Abstract: A method for providing assured communication in a two-way wireless financial exchange data communication system. An instruction signal for wireless transmission between a first device and a second device includes an assigned sequence number and an adjustable hierarchical value identifying a stage of the instruction signal. The instruction signal is volleyed back-and-forth between the first device and the second device and altered in each subsequent transmission by adjusting the hierarchical value to confirm receipt of the instruction by the second device and adjusting the hierarchical value to verify to the first device that the instruction has been seen by a user of the second device.

Abstract: A method for executing a cross-trade. The method includes the steps of receiving at a computer carried by a floor broker a sell order for execution, the sell order concerning an instrument and including a first set of terms and also a buy order for execution, the buy order concerning the instrument and having a second set of terms which is compatible with the first set of terms. The method permits the floor broker to cross at least a portion of the buy order with the sell order using the computer and to selectively transmit to a remote computer the crossed portion of the buy and sell orders. As a result, a cross-trade is reported to the remote computer and executed.

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 for executing a cross-trade. The method includes the steps of receiving at a computer carried by a floor broker a sell order for execution, the sell order concerning an instrument and including a first set of terms and also a buy order for execution, the buy order concerning the instrument and having a second set of terms which is compatible with the first set of terms. The method permits the floor broker to cross at least a portion of the buy order with the sell order using the computer and to selectively transmit to a remote computer the crossed portion of the buy and sell orders. As a result, a cross-trade is reported to the remote computer and executed.

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 for providing assured communications in a two-way wireless communications system is disclosed. An instruction is constructed at a first device for wireless transmission to a second device where the instruction is received by the second device and ultimately seen by the user. The instruction is transmitted as an instruction signal. The second device alters the instruction signal and transmits it back in altered form to provide an indication that the instruction has been received by the second device. The user of the second device informs the operator of the first device that the instruction has been seen by the user by transmitting a further altered version of the instruction signal to the first device. The disclosed method assures the operator of the first device that instructions are being received and acknowledged in a timely manner.

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.