Add-On Component for Computing Devices for Multi-Display Functionality

Abstract

A portable add-on component to a computing device is configured with an internal cavity and openings from which displays can extend. The add-on component includes arms that latch onto the computing device. Once the add-on component is secured to the computing device, a user can release the one or more displays from within the add-on component for use. The add-on component includes openings on its lateral sides so that the user can turn their single display computing device into a multi-screen setup that has an additional one or two displays extending laterally as if the displays are part of their computing device. The extended displays are attached to hinges that provide a dynamic environment where the displays can move forward and backward and rotate about an axis.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An add-on component configured as an accessory to a computing device, comprising:
 one or more arms configured to grip onto a portion of the computing device;   an opening that leads to the add-on component's internal cavity; and   a display positioned inside of the internal cavity, wherein the display extends through the opening from the internal cavity such that the display is fully extendable from the internal cavity for use by a user and fully contractable inside of the internal cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The add-on component of  claim 1 , wherein the display is configured with short-range communication protocols to communicate with the computing device. 
     
     
         3 . The add-on component of  claim 2 , further comprising a hinge that connects the display to the add-on component. 
     
     
         4 . The add-on component of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more arms are movable to accommodate computing devices of varying sizes. 
     
     
         5 . The add-on component of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the one or more arms are static. 
     
     
         6 . The add-on component of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one of the one or more arms that are static are positioned on and extend from a top of the add-on component. 
     
     
         7 . The add-on component of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more arms that are movable are positioned on a front service of the add-on component, and are positioned perpendicular to the at least one arms that are static. 
     
     
         8 . The add-on component of  claim 7 , further comprising one or more tracks on which the one or more arms that are movable slide. 
     
     
         9 . The add-on component of  claim 1 , wherein the computing device is a laptop computer. 
     
     
         10 . The add-on component of  claim 1 , further comprising a second opening located on a side of the add-on component opposite the other opening, from which a second display extends. 
     
     
         11 . A method of attaching an add-on component to a computing device, comprising:
 gripping, by one or more arms of the add-on component, to a portion of the computing device;   storing a display within an internal cavity of the add-on component; and   extending the display from the internal cavity through an opening, wherein the display is fully extendable from the internal cavity for use by a user and fully contractable inside of the internal cavity.   
     
     
         12 . The add-on component of  claim 11 , wherein the display is configured with short-range communication protocols to communicate with the computing device. 
     
     
         13 . The add-on component of  claim 12 , further comprising connecting the add-on component to a hinge that connects to the display. 
     
     
         14 . The add-on component of  claim 11 , further comprising moving the one or more arms to accommodate computing devices of varying sizes. 
     
     
         15 . The add-on component of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the one or more arms are static. 
     
     
         16 . The add-on component of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one of the one or more arms that are static are positioned on and extend from a top of the add-on component. 
     
     
         17 . The add-on component of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more arms that are movable are positioned on a front service of the add-on component, and are positioned perpendicular to the at least one arms that are static. 
     
     
         18 . The add-on component of  claim 17 , further comprising one or more tracks on which the one or more arms that are movable slide. 
     
     
         19 . The add-on component of  claim 11 , wherein the computing device is a laptop computer. 
     
     
         20 . The add-on component of  claim 1 , further comprising extending, from a second opening located on a side of the add-on component opposite the other opening, from which a second display extends.