Recessed light-emitting diodes in virtual-reality systems
View Patent ↗A head-mounted display for a virtual-reality system includes one or more outer surfaces having a plurality of recesses. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are installed in respective recesses of the plurality of recesses. The recesses are covered with covers that are substantially flush with respective surfaces of the one or more outer surfaces of the head-mounted display.
1. A method, comprising:
forming recesses in one or more outer surfaces of a head-mounted display;
after forming the recesses, installing light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in the recesses; and
covering the recesses with a plurality of covers that are distinct from and substantially flush with respective surfaces of the one or more outer surfaces of the head-mounted display, each cover of the plurality of covers covering a respective recess of the recesses.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein forming the recesses comprises forming round holes in the one or more outer surfaces of the head-mounted display.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein covering the recesses comprises placing polyester films of stretched polyethylene terephthalate over the recesses, wherein the polyester films as placed over the recesses are flush with the respective surfaces of the one or more outer surfaces of the head-mounted display.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein covering the recesses comprises placing urethane panels over the recesses, wherein the urethane panels as placed over the recesses are flush with the respective surfaces of the one or more outer surfaces of the head-mounted display.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the covers are transparent.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the covers comprise nontransparent material of sufficient thinness to allow a detectable level of light to be emitted from the recesses when the LEDs are turned on.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the LEDs comprise infrared LEDs.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
after covering the recesses, wrapping the one or more outer surfaces of the head-mounted display in fabric.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein:
the LEDs comprise infrared LEDs; and
the fabric is opaque at visible wavelengths and transparent to infrared light emitted by the LEDs.
10. A head-mounted display, comprising:
one or more outer surfaces having a plurality of recesses;
light-emitting diodes (LEDs) installed in respective recesses of the plurality of recesses; and
a plurality of covers covering the respective recesses, each cover of the plurality of covers covering a respective recess of the plurality of recesses, wherein the covers are distinct from and substantially flush with respective surfaces of the one or more outer surfaces of the head-mounted display.
11. The head-mounted display of claim 10 , wherein the recesses comprise round holes in the one or more outer surfaces of the head-mounted display.
12. The head-mounted display of claim 10 , wherein the covers comprise polyester films of stretched polyethylene terephthalate.
13. The head-mounted display of claim 10 , wherein the covers comprise urethane panels.
14. The head-mounted display of claim 10 , wherein the covers are transparent.
15. The head-mounted display of claim 10 , wherein the covers comprise nontransparent material of sufficient thinness to allow a detectable level of light to be emitted from the recesses when the LEDs are turned on.
16. The head-mounted display of claim 10 , wherein the LEDs comprise infrared LEDs.
17. The head-mounted display of claim 10 , further comprising fabric covering the one or more outer surfaces of the head-mounted display.
18. The head-mounted display of claim 17 , wherein:
the LEDs comprise infrared LEDs; and
the fabric is opaque at visible wavelengths and transparent to infrared light emitted by the LEDs.