote location
`employing hardware that
`is overwise in use—but
`for a
`service that can be periodically interrupted. The system
`includes hardware configuration and tools implemented with
`a plurality of select stored programs controlling the coma
`puter system in accordance with system directives.
`In
`particular, the system is designed to be reconfigured from its
`less critical functions to operate as an array of trading work
`stations, each of which is configured to a particular trader
`and thereby connected to that trader’s select information
`services, trading partners and exchanges. The fundamental
`objective is to recreate a trading floor environment
`that
`emulates actual trading performance for the administrator,
`so that the traders can insure liquidity and protect clients'
`and firm asseLs on the markets after conventional (primary)
`trading has been interrupted. Secondary objectives include
`the utilization of the work stations during periods of elf-line
`operation in a productive manner thus diluting the capital
`commitment
`to the exigent circumstances. Moreover, a
`coordinated security system is interposed to preclude unau-
`thorized access to the work station trading capabilities
`during down times,
`thus preventing improper or illegal
`trading.
`With the foregoing overview in mind, attention is directed
`to FIG.
`1 which depicts an overall system diagram in
`functional block form. In particular, a plurality of work
`stations are arranged in a location remote from the primary
`trading floor for the system proprietor, preferably in one or
`more clusters 15 with individual stations 10. These work
`stations are stand alone computers interconnected to a
`network 20 via conventional network infrastructure, but
`individually programmed in accordance with overall system
`dictates.
`'I‘hesc work stations each are equipped with
`monitor. advanced CPU and at least 32 Mbytes of internal
`memory. It has been found that SPARC Stations sold by Sun
`Computer are suitable for these purposes and are configured
`with one or more operating systems including UNIX with
`variations of XWINDOWS support.
`The UNIX based workstation is designed to provide
`access to multiple applications resident on a diverse set of
`
`it]
`
`15
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`55
`
`4
`hardware platform as may be required by the user. This
`requires that the applications operate concurrently without
`conflict—and thus must be compatible. The plural worksta-
`tions are networked via Ethernet
`to address three servers.
`Referring to FIG. 1, these servers include the Trader Profile
`(Sybase database) server 40,
`the 3270 Gateway to the
`mainframe 30 and the Market Data (real time) server 50.
`Continuing, mainframe application access is via Token Ring
`Backbone 60 to the Bridge 70 and various olI-site main-
`frame networks and Sybase access is routed through a
`Ethernet Backbone 80 to one or more subnetworks. Access
`is controlled via one or more user identification numbers
`USERIDU), wherein (l) is the indexed value for the user file.
`stored in the trader profile database.
`in general
`The individual workstations are structured,
`terms as depicted in l'ICI. 2. In particular, system CPU 110
`is linked to a
`terminal monitor 100 and input system
`(keyboard and mouse) 130 via standard address and data
`bus. Memory 120 includes active RAM for storage of
`applications and data as configured for that
`terminal. A
`communication port 140 is set for compatible linkage to the
`above noted networks, represented in this Figure as data
`distribution system 150.
`In addition to the applications
`available via the network, each workstation is uniquely
`programmed with an interface application to insure opera-
`tion in a manner that supports broad application compat-
`ibility and interaction. This interface is presented in more
`detail hereinbelow.
`
`Recalling that the system is capable of operation in two
`modes, attention is now directed to FIG. 3 and the initiation
`of the second mode of system operation. Entry into this
`mode is predicated on a declaration of a disaster of sufficient
`impetus as to remove or substantially interrupt primary
`trading facilities. This is delineated in the logic tlow chart,
`starting at block 200 (start) with logic continuing to block
`210 where the trader profile database is changed to “disas-
`ter“ status. In response to status change, user enters the
`secret code sequence and confirms the status, block 220.
`The above entered code is then examined and the disaster
`conlirmed by test 230; if no disaster, block 240 provides for
`system exit. A confirmed disaster passes logic to block 250
`and system execution of the mode {context} switch,
`i.e.,
`shifting from routine operation to a trading operation. This
`requires all current users in the routine run mode to log off,
`block 260. Any remaining on—line users are thereafter auto-
`matically logged oil via test 270 and block 280. Completion
`of routine user log oil is followed by the log-in screen
`providing system support to trading operations.
`Turning now to FIG. 4. the initial function of the system
`is to reconfigure the terminal to correspond to the particular
`trader as logged into that terminal. The logic command for
`this begins with start block 300 and then branches to test
`310, wherein the USERIDU) is compared to the library of
`traders in the trader profile database. If no match exists, the
`system terminates processing block 320, and returns to the
`initial logon screen block 330.
`However, a match in USERIDU) passes logic to block
`340, with the log-on entered into the trader profile
`database—user log. In response to the user log entry, the
`system retrieves one or more "desktops" from the trader
`profile database, block 350. Each desktop represents a
`custom collection of applications, services and market
`linkages—conforming to the particular needs of the trader as
`identified by the USERIDU). For example, if the trader is
`active in the currency market(s),
`linkage to the currency
`market(s) is provided in accordance with a stored "desktop"
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-01520
`
`Page 10
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-01520
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`
`

`

`5
`configuration specific to that trader. The system then scrolls
`through the available and retrieved desktops, lirst to last,
`block 360 and presents the complete desktop —first entry on
`screen, block 370.
`In addition to traditional applications, the system provides
`for specialized services, accessed on a trader’s workstation
`as needed. In particular, as delineated in FIG. 5, the system
`permits database query and maintenance using database
`
`query tools (“insight”), triggered by a pre-determined event,
`test 410 such as notification of a disaster wherein system
`access to the trader profile database is immediate and
`critical. Other database system events include remote access
`and local request via icon entry. A positive event branches
`logic to test 420 and the presentation of multiple menu and
`display options. Selection of a different menu structure by
`the user at test 420 provides for new menu options, block
`430. At
`test 440,
`the user enters the menu choice for
`querying the database in accordance with the particulars of
`the request and the database system structure. At block 450
`and 460, the choice(s) are processed and the responsive
`entries compiled for presentation to the user. A negative
`response to test 440 leads logic to an exit choice, test 470
`and exit from the subsystem, block 480.
`The foregoing discussion has utilized a hierarchal recita-
`tion of system logic flow. This methodology is utilized as a
`vehicle to best illustrate system programming logic, recog-
`nizing that much of the actual tasks are implemented in
`non-sequential fashion—including menu drive, icon or com-
`mand line implementation of system commands. Persons
`skilled in the art will undouhtahly recognize those aspects of
`system logic and structure best configu red for hierarchal v.
`non—sequential arrangement.
`'lhrning now to FIG. 6, an AI‘S virtual window manager
`providing enhanced trader access to multiple disparate appli~
`cations is delineated This system is linked to the trader
`profile database and thus implements custom control regi-
`mens specific to the trader as identified during logon.
`Window control of an application is tied to the logon
`USERIDU) as channeled through the ATS window manager.
`In operation, the virtual window manager is the desktop
`director. controlling all functions and access links available
`from that workstation.
`
`
`
`5
`
`ll]
`
`15
`
`30
`
`35
`
`4t]
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`55
`
`logic begins with start block 500
`In operative terms,
`wherein the manager is loaded into active memory. At this
`point, however, the manager is transparent to the initial login
`screen and desktop—but available by entry of a launchpad
`event. This is triggered by function key, keystroke combi-
`nation or mouse actuation, which is detected at test 510.
`When Iau nched, the windoWS manager presents live separate
`modules to the user on screen. respectively indicated in FIG.
`6 by tests 520, 540, 570, 590, and 6'70. The first module, test
`529 is the path to the help system. This system contains
`context sensitive collection of operation instructions, avail-
`able in display or voice format to the user, block 530.
`The second module, test 540, provides user selection of a
`new desktop arrangement. Upon positive response, the cur-
`rent desktop, including active and passive window applica-
`tion icons, are cleared, block 550 and replaced with the
`newly selected desktop, block SIN—including the newly
`opened and activated applications. The third module, test
`570 refers to the system ability via the manager to orient the
`keyboard focus between the various opened window appli-
`cations. For example, the user may wish to enter trade orders
`in the T88 application. (See above identified patent
`to
`Kalmus, et al.}. The TSS window is activated for keyboard
`entry via block 580, enabling key-stroke input ofcommands
`and trade descriptors for this application.
`
`6,105,005
`
`6
`The fourth module is directed to application launch exter-
`nal to the presently accessed desktop. Many applications are
`expensive to access or take significant system resources, and
`thus unless in use, they should be “elf—line”. To bring online,
`block 600. the launch script opens an active window within
`the manager, “yes” to test 610, which leads to the display of
`the application and use of secondary windows if needed,
`
`blocks 620—630. A negative response to test 610—no new
`window redirects the newly opened application to a cur-
`rent window in the extent desktop, test 640 and block 650.
`If no windows are available for
`the newly opened
`application, block 660 reflects system window saturation
`and returns logic to the menu start.
`The final module focuses on the logout routine, test 670,
`which terminates all active application processing, block
`680 and presents the initial login screen to the next user,
`block 690.
`
`EXAMPLE
`
`The foregoing features can be better appreciated in the
`context of an illustrative example ot'their implementation. A
`system conforming to the dictates of the foregoing descrip-
`tion is initially configured to operate in a first mode—
`dedicated to managing dividend payment processing for a
`collection of mutual funds. This operation is located in the
`suburbs to a major financial center, such as New York City.
`Separately, the system proprietor maintains a trading depart-
`ment lecated in the financial center. The trading floor is
`equipped with 1200 workstations of the type utilized in
`securities trading each with a skilled trader in attendance.
`A major disruption creates a power failure in the financial
`center of such scope that all 1200 workstations are
`incapacitated, with expected down time of two to three
`weeks. In response, a disaster is declared and authorized
`disaster codes are entered via ethcmet LAN 20 (FIG. 1), thus
`activating the trader operation at each remote workstation as
`depicted in FIG. 1. For each station,
`the user confirms
`disaster status on-line and logs ofl upon continuation (FIG.
`2).
`
`Traders access the system, entering the appropriate login
`information, including the unique USERIDtI) via the com-
`mands of FIG. 4, and the trader-specific desktop is presented
`on screen. For USERII)(23), a currency trader, the desktop
`configuration includes four separate windovtrs with the vir-
`tual windows manager running in the background—the
`"virtual" aspect of the windows manager indicates that one
`or more window applications are off-screen. The first two
`windows are for Tolerate and Reuters information
`services—both applications are via remote link and are
`displayed in separate ou-screen windows under the direction
`of the window manager. The third window is a trading
`screen for
`the currency market—futures contracts
`included—with details on breaking trades. The final window
`is that trader’s "BACKOFFICE"—a clearing and settlement
`application directed to the trader’s interaction with the
`market.
`
`Interaction with each of these windows is via keystroke
`and transducer—with trading continuing as if emanating
`from the primary trading floor. At the termination of the
`disaster declaration,
`the workstations are reconfigure to
`operate in their initial mode—dividend management.
`The above—described arrangement is merely illustrative of
`the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifi-
`cations and adaptations thereof will be readily apparent to
`those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and
`scope of the present invention.
`
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-01520
`
`Page 11
`
`PMC Exhibit 2177
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-01520
`Page 11
`
`

`

`
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. An apparatus providing fault-tolerant operation to
`interrupted services associated with trading of financial
`assets on at
`least one electronic exchange, wherein said
`interrupted services involve a partial or complete failure of
`a primary computer system for implementing financial trans-
`actions on said at least one electronic exchange, said appa-
`ratus comprising:
`a remote system including a plurality of work stations at
`one or more locations remote from said primary com-
`puter system; wherein the remote system is adapted to:
`(a) operate in a disaster mode of operation upon dis-
`ruption of the primary computer system so as to pro-
`vide for the implementation of one or more financial
`transactions over the electronic exchange, and {b} oper~
`ate in a normal mode of operation which involves
`implementation of at least one transaction in addition
`to, other than, or in lieu of, financial transactions on
`said electronic exchange;
`a communications mechanism adapted to establish a link
`between said remote system and said electronic
`exchange, wherein said communications mechanism
`provides for real time access from said remote system
`to said electronic exchange;
`wherein said remote system includes a database and
`associated programming comprising:
`(i) a security command to which said remote system
`responds by changing the operation of said remote
`system from said normal mode of operation to said
`disaster mode of operation, and a programmed com-
`mand enabling select access via said remote system
`and said communications mechanism by at least one
`individual trader to said at least one exchange.
`(ii) an access command for providing access from said
`remote system via said communications mechanism
`to said electronic exchange; and
`(iii) a retrieval mechanism for retrieving from said ‘
`database a desktop display configuration for each of
`a plurality of individual traders, said database includ—
`ing trader specific information defining at least one
`of applications, services, and on-Iine electronic
`exchange desktop configuration information.
`2. The apparatus of claim I, wherein said remote system
`further ineludesa networking mechanism in communication
`with said plurality of work stations.
`3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of a plurality of
`respective said work stations are individually configured to
`a corresponding specific trader in a manner so as to provide
`at least one of:
`
`an
`
`it]
`
`30
`
`40
`
`{a} a link to one or more remote information services; and
`(h) trading access to one or more electronic exchanges.
`4. A system for providing a secondary platform to effect
`trading of financial assets, equipped to communicate with at
`least one electronic exchange. said system comprising:
`a database for storage and retrieval of data, and modifi-
`cation of data stored therein;
`an input mechanism adapted for storage of access control
`information into said system, including one or more
`code entries indicating a first mode of operation and
`one or more code entries indicating a second mode of
`operation, wherein said second mode of operation is
`implemented in response to a primary trading platform
`interruption, said secondary platform is a trading plat-
`form the input mechanism also adapted to store at least
`one user access code;
`a data display for said second platform for information
`display of data associated with real time transactions
`corresponding to at least one of:
`
`60
`
`7
`
`6,105,005
`
`8
`(i) market activity on said at
`exchange,
`(ii) data from one or more on-line information services,
`and
`
`least one electronic
`
`(iii) applications programs relating to said market activ—
`ity or services;
`a processing mechanism [or receiving data from said
`database and determining whether access to said
`system is authorized and, ifso, changing said system
`operating mode to said second mode of operation
`and in conformance with a tare-established set of
`select trading parameters stored in said database,
`wherein the first mode of operation is associated with
`financial service administration. and the second
`mode of operation effects said trading of financial
`assets on said electronic exchange, wherein said
`input mechanism, said database, and said processing
`mechanism are associated with emulating a trading
`terminal
`in communication with said electronic
`exchange.
`5. The system of claim 4 wherein said processing mecha-
`nism further includes programmable access to one or more
`system databases having memory locations addressable by
`said input mechanism, and programmable access for access
`ing information on any of a plurality of individual traders.
`6. The system of claim 5 wherein said trading parameters
`include data on one or more electronic exchanges available
`for access through said work station in response to said user
`access code.
`7. The system of claim 4 further comprising a network
`communication mechanism for establishing one or more
`links to remote processors for support of trading in financial
`instruments and for receiving information from a remote
`on—linc data service.
`8. A data processing method for operating a fault tolerant
`system that provides at
`least one remote terminal with
`selected access to an electronic exchange for executing
`transactions in accordance with user commands, such that,
`in response to a hardware andi’or software failure of sufii-
`cient scope that a primary trading network coupled to the
`electronic exchange is closed or substantially curtailed in
`operation, the following steps are performed:
`entering in a workstation terminal a failure code and a
`user identification code to cfiect
`translation of said
`workstation to a fault—tolerant trading station;
`a processing mechanism comparing said entered failure
`code to one or more failure codes st