Systems and methods for trading with market depth information

A method for displaying market depth information and identifying unusual or aberrational trading patterns, comprising:

• receiving at a first computing device coupled with a display device, market depth information for a market instrument as input from one or more second computing devices over a network, said market depth information including one or more bid and ask order metrics at corresponding prices of the market instrument and associated time information, wherein the bid and ask order metrics include one or more bid and ask order volumes;
• generating a graphical representation of the market depth information having a first axis corresponding to time and a second axis corresponding to price of the market instrument, the graphical representation being a two-dimensional grid demarked by time intervals along the first axis and price intervals along the second axis, wherein a historical market depth profile of the market instrument is represented along a first axis;
• generating a discrete color gradient corresponding to one or more of the bid and ask order metrics based on at least the market depth information;
• aligning the discrete color gradient corresponding to one or more of the bid and ask order metrics at corresponding locations within intervals of the graphical representation of the market depth information, wherein the color gradient at each location corresponds to a volume over a corresponding time interval;
• comparing, with the first computing device, at least a first section of the graphical representation with one or more predetermined criteria indicative of aberrational order volume at a location within the first section;
• changing the coloring of locations within the first section corresponding to aberrational order volume;
• updating the color gradient and axis alignment based on at least the market depth information, wherein the suggested price point for placing an order identifies a price without signaling trade intentions;
• indicating, via the color gradient, a suggested price point for placing an order;
• displaying, with the display device, the graphical representation of the market depth information and the aligned color gradient, wherein the graphical representation is displayed onto a plot area and the aligned color gradient is displayed within the graphical representation;
• determining a visual change in the plot area in response to receipt of a first input;
• update the plot area on the display device, wherein the update reflects the change in the display of the plot area;
• display an entry dialog on the display device in response to receipt of a second user input via an input device for an order to be placed;
• and
• submitting the order at the suggested price point to an exchange in order to execute a trade.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, causes a computer system to display market depth information and identify unusual or aberrational trading patterns by performing the steps of:

• receiving market depth information for a market instrument as input from one or more second computing devices over a network, said market depth information including one or more bid and ask order metrics at corresponding prices of the market instrument and associated time information, wherein the bid and ask order metrics include one or more bid and ask order volumes;
• generating a graphical representation of the market depth information having a first axis corresponding to time and a second axis corresponding to price of the market instrument, the graphical representation being a two-dimensional grid demarked by time intervals along the first axis and price intervals along the second axis, wherein a historical market depth profile of the market instrument is represented along a first axis;
• generating a discrete color gradient corresponding to one or more of the bid and ask order metrics based on at least the market depth information;
• aligning the discrete color gradient corresponding to one or more of the bid and ask order metrics at corresponding locations within intervals of the graphical representation of the market depth information, wherein the color gradient at each location corresponds to a volume over a corresponding time interval;
• comparing at least a first section of the graphical representation with one or more predetermined criteria indicative of aberrational order volume at a location within the first section;
• changing the coloring of locations within the first section corresponding to aberrational order volume;
• updating the color gradient and axis alignment based on at least the market depth information, wherein the suggested price point for placing an order identifies a price without signaling trade intentions;
• indicating, via the color gradient, a suggested price point for placing an order;
• displaying, via a display device coupled with the first computing device, the graphical representation of the market depth information and the aligned color gradient, wherein the graphical representation is displayed onto a plot area and the aligned color gradient is displayed within the graphical representation;
• determining a visual change in the display of the plot area in response to receipt of a first input;
• updating the plot area on the display device, wherein the update reflects the change in the display of the plot area;
• displaying an entry dialog on the display device in response to receipt of a second user input via an input device for an order to be placed;
• and
• submitting the order at the suggested price point to an exchange to execute a trade.