How Software Packages Create Independent Windows for Web Content
A system for creating small, independent software windows that fetch and display specific web content outside of a standard web browser.
Original patent title: “System and methods for creating and authorizing internet content using application media packages”
A system for creating small, independent software windows that fetch and display specific web content outside of a standard web browser. Granted to Individual in 2017 with 50 claims and 1 forward citation.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent describes a client device that uses 'networked information monitor templates' to display web content. Each template acts as a recipe that tells the device where to find content on the internet, how to draw a frame for it, and how to display it. Crucially, these templates allow the device to render this content in a window that exists independently of any other application, such as a traditional web browser. This means a user could have several of these 'monitors' open simultaneously, each pulling data from different URLs and presenting them in their own unique frames.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover standard web browser tabs or windows that rely on a parent browser application to function.
- Does not cover content displayed within a single unified application interface like a traditional dashboard.
- Does not cover server-side rendering where the client device only receives static images rather than executing a template locally.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation lies in the template-driven approach to creating independent, self-contained application windows that manage their own network requests and GUI rendering, effectively treating web content as a modular component rather than a page to be browsed.
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
Desktop widgets
Standalone web-based notification windows
Custom enterprise data monitoring tools
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent addresses the challenge of creating lightweight, modular interfaces that pull live data from the web without requiring a full browser environment. It reflects an era of software development focused on 'widgets' and 'gadgets' that provide specific, focused information streams. While the specific implementation of 'Application Media Packages' did not become a universal standard, it highlights the ongoing industry effort to decouple web content from the constraints of the browser window.
Filed
August 23, 2011
Granted
August 1, 2017
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Modern application frameworks like Electron and various cross-platform development tools build on the concept of wrapping web content into standalone application shells. While this specific patent is held by individuals, the broader industry has moved toward using standardized web technologies to achieve similar independent windowing effects.
Market impact
This patent represents a snapshot of the transition from browser-centric web usage to the current landscape of modular, web-powered desktop applications. It contributed to the conceptual framework for how developers package web-based information as discrete, user-facing tools.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent describes a client device that uses 'networked information monitor templates' to display web content. Each template acts as a recipe that tells the device where to find content on the internet, how to draw a frame for it, and how to display it. Crucially, these templates allow the device to render this content in a window that exists independently of any other application, such as a traditional web browser. This means a user could have several of these 'monitors' open simultaneously, each pulling data from different URLs and presenting them in their own unique frames.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in the template-driven approach to creating independent, self-contained application windows that manage their own network requests and GUI rendering, effectively treating web content as a modular component rather than a page to be browsed.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover standard web browser tabs or windows that rely on a parent browser application to function.
- Does not cover content displayed within a single unified application interface like a traditional dashboard.
- Does not cover server-side rendering where the client device only receives static images rather than executing a template locally.
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
6/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
20/20
Very broad protection
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
$67K – $215K
Midpoint $134K · 5.2 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
50 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Kembel, G. A., Russell, J., Wobbrock, J., Devulkar, S. T., Kim, D. S., Kembel, J. L., Kembel, G. S., Bella, J. A., Kembel, J. A., & Wallin, M. (2017). How Software Packages Create Independent Windows for Web Content (U.S. Patent No. 9,723,108). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9723108/facebook-portal-smart-display
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 How Software Packages Create Independent Windows for Web Content cover?
A system for creating small, independent software windows that fetch and display specific web content outside of a standard web browser.
Who owns patent US 9723108?
Individual owns this patent, granted in 2017.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on August 1, 2037, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 9723108 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent addresses the challenge of creating lightweight, modular interfaces that pull live data from the web without requiring a full browser environment. It reflects an era of software development focused on 'widgets' and 'gadgets' that provide specific, focused information streams. While the specific implementation of 'Application Media Packages' did not become a universal standard, it highlights the ongoing industry effort to decouple web content from the constraints of the browser window.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover standard web browser tabs or windows that rely on a parent browser application to function.
Same assignee
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