Device for coordinated use of multiple mobile computing devices
Device holder assemblies include a first device panel and a second device panel that are configured to selectively couple a first and a second portable computing device to the device holder assembly. The device holder assemblies generally include a spine that is hingedly connected to the first device panel and the second device panel, such that the device holder assembly is repositionable between an open position and a closed position by rotating the first device panel and the second device panel about the spine. The spine may also include a computing entity including driver software that allows the first and second portable computing devices to be operated in conjunction with one another when selectively coupled to the device holder assembly.
1. A device holder assembly comprising:
a first device panel comprising an outer shell and an inner surface positioned opposite the outer shell, wherein the inner surface is configured to selectively couple a first portable computing device to the first device panel;
a second device panel pivotally coupled to the first device panel, the second device panel comprising an outer shell and an inner surface positioned opposite the outer shell, wherein the inner surface is configured to selectively couple a second portable computing device to the second device panel; and
a central computing entity configured to be communicatively coupled to the first portable computing device and the second portable computing device, the central computing entity comprising a memory and a processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to update data presented on the first portable computing device and the second portable computing device in coordination,
wherein the first portable computing device and the second portable computing device are each independently operable portable computing devices and the central computing entity is configured to coordinate operation of the first and second portable computing devices.
2. The device holder assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a spine positioned intermediate one side of the first device panel and one side of the second device panel, wherein the pivotal coupling between the first device panel and the second device panel is provided via the spine.
3. The device holder assembly of claim 2 , wherein the spine is pivotally coupled to the first device panel at a first hinge and pivotally coupled to the second device panel at a second hinge.
4. The device holder assembly of claim 3 , wherein the first device panel and the second device panel are rotatable about the first hinge and the second hinge such that the first device panel and the second device panel are configured for selective orientation to face away from one another.
5. The device holder assembly of claim 3 , wherein the central computing entity is embedded within the spine.
6. The device holder assembly of claim 3 , further comprising:
a third device panel pivotally coupled to the spine at the first hinge; and
a fourth device panel pivotally coupled to the spine at the second hinge.
7. The device holder assembly of claim 6 , further comprising a transverse hinge that bisects the spine and extends in a direction that is transverse to the first hinge and the second hinge.
8. The device holder assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a battery configured to be electrically coupled to the first device and the second device.
9. The device holder assembly of claim 8 , wherein the battery is embedded within the spine.
10. The device holder assembly of claim 1 , wherein the processor of the central computing entity is further configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to:
receive a signal from one of the first device and the second device, the signal indicative of selected data on the one of the first device and the second device; and
in response to receipt of the signal from the one of the first device and the second device, cause the other of the first device and the second device to highlight data corresponding to the selected data.
11. The device holder assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first device panel and the second device panel are configured to pivotally couple the first device and the second device to the device holder assembly such that the first device and the second device are rotatable with respect to the first device panel and the second device panel about a longitudinal axis that extends in a direction that is transverse to the first device panel and the second device panel.
12. A device holder assembly comprising:
a first device panel comprising an outer shell and an inner surface positioned opposite the outer shell, wherein the inner surface is configured to selectively couple a first portable computing device to the first device panel;
a second device panel comprising an outer shell and an inner surface positioned opposite the outer shell, wherein the inner surface is configured to selectively couple a second portable computing device to the second device panel;
a spine pivotally coupled to the first device panel and the second device panel, wherein the first device panel and the second device panel are repositionable about the spine between an open position, in which the first device and the second device are at least partially exposed, and a closed position in which at least a portion of an interior of the device holder assembly is enclosed by the outer shells of the first device panel and the second device panel; and
a central computing entity configured to be communicatively coupled to the first portable computing device and the second portable computing device, the central computing entity comprising a memory and a processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to update data presented on the first portable computing device and the second portable computing device in coordination,
wherein the first portable computing device and the second portable computing device are each independently operable portable computing devices and the central computing entity is configured to coordinate operation of the first and second portable computing devices.
13. The device holder assembly of claim 12 , wherein the central computing entity is positioned within the spine.
14. The device holder assembly of claim 12 , further comprising:
a third device panel pivotally coupled to the spine; and
a fourth device panel pivotally coupled to the spine.
15. The device holder assembly of claim 14 , further comprising a transverse hinge that bisects the spine and extends in a direction that is transverse to the spine.
16. The device holder assembly of claim 12 , further comprising a battery configured to be electrically coupled to the first device and the second device.
17. The device holder assembly of claim 12 , wherein the processor of the central computing entity is further configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to:
receive a signal from one of the first device and the second device, the signal indicative of selected data on the one of the first device and the second device; and
in response to receipt of the signal from the one of the first device and the second device, cause the other of the first device and the second device to highlight data corresponding to the selected data.
18. The device holder assembly of claim 16 , wherein the battery is electrically coupled to a charging port embedded within the spine.
19. The device holder assembly of claim 12 , wherein the first device panel and the second device panel are rotatable about spine such that the first device panel and the second device panel are configured for selective orientation to face away from one another.
20. The device holder assembly of claim 12 , wherein the first device panel and the second device panel are configured to pivotally couple the first device and the second device to the device holder assembly such that the first device and the second device are rotatable with respect to the first device panel and the second device panel.