Patent ID: 7853513

Claim:
A computer system for populating an investment list with at least one ticker descriptor of an investment vehicle, the system comprising a processor and a main memory each coupled with a bus wherein the bus is further linked with both an input device, for communicating information and command selections to the processor, and an output device, wherein the processor is programmed to perform acts comprising: receiving an indication identifying an investment vehicle, and responsive to receipt of the indication, determining whether the indication matches only a single investment vehicle ticker descriptor; if the indication matches only a single investment vehicle ticker descriptor, adding to the investment list at least one of: the single investment vehicle ticker descriptor that matches the indication, and a name of the investment vehicle represented by the single investment vehicle ticker descriptor that matches the indication; if the indication does not match only a single investment vehicle ticker descriptor, determining whether the indication matches only a single other preassigned descriptor; if the indication matches only a single other preassigned descriptor, adding to the investment list at least one of: the single other preassigned ticker descriptor that matches the indication, and a name of the investment vehicle represented by the single other preassigned descriptor; if the indication does not match only a single investment vehicle ticker descriptor or only a single other preassigned descriptor, determining whether the indication matches multiple investment vehicle ticker descriptors or multiple other preassigned descriptors; if the indication has multiple matches, generating an output of candidate investment vehicles comprising at least one of: investment vehicle ticker descriptors that match the indication, names of investment vehicles represented by investment vehicle ticker descriptors that match the indication, and names of investment vehicles represented by other preassigned descriptors that match the indication; and receiving a selection of a candidate investment vehicle from the generated output; and, responsive to the selection, adding to the investment list at least one of: a ticker symbol of the selected candidate investment vehicle, and a name of the selected candidate investment vehicle.