WO2009073613A2

WO2009073613A2 - Apparatus for displaying data elements and method

Info

Publication number: WO2009073613A2
Application number: PCT/US2008/085153
Authority: WO
Inventors: Young Sun Kim
Original assignee: Blue System Incorporated
Priority date: 2007-11-30
Filing date: 2008-12-01
Publication date: 2009-06-11
Also published as: WO2009073613A3

Abstract

Data processing apparatus running a computer software application, comprising: a data processing portion; a data input portion; and a display portion, the apparatus being configured to store data elements input to the apparatus, said data elements corresponding to values of each of a plurality of parameters associated with one or more instruments, the apparatus being configurable to display values of one or more parameters associated with an instrument, the apparatus being operable by means of the data input portion to display said values according to a selected one of a plurality of predetermined user-configurable formats and to change the format according to which said values are displayed to a different one of said plurality of formats, each of said formats being defined by the identity of one or more instruments of which one or more parameters are to be displayed; the identity of said one or more parameters of each respective instrument that are to be displayed; and a location on said display portion at which said values of said parameters are to be displayed.

Description

APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING DATA ELEMENTS AND METHOD

The present invention relates to apparatus for displaying data elements and a method of displaying data elements. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to apparatus for providing a real time display of data elements. Some embodiments of the invention provide apparatus for displaying real and synthetic data elements and a method therefor.

The analysis of time-dependent data as a function of time is of substantial importance in a range of practical situations. For example, displays of traffic density (such as vehicular traffic or air traffic) as a function of time assists traffic controllers in anticipating flow patterns. This in turn assists them in organising flow management systems including personnel deployment scheduling in a more effective and economical manner.

Similarly, in the financial industry, analysis of the prices of stocks, shares and other financial instruments as a function of time forms a core component of a financial trader's activities.

The decision making process employed by a traffic controller in determining an appropriate response to a particular traffic flow scenario, and the decision making process employed by a financial trader in determining an appropriate response to a particular state of the financial markets, are complex processes requiring assimilation of a variety of parameters a number of which may be inter-related. The complexity of the decision making process may be exacerbated by relatively rapid changes in the values of certain parameters.

In the case of a traffic controller, parameters may include the number density of vehicles passing certain predetermined locations, and the length of time required for a given vehicle to transit a particular route.

In the case of a financial trader, parameters to be analysed may include the value of a parameter of one or more instruments, differences between the values of parameters associated with said one or more instruments, or the relationship between parameters of two or more instruments as defined by a particular mathematical algorithm or formula. Computer systems provide a convenient means by which a traffic controller or a financial trader can acquire and assimilate values of parameters. The form in which values of parameters are displayed is an important factor in determining how rapidly the values of the parameters can be assimilated.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided data processing apparatus running a computer software application, comprising: a data processing portion; a data input portion; and a display portion, the apparatus being configured to store data elements input to the apparatus, said data elements corresponding to values of each of a plurality of parameters associated with one or more instruments, the apparatus being configurable to display values of one or more parameters associated with an instrument, the apparatus being operable by means of the data input portion to display said values according to a selected one of a plurality of predetermined user-configurable formats and to change the format according to which said values are displayed to a different one of said plurality of formats, each of said formats being defined by the identity of one or more instruments of which one or more parameters are to be displayed; the identity of said one or more parameters of each respective instrument that are to be displayed; and a location on said display portion at which said values of said parameters are to be displayed.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided data processing apparatus running a computer software application, comprising: a data processing portion; a data input portion; and a display portion, the apparatus being configured to store data elements input to the apparatus, said data elements corresponding to values of a plurality of parameters, said parameters being associated with one or more instruments, the data input portion being operable by a user to input one or more mathematical functions comprising one or more operands, an operand corresponding to a parameter of one or more instruments, thereby to define a parameter of one or more synthetic symbols, the apparatus being further configurable to calculate a value of said parameter of said one or more synthetic symbols based on said data elements input to the apparatus, the apparatus being configured to display values of one or more parameters associated with an instrument and one or more parameters associated with a synthetic symbol on the display portion, the apparatus being operable to display said values according to one of a plurality of predetermined user-selectable formats, each of said formats being defined by the identity of one or more instruments and/or synthetic symbols of which one or more parameters are to be displayed; the identity of said one or more parameters of each respective instrument and/or synthetic symbol that are to be displayed; and a location on said display portion at which said values of said parameters are to be displayed.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of processing and displaying data in a data processing apparatus comprising the steps of: receiving data elements input to the data processing apparatus and storing said data elements, said data elements corresponding to values of each of a plurality of parameters associated with one or more instruments; displaying values of one or more parameters associated with an instrument according to a selected one of a plurality of predetermined user-configurable formats; and changing the format according to which said values are displayed to a different one of said plurality of formats, each of said formats being defined by the identity of one or more instruments of which one or more parameters are to be displayed; the identity of said one or more parameters of each respective instrument that are to be displayed; and a location on said display portion at which said values of said parameters are to be displayed. Embodiments of the invention have the feature that a user can change the format in which data is displayed in a data display window in order to optimise the display according to a given task the user is required to perform.

For example, a user may be required to assess a state of a financial market with respect to the values of stock of telecommunications companies and the values of stock of financial institutions.

As part of the assessment process, the user may require to display a particular set of parameters associated with a given set of instruments. The instruments may be stocks of a given company, bonds, or any other financial instrument associated with a given entity.

The software application may be configured by a user to display values of a particular set of parameters of a set of instruments in which the user is interested. Values may be displayed corresponding to a given required moment in time, or corresponding to a given required period of time.

The apparatus may be configured to allow a user to input to the apparatus one or more mathematical relationships between parameters of one or more instruments thereby to define a parameter of one or more synthetic symbols, the apparatus being further configured to calculate a value of said parameter of said one or more synthetic symbols based on said data elements input to the apparatus.

As a part of the assessment process of a situation by a user, the user may require to compare values of one or more parameters of two or more stocks for a given moment in time. For example, the user may require to compare the bid prices of two or more instruments, or the ask prices of two or more instruments. Alternatively or in addition, the user may require to compare the bid price of one instrument with the ask price of a second instrument.

The software application is operable to allow the user to accomplish these requirements. The application allows the user to select an instrument and the one or more parameters of that instrument for which comparative data is to be displayed, and to display the difference between values of the one or more parameters selected. Synthetic symbol data may be displayed on the display portion in one or more of the user- selectable formats. Synthetic symbol data may be displayed together with non-synthetic symbol data in a given user-selectable format. Alternatively synthetic symbol data may be displayed with no non-synthetic symbol data in a given user-selectable format.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

FIGURE 1 is a screenshot showing values of a plurality of predetermined parameters of a plurality of predetermined instruments according to a standard view format;

FIGURE 2 is a screenshot showing values of a plurality of predetermined parameters of a plurality of predetermined instruments according to a grid view format;

FIGURE 3 is a screenshot showing values of a plurality of predetermined parameters of a plurality of predetermined instruments according to a list view format;

FIGURE 4 is a screenshot showing values of a plurality of predetermined parameters of a plurality of predetermined instruments according to a matrix triangle view format;

FIGURE 5 is a screenshot showing values of a plurality of predetermined parameters of a plurality of predetermined instruments according to a matrix rectangle view format;

FIGURE 6 is a screenshot showing values of a plurality of predetermined parameters of a plurality of predetermined instruments and a plurality of predetermined synthetic symbols according to a standard view format;

FIGURE 7 is a screenshot showing values of a plurality of predetermined parameters of a plurality of predetermined instruments and a plurality of predetermined synthetic symbols according to a grid view format;

FIGURE 8 is a screenshot showing values of a plurality of predetermined parameters of a plurality of predetermined instruments, together with values corresponding to predetermined synthetic parameters associated with the plurality of predetermined instruments; and FIGURE 9 is a screenshot showing values of a plurality of predetermined parameters of a plurality of predetermined instruments according to a standard view format together with graphical plots of values of a predetermined parameter for each of two predetermined instruments as a function of time over a predetermined time period.

According to an embodiment of the invention computer apparatus is provided running a software application program. The apparatus is connected to a network and configured to access the network to receive data and to store the data in a data memory of the system. The apparatus has a display portion in the form of a computer monitor, a data processing portion, and a data input portion. In some embodiments of the invention the data input portion is provided by a keyboard and a mouse. In some embodiments a touch screen is provided. Other data input devices generally may be used.

In some embodiments of the invention the apparatus is configured to receive data substantially in real time from a remote server or other remote source of data, and to store the data in a local data memory of the apparatus. Storage in the local data memory has the advantage that the data can generally be accessed more quickly than data stored at a remote location.

The apparatus is configured to allow a user to display data stored in the data memory on the display portion of the apparatus. The data are displayed as a frame of data.

The content of the frame may be customised by the user according to their requirement. Thus, the user may input the identities of financial instruments for which it is required to display values of one or more user-selectable parameters associated with the instruments. In some embodiments some parameters are also user-definable. The user can also select the format in which the data will be displayed (in terms of the physical layout of the display) from a plurality of different format types. The format types themselves may be customised by the user to suit their individual requirements.

For example, the user may input a list of stock instrument identities (such as VODAFONE (VOD), BARCLAYS (BARC), etc) and select the parameters associated with these instruments that it is required to display (such as open price, high price, low price, last price, bid price and/or ask price). The user can select an appropriate data display format type from a list of predetermined format types, or the user can generate a new data format type according to their individual requirement.

The different display formats may be referred to as 'quote board' formats.

In some embodiments the apparatus is configured to allow a user to switch between different 'quote board' formats by means of a keyboard, mouse, touch screen or any other general user input device. In some embodiments the apparatus is configured to allow the user to switch between different 'quote board' formats in a rapid and efficient manner. In some embodiments the switch is performed by a single user input, such as by pressing one or more keyboard buttons generally simultaneously, selecting an option from a menu, pressing a graphical button on a display, or any other suitable method.

FIG. 1 is a screenshot taken from the display portion of computing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention in which parameters associated with a list of stock instruments are displayed in a window 10 in a 'standard view' format.

According to the standard view format type the identity of the stock instrument is indicated down the left hand portion of the display. The first column 11 shows the stock instrument symbol, the second column 12 provides a description of the stock instrument (such as the full name of the company), whilst parameters associated with the stock instrument are provided in the remaining columns 13 of the display. Parameters displayed in the screenshot of FIG. 1 include open bid price, highest bid price and lowest bid price.

FIG. 2 is a screenshot taken from the display portion of apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 in which parameters are displayed in window 10 in a 'grid view' format.

According to the grid view format the display is divided into a plurality of rows of tile elements 15 defining a 'grid', each tile element corresponding to a different financial instrument. The identity of the instrument associated with a given tile element 15 is indicated in the first row of each tile element 15, with the values of parameters associated with the instrument being listed below the identity of the instrument within the corresponding tile element 15.

It will be appreciated that due to space constraints associated with each view format, the number of parameters that may be displayed in association with a given stock instrument is limited. Therefore the user may customise the display format to determine the identities of the instruments that will be displayed, and the parameters that are to be displayed for each instrument.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, five parameters associated with each instrument are displayed in each tile element 15. This is contrast to the standard view of FIG. 1 in which seventeen parameters associated with each instrument are displayed in the window 10. In some embodiments, a greater or lesser number of parameters are displayed in each grid element. In some embodiments the size of the grid elements is changed automatically according to the amount of data to be displayed in each grid element. In some embodiments the number of grid elements displayed in a window 10 is also adjusted in a corresponding manner according to the size of the grid elements.

At the top of the window 10, a panel 30 is provided in which values of further parameters corresponding to a given instrument may be displayed. The instrument for which further parameters are displayed in the panel 30 is selected using a mouse, by clicking on the corresponding instrument in the list of instruments of the window 10.

The apparatus is configured to highlight parameters associated with a given instrument when predetermined conditions exist.

In some embodiments, the apparatus is configured to highlight the value of a parameter of a given view format when the value of that parameter changes; for example, the colour in which the value is displayed may be changed. In some embodiments, when the value of the parameter increases, the value is displayed in a first colour. The value may be displayed in the first colour until a decrease in the value of the parameter occurred, or for a predetermined period of time before the colour is changed to a second colour, the second colour corresponding to a parameter whose value has not changed for at least said predetermined period of time. In a corresponding manner, the colour in which the value of the parameter is displayed may be changed to a third colour when a decrease in the value of the parameter occurs The value may be displayed in the third colour either until an increase in the value of the parameter occurs, or for a predetermined period of time. After the predetermined period, if no change has occurred in the value of the parameter, the colour may be changed to the second colour.

The feature of displaying panel 30 may be turned on or off by a user for any given view format, depending upon whether the user requires to view the panel 30.

FIG. 3 is a screenshot taken from the display portion of apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 in which parameters are displayed in window 10 in a 'list view' format. According to the list view format the values of predetermined parameters associated with a given instrument are displayed in rows across the screen. In the case of the list view shown in FIG. 3, only two parameters are displayed per stock instrument, allowing multiple columns of instruments 16 to be displayed in the window 10, with corresponding columns of parameters 17.

FIG. 4 is a screenshot taken from the display portion of apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 in which parameters are displayed in window 10 in a 'matrix view - triangle' format. In the matrix view triangle format the identities of the stock instruments are laid out in an upper row of a table in an upper region of a window 10 of the display portion, and in a staggered column of the table below the upper row, to define a table having a generally triangular shape. 'Comparison' parameters corresponding to comparisons between stock instruments are displayed in grid elements at the intersections of corresponding columns and rows of the table. In the embodiment of FIG. 4 the comparison parameters are an 'ask price spread symbol' (upper parameter of each grid element) and a 'bid price spread symbol' (lower parameter of each grid element).

The ask price spread symbol parameter corresponds to the 'spread' or 'difference' between the asking price of one instrument and the bid price of another instrument. Thus, in the example of FIG. 4, the ask price spread symbol parameter corresponds to the difference between the asking price of the instrument displayed along the staggered column along the lower edge of the table, and the bid price of the instrument displayed along the upper row of the table. In the case of the instruments BARCLSE and LLOY.LSE, the ask price spread symbol "BARCLSE LLOY.LSE. ask" would be the difference between the asking price of BARCLSE and the bid price of LLOY.LSE (a value of 92.50 in the particular example shown in FIG. 4). It will of course be appreciated that the ask price spread symbol parameter could instead correspond to the difference between the asking price of the instrument displayed along the upper row of the table and the bid price of the instrument displayed along the staggered column along the lower edge of the table

The bid price spread symbol corresponds to the difference between the bid price of the instrument displayed along the staggered column along the lower edge of the table and the asking price of the instrument displayed along the upper row of the table (or vice versa as discussed above). Thus, in the case of the instruments BARCLSE and LLOY.LSE, the bid price spread symbol "BARCLSE LLOY.LSE. bid" is the difference between the bid price of BARCLSE and the asking price of LLOY.LSE (a value of 91.00 in the particular example shown in FIG. 4).

FIG. 5 is a screenshot taken from the display portion of apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 in which parameters are displayed in window 10 in a 'matrix view- rectangle' format. The format is similar to that of FIG. 4 except that the column of stock instrument identities is not staggered.

The comparison parameters displayed in some view formats such as those of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 may be customised by a user. In other words, the user can select the comparison parameter to be displayed in the window 10 either from a predetermined list of comparison parameters, or by inputting a customised comparison parameter to the apparatus. Input of a customised comparison parameter requires a user to define the identity of the instruments to be compared, the one or more parameters of each instrument that are to be compared, and the relationship between the parameters that defines the customised comparison parameter.

In some embodiments the user can also define a value of a 'spread ratio parameter', k for one or each of the parameters used in calculating the comparison parameter. The spread ratio parameter is a factor by which a value of a parameter used in calculating a spread value between two parameters will be multiplied before the apparatus calculates the spread value.

In some embodiments the two parameters are two different parameters of a given instrument (e.g. the bid price and the ask price of a particular instrument), or the same parameter but for different instruments (e.g. the bid price of one instrument and the bid price of another instrument) or one parameter of one instrument and another parameter of a different instrument (e.g. the bid price of one instrument and the ask price of a different instrument).

Thus, if the parameters in question have values A and B respectively, the spread value will be given by the equation

Spread Value = k_AA - k_BB

where k_A is the value of the spread ratio parameter for the parameter with value A and k_B is the value of the spread ratio parameter for the parameter with value B.

A user may select a different value of the one or more spread ratio parameters. For example, in the event that a user wishes to define a comparison parameter as the value of a first parameter less half the value of a second parameter, the spread ratio parameter of the first parameter would be '1' and the spread ratio parameter of the second parameter would be '0.5'. This would result in the spread value being given by the equation

Spread = A - 0.5B

FIG. 6 is a screenshot taken from the display portion of apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 in which financial instruments and parameters associated with the instruments are displayed in window 10 in the standard view format.

In the screenshot, conventional financial instruments (such as BARC, AZN etc) are shown as well as synthetic financial instruments. Conventional instruments correspond directly to the identity of financial instruments traded in the financial markets. Synthetic symbols correspond to user-defined instruments. A user-defined instrument may be defined in terms of an algorithmic relationship between parameters of one or more instruments. The apparatus is configured to allow a user to input a required algorithmic relationship between the parameters in order to define a synthetic symbol.

In the example of FIG. 6, synthetic symbols are shown in the lower rows 20 of the window 10. The synthetic symbols according to the embodiment shown are configured to display a spread between values of corresponding parameters of two predetermined financial instruments. For example, the first synthetic symbol is configured to provide a spread between corresponding parameters of BARC and VOD stocks on the London Stock

Exchange. The values displayed include values of the spread in opening bid price, highest bid price and closing bid price.

It will be appreciated that the comparison parameters of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 may be considered to be parameters of a synthetic symbol corresponding to the spread between parameters of two instruments.

FIG. 7 shows a corresponding grid view format display of data including conventional and synthetic financial instruments.

The ability of the software application to allow a user to input their own synthetic symbols to the application, and to display values of parameters associated with the synthetic symbols is a powerful feature of the application. It enables a user to configure the apparatus to display information in a manner allowing rapid assimilation of the information by the user.

Thus, the user is not required to perform mathematical calculations to determine particular relationships between financial instruments (such as values of spread between parameters of two or more instruments). Rather, calculations are performed by the apparatus and the results of the calculations are displayed directly on the display portion.

In some embodiments of the invention data elements are received by the apparatus from a remote location in real time. Thus, the user is provided with real time or 'live' data in respect of a particular financial instrument.

FIG. 8 shows a window 10 displaying data in the list view format. In the particular view format shown, the user has preselected a series of financial instruments for display. Apparatus according to some embodiments is further configured to allow a user to select an instrument (a conventional instrument or a synthetic symbol) and to display a graphical plot of values of a user-selected parameter as a function of time over a user-selected time period.

FIG. 9 shows a screenshot of a window 10 showing values of instrument parameters in list view format together with two graphical display windows 60, 70. The apparatus is operable by a user to display values of a preselected parameter of a preselected synthetic symbol as a function of time over a preselected time period in each of the graphical display windows 60, 70.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, a list of thirteen instruments is provided in lower window 10 of the display portion. Two graphical display windows 60, 70 are also shown. A first graphical display window 60 is configured to display values of a parameter of a synthetic instrument being the spread between BARC and VOD stock instruments as a function of time over a period from 18^th September 2007 to 20^th September 2007. The most recently acquired value of this parameter is displayed on the first line of the list of instruments in the lower display window 10.

A second graphical display window 70 is configured to display values of spread between two further stock instruments as a function of time over the same time period.

It will be appreciated that the data plotted graphically in the graphical display windows 60, 70 may be configured to display historical values of the highest and lowest values of the spread between predetermined parameters of the two instruments. Thus, a bar of the graphical display corresponding to (say) a given day may be drawn between the lowest value of the spread on that day and the highest value of the spread on that day. Other methods of displaying the data graphically are also useful. For example, the graphical display may alternatively or in addition indicate the opening value of the spread and the closing value of the spread over a given period of time, such as one day.

The user can select to display one or more graphical display windows according to their requirements. Furthermore, statistical analyses of data displayed in a given graphical display window can be performed, such as a 30 day moving average, and the results of such analyses displayed in the window in graphical format. As described above, the apparatus is configured to receive data over a network. In some embodiments the apparatus is configured to store data received via the network in a local data memory (such as a hard disk drive) of the apparatus. This feature allows the apparatus more rapidly to access the data at a later stage since it is not required to download data over a network. This is because, as discussed above, downloading of data over a network is typically slower than accessing the data from a local storage device.

As described above, in some embodiments of the invention a graphical display of data over a predetermined time period may be required by a user. If the apparatus has the corresponding required data stored on a local storage medium the apparatus can access the storage medium to display the data. If the required data is not available on a local storage medium, the apparatus is configured to access the network to download the required data from a corresponding remote source.

In some embodiments the apparatus is configured to download data that the apparatus has determined may be required by a user at a given future moment in time and to store the data in a data memory of the apparatus.

Once a user has set up the application with the required different view formats, the user may switch the display of window 10 between the different view formats by a simple click of a mouse button, or other suitably convenient input command or commands.

The feature of allowing a user to program their own synthetic symbol has the advantage that the user may input algorithms relating one or more parameters of one or more instruments thereby to plan their activities. Financial market experts such as traders frequently develop their own personalised methods and methodologies of analysing financial data. A software application according to embodiments of the present invention allows the user to implement their personalised methods of analysis to assist them in the complex decision making processes in which they engage.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, reference to a 'stock' includes reference to a share or other instrument. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and "comprises", means "including but not limited to", and is not intended to (and does not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Data processing apparatus running a computer software application, comprising: a data processing portion; a data input portion; and a display portion, the apparatus being configured to store data elements input to the apparatus, said data elements corresponding to values of each of a plurality of parameters associated with one or more instruments, the apparatus being configurable to display values of one or more parameters associated with an instrument, the apparatus being operable by means of the data input portion to display said values according to a selected one of a plurality of predetermined user-configurable formats and to change the format according to which said values are displayed to a different one of said plurality of formats, each of said formats being defined by the identity of one or more instruments of which one or more parameters are to be displayed; the identity of said one or more parameters of each respective instrument that are to be displayed; and a location on said display portion at which said values of said parameters are to be displayed.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said formats is configurable to comprise a corresponding format instrument dataset, a format instrument parameter dataset and a format instrument parameter location dataset, the format instrument dataset defining one or more instruments for which one or more parameters are to be displayed, the format instrument parameter dataset defining one or more parameters associated with a given instrument that are to be displayed, the format instrument parameter location dataset defining a location of the display portion at which a value of a given parameter of a given instrument is to be displayed.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 configured to allow a user to input to the apparatus one or more mathematical functions comprising one or more operands, an operand corresponding to a parameter of one or more instruments, thereby to define a parameter of one or more synthetic symbols, the apparatus being further configurable to calculate a value of said parameter of said one or more synthetic symbols based on said data elements input to the apparatus, and to display said value of said parameter of said one or more synthetic symbols.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of the format datasets is further configurable to comprise: a format symbol dataset defining one or more synthetic symbols for which one or more parameters are to be displayed, a format symbol parameter dataset defining one or more parameters of a given synthetic symbol that are to be displayed, and a format symbol parameter location dataset defining a location of the display portion at which a value of a given parameter of a given synthetic symbol is to be displayed.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 operable by a user to change the user-configurable format selected to a different one of said plurality of formats.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 operable to change the user-configurable format by means of a single command via said data input portion.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of said user-configurable formats is configured according to a "standard view" format, wherein the identity of one or more instruments and values of one or more parameters associated with each of said one or more instruments are displayed in different respective rows of a table.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein a plurality of columns of said rows are displayed on the display portion.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of said user-configurable formats is configured according to a "grid view" format, wherein said one or more values of said one or more parameters populate a grid, said grid comprising one or more rows of grid elements, respective grid elements each corresponding to a different respective instrument, each grid element being arranged to display an indication of the instrument associated with that grid element and a value of at least one parameter associated with said instrument.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein one of said user-configurable formats is configurable to display values of one or more parameters of a plurality of synthetic symbols.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein each synthetic symbol has at least two instruments associated therewith.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said user-configurable format corresponds to a "matrix view" format, in said matrix view format said display portion being arranged to display a matrix comprising a plurality of matrix elements, each row of said matrix corresponding to an instrument and each column of said matrix corresponding to an instrument, each matrix element lying at an intersection of a row and a column, each matrix element being arranged to display values of one or more parameters of the synthetic symbol associated with the instruments corresponding to said row and column of the matrix element.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein each row of the matrix corresponds to a different respective instrument and each column of the matrix corresponds to a different respective instrument.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein one of said user-configurable formats is configured according to an "augmented standard view" format, wherein the identity of at least one instrument and at least one parameter associated with said instrument and the identity of at least one synthetic symbol and at least one parameter associated with said synthetic symbol are displayed in respective different rows of a table.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein one of said user-configurable formats is configured according to an "augmented grid view" format, in said augmented grid view format the display portion being arranged to display a grid comprising one or more rows of grid elements wherein respective elements of a grid correspond to a different respective instrument or to a different respective synthetic symbol, each grid element containing a value of at least one parameter associated with said instrument or synthetic symbol.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further configured to display values of one or more parameters displayed on said display portion in a separate, graphical form, said graphical form being arranged to display values of one or more parameters as a function of time.

17. Data processing apparatus running a computer software application, comprising: a data processing portion; a data input portion; and a display portion, the apparatus being configured to store data elements input to the apparatus, said data elements corresponding to values of a plurality of parameters, said parameters being associated with one or more instruments, the data input portion being operable by a user to input one or more mathematical functions comprising one or more operands, an operand corresponding to a parameter of one or more instruments, thereby to define a parameter of one or more synthetic symbols, the apparatus being further configurable to calculate a value of said parameter of said one or more synthetic symbols based on said data elements input to the apparatus, the apparatus being configured to display values of one or more parameters associated with an instrument and one or more parameters associated with a synthetic symbol on the display portion, the apparatus being operable to display said values according to one of a plurality of predetermined user-selectable formats, each of said formats being defined by the identity of one or more instruments and/or synthetic symbols of which one or more parameters are to be displayed; the identity of said one or more parameters of each respective instrument and/or synthetic symbol that are to be displayed; and a location on said display portion at which said values of said parameters are to be displayed.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein a format is defined by a format instrument dataset, a format parameter dataset and a format parameter location dataset, the format instrument dataset defining the instruments and/or synthetic symbols for which one or more parameters are to be displayed, the format parameter dataset defining the parameters associated with a given instrument and/or synthetic symbol that are to be displayed, the format parameter location dataset defining a location of the display portion at which a value of a given parameter is to be displayed.

19. A method of processing and displaying data in a data processing apparatus comprising the steps of: receiving data elements input to the data processing apparatus and storing said data elements, said data elements corresponding to values of each of a plurality of parameters associated with one or more instruments; displaying values of one or more parameters associated with an instrument according to a selected one of a plurality of predetermined user-configurable formats; and changing the format according to which said values are displayed to a different one of said plurality of formats, each of said formats being defined by the identity of one or more instruments of which one or more parameters are to be displayed; the identity of said one or more parameters of each respective instrument that are to be displayed; and a location on said display portion at which said values of said parameters are to be displayed.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein each of said formats is configurable to comprise a corresponding format instrument dataset, a format instrument parameter dataset and a format instrument parameter location dataset, the format instrument dataset defining one or more instruments for which one or more parameters are to be displayed, the format instrument parameter dataset defining one or more parameters associated with a given instrument that are to be displayed, the format instrument parameter location dataset defining a location of the display portion at which a value of a given parameter of a given instrument is to be displayed.

21. A method as claimed in claim 19 further comprising the step of receiving a user input to the apparatus of one or more mathematical functions comprising one or more operands, an operand corresponding to a parameter of one or more instruments, thereby to define a parameter of one or more synthetic symbols; calculating a value of said parameter of said one or more synthetic symbols based on said data elements input to the apparatus, and displaying said value of said parameter of said one or more synthetic symbols.

22. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein each of the format datasets is further configurable to comprise: a format symbol dataset defining one or more synthetic symbols for which one or more parameters are to be displayed, a format symbol parameter dataset defining one or more parameters associated with a given synthetic symbol that are to be displayed, and a format symbol parameter location dataset defining a location of the display portion at which a value of a given parameter of a given synthetic symbol is to be displayed.

23. A method as claimed in claim 19 comprising the step of: on receipt of a command from a user, changing the user-configurable format by which data is displayed to a different one of said plurality of formats.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein the step of changing the user- configurable format selected to a different one of said plurality of formats is performed on receipt of a single command from a user via said data input portion.