Managing App Screens Across Multiple Displays Simultaneously
A system for keeping multiple screens or windows in a software application perfectly synced so that they all show the correct information at the same time.
Original patent title: “Stack handling using multiple primary user interfaces”
A system for keeping multiple screens or windows in a software application perfectly synced so that they all show the correct information at the same time. Granted to Hand Held Products Inc in 2019 with 17 claims.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a way to manage software that displays information across several screens or user interfaces at once. It uses a 'navigation stack' to keep track of what the user is doing. When the app's state changes, the system updates a central 'view model' which then pushes instructions to all connected screens simultaneously. This ensures that if you are using a device with multiple displays, like a specialized industrial scanner or a multi-monitor setup, all screens stay in sync with the current workflow activity.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover simple single-screen applications where only one view is active.
- Does not cover hardware-level display mirroring or basic screen duplication.
- Does not cover systems that lack a navigation stack for tracking workflow history.
- Does not cover UI synchronization that happens without a central view model module.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The system treats the 'workflow activity' as a package that includes both the logic (view model configuration) and the visual list of views, ensuring the state and the display are always locked together.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Industrial barcode scanners with secondary status displays
Ruggedized handheld devices with multi-pane UI layouts
Enterprise logistics software running on multi-monitor workstations
Why it matters
The bigger picture
In industrial settings, such as warehouses using barcode scanners with secondary displays or ruggedized tablets, keeping multiple UI elements consistent is difficult. This patent provides a structured way to ensure that complex software states do not become fragmented across different screens, which is vital for maintaining accuracy in high-speed data entry environments.
Filed
January 7, 2016
Granted
September 3, 2019
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Hand Held Products Inc, a subsidiary of Honeywell, focuses on data collection and scanning hardware. They continue to develop software architectures that support their specialized ruggedized mobile computing devices.
Market impact
This patent formalizes the architecture for multi-display synchronization in niche industrial hardware. It helps manufacturers like Honeywell ensure their proprietary software remains consistent across complex, multi-screen device configurations, preventing data entry errors in logistics and retail environments.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a way to manage software that displays information across several screens or user interfaces at once. It uses a 'navigation stack' to keep track of what the user is doing. When the app's state changes, the system updates a central 'view model' which then pushes instructions to all connected screens simultaneously. This ensures that if you are using a device with multiple displays, like a specialized industrial scanner or a multi-monitor setup, all screens stay in sync with the current workflow activity.
The clever bit
The system treats the 'workflow activity' as a package that includes both the logic (view model configuration) and the visual list of views, ensuring the state and the display are always locked together.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover simple single-screen applications where only one view is active.
- Does not cover hardware-level display mirroring or basic screen duplication.
- Does not cover systems that lack a navigation stack for tracking workflow history.
- Does not cover UI synchronization that happens without a central view model module.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
11/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
10/20
Granted 5–10 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$39K – $125K
Midpoint $78K · 9.6 yr remaining · industry ×1.6
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
17 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Murawski, M. D., Pike, J., Zabel, S., Bender, B., & Doubleday, D. (2019). Managing App Screens Across Multiple Displays Simultaneously (U.S. Patent No. 10,402,038). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10402038/apple-news
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Managing App Screens Across Multiple Displays Simultaneously cover?
A system for keeping multiple screens or windows in a software application perfectly synced so that they all show the correct information at the same time.
Who owns patent US 10402038?
Hand Held Products Inc owns this patent, granted in 2019.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 3, 2039, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
In industrial settings, such as warehouses using barcode scanners with secondary displays or ruggedized tablets, keeping multiple UI elements consistent is difficult. This patent provides a structured way to ensure that complex software states do not become fragmented across different screens, which is vital for maintaining accuracy in high-speed data entry environments.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover simple single-screen applications where only one view is active.
Patent monitoring