HTC may have more than one new headset in sight than we initially thought when it registered the name ‘Vive Focus’ in the EU and US. It came to light via the Dutch publication Lets Go Digital that HTC has also applied for a trademark for the name ‘Vive Eclipse’ in New Zealand.

It was first theorized that the name Vive Focus was intended for the upcoming standalone Vive headset confirmed at Google I/O 2017 developer conference. Neither HTC nor Lenovo headset was named at the time, only showing concept art and a silhouette.

The New Zealand Intellectual Property Office published a summary of the trademark application, showing a filing and submission initiated by HTC on October 6th.

It says specifically under the explanation of goods and services provided by the Vive Eclipse that it’s a “head mounted display for computer simulated reality” and that it specifies “motion tracking sensors” and “handheld computer simulated reality controllers.”

Specification of goods and/or services:

9: Head mounted display for computer simulated reality; computer hardware; computer simulated reality software; computer simulated reality game software; handheld controllers for use in computer simulated reality environment; optical devices, namely, eye pieces for head mounted displays; carrying cases and holders for use with head mounted displays; smartphones; portable computers; wearable electronic devices in connection with a head mounted display for use in computer simulated reality environment; motion tracking sensors; handheld computer simulated reality controllers; computer peripherals for mobile devices for remotely accessing and transmitting data; apparatus for the recording, transmission or reproduction of sound, images, or data; electronic and optical communications instruments and components.

28: Apparatus for games; amusement machines, automatic and coin-operated; game pads and controllers for use in computer simulated reality; counters [discs] for games; video games; controllers for game consoles; toys; portable games with liquid crystal displays; arcade video game machine

It’s unclear at this time what either Vive Focus or Vive Eclipse really are, but we’ll be following the patent filings closely for more information.

 

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Scott Hayden
Well before the first modern XR products hit the market, Scott recognized the potential of the technology and set out to understand and document its growth. He has been professionally reporting on the space for nearly a decade as Editor at Road to VR, authoring more than 4,000 articles on the topic. Scott brings that seasoned insight to his reporting from major industry events across the globe.

  • Can we assume that a Vive Focus uses eye tracking for Foveated rendering?

    • Mei Ling

      Oculus is hard at work on foveated rendering but not sure on HTC and Valve though.

      • dk

        roadtovr.com/vive-get-eye-tracking-add-optional-corrective-lenses/

      • Spuzzum

        HTC’s already commisioned 7invensun and their aGlass units.. specifically designed as pop-in upgrades for the Vive. They’re supposed to be released this quarter. As for Oculus.. they went and bought their own eye tracking startup.. so they wouldn’t be left behind. HTC’s a lot further ahead in this department.

    • dk

      it really should have it …..all future headsets should have it

  • oompah

    Foveated rendering is the way to success
    on Vr headsets
    as it could lead to less processing power
    less heat so less cooling
    more battery life
    as well as bringing hi-resolution to mainstream