While largely still an idea reserved for science fiction or the military, we've run across a number of head-mounted video displays in the recent past, and it looks like Microsoft has been working on one of its own since September 2010, possibly for the Xbox 360's successor.

Patent Bolt has discovered a patent application submitted by Microsoft, revealing what clearly looks to be tech for a wearable, semi-transparent display that could potentially be used for gaming applications.The result of such technology would either be the ability to view the entire gaming space from the glasses, or to view game-related content like a HUD. In this instance, the glasses would be able to project a 16:9 image that would appear like a 21-inch television at arm's length.

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Lumus Prototype Personal Display

The company is obviously involved with a number of projects, so this design can be destined for a variety of products, although with the imminent announcement of the next Xbox within the next couple of years it wouldn't be too far fetched to think that Microsoft has plans to take gaming to yet another level.Patent Bolt has a detailed summary of the patent, although they recommend that you refer to the US Patent & Trade Office for complete information.