EP1228472A2 - Interface de communication destinee a un systeme de modelisation et de conseil financiers - Google Patents

Interface de communication destinee a un systeme de modelisation et de conseil financiers

Info

Publication number
EP1228472A2
EP1228472A2 EP00991931A EP00991931A EP1228472A2 EP 1228472 A2 EP1228472 A2 EP 1228472A2 EP 00991931 A EP00991931 A EP 00991931A EP 00991931 A EP00991931 A EP 00991931A EP 1228472 A2 EP1228472 A2 EP 1228472A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
user
communication
live
option
selection
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00991931A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Ronald E. Sloan
Stephen B. Slutsky
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Accenture LLP
Original Assignee
Andersen Consulting LLP
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Andersen Consulting LLP filed Critical Andersen Consulting LLP
Publication of EP1228472A2 publication Critical patent/EP1228472A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q40/00—Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
    • G06Q40/02—Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to computerized information systems and more particularly to computer implemented financial modeling systems.
  • a financial system that provides automated low cost context sensitive and specific coaching to a user.
  • situations arise that require the user to turn to a human advisor and benefit from his experience, and judgment. Therefore, a ideal financial system has to allow the user to communicate with a human advisor in a collaborative environment, when the user sees the need to do so.
  • an automated coaching system allows the most economical way of using a financial modelmg and counseling system.
  • the present invention operates within the framework of a financial modeling and counseling system wherein the system offers both automated coaching and live coaching to the user.
  • the present invention offers the user a variety of options to communicate with a live coach in a collaborative environment. Since no automated coach may be trusted to provide the judgment and expertise of a human advisor, communication with the live coach is an essential part of the financial counseling system.
  • the user may communicate with a live advisor in a collaborative environment using a variety of communication means such as voice over the Internet, still images, live streaming audio and video images, electronic mail, electronic chat, stand alone telephone.
  • the user may communicate with the advisor in a collaborative medium, and thus can share documents and work on them simultaneously in a white board medium.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a representative hardware environment in accordance with a preferred embodiment
  • Figure 2 is a block diagram of a financial management system
  • Figure 3 is a flow diagram of an automated coaching and live coaching in a financial management system.
  • Figure 4 illustrates a representative system architecture in accordance with a preferred embodiment
  • Figure 5 is diagram of an embodiment of the present invention depicting software layers on various server systems
  • Figure 6 represents a block diagram of an interaction between a client browser and a financial modeling and counseling system server
  • Figure 7 is a representation of web page level interactions between a client and server
  • Figure 8 is a representation an implementation of a live advisor (Customer Support
  • CSR Representative's
  • Figure 10 is a depiction of the various software layers of a server in one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 1 1 shows a representative navigational relationship between the various web pages of a financial modeling and counseling system
  • Figure 12 is an illustration of a LifePath model web page interface
  • Figure 13 is another illustration of a LifePath model web page interface
  • Figure 14 is an illustration of an Investment Portfolio generator web page interface
  • FIG. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of a financial management information system, in accordance with the present invention, for providing personalized financial advice in a collaborative computing environment.
  • financial management system 100 includes a financial advisor system 102 connected through a wide area network 104 to the live advisor terminal 106 a user terminal 110.
  • the wide area network 104 is a global network such as the Internet.
  • the Internet is based on the TCP/IP communication protocol first developed by the Department Of Defense in the 1960s.
  • the present invention is not limited to the Internet and the TCP/IP protocol.
  • the present invention can be implemented using any other protocols and many other networking system, including wireless networks, the Network File Service (NFS) protocol used by Sun Microsystems or a Novel network based on the UDP/IPX protocol.
  • NFS Network File Service
  • the financial advisor system 102 communicates with the user through any number of devices such as handheld wireless personal organizers, pagers, cellular telephones, land telephones and regular desktop computers. All of the above equipment can act as a user terminal 110.
  • the user may access the system using a user terminal 110 (e.g. personal computer).
  • a typical user computer terminal would be described in more detail in figure 3.
  • the user computer is preferably equipped with software to receive live streaming video and/or still pictures over the wide area network 104, from the advisor video camera 108-B.
  • the user terminal 110 is further equipped with a video camera 108-A and software to transmit live streaming video from the user, across the network 104 to the live advisor at the advisor terminal 106.
  • Access to the live financial advisor 106 and all other services provided by the Financial management system is controlled and channeled through the Financial Advisor system 102.
  • the user can access the financial advisor system 102 through the network 104 or by telephone 109-A.
  • a user telephone call is channeled through a call center discussed further subsequently in Figure 2 to the Financial
  • the live advisor terminal 106 is preferably equipped with the video camera 108-B for transmitting live streaming video.
  • the live advisor 106 may further communicate with the user via a telephone 109-B .
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an implementation of the financial advisor system 102.
  • the user may access the system through the wide area network 104 and through a firewall server 112.
  • the wide area network is the Internet, an intranet, etc.
  • a Web server 114 provides the user with a personalized website providing an interactive interface between the user, the financial advisor and financial management system 100.
  • the financial advisor system 102 further comprises of a mail server 116, an application server 126, a call center 117 and a data server 128, all interconnected through a local area network 113.
  • the local area network (LAN) 113 may be any wide area intranet system or the internet.
  • firewall server 112 controls the access to the financial advisor system.
  • the purpose and functionality of a firewall server is to prevent access to the system by unauthorized users and it would be appreciated by one skilled in the arts.
  • Firewall servers are available through a variety of vendors and have become a standard feature of any secure system used as the primary defense against intruders and hackers.
  • the web server 114 provides a personalized interactive web page environment for the user to operate in once he accesses the system.
  • the web page is acting as the web interface between the financial system Web pages are created using the Hyper Text Markup Language
  • the personalized web page provides an environment and an interface for the user to interact with the financial advisor system 102.
  • the user is able to learn, plan, decide, transact and monitor his financial model.
  • the mail server 116 handles electronic mail communication between the user and the financial advisor system 102.
  • the Mail server 116 may operate using any standard protocol such as Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) and it is within the scope of the knowledge of one skilled in the art.
  • SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
  • the application server 126 is where the various modules of the financial advising system reside.
  • the modules include the various coaching engines, the LifePath and the portfolio modeling sub-systems.
  • the applications may be implemented in many programming languages, including the object oriented programming languages such as C++ or JavaTM and be based on any platform such as UNIXTM , Apple OS TM or WindowsTM and NTTM.
  • the coaching engine rules for various coaching engine can reside on a data server 180.
  • the user may also interact with financial advisor system 102 through a telephone 124. The user's call is channeled through the call center system 117.
  • the call center 117 includes an Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) server 122, an Interactive Voice Response Server (IVR) 124, a Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) server 118 and a RM workstation 125, all interconnected through a Local Area Network or intranet 127.
  • ACD Automatic Call Distribution
  • IVR Interactive Voice Response Server
  • CTI Computer Telephony Integration
  • the 113 may also be used in interconnecting the various servers of call center.
  • the IVR sever 124 receives the user's telephone call.
  • the IVR system greets callers, prompting them for identification, and providing some information automatically.
  • the Automatic Call Distributor (ACD) server 122 distributes the call using the Internet Protocol (IP) over the network, to the appropriate live coach.
  • IP Internet Protocol
  • CTI Computer Telephony integration server
  • the IVR server 120 obtains some information about the calling user, this information is delivered to the live advisor's workstation 106, so the advisor does not have to request the same information again.
  • the user can user other means of communication such as electronic mail or white board TM simultaneously while he is interacting with the live advisor.
  • the Data server 128 stores user input data and supplies the application Server 126.
  • the data server 128 includes outside database sources from which the financial advising system 102 can draw information such as actuarial data such as historical price data on securities from sources such as Reuters, user financial information such as banking and portfolio information in other financial institution, and market information such as the days closing numbers for various market indices as well as individual stock securities pricing information. Formatted in the Open File Exchange (OFX) format, now the accepted internet standard used by programs such as QuickenTM and MS Money TM the data server through the firewall can easily exchange information with the outside world and specifically the user.
  • OFX Open File Exchange
  • a networked personal computer environment a client-server system, a mainframe terminal environment, WEB TV terminal environment, dumb terminal environments can be used to access the financial management system of present invention.
  • a client-server system may be the most preferable computing system for implementing the financial system of the present invention.
  • the representation of each server such as an application server or a data server, is a logical representation. The actual physical systems may be distributed over many servers, or be included on a single machine.
  • Figure 3 depicts the flow diagram of an automated coaching and live coaching in a financial management system.
  • the system when the user enters the financial modeling and counseling system (note operation 130), the system provides automated coaching for all activities the user performs 132.
  • the user is asked to if he desires to communicate with a live advisor to obtain more specific information 134.
  • an automated coach may prompt the user to contact with a live advisor for specific advise on how to deal with the issue.
  • an automated coach may ask the user if he would like to be connected to a live advisor to obtain more information on the particular securities or place a purchase order for the particular security. If the user accepts the automated coaching can establish a communication channel with a live advisor automatically 136. The user has the option of selecting from a variety of communication means. Once the user finishes a communication session, the automated coach system may ask the user if he is done with live coaching 138. If the user is done with the live advisor, then he may return to automated coaching. If he requires more help from a live advisor, a new communication session may be established by a different means of communication.
  • Figure 4 is a computer system architecture that can be used in implementing the present invention.
  • This computer system architecture can be used to implement a user workstation, or any of the servers called for in the present invention. Alternatively, other computer system architectures are suitable as well.
  • the present invention may be practiced on any of the personal computer platforms available in the market such as an IBMTM compatible personal computer, an Apple MacintoshTM computer or UNIXTM based workstation.
  • the operating system environment necessary to practice the present invention can be based on WindowsTM, NTTM, UNIXTM, Apple
  • the computer system can support a number of processes. As appreciated by one skilled in the art, the processes may be written in any of the available programming languages including object oriented programming languages such as Java TM or C++.
  • the computer system architecture of figure 4 includes of a central processing unit 140, such as a microprocessor, a read only memory (ROM) 146, a random access memory (RAM) 144, an input and output adapter 148, a storage device 150, and interface 152 connecting a plurality of input and output device such as a keyboard 154, a mouse 156, a speaker 158, a microphone 160, a video camera 162 and a CRT display 166, and a system bus interconnecting all the components together.
  • a central processing unit 140 such as a microprocessor, a read only memory (ROM) 146, a random access memory (RAM) 144, an input and output adapter 148, a storage device 150, and interface 152 connecting a plurality of input and output device such as a keyboard 154, a mouse 156, a speaker 158, a microphone 160, a video camera 162 and a CRT display 166, and a system bus interconnecting all the components together.
  • ROM read only
  • the computer may also include such devices as a touch screen (not shown) connected to the bus 142 and communication adapter 164 such as a dial up modem, a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem or a cable modem, for connecting the workstation to a communication network 104 (e.g., the internet).
  • the storage device 150 can be any number of devices including but not limited to hard disk drive, a floppy drive, CD-ROM, DVD, a tape device, and removable magnetic storage devices such as a jazzTM drive or ZIPTM drive. There are therefore a number of computer readable media encompassed by the system depicted in figure 4, including RAM 144 , ROM 146 , storage device 150, and storage accessible over the network connection 104.
  • Figure 5 represents the various software layers of one embodiment of the present invention. Layering is a key concept in networking and distributed systems. It involves compartmentalizing complex processes into elementary steps.
  • the financial management system 102 comprises of a call center 117 receiving a user's telephone call 124.
  • calls are routed by the call center to the Customer Relation Management (CRM) module 168, where the CRM module directs the call to appropriate live advisor 106.
  • CRM Customer Relation Management
  • An online user 110 may contact the financial modeling and counseling system 102 by connecting to the web site through a global network 104 such as the Internet.
  • the user 110 may to go through a firewall server 112 that is protecting the financial modeling and counseling system 102 from unauthorized access.
  • the user's login name and password may be verified by a firewall server 112 before access to the system is allowed.
  • After the user has been authenticated he reaches his personalized web page residing on the web server 114, from where he may launch the various applications he has authorization to use.
  • the applications reside on the primary application server 126 and possibly on additional application servers 170.
  • the data server 128 supplies all the data needed for the applications such as the user financial information.
  • On the mail server 116 resides the electronic mail software routing the electronic mails into and out of the financial modeling and counseling system.
  • the Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) 168 communicates with other systems using the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol or TCP/IP 172.
  • TCP/IP is the protocol used for communications on the Internet.
  • the Hyper Text Transfer Protocol or HTTP 176 is the World Wide Web protocol and operated over the
  • a browser software 182 may operate over the Web Cam 180 and the Plug-ins layer 178. Most of today's most popular browsers such as the Netscape NavigatorTM or the Microsoft ExplorerTM operate using the HTTP protocol 176 and allows the user to access, and read Web based documents. A web browser handles most of the details of document access and display. Commercial web browsers are available on the market.
  • an online client 110 using a browser 182 and various plug-ins 184 operating over the HTTP protocol 176 and communicating over the Internet using TCP/IP protocol 174 may connect to a firewall server 112.
  • the firewall server 112 uses encryption software and is compliant with the industry standard Security Sockets Layer protocol 186.
  • RSA corporation public key cryptography is widely used for authentication and encryption in the computer industry.
  • Public key encryption is a technique that uses a pair of asymmetric keys for encryption and decryption.
  • Each pair of keys consists of a public key and a private key.
  • the public key is made public by distributing it widely.
  • the private key is never distributed; it is always kept secret.
  • Data that is encrypted with the public key can be decrypted only with the private key.
  • data encrypted with the private key can be decrypted only with the public key.
  • This asymmetry is the property that makes public key cryptography so useful.
  • the firewall server communicates with the network using the TCP/IP protocol 174.
  • a web server 114 may communicate with the network using TCP/IP 174.
  • the MicrosoftTM Internet Information Server IISTM 187 is the built-in Web services of Windows NT Server and the software used to operate the web server 114.
  • the web server 114 provides images 188 and Active Server Pages (ASP) 190 for access over a wide area network 104.
  • Active Server Pages are a language-independent framework designed by Microsoft for efficient coding of server-side scripts that are designed to be executed by a Web server in response to a user's request for a Uniform Resource Locator (URL).
  • URL Uniform Resource Locator
  • a core or primary application server 126 and possible additional application servers 170 supply the actual application software the user uses for financial modeling and counseling.
  • the application server communicates with the rest of the network using TCP/IP protocol 174.
  • the applications comprise of software using business logic 192 and scripts 194.
  • a data server 128 may provide the data used by the application server 126.
  • Open Database ConnectivityTM (ODBC) 196 is a widely accepted application programming interface (API) for database access.
  • API application programming interface
  • DBMS Data Base Management System
  • SQL Structured Query Language
  • Batch scripts 200 may be used to run queries on the DBMS 198.
  • a mail server 116 may connect to the Internet using TCP/IP.
  • a mail server supporting the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) 204 and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) manages file transfers and electronic mail for the system.
  • FTP File Transfer Protocol
  • SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
  • Figure 6 represents a block diagram of web links between a client browser 182 and the web server 114 and the application server 126 which may physically reside on the same server or on a separate server.
  • the client browser opens and interprets a web page 210 written in Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML).
  • HTML Hyper Text Markup Language
  • various selections would allow the user to communicate with the application server 126 and allows the user to request information, or run an application.
  • the user's request is received through Active Sever Pages 240,242, 244. Each user request may triggers a sever-side script that would lunch an application.
  • a request is sent through the Internet using HTTP 176 protocol and lunches the script for the ASP 240 tied to the Calico Application Programmer's Interface 248.
  • the API processes the script and lunches Calico Configurator 250.
  • the Calico Configurator is a coaching engine available on the market from Calico Commerce Inc.
  • the database 252 provides the coaching engine rules to the Calico Configurator 250.
  • meeting session manager such as MS NetMeetingTM 220 launches a meeting session.
  • NetMeetingTM is software program made by Microsoft® Corporation of Redmond, WA , and is available to the public.
  • Customer help 221 applies to live coaching by a human advisor 106.
  • the application manages over the Internet communication sessions.
  • the request to communicate with a live advisor is processed by the ASP 242 with the appropriate script tied to the ACD server 117 which in turn launches an Automatic Call Distributor program 254 such as CosmoCallTM.
  • CosmoCallTM is a software-based automatic call distributor (ACD) eliminating the need for the traditional circuit switched ACDs.
  • ACD software-based automatic call distributor
  • CosmoCallTM has a client software which is lunched when a user calls into the system.
  • an Interactive Voice Response ( IVR) server 120 initially receives the user's telephone call
  • an ACD server directs the call to the appropriate live advisor
  • CTI Computer Telephony Integration
  • ACD server may supports electronic mail, and electronic chat and a collaborative medium such as a white board.
  • a telephone communication directed through the ACD server can launch an Active Server Page (ASP) 244 which is in turn linked to ACD client or agent program such as CosmoCall AgentTM 258.
  • ASP Active Server Page
  • ACD agent completes the user's connection to the appropriate live advisor 106, and a communication session manager such as session MS NetMeetingTM 260 manages the communication session between the user 110 and the live advisor 106.
  • the user may select a function icon such as an interactive control of a model such as the LifePath model.
  • the user's request is coded in a Java applet 230 which runs on a Java Virtual Machine 232.
  • the selection lunches a connection through the network to the database 256 holding user financial profile information. The user can then manipulate his information while connected to the database.
  • the user can receiving live streaming audio or live streaming video through the network residing on the IIS server's 186.
  • an application such as MS Windows TM Media PlayerTM would interpret and allow the user to see or hear the data.
  • Figure 7 is a representation of web page level interactions between a client and server.
  • the user's computer accesses the World Wide Web using a browser such as Internet Explorer TM made by MicrosoftTM.
  • a browser such as Internet Explorer TM made by MicrosoftTM.
  • the user's browser communicates with the Internet, it downloads web pages written in HTML 210.
  • a plug-in such as the Flash 4.0 TM 264 would run server supplied animation on the user's computer.
  • Flash 4.0 264 is a vector based animation tool available from MacromediaTM Inc.
  • the Flash 4.0 plug-in 264 runs the downloaded FlashTM files 268 and run them on the user's computer as animated graphic movies.
  • the FlashTM files 268 may also be downloadable interactive product demonstration clips 266.
  • Static HTML pages 270 residing on the IIS server 186 are inte ⁇ reted by the user's browser.
  • Figure 8 represents the implementation of the live advisor or a Customer Support Representative's (CSR) 106 connection to the communication system.
  • the user can contact a live advisor using a stand alone telephone such a land telephone or a cellular telephone 124.
  • the Interactive Voice Response server 120 When the user calls the financial modeling and counseling system, his call is first received by the Interactive Voice Response server 120, which would respond to the user commands and direct him through the Automatic Call Distributor (ACD) server 122 to the appropriate live advisor 106.
  • the Customer Service Representative or the live advisor's computer 106 operates a personal computer operating software such as windows 95TM.
  • the live advisor's computer 106 is running a standard web browser such as the Internet Explorer 4.0TM 182. Both these software are off the shelve software packages available from MicrosoftTM Co ⁇ oration.
  • the live advisor's browser can download and inte ⁇ ret HTML pages generated by the Active Server Pages 254.
  • the ACD server 122 communicates with server side scripts (ASP) which routes the call request to the live advisor's computer 106 through the network 104 and through the customer support representative's web site on a remote sever.
  • Call management software such as CosmoCall Agent Software 258 operates on the live advisor's computer 106, and initiates and manages the call until a change of status message is sent to the server side scripts 242.
  • MS NetMeetingTM 260 operates in conjunction with the CosmoCall Agent in managing the communication session.
  • Figure 9 is a representation of the software implementation of the user connection to the communication system.
  • the user computer runs on a personal computer operating software 140 such as Windows 95TM.
  • the user computer connects to the World Wide Web using any web browser available on the market such as Internet Explorer 4.0TM 182.
  • the browser downloads an HTML document 210 generated by Active Server pages (ASP) such as 240,242,244.
  • ASP Active Server pages
  • the downloaded HTML document might be the user's personalized web page.
  • the user web page would include various function icons allowing the user to connect to the financial modeling and counseling system 102 and request information or lunch and application.
  • communication with a live coach may be achieved by selecting one of the communication icons such as live voice 220, live video 222, online chat 226 or collaboration 228.
  • the selection of the communication icon may launche a communication session manager software 220 which manages the communication session with the live advisor.
  • the selection of the icon also launches a script on the ASP linked to an ACD sever 122 such as CosmoCallTM which directs the user's call to the appropriate live advisor.
  • the user and the live coach can communicate by voice over the Internet Protocol (EP).
  • EP Internet Protocol
  • a Java AppletsTM that unable the user to an interactive control such as a slider or a button to manipulate Dynamic graphs and graphing tools for the LifePath model.
  • Selection of a coaching icon might lunch a script on the ASP 240 linked to the Calico ConfiguratorTM coaching engine's API 248.
  • Live or prerecorded streaming media 266 such as audio or video may be lunched by the selection of a help icon or video or voice icon.
  • a user may retrieve information from the financial modeling and counseling ' s data base by direct connection 256 by a JDBCTM socket direct to Database from the user's computer 110.
  • JDBCTM technology is an Application Programming Interface (API) that lets you access virtually any tabular data source from the JavaTM programming language.
  • FIG 10 is a representative block diagram of any of the web server 114.
  • the web server 148 can any server operating system such as Windows NT 4.0TM from MicrosoftTM Co ⁇ oration.
  • Microsoft Internet Information Server IISTM 186 is the built-in Web services of Window NT 4.0 server.
  • the customer Internet web site 114 provides the user's computer with static HTML pages 270, Java Applets 272 as well as Active Server Pages 271.
  • a web server program such IISTM server 186 also may direct user requests to the ACD 254 or the automated coaching engine API 248.
  • Active Server Pages are a language-independent framework designed by Microsoft for efficient coding of server-side scripts that are designed to be executed by a Web server in response to a user's request for a URL.
  • ASP scripts are similar to other server-side scripting that are used on other platforms such as Perl, Python, and so on.
  • the ACD server in turn directs the user call to the appropriate live advisor 106 by retrieving the ConnectTo Agent.asp file and lunches the agent call management software such as CosmoCall AgentTM.
  • the web server 114 also provides the live advisor with static HTML pages 284 and ASPs.
  • a video file request may launch the GetVideo.asp file 274 that would retrieve the corresponding video file from the video file archive 276.
  • a voice mail request may activate the Get Voicefile.ap which would retrieve the corresponding Audio File from the Audio File archive 280.
  • a coaching request would trigger the GetCoach Data.asp file 240 and the GetCoach Rules. asp 282.
  • the ASP script would connect to the Calico ConfiguratorTM 250 through the coaching engine API 248.
  • the GetCoach Data.asp 240 also retrieves user data from the appropriate databases 256.
  • Figure 11 shows a representative navigational relationship between the various web pages of the financial modeling and counseling system 102 in an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the first web page he sees is the login page 286.
  • the firewall server 112 authenticates the user's identity allows the user to proceed to the next page.
  • a user who has not yet signed up may be allowed to access an informational web page such as the introduction web page 288.
  • a first time user is directed to an introduction web page where basic information about the system is present to the user, such as how to get help and how to operate in the financial modeling and counseling system's environment.
  • the user is next directed to a set of Personal Interaction Profile (PD?) pages 290, where the user completes questionnaires including basic personal information such as the user name, address and telephone number.
  • PD Personal Interaction Profile
  • the user may either "surf to his customized home page 296 or go to the Service Level agreement Web page 292 where the user negotiates a service level agreement setting a user's level of service desired from the financial modeling and counseling service.
  • the service level agreement and the operation of the Financial Modeling and Counseling System is described further in the related
  • the user may proceed to his customized home page 296.
  • Repeat users can arrive at there customized home page 296 immediately after logging in at the login page 286.
  • the user may select to go to Service Level Agreement page 292 to modify the service level agreement, or select to use one of the financial modeling systems such as the LifePath model page 294.
  • the LifePath model integrates the user's revenue expectation and expense expectations over a period of time into an aggregated cash flow model.
  • the model highlights potential problem areas to the user and recommends solutions either through automated coaching or a live advisor.
  • the user decides to communicate with a live advisor, he may move to a communication web page 298 from his customized home page 296 or directly from the LifePath model page 294.
  • the communication page 298 a new window may open for that particular communication.
  • Examples of possible communication options pages are live chat 300 or live voice 302 or live video 304.
  • each communication option opens a new web page.
  • the selection of a communication option opens a new window within the existing web page.
  • Figure 12 is an illustration of a LifePath model web page interface.
  • the web page of figure 12 shows a customized web site and an intuitive user interface for the Lifepath model subsystem.
  • the web site would be a personalized web site which a client uses to collaborate with a dedicated virtual (or live) financial advisor.
  • the graphical user interface can include an advisor area 306, where images of the live advisor may be represented as still images, as streaming video, or represented by a character. Selecting a link, such as the Contact Advisor link 308 shown, causes a connection to the advisor to be established.
  • the advisor and the user are able to communicate orally via network telephony of a type known in the art, but communication via email, chat, telephone call, or of any other type is acceptable as discussed in Figure 2.
  • the advisor uses the space to negotiate an initial Service Level Agreement (SLA), and begin the modeling of the customer's Lifepath. This flushes out issues and permits an early estimate of customer value potential.
  • SLA Service Level Agreement
  • the SLA nails down how much advisor time the customer wants, how information will be shared, and how much intentions-based advice the customer will welcome.
  • the advisor configures the Web site in accordance with this agreement. The investment of effort in this, along with the personal online relationship begins to develop
  • SLA Service Level Agreement
  • a link 310 may be provided that allows access to email.
  • Other links can include a link 312 to personal memoranda, a link 314 to a links page, and a link 316 to a financial calendar.
  • a calendar 318 and links 320 to news stories may be displayed on the page.
  • the news can be customized by each user to fit his individual needs.
  • a virtual coach area 322 of the page can be provided to display the comments and advice created by the virtual coach.
  • client data drives a rules-based "advice engine” that dynamically analyzes customer needs and automates most of advisor's work.
  • the client is encouraged to consolidate all their financial information in the site, recognizing assets and liabilities with other financial institutions.
  • the virtual coaching area can be used both as customized coaching and as a platform to introduce various financial products, including third party products brokered by the financial institution owning the financial advisor system.
  • a particular feature of the financial management system is displayed. For example, selecting the learn button 324 may bring up a portion of the screen (or a new screen) that discusses the functions and features of the financial management system. In an alternative embodiment, the learn button may be used to obtain specific information on the financial products presented to the user.
  • the plan button 326 may display the LifePath model in time series form.
  • a decide button 328 may display a screen that allows the user to make financial decisions, such as allowing a user to select transactions recommended by the advisor and/or the virtual coach.
  • a transact button 330 may display a transaction screen on which the user performs transactions.
  • a monitor button 332 may display current and/or historical information about transactions made by the user and/or financial performance.
  • the LifePath interactive financial model captures customer's intentions at the start of the relationship and displays them as lifetime cash flow requirements. Customer data and LifePath information combine to form a deep understanding of the customer's financial needs at each stage of life. Using dynamic, interactive multimedia, it quickly captures the customer's intentions and expectations about an ideal future. This flushes out some issues which trigger the initial discussions in the relationship. It also supports estimating the lifetime value of the customer and the appropriate levels of service. The data from this model combines with insight from product and transaction history as well as real time input from the abundance of interactive models to power rule-based advice engines. This automated advice leverages the advisor's time so that a broad customer based can be profitably supported. Configured using sliders and other interactive controls, there is little typing to slow the process down. The controls build a linear graphic representation of a life path which models predictable life transitions over time more effectively then data-driven calculators. Sales opportunities, lifetime customer value and appropriate fee structure are now more accurately identified.
  • Risk analysis may be integrated into the LifePath model enabling clients to better understand their financial health and to improve trade-off decisions. Formulating a personal risk/reward strategy is difficult.
  • the LifePath model supports a risk simulator, showing how the ideal model would be impacted by typical life crises.
  • the model can be played repeatedly with varying outcomes to foster an intuitive understanding of exposure and to provide grounded input into trade-off decisions.
  • the advisor can add value, consolidate the relationship and rationalize a stream of product sales.
  • LifePath model 294 captures the user's life intentions expressed as revenue intentions 334 and expense intentions 336.
  • revenue intentions 334 are a summary of the user's expense information 336.
  • the user is provided with an individual button for each of the income information categories 334.
  • the user can input their income information such as salary, investment, pension, alimony, or disability, or other financial information as shown in Figure 13.
  • the user can input their expense intentions which are shown by the category of interactive buttons 336.
  • the user can input expense information such as housing, transportation, education, health care, or other expense information as shown in Figure 13. Neither the income category nor the expense category is limited to the displayed icons.
  • the "other" button under the revenue category enables the user to input user specific sources of revenue such as inheritance. Same flexibility applies to the expense category allowing the user to input types of expenses not categorized under the standard expense icons. The user may import his past revenue and expenses from financial programs such as QuickenTM or MS Money TM simplifying reducing the amount of typing necessary to do so.
  • the user can control the level of risk that the model considers by selecting one or more of the graphical user interface ("GUI") elements from the list of risk events 338.
  • the risk events 338 include various life events that may affect the user's life path model.
  • the user can request that the model include job loss, disability, casualty, market downturn, or other personal risk factors into their life path model.
  • the risk modeling component uses actuarial data from outside databases to supply the data related to the probability and the effect of the occurrence of a particular risk event.
  • the user may estimate the impact of a particular risk event. For example a user may estimate the possibility of a job loss knowing his skill sets and the status of the job market.
  • automated coaching based on actuarial and economic data, may estimate an average length of time a typical person in the user's field of expertise may remain out of work after ajob loss. The user may accept or reject the automated coach's estimates and use his own information.
  • the user can select button 340 to run the life path model and initiate the advice generating subsystem. Accordingly, the user is provided with detailed advice in window 342 that is tailored to the user's life intentions and the risk events specified. As shown in window 342, the user is provided with a clear automated coaching tailored to his or her life intentions gathered by the life path model. Furthermore, the coaching inco ⁇ orates the risk events specified from the risk factors 338.
  • the graphical display 344 in figure 13 is a time series representation of the aggregated total of the user's cash flow over a selected period of time, based on the user provided revenue intentions 334 and expense intentions 336.
  • the system provides the user with virtual coaching that watches the actions of the user while progressing through the life path model and provides the user with suggestions to ensure that they continue to comply with his or her life intentions.
  • the financial advisor system 132 includes a portfolio modeling tool subsystem 346. The user would get to the model either after having setup a financial profile through the Lifepath model 294 or he can access the financial portfolio building model directly.
  • Figure 14 is an exemplary graphical user interface 346 that embodies the various concepts and methods set forth for financial portfolio modeling. As shown, the graphical user interface 346 includes a plurality of fundamental selection icons 348 including a my page icon
  • the portfolio modeling system uses the Open File Exchange (OFX) protocol which has become the standard protocol for the exchange of financial information over a wide area network, and particularly the Internet.
  • OFX Open File Exchange
  • the mode icons 362 include a transact icon 364 for initiating transactions involving the purchasing and selling of investments utilizing a network, a monitor icon 366 for monitoring the performance of the investments, a model icon 368 for generating an investment model based on criteria entered by the user, an explore icon 370 for retrieving information on the investments, and a track icon 372 for tracking the investments utilizing the network.
  • Network 128 is the Internet and the portfolio modeling system has access to outside databases such as Reuters and Bloomberg for historical and current securities pricing or market indexes.
  • a communication medium 374 may be employed to converse with other users, namely financial advisers, etc.
  • Such communication medium 374 includes a window 378, and a plurality of communications icons 380 that enable various types of communication between the user and the live coach or advisor.
  • Such communications icons 380 include an e-mail icon 382, a chat icon 384, a voice icon 386, a talk icon 388, a clips icon 390, and a video icon 392.
  • the mail server 150 and call center 153 allow the user to contact the advisor by email or telephone call using the talk icon.
  • the Automatic Call Distributor (ACD) server 158 further supports live chat 384 and voice over Internet Protocol is used when voice icon 386 is selected.
  • ACD Automatic Call Distributor
  • a collaborative medium such as a collaborative medium such as a White BoardTM is used when any of the interactive communication method such as chat or voice over IP is used. Depending on the bandwidth available to the user, he may receive still pictures or live streaming video of the advisor, or he may see an animation.
  • a user profile may be viewed and adjusted using a plurality of profile icons 394.
  • the profile icon 396 opens a profile window where the user can make basic changes to his personal and financial profile.
  • the configure icon 398 and the date icon 400 allow the user to set up his configure his portfolio and set the date. This ease of use helps the user to feel comfortable with the system and trusting of it, allowing him to take full advantage of the all the integrated features of the system.
  • a filtering field 402 is also shown in Figure 14.
  • Such filtering field 402 includes a plurality of companies and associated risk levels and industries which are displayed in accordance with the user's appropriate tolerance to risk and investment style.
  • a risk/reward map 404 is also shown displaying the probability of the user reaching its financial goals.
  • a coaching window 406 for displaying coaching strings 408 based on a rule-based automated coaching engine.
  • Such window 406 may include a field adjustment bar 410 in order to facilitate viewing of the coaching strings 408.
  • FIG. 412 illustrates various charts pertaining to sector diversification and other investment parameters.
  • a portfolio model window 414 may also be displayed for portfolio modeling pu ⁇ oses.
  • the optimize icon 418 optimizes a securities list based on the newly specified criteria.
  • the criteria icon 420 enables the user to introduce additional criteria for selecting a particular security.
  • the trade list 422 displays the system recommended securities that should be sold based on the user criteria and his personal financial parameters.
  • the filter icon 424 generates a filtered list of securities displayed in the filtered list window 402. Sort icon 426 sorts the list of securities based on a user selected criteria such as alphabetical order.
  • the coaching icon 428 generates context sensitive coaching related to the user's financial portfolio.
  • the undo icon 430 undoes a specific swap of securities.
  • the submit icon 432 submits and the user changes to his portfolio during the current session.
  • the user can set a target goal for his investment portfolio as well as his preferences by selecting the target and preference icon 434. He may do an analysis on his past or present portfolio by selecting the portfolio analysis icon 436. He may trigger specific coaching on specific a security or group of securities or even on whole industry sectors, as well as request more detail information by selecting the stock analyst icon 438. He may further model and analyze the effect of inclusion or exclusion of particular securities on his portfolio by swapping stocks in and out of the portfolio 440.
  • help text string appears in the help screen 442, directing the user on how to use the particular tool.

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  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Technology Law (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Financial Or Insurance-Related Operations Such As Payment And Settlement (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un support de communication, destiné à un système de modélisation et de conseil financiers, entre un conseiller en personne et un utilisateur. Une interface utilisateur assure différentes options de communication dans lesquelles l'utilisateur fait une sélection. Les options comprennent des possibilités vocales, de conversation, de vidéo, de clips, de courrier électronique et de causerie aussi bien qu'un accès direct au moyen d'un système de téléphone autonome. Avec la plupart des options, l'utilisateur et le conseiller en personne ont accès à un support de collaboration où ils peuvent partager des données.
EP00991931A 1999-11-01 2000-11-01 Interface de communication destinee a un systeme de modelisation et de conseil financiers Withdrawn EP1228472A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

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US43138999A 1999-11-01 1999-11-01
US431389 1999-11-01
US45227399A 1999-11-30 1999-11-30
US452273 1999-11-30
US57984900A 2000-05-25 2000-05-25
US579849 2000-05-25
PCT/US2000/041850 WO2001037187A2 (fr) 1999-11-01 2000-11-01 Interface de communication destinee a un systeme de modelisation et de conseil financiers

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Cited By (1)

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CN109151497A (zh) * 2018-08-06 2019-01-04 广州虎牙信息科技有限公司 一种连麦直播方法、装置、电子设备及存储介质

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US7401040B2 (en) 1999-11-01 2008-07-15 Accenture Llp Financial modeling and counseling system
US7315837B2 (en) * 1999-11-01 2008-01-01 Accenture Llp Communication interface for a financial modeling and counseling system
US20100063905A1 (en) * 2006-11-28 2010-03-11 Nilutesa, S.L. Method and system for performing banking transactions by simulating a virtual atm by means of a mobile telecommunications device

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109151497A (zh) * 2018-08-06 2019-01-04 广州虎牙信息科技有限公司 一种连麦直播方法、装置、电子设备及存储介质
CN109151497B (zh) * 2018-08-06 2021-09-21 广州虎牙信息科技有限公司 一种连麦直播方法、装置、电子设备及存储介质

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WO2001037187A8 (fr) 2002-06-13
WO2001037187A2 (fr) 2001-05-25
CA2388891A1 (fr) 2001-05-25
WO2001037187A9 (fr) 2002-12-05

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