Order Centric Tracking System And Protocol For Communications With Handheld Trading Units

Abstract

A computerized method and system for tracking orders implemented on a trading floor exchange is disclosed. The system is order-centric and is configured to route orders to a booth and floor broker in accordance with a symbol associated with the particular security being traded. Floor brokers communicate with the trading system through handheld devices connected to a handheld server via a wireless interface. A specific protocol for messaging protocol for communications between the handheld devices and the handheld server is also disclosed.

1 .- 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A method comprising:
 wirelessly receiving a look request querying current market conditions for a security associated with a security symbol,
 wherein the security symbol has been assigned to a broker identifier (ID) and the broker ID is associated with the handheld computing device; 
   receiving an input from a broker associated with the broker ID, the input indicating information to be included in a look data message; and   wirelessly transmitting the look data message to a booth station associated with the security symbol.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the look request includes a look request ID, the security symbol, and a priority. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the look data message includes the look request ID, the security symbol, and an indication of a market for the security, and wherein the indication of the market for the security comprises an indication of at least one of: a price for the security, a demand for buyers of the security, and a demand for sellers of the security. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the look request includes an indication of an amount of time that an accepted look request will live before it is passively rejected. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the look data message includes an identity of recent buyers and sellers of the security, prices of recent trades of the security, and sizes of recent trades of the security. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising wirelessly transmitting a look reply in response to receiving the look request, the look reply indicating whether the look request is accepted or rejected, wherein the look data message is transmitted when the look reply indicates that the look request is accepted. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising periodically receiving price information for the security when the look request has not been completed. 
     
     
         14 . A handheld computing apparatus comprising:
 an input device;   a memory containing computer processor executable instructions; and   a computer processor configured to execute the instructions, the instructions including instructions to:
 wirelessly receive a look request querying current market conditions for a security associated with a security symbol,
 wherein the security symbol has been assigned to a broker identifier (ID) and the broker ID is associated with the handheld computing device; 
 
 receive an input from a broker associated with the broker ID, the input indicating information to be included in a look data message; and 
 wirelessly transmit the look data message to a booth station associated with the security symbol. 
   
     
     
         15 . The handheld computing apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the look request includes a look request ID, the security symbol, and a priority. 
     
     
         16 . The handheld computing apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the look data message includes the look request ID, the security symbol, and an indication of a market for the security. 
     
     
         17 . The handheld computing apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the indication of the market for the security comprises an indication of at least one of: a price for the security, a demand for buyers of the security, and a demand for sellers of the security. 
     
     
         18 . The handheld computing apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the look request includes an indication of an amount of time that an accepted look request will live before it is passively rejected. 
     
     
         19 . The handheld computing apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to wirelessly transmit a look reply in response to receiving the look request, the look reply indicating whether the look request is accepted or rejected, wherein the look data message is transmitted when the look reply indicates that the look request is accepted. 
     
     
         20 . The handheld computing apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to periodically receive price information for the security when the look request has not been completed. 
     
     
         21 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed by at least one computer, direct the at least one computer to:
 wirelessly receive a look request querying current market conditions for a security associated with a security symbol,
 wherein the security symbol has been assigned to a broker identifier (ID) and the broker ID is associated with the handheld computing device; 
   receive an input from a broker associated with the broker ID, the input indicating information to be included in a look data message; and   wirelessly transmit the look data message to a booth station associated with the security symbol.   
     
     
         22 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 21 , wherein the look request includes a look request ID, the security symbol, and a priority, wherein the look data message includes the look request ID, the security symbol, and an indication of a market for the security associated with the security symbol. 
     
     
         23 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 22 , wherein the indication of the market for the security comprises an indication of at least one of: a price for the security, a demand for buyers of the security, and a demand for sellers of the security. 
     
     
         24 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 21 , wherein the look request includes an indication of an amount of time that an accepted look request will live before it is passively rejected. 
     
     
         25 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 21 , wherein the instructions that, when executed by at least one computer, direct the at least one computer further direct the at least one computer to wirelessly transmit a look reply in response to receiving the look request, the look reply indicating whether the look request is accepted or rejected, wherein the look data message is transmitted when the look reply indicates that the look request is accepted. 
     
     
         26 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 21 , wherein the instructions that, when executed by at least one computer, direct the at least one computer further direct the at least one computer to periodically receive price information for the security when the look request has not been completed.