Technological advancements such as faster processing power, advanced compression technologies, increased digital memory capacity and expanded wireless bandwidth are rapidly evolving mobile devices such as portable media players and next generation cell phones to include video entertainment capabilities. Applications such as mobile TV, video and gaming are becoming mainstream consumer market trends, representing a paradigm shift in consumer entertainment.
However, because portable devices are constrained by small screens, the consequential limited viewing experience threatens to undermine their functionality and purpose. Manufacturers and cellular service providers alike are demanding a portable personal display solution that will ensure an optimal large-screen viewing experience, thereby guaranteeing the success of their products and services. Such a solution offers a range of additional advantages, from the provision of 3D and mobile gaming to the enhancement of mobile computing, enabling professional-consumers to view their emails and other data content on a large virtual screen.
Many companies develop and sell head-mounted display technologies and products. They are typically heavy, bulky devices mounted on the head, which many refer to as “goggles” or “visors”. They cannot truly be called "video eyeglasses", because they do not have the look and feel of eyeglasses. Similarly, these devices are immersive with the wearer's view blocked, making them impractical for daily and mobile use and impossible for multi-tasking and augmented reality applications.
Such displays have been around for a number of years. However, they have failed to become mainstream consumer products because mainstream consumers do not want to look like gadget freaks. They don’t want to stick out in a crowd; they don’t want people to stop them and say, “What is that?” They don't want to be oblivious to the world around them. They don’t want to wear something that is obtrusive, heavy, and uncomfortable.
Consequently, these displays have educated device makers, service providers and early adopter consumers on the benefits of personal displays, and led to the understanding that such displays must combine a large high quality image in a compact, lightweight and transparent package.
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