Laptop with multi-display functionality
View Patent ↗A portable laptop computing device includes an internal casing that stores secondary displays which extend outward from the device's primary display to thereby increase the amount of displays a user can view while operating the device. The secondary displays are positioned inside a casing of the primary display which is large enough to house at least two displays. The two displays are connected to a hinge which is configured to provide inward and outward movement and rotational movement of the secondary display about 360°. The system can also be implemented with an expansive ecosystem of interoperable components, including an add-on component from which secondary displays can extend, vertical screen adapters which can replace the customary horizontal configuration, a stand to which the add-on component can connect, and a horizontal screen adapter that connects with the stand to provide a convenient three-display set-up when used with the add-on component.
1. A laptop computing device configured to provide a multi-display setup for a user, comprising:
a primary display on which graphical elements are presented to a user;
an internal cavity within the primary display;
one or more tracks inside the internal cavity;
one or more secondary displays respectively disposed on the one or more tracks within the internal cavity of the primary display, wherein the one or more secondary displays move about the respective tracks to extend outside of the internal cavity or be stored within the internal cavity; and
a hinge for each respective secondary display, wherein the hinge is secured to the tracks of the internal cavity within the primary display and is releasably engaged with the respective secondary display,
wherein the hinge is comprised of a durable layer on a portion adjacent to where the hinge connects to the laptop computing device and a durable layer on a portion adjacent to where the hinge connects to the respective secondary display, and wherein a relatively thinner layer of material is positioned between the durable layers to enable respective secondary displays to bend about the hinge.
2. The laptop computing device of claim 1 , further comprising locking mechanisms inside the internal cavity and to which the one or more secondary displays engage with to secure into place while positioned inside the internal cavity.
3. The laptop computing device of claim 2 , wherein the locking mechanisms in the internal cavity are holes inside which spring-loaded locking pins engage with when aligned.
4. The laptop computing device of claim 3 , further comprising a screen release button which causes the respective secondary display's locking pins to compress and thereby disengage from the holes to release the secondary display from the internal cavity of the primary display for use.
5. A portable computing device, comprising
one or more processors;
one or more hardware-based memory devices storing computer-executable instructions for execution by the one or more processors;
a keyboard to enable a user to provide input to the portable computing device;
a primary display for presenting graphical elements to a user; and
a hinge connected to the primary display of the portable computing device, the hinge having a connection mechanism adapted to connect to secondary devices for use with the portable computing device, wherein the hinge is adapted to enable forward and backward movement and rotational movement of the secondary devices about the hinge,
wherein the hinge is comprised of a durable layer on a portion adjacent to where the hinge connects to the portable computing device and a durable layer on a portion adjacent to where the secondary devices connect, and wherein a relatively thinner layer of material is positioned between the durable layers to enable bending about the hinge.
6. The portable computing device of claim 5 , wherein the hinge includes a center pin having a shaft and a ball about which the rotational movement occurs.