Forget big screen HD televisions. If a recently discovered patent from Microsoft is anything to go by, the future of video game displays might be a device you strap on your head.

Patent Bolt has dug up plans for two types of projector eyewear filed by Microsoft back in 2010. One pair looks like sunglasses, and would potentially be used for smartphones and other handheld devices, while a heftier helmet version would be designed for Microsoft's home gaming consoles. Here's a diagram of the devices, courtesy of Patent Bolt.

The headsets will be able to create 16:9 ratio images that will appear to the wearer as a 21-inch display being viewed at arm's length. The eyewear could also potentially be used to create stereoscopic 3D images, and the lenses can still be transparent, allowing for augmented reality applications. You can read a full rundown of the patent and the possibilities is poses for gaming at Patent Bolt.

So, who's up for wearing a goofy helmet for the future of video games?

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i hope its included with next Xbox and not sold separately.

Also please not be pricey...

I thought that wearing 3D glasses over my prescription lenses was bad enough; now I might have to wear another helmet over my existing one?
Fuck you, MonkeyShaft.

Star Trek The Next Generation

Episode.. "The Game"

circa 1990

Sony's 3D helmet beat's MS's one, sony's one makes it look like you're looking at a 700" screen, the MS one only offers 21" :P xD .
Now really i like the idea of the whole augmented reality part of it, but i could never see myself waring this thing, same with the sony helmet, not a chance..

I would do it after it's been out a while and all of the kinks were worked out. Who cares how it looks, you'll be in your own house/room anyway. I'm sure many of us have endured long session with our balls hanging out the sides of our boxers...that can look a little weird too.

I like those sketch drawings. It looks like something someone would wear to a Halloween party.  Almost looks like Luke Skywalker's helmet.

Porn industry is getting excited about this tech.

zero129 said: Sony's 3D helmet beat's MS's one, sony's one makes it look like you're looking at a 700" screen, the MS one only offers 21" :P xD . Now really i like the idea of the whole augmented reality part of it, but i could never see myself waring this thing, same with the sony helmet, not a chance..

I belive the Sony one is only 150". Take a look.

21" is pretty small so it should be a lot more affordable than the Sony one. If it's only 2D then that cuts the price in half. So I can totally see something like this being bundled into a next-gen system.

I suspect it is a patent for the sake of owning a patent ...