Abstract: A method for transmitting a data packet to a floor broker in a two-way wireless system comprises the steps of inputting a badge number of the floor broker to whom the data packet is to be transmitted, correlating the badge number with an assigned network address of a handheld device carried by the floor broker, and transmitting the data packet to the assigned network address. In specific embodiments, further steps concerning the nature and content of the transmissions and its protocol can be performed.

Abstract: A method of managing the activities of one or more floor brokers situated on the floor of an exchange is disclosed. In one respect, the method uses a programmed computer to compare a relative number of instructions having a pending status that have been delegated to the floor brokers and find the floor broker having comparatively few pending instructions. The computer then delegates a further instruction to the floor broker that has been found. Typical instructions that may be managed by the inventive method may be quotation requests, quotations, orders, partial executions, and executions. A related method enables an operator to delegate instructions to one of plural floor brokers by providing the operator with a computer and the floor brokers with two-way communication devices and by receiving at the operator's computer current-status information on any delegated instructions and automatically displaying that information at the computer.

Abstract: A data structure is disclosed for use in a two-way wireless system for processing equity trades and the like. The data structure is stored in a computer-readable memory and includes information used by an application program. The data structure comprises a plurality of data packets, each of which contains the information used by the application program as well as a sequence code and a volley code. The sequence code associates a subset of the data packets together. The volley codes defines a hierarchical relationship among the subject of data packets. An order data packet has a hierarchical level that differs from that of an one or more execution data packets. A many-to-one relationship exists between the execution data packets and the order data packet. Each execution data packet has an execution sequence number uniquely assigned by the application program. A two-way wireless system using such a data structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of managing the activities of one or more floor brokers situated on the floor of an exchange is disclosed. In one respect, the method uses a programmed computer to compare a relative number of instructions having a pending status that have been delegated to the floor brokers and find the floor broker having comparatively few pending instructions. The computer then delegates a further instruction to the floor broker that has been found. Typical instructions that may be managed by the inventive method may be quotation requests, quotations, orders, partial executions, and executions. A related method enables an operator to delegate instructions to one of plural floor brokers by providing the operator with a computer and the floor brokers with two-way communication devices and by receiving at the operator's computer current-status information on any delegated instructions and automatically displaying that information at the computer.