Apparatuses and methods for linking mobile computing devices for use in a dual-screen extended configuration

A method comprising:

• mating, by a first data transfer connector plug included on a linking apparatus, with a first data transfer connector receptacle of a first mobile computing device;
• mating, by a second data transfer connector plug included on the linking apparatus, with a second data transfer connector receptacle of a second mobile computing device;
• facilitating, by a housing of the linking apparatus that houses the first and second data transfer connector plugs and when the mating of the first and second data transfer connector plugs with the respective first and second data transfer connector receptacles is performed, a positioning of the first and second mobile computing devices in a dual-screen extended configuration in front of respective eyes of a user;
• and
• providing, by a plurality of conductors of the linking apparatus electrically coupling the first and second data transfer connector plugs when the mating of the first and second data transfer connector plugs with the respective first and second data transfer connector receptacles is performed, a data transfer link between the first and second mobile computing devices;
• wherein:
• when the mating of the first and second data transfer connector plugs with the respective first and second data transfer connector receptacles is performed, sensor data is transferred over the data transfer link from the first mobile computing device to the second mobile computing device,
• the sensor data is representative of at least one of a position, a movement, and an orientation of the first mobile computing device as detected by a first sensor included within the first mobile computing device, and
• the sensor data is used to generate improved sensor data based on a combination of the sensor data detected by the first sensor and additional sensor data that is detected by a second sensor included within the second mobile computing device and that corresponds to the sensor data detected by the first sensor.

A system comprising:

• a virtual reality head mount configured to house a first mobile computing device and a second mobile computing device in a dual-screen extended configuration;
• a first optical lens integrated into the virtual reality head mount and having a focal length configured to bring a display of the first mobile computing device into focus when the first mobile computing device is housed within the virtual reality head mount and the virtual reality head mount is mounted to a head of the user;
• a second optical lens integrated into the virtual reality head mount and having a focal length configured to bring a display of the second mobile computing device into focus when the second mobile computing device is housed within the virtual reality head mount and the virtual reality head mount is mounted to the head of the user;
• and
• a mobile computing device linking apparatus integrated into the virtual reality head mount and comprising:
• a first data transfer connector plug configured to mate with a first data transfer connector receptacle of the first mobile computing device,
• a second data transfer connector plug configured to mate with a second data transfer connector receptacle of the second mobile computing device,
• a housing that houses the first and second data transfer connector plugs and that is configured to facilitate a positioning of the first and second mobile computing devices in the dual-screen extended configuration to be viewed by the user through the first and second optical lenses when the first and second mobile computing devices are housed within the virtual reality head mount and the virtual reality head mount is mounted to the head of the user, and
• a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the first and second data transfer connector plugs to provide a data transfer link between the first and second mobile computing devices when the first and second data transfer connector plugs are mated with the first and second data transfer connector receptacles, respectively;
• wherein:
• when the first and second data transfer connector plugs are mated with the first and second data transfer connector receptacles, respectively, sensor data is transferred over the data transfer link from the first mobile computing device to the second mobile computing device,
• the sensor data is representative of at least one of a position, a movement, and an orientation of the first mobile computing device as detected by a first sensor included within the first mobile computing device, and
• the sensor data is used to generate improved sensor data based on a combination of the sensor data detected by the first sensor and additional sensor data that is detected by a second sensor included within the second mobile computing device and that corresponds to the sensor data detected by the first sensor.