Latest LG Patent Reveals UltraGear VR Headset Splitting in Two

LG demonstrated their prototype VR headset at the Game Developer Conference earlier this year. It was widely known as the LG VR HMD, since it lacked a proper name at the time. Mobiel Kopen, a very popular Dutch publication, later discovered a LG filed patent revealing the device's name to be the UltraGear. LG's UltraGear headset, just like the HTC Vive, employs Valve's SteamVR tracking technology. Both headsets even share a similar controller design. However, LG has implemented two 3.64" OLED displays into the UltraGear, which features a 1440 x 1280 resolution and an impressive 90 Hz refresh rate to beat out both the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift headsets. But LG's innovative flip-up design is the real differentiating factor here. The concept is to give users the option to lift the front of the headset when they want to exit the VR world.

Dutch site LetsGoDigital got word a few days ago that LG had filed another patent with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This new design patent contains a plethora of illustrations of the UltraGear. The most shocking feature is the headset's ability to split in half allowing users to take a break from the VR world without having to take off the entire headset. This is an even more ingenious idea than their previous flip-up design. The other drawings show a rear button to adjust the UltraGear to the user's head. Another interesting feature is the pair of corded earbuds. Since they aren't hard-fitted into the headset itself, users can still wear the earbuds, while the headset is resting on their necks.

Besides the illustrations, the patent doesn't include any hardware specifications. As a matter of fact, there is no mention of the previously registered UltraGear name anywhere in the document. As CES 2018 is nearing, we won't have to wait long to see if this prototype gets to the final product stage.