Valve has patented a wireless VR headset: what’s special about it?

The whitepaper describes a device that can be used for video games, browsing and working with online content. This patent once again alludes to Deckard, a device developed within Valve over the past two years.

Interesting is the patent.

The patent, titled Head Mounted Display, was issued by the US Patent and Trademark Office. The recommended app includes a small block of text and a long list of images dedicated to the new device. Judging by the diagrams, the headset will be noticeably lighter and smaller than the Valve Index. The back of the gadget will have its own computing unit.

An unannounced VR helmet is likely to perform simple calculations without connecting to a PC – for example, it will run a web browser, streaming service or social networking programs. If the owner needs to perform a more powerful task, he will be able to connect to a desktop computer via Wi-Fi – in this case, the performance of the headset will match the capabilities of the PC.

Photo of the schematic of the new headset

mysterious deck

Overall, the reveal of the new device is somewhat reminiscent of Valve Deckard, the company’s hardware solution that journalists talked about in September last year. Analyzing the code for the SteamVR platform, insiders found a few words from Deckard and information that Valve is working on at least two such headsets.

The helmet was “recognized” in the SteamOS code as a device that supports Wi-Fi 6. That means VR glasses won’t be inferior to competing systems like Quest’s Air Link and Virtual Desktop when connected remotely.

Recall that in 2019 the developer released Valve Index, its flagship VR headset for video games. This platform works with a direct connection to a PC and comes with displays with a resolution of 1600×1440 pixels. In addition, Index supports hand tracking technology and a pair of controllers specifically designed for the Valve helmet.