ADJUSTMENT TOOL FOR MANAGING AND TRACKING A COLLECTION OF ASSETS

Disclosed herein is an adjustment tool for managing a collection of assets and a method of customizing established percentages of segments that constitute a collection of assets. In one embodiment, the adjustment tool includes: (1) an interface configured to receive manipulation data associated with at least one of multiple segments that form the collection, wherein the multiple segments constitute the collection according to established percentages; and (2) a decision engine configured to generate a modified percentage of the at least one of the multiple segments based on the manipulation data, wherein the modified percentage differs from an established percentage of the at least one.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The different segments that constitute a whole can be identified as a percentage of the whole. Accordingly, brakes can be identified as 15% of the total inventory and mufflers and wheels can be identified as 5% and 7%, respectively. Also, considering market indexes, oil and gas can make-up 10% of the index, transportation 8%, manufacturing 6%, etc. The percentages for the different segments can be set at fixed amounts as with recognized market indexes such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), Standard and Poor's (S&P) and Wishire. These percentages are typically fixed or at least provided as a standard ratio that can be employed. For example, a buyer knows the percentages of the various segments of the DJIA index when purchasing index shares. Likewise a store manager knows the standard ratio for the different parts that make-up the entire inventory.

This disclosure recognizes that the standard ratios are not always the best ratios; especially in view of known events or circumstances. Additionally, the disclosure recognizes the benefit of manipulating the ratios of some of the segments while staying within the boundaries of the whole. As such, the disclosure recognizes the ability to manage a universe of items by manipulating the ratios of the component parts.

Accordingly, this disclosure provides a tool that takes a population, or universe of items within a given population, that can be segmented or broken into their logical or associated parts and replicate or overlay that population such to allow for selective diversification or deviation of the parts from their standard ratio. This is done to provide for a different result via the adjusted segments than would normally be returned or used by the natural population or common users. Additionally, the tool can be used to enable measurement of both the population and the adjusted segments for comparison.

As a check, the disclosed tool can include a volatility risk measure that takes account of the historical range variations within the segments of the (1) normal and (2) replicated population and assigns a value to each given segment. Accordingly, a user can be alerted of the potential risk involved with one or multiple segment adjustments.

The tool can be used to manage items including items that have been grouped together. In one embodiment, the tool can also be used to manage the various items or assets that are within one or all of the groups. In some embodiments, the tool can be used to manage tangible products. In other embodiments, the tool can be used to manage products or stocks such as inventory management and stock management. The tool can be used to manage market indexes that allow investors to more closely correlate returns to the indices commonly employed as benchmarks.

In the area of finance, the disclosed tool addresses the need for investors to be able to invest in an appropriate and understandable array of securities that provide market correlated returns, at the same time providing investors the ability to diversify, while easily being able to adjust their investment exposure to obtain effective degrees of divergence from the broader market index. This in turn is designed to provide opportunities to outperform the standard market index. This is currently not possible through readily available index funds as they are structured to solely mirror a given index that has established sectors and recognized weights or percentages that are established by a managing or regulating authority. The disclosed tool provides a method, structure and ability, direct to investors in an easy to navigate and understandable manner, that allows them to manage an index by varying the ratio or weight of the segments or sectors of an index against the standard ratio or recognized percentages.

In some embodiments, the tool provides for the use of leverage within an account. In one aspect, this can be accomplished through a loan of securities comprising one sector to enable either cash or other form of funding to lever another sector. In another aspect, this can be accomplished through a simple funding either via securities loan or margin to lever the portfolio or sector.

FIG. 1illustrates a diagram of an embodiment of a management system100constructed according to the principles of the disclosure. The management system100is configured to allow a user or client to manage a collection of assets by modifying recognized percentages or weights of segments that constitute the collection. Accordingly, a user can alter the recognized percentages of the segments to create a customized composition of the collection. The management system100can be employed to manage funds or investments associated with a market index. In other embodiments, the management system100can be employed to manage different collections of assets other than investments. For example, the management system100can be used to manage an inventory of products such as for a store, warehouse, etc.

The management system100includes a network110, a client device120, and an adjustment tool140. The illustrated management system100also includes a news source150, a management resource160and a bank170.

The network110is configured to provide data communication between devices or components coupled thereto, such as the user devices and the content provider130. The network110can be a conventional computer or communications network that allows data communication between devices, components, computers, etc., coupled thereto. The network110can provide wireless connections, wired connections or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the network110is the Internet.

The user device120is a conventional device that is configured to communicate via the network110. The user device120can be a communication device such as a smart phone, a tablet, a pad, a laptop, a desktop, a wearable device or another device capable of interfacing with a user.

The vendor130is an entity or source of the collection of assets. Thus, the vendor130can be a source of an index such as the DJIA. In other embodiments, the vendor130is the source of an inventory. For example, the vendor130can be a computer system that includes an inventory for a store, house, dealership, etc. In some embodiments, the vendor130is game website wherein the data or collection of assets that are used is part of a game or instructional tool.

The adjustment tool140is configured to allow a user to manage a collection of assets by customizing the recognized percentages or weights of individual segments that makeup or constitute the collection. The adjustment tool140or at least a portion thereof can be implemented on a server to provide a web-based tool for managing a collection of assets. As such, in one embodiment, the adjustment tool140is implemented on a server that includes the necessary logic and memory to perform the functions disclosed herein. Accordingly, the adjustment tool140can be a website hosted on a web server or servers and accessible via the World Wide Web. A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) can be used to access the various webpages thereof. In some embodiments, a subscription or registry is required for access to the adjustment tool140.

In one embodiment the adjustment tool140includes an interface and a decision engine (not illustrated). The interface is configured to receive manipulation data associated with at least one of the multiple segments that form the collection of assets. The interface can be provided to the user device120to allow interaction between a user and the adjustment tool140. In one embodiment, the interface can provide sliders that are moved by the user to generate the manipulation data. In other embodiments, other conventional input devices can be used. In one embodiment, the interface is configured to display the multiple segments, the corresponding recognized percentages, a modified percentage or percentages and the sliders.FIG. 3illustrates an embodiment of an interface for use with managing a collection of funds.

The multiple segments constitute the collection according to recognized or established percentages. The decision engine receives the manipulation data from the interface and generates a modified percentage of at least one of the multiple segments based on the manipulation data. The modified percentage differs from the recognized percentage established for the particular segment. As such, a user can employ the adjustment tool140to create a customized composition of the collection of assets and based thereon manage the collection.

In one embodiment, the deciding engine is further configured to receive resource information and provide the resource information to the interface for the user to employ to create the customized composition. The resource information is data corresponding to the different segments of the collection. For example, the data can be a news story warning of a war that could change the price of oil. The resource information can be obtained, for example, from the news source150. One skilled in the art will understand that multiple news sources can be used to provided pertinent data.

In some embodiments, the decision engine is also configured to generate a volatility value for the modified percentage. The volatility value can be used to indicate a potential problem to the user regarding the modified percentage. The volatility value can be a volatility risk measure that considers the historical range of variations within the segments with respect to the recognized percentages and in some embodiments, past modified percentages. A volatility value can be assigned to each segment or modified percentage. Accordingly, a user can be alerted of the potential risk involved with one or multiple segment adjustments. An effective volatility risk measure can be in the form of mean and standard deviation of the component within given timeframes. This volatility risk measure can be further augmented by applying a risk measure provided by the user, or leveraged in order to achieve a specific volatility or beta objective. In some embodiments, the volatility value can be entered directly by a user, an advisor or another person managing the system or assisting the user.

In some embodiments, the adjustment tool140further includes an asset manager that is configured to interact with the decision engine to facilitate implementation of the modified percentage for the at least one of the multiple segments. The asset manager can be used to interact with a system, institution, company, business, etc., to effect the modified percentage. For example, the collection of assets can be a market index and the adjustment tool140can communicate with financial institutions, such as the bank170, to implement or initiate the changes to the composition of the collection based on the modified percentage or percentages. The adjustment tool140can also interact with the management resource160to, for example, manage the movement of funds or money transactions necessary to effect the changes based on the modified percentage and implement the modified percentage.

The management resource160is an entity that interacts with the user and the adjustment tool140to assist in managing the collection of assets. In one embodiment, the management resource160is an investment firm. In another embodiment, the management resource160is a distribution company or inventory management company. In some embodiments, the management resource160is a record keeper, a distributor or an agent who represents a client.

The management resource160, for example, can be an investment firm that assists the user in market transactions based on the modified percentages. Additionally, the management resource160can be a record keeper that aggregates multiple individual client trades and provide a net cash and share flow to the fund.

FIG. 2illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of an adjustment tool200constructed according to the principles of the disclosure. The adjustment tool200or at least a portion thereof can be embodied as a series of operating instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium that direct the operation of a processor when initiated. The adjustment tool200can be stored on a single computer or on multiple computers. The various components of the adjustment tool200can communicate via wireless or wired conventional connections. A portion of the adjustment tool200can be located on a server and other portions of the adjustment tool200can be located on a computing device or devices that are connected to the server via a network or networks. In some embodiments, the adjustment tool200can be implemented using cloud computing. The adjustment tool200is configured to perform the various functions disclosed herein. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the adjustment tool200is a computer program product. The adjustment tool200includes an interface210, a decision engine220and an asset manager230.

The interface210is configured to visually provide information about assets to a user and to receive input from a user for manipulation of the provided information. In some embodiments, the interface210is also configured to allow audio manipulation by the user and audio verification of changes to the user. In one embodiment, the interface210is configured to allow manipulation of the information via sliders.FIG. 3provides an example of an interface configured to manipulate stocks. The interface210can also be used to provide and manipulate other types of assets including inventories of different items that range, for example, from an individual's groceries at home to an inventory of cars at a car dealership. In one embodiment the interface210provides the information to a user via a computer screen or display and receives input via input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, stylis, microphone, touch screen, keypad or other types of input devices. The interface210can be provided on a user device such as the user device120inFIG. 1. As such, a display of the user device can be used for the interface210.

The decision engine220is configured to interact with the interface210and perform the various manipulations initiated thereby. The decision engine220communicates with the interface210and includes the necessary logic to implement changes initiated by the interface210. For example, a slider may be moved on the interface210that corresponds to a change in the percentage of an index fund. The decision engine220receives a signal or data indicating the change and causes the change to take place. In some embodiments, the decision engine220is configured to interact directly with various systems that implement the desired change. The decision engine220can also be pre-set by the client or user to take action when predefined thresholds are met. In other embodiments, the decision engine220interacts with a management component, such as the asset manager230, that effects the change.

In some embodiments the decision engine220receives information from resources that can be provided to the interface210to assist a user in making investment changes or inventory changes. For example, a weather update may indicate a major storm in an area and a store manager or owner can alter the established percentage of roofing material in the area's stores to be prepared. This can be especially helpful when an owner is trying to maintain a fixed amount of value for the whole inventory. As such, recognized percentages of an inventory can be altered while staying within or close to the fixed inventory value. In addition to a weather website, the resources can be news agencies, investment reports, etc. This information can be used by the user to customize the composition of the collection of assets.

The asset manager230is configured to interact with the decision engine220and cause the desired changes to occur. As such, the asset manager230includes the necessary logic to communicate with the necessary systems to implement the desired changes. In some embodiments, these changes may be directed to occur once a day such as the end of a business day. In other embodiments, the changes can directed to occur multiple times throughout a day. In some embodiments, implementation of changes may occur at determined time intervals. The asset manager230can also be configured to provide feedback to the user as a result of their selections. The feedback can be via generated reports that provide information to the user as to the results of their selections and the impacts on the value of the total. The feedback and tracking of changes can be provided to the user via the interface210.

The asset manager230can be configured to interact with different systems to implement the changes. Considering a financial application, the asset manager230can communicate with an investment computer program to implement changes. The computer programs may be proprietary systems. The asset manager230may also communicate with various money funds or banks to determine if there is sufficient capital to make the necessary changes. Leveraging may be allowed to fund the various changes. A vendor, such as an investment firm, can be used to assist in leveraging funds for customizing the composition of assets.

In some embodiments, the interface210can provide an acceptable range at which the segments can be altered. Accordingly, a limited or suggested range of change is provided for a user to employ to assist in altering the segments. This can include negative values for the segments. For example, a financial sector can be allowed to go negative to effect a “short” in which, if the sector value declines, the value of the “short” increases. Determination of the range can be made by the user, a financial advisor or a combination thereof.

The systems in which the asset manager230communicates to implement changes can vary depending on the application. Consider for example a warehouse of car parts. The asset manager230may communicate with an inventory system to effect the desired changes. In some embodiments, the asset manager230is configured to effect the desired changes itself. As such, it would be the inventory system in this example. In other embodiments, the asset manager230and the deciding engine120may be implemented as a single component of the adjusting tool100.

FIG. 2provides an example of an adjustment tool200constructed according to the principles of the disclosure.FIG. 3illustrates an embodiment of an interface300constructed according to the principles of the disclosure. The interface300is for the embodiment in which an adjustment tool can be employed with fund management. The interface300is a graphical user interface that can be provided on a user device to provide information to and receive inputs from the user. The interface300is an example particularly directed to managing the funds with respect to the DJIA. As such, the recognized percentages in this embodiment correspond to the sector weights established for the DJIA and the segments correspond to the established sectors for the DJIA. One skilled in the art will understand that a similar interface can be used with another collection of funds or assembly of component parts that can be construed within a predefined whole. Accordingly, the various identified column headings can differ for other embodiments.

The interface300includes multiple columns and rows. The first row is a header row301that identifies each of the columns. Each entry of the header row301is discussed below. The remaining rows correspond to the various established sectors of the DJIA and include entries or data for each of the columns. One skilled in the art will understand that all of the sectors of the DJIA are not illustrated inFIG. 3but that the interface300is applicable for all of the sectors.

The interface300is also divided into two sections. The first section, the standard section303, corresponds to the recognized DJIA sectors and illustrates recognized composition of the DJIA. The standard section303is considered the norm and is provided to the general public. The second section, the customized section305, corresponds to the customized composition of the DJIA of a user. The customized section305reflects the modified percentages input by a user. The customized section305also provides information that reflects changes to recognized composition of the DJIA according to the customized composition.

The standard section303includes the following columns: sector name310, sector weight315, daily sector return320, contribution to index return325and index impact330. The sector name310includes the various recognized sectors of the DJIA. The sector weight315is provided as a percentage and is the sum of the prices for the securities in the sector, divided by the total of the prices for the securities in the DJIA index. The daily sector return320is presented as a percentage that is generated by calculating the difference in the current price (i.e., today's price) of the sector and the prior price (i.e., yesterday's price), divided by the change in the total DJIA index. The contribution to index return325is provided as a percentage that is calculated by taking the DJIA index impact divided by the total point change for that day. The index impact330represents the current price for the sector, minus the prior price for the sector, divided by the DOW divisor or index or population measure.

The customized section305includes the following columns: sliders340, selected sector weighting345, variances to index weight350, shares,355, market value360and contribution to total return365. The sliders340are configured to generate manipulation data in response to being moved by a user. The selected sector weighting345reflects the modified percentage or weight of the sector in response to the manipulation of the sliders340. For example, a user generates manipulation data by moving the sliders340. The sector weight315is modified based on the manipulation data to generate the selected sector weighting345. In one embodiment a decision engine described herein can generate the selected sector weighting345based on the manipulation data input via the sliders340. The variances to index weight350is provided as a percentage that is calculated by taking the selected sector weight and subtracting the sector weight315. In some embodiments, the variances to index weight350can be used as a volatility value. Additionally, in some embodiments range of values are provided within which the weights can be set.

The shares355represent the number of shares that a user holds for a particular sector according to the selected sector weight345. The market value360provides the market value, e.g., the most recent market value, for the corresponding sector. The market value360can be obtained via an external system, vendor or resource. In one embodiment, an asset manager is configured to obtain the market value360.

The contribution to total return365is a calculated field that indicates a sector's contribution to the return of a user's portfolio. In one embodiment, the contribution to total return365is calculated by taking the increase in value of the sector with respect to the selected sector weight345and factor this by the total market value of the DJIA index to arrive at a contributing percentage for the sector.

The interface300also includes a column of action buttons370that are used to effect changes within the data ranges. In one embodiment, the action buttons370are configured to recalculate the columns of the customized selections305in response to manipulation of sliders340.

Turning now toFIG. 4, an embodiment of a method for customizing established percentages of segments that constitute a collection of assets is illustrated. At least a portion of the method400can be performed by an adjustment tool as disclosed herein. A computing device may include the necessary logic circuitry to carry out the method400. In one embodiment, the method400or at least a portion thereof may be embodied as a series of operating instructions that are stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium and used to direct the operation of a processor when initiated thereby. The method400begins in a step405.

In a step410, resource information corresponding to at least one of the segments is received. The resource information can be received by an adjustment tool.

Manipulation data associated with at least one of the segments is received in a step420of the method400. The manipulation data can be received via a user interface such as an interface of an adjustment tool. The manipulation data can be received via user input from a slider of a user interface, or via direct entry into a given cell of the user interface to effect the desired value.

In a step430, a modified percentage for at least one of the segments is generated according to the manipulation data. The modified percentage differs from an established percentage of the at least one. The modified percentage can be generated from the manipulation data. A modified percentage for multiple segments can be generated from the manipulation data. In some embodiments, a decision engine of an adjustment tool is configured to generate the modified percentage of one segment based on the manipulation data associated with a different segment.

In a step440, a volatility value based on the modified percentage and the established percentage is generated. In some embodiments, the modified percentage is altered according to the volatility value.

A customized composition of the collection according to the modified percentage is provided in a step450. In a step460, interacting with a system or an entity is performed to implement the modified percentage. The system can be a computer system that modifies an inventory of products or funds. In some embodiments, the entity is an investment firm that performs the necessary transactions according to the customized composition. The method400ends in a step470.

The disclosure provides managing and/or manipulating data within a given population that can be defined or aggregated by a recognized or established construct to establish the population and its component parts. A portion of the above-described apparatus, systems or methods may be embodied in or performed by various, such as conventional, digital data processors or computers, wherein the computers are programmed or store executable programs of sequences of software instructions to perform one or more of the steps of the methods. The software instructions of such programs may represent algorithms and be encoded in machine-executable form on non-transitory digital data storage media, e.g., magnetic or optical disks, random-access memory (RAM), magnetic hard disks, flash memories, and/or read-only memory (ROM), to enable various types of digital data processors or computers to perform one, multiple or all of the steps of one or more of the above-described methods, or functions, systems or apparatuses described herein.