Microsoft holds patents for some crazy peripherals.

In 2010 Microsoft filed a patent for an Xbox visual headset, PatentBolt reports that the platform holder was looking into two styles of headset.  The first was an aviation styled helmet, while the second was a pair of sunglasses compatible with MP3 players, smartphones and other devices.

According to PatentBolt the devices “enable the wearer to view images from a computer, media player, or other electronic device with privacy and mobility” and could also be adapted for stereoscopic displays. Since the eye can’t focus on images less than a few centimetres away, a compact display system could have been used to provide the image.

The only problem was creating an image using compact, robust optical arrangement threatens the quality of the image. To solve this, Microsoft proposed to use a virtual image projector with a “laser configured to form a narrow beam, first and second dilation optics, first and second redirection optics, and a controller. The first and second dilation optics each have a diffraction grating,” obviously?

We doubt these products will ever get released, but who knows what they have been building behind closed doors, keep an eye out for people wearing an Xbox helmet at E3, you never know.

Source: CVG