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Created page with "{{Company Infobox |image= |Type=Private |Industry=Virtual Reality, Head-mounted Displays |Founded=1997, United States |Founder=Joint venture between Ilixco, Inc. and Liberty Media Group |Headquarters=United States |Notable Personnel= |Products=i-glasses series (i-glasses PC, i-glasses SVGA, i-glasses HRV) |Parent= |Website= }} '''I-O Display Systems''' (also known as IOD) was an American technology company that specialized in the development and manufacture of head-mo..."
 
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{{Company Infobox
{{Company Infobox
|image=
|image=[[File:i-glasses2.jpg|350px]]
|Type=Private
|Type= Private
|Industry=Virtual Reality, Head-mounted Displays
|Industry= [[Virtual Reality]], [[Personal Display Systems]], [[Stereoscopic 3D]] products
|Founded=1997, United States
|Founded= 1993 in Seattle, Washington, United States
|Founder=Joint venture between Ilixco, Inc. and Liberty Media Group
|Founder= [[Greg Amadon]], [[Linden Rhoads]]
|Headquarters=United States
|Headquarters= Seattle, Washington, United States (originally); later Menlo Park, California (as division of Ilixco, Inc.)
|Notable Personnel=
|Notable Personnel= Greg Amadon (CEO, 1993–1997); Linden Rhoads (President, 1993–1996)
|Products=i-glasses series (i-glasses PC, i-glasses SVGA, i-glasses HRV)
|Products= i-glasses series (i-glasses PC, i-glasses SVGA, i-glasses HRV), i-Theater
|Parent=
|Parent= Initially independent; later Ilixco (controlling interest); previously a venture with Liberty Media Group
|Website=
|Website= (Defunct)
}}
}}
{{see also|Companies}}
'''I-O Display Systems, LLC''' (originally styled '''Virtual i·O''') was an American technology [[company]] that specialized in the development and manufacturing of [[head-mounted display]]s (HMDs). Founded in 1993 in Seattle, Washington by entrepreneurs [[Greg Amadon]] and [[Linden Rhoads]], the company is best known for its ''i-glasses'' product line, which provided personal display systems for [[virtual reality]] (VR) and video applications.<ref name="PSBJMar97">"Financial reality pressures Virtual i‑O into Chapter 11", Puget Sound Business Journal, March 16, 1997, https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/1997/03/17/story6.html</ref> The company was a significant pioneer in the early consumer VR market of the 1990s, attracting almost US$20 million in venture funding before filing for bankruptcy in 1997.<ref name="PSBJMay97">"Effort to salvage Virtual i‑O fails", Puget Sound Business Journal, May 25, 1997, https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/1997/05/26/story4.html</ref>


'''I-O Display Systems''' (also known as IOD) was an American technology company that specialized in the development and manufacture of [[head-mounted display|head-mounted displays]] (HMDs) for [[virtual reality]] and personal viewing applications. The company was known for its flagship product line, the i-glasses brand, which became one of the pioneering consumer-level HMDs during the early development of the [[virtual reality]] industry in the 1990s and early 2000s.
==History==


== History ==
===Origins and Formation (1993-1997)===
I-O Display Systems began as Virtual i·O, founded in 1993 by Greg Amadon, a former Microsoft engineer, and attorney Linden Rhoads. The company attracted early investment after demonstrating a stereoscopic viewer prototype to cable-TV magnate John Malone, whose Tele-Communications Inc. (TCI) became the company's lead investor.<ref name="3DOWorld">"IGlasses", 3DO World, https://3do.world/index.php?title=IGlasses, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>


I-O Display Systems was formed in 1997 as a joint venture between Ilixco, Inc. and Liberty Media Group.<ref name="jpdformation">Jon Peddie Research. "i-O Display shows off PRO SVGA compatible headset at SID 2003." https://www.jonpeddie.com/news/i-o-display-shows-off-pro-svga-compatible-headset-at-sid-2003/</ref> The company positioned itself as a manufacturer of personal display devices, focusing on head-mounted displays for both video and computer applications.
By late 1994, the firm had developed prototypes using dual 0.7-inch LCDs and an in-house "sourceless orientation sensor," which was later patented in the United States.<ref name="JustiaSensor">"Sourceless orientation sensor", US Patent 5526022, assigned to Virtual I/O, Inc., June 11, 1996</ref> The first retail models reached North American shelves in May 1995.


I-O Display Systems emerged during an important transitional period in the history of virtual reality technology. The 1990s saw the first commercial attempts to bring VR technology to consumers, and I-O Display Systems was among the pioneering companies to enter this market with relatively affordable HMD products.
In 1997, the original Virtual i·O was restructured as I-O Display Systems, LLC ("IOD"), formed as a new venture between Ilixco, a privately held display technology company, and Liberty Media Group, an AT&T company with interests in video programming, communications technology, and Internet businesses.<ref name="SistematicsFormed">"Listado de productos por marca I-O Display Systems", Sistematics.com, https://www.sistematics.com/en/i-o-display-systems-m-353.html, accessed May 7, 2025</ref> Ilixco itself was a holding company formed in 1996 by Jeffrey Fergason, son of James Fergason (founder of the first [[Liquid Crystal Display|LCD]] manufacturer, ILIXCO, in 1968). The new Ilixco held controlling interests in I-O Display Systems and Razor Digital Entertainment.<ref name="LXDCorp">"LXD Incorporated - Wikipedia", Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LXD_Incorporated, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>


The company became known for its i-glasses brand, which offered consumers an accessible entry point into virtual display technology compared to more expensive professional VR systems of the era. Throughout its existence, I-O Display Systems continued to develop and refine its product line to keep pace with advancements in display technology and changing consumer demands.
===Bankruptcy and Closure (1997)===
Despite gaining market share in the emerging VR headset market, the company faced financial difficulties as consumer VR adoption grew slower than anticipated. Co-founders Amadon and Rhoads resigned in January 1997, and Virtual i·O filed for Chapter 11 protection on March 14, reporting US$9.7 million in assets against US$21.6 million in liabilities-most owed to TCI and Thomson SA.<ref name="PSBJMar97"/>


== Products ==
Annual headset returns peaked at 30 percent owing to fragile cables and dust ingress,<ref name="Tampa97">"Reality has not lived up to the promise for virtual‑reality games", Tampa Bay Times, 28 Sep 1997, https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/09/28/reality-has-not-lived-up-to-the-promise-for-virtual-reality-games/</ref> further complicating the company's financial position. A court-appointed turnaround team failed to secure a buyer, and operations ceased on April 30, 1997; the remaining assets reverted to TCI the following month.<ref name="PSBJMay97"/>


=== i-glasses PC ===
The company's intellectual property and brand would later be utilized in continued development of i-glasses products into the early 2000s.


The original i-glasses personal display system was designed to be compatible with PCs and video devices. These early models featured dual displays that presented color video images with a resolution of 640×480 pixels.<ref name="xvrwiki">XVRWiki. "I-O Display Systems." http://www.xvrwiki.org/wiki/I-O_Display_Systems</ref>
==Products==
I-O Display Systems was best known for its "i-glasses" series of [[HMD]]s and the "i-Theater" personal display. These devices aimed to provide a large-screen viewing experience in a portable, head-worn form factor.


Key features of the i-glasses PC included:
===i-glasses Series===
The [[i-glasses]] line included several models with varying specifications and target markets:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Feature !! Specification
|+ Selected i-glasses Models and Features
! Model Name !! Key Features !! Resolution (per eye where applicable) !! Virtual Screen Size !! Weight !! Connectivity !! Notes
|-
|-
| Display Type || Color LCD
| '''[[i-glasses]] (Original/PC Version)''' || Full color video, [[stereoscopic 3D]] capable, optional head tracking, see-through capability ("VideoMute"), could be worn with eyeglasses.<ref name="MindfluxPC">"i-O Display Systems i-glasses! PC - Mindflux", Mindflux, https://www.mindflux.com.au/products/hardware/iglassespcd.html, accessed May 7, 2025</ref> || 640x480 || Claimed equivalent to an 80-inch screen from 13 feet.<ref name="MindfluxPC"/> || Approximately 8 ounces (227g) || PC (VGA), Video (Sega, Nintendo, Atari, 3DO) || Released May 1995 at US$549.<ref name="VRShop">"Virtual IO I‑Glasses – Specs and Info", The VR Shop, 14 Feb 2022, https://www.virtual-reality-shop.co.uk/virtual-io-i-glasses/</ref>
|-
|-
| Resolution || 640×480 pixels
| '''[[i-glasses SVGA]]''' || Portable monitor, flicker-free (120Hz refresh), built-in stereo headphones, adjustable color/brightness/contrast.<ref name="MindfluxSVGA">"i-O Display Systems i-glasses SVGA - Mindflux", Mindflux, https://www.mindflux.com.au/products/hardware/iglassessvga.html, accessed May 7, 2025</ref> Supported frame sequential stereo with nVidia game drivers or other applications (optional stereo version).<ref name="ManualsLibSVGA">"IO Display Systems i-glasses User Manual - ManualsLib", ManualsLib, https://www.manualslib.com/manual/110089/Io-Display-Systems-I-Glasses.html?page=1#manual, accessed May 7, 2025</ref> || 800x600 (scaled from VGA/SVGA/XGA) || Virtual image of a 90cm screen from 2m (approximately 35 inches from 6.5 feet) || 7 ounces (198g) || VGA || Released 1998 at US$699 for 3D version.<ref>"i‑glasses SVGA product sheet", Mindflux Archive, https://web.archive.org/web/20000818064717/http://www.mindflux.com.au/products/io-display/iglassesSVGA.html, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>
|-
|-
| Field of View || Approximately equivalent to viewing an 80-inch screen from 13 feet
| '''[[i-glasses HRV]]''' || High-resolution video monitor for camcorders, VCRs, DVDs. Intended for patient comfort in dental/medical settings.<ref name="PearsonDentalHRV">"I-Glasses HRV (iO Display Systems) | Dental Product", Pearson Dental Supply, https://www.pearsondental.com/catalog/product.asp?majcatid=6655&catid=4529&subcatid=7091&pid=35311, accessed May 7, 2025</ref> || 640x480 (each eye) || Equivalent to viewing a 70-inch monitor from 13 feet<ref name="jpdhrv">"i-O Display shows off PRO SVGA compatible headset at SID 2003", Jon Peddie Research, https://www.jonpeddie.com/news/i-o-display-shows-off-pro-svga-compatible-headset-at-sid-2003/, accessed May 7, 2025</ref> || Not specified || S-Video, RCA stereo-audio, composite video (Incompatible with computer signals for the Pro version) || A "Pro" version offered better video quality and contrast. Released 1999 at US$499.<ref name="VRShop"/>
|-
|-
| Audio || Built-in stereo sound
| '''[[i-glasses HRV Pro]]''' || Introduced in April 2003, used Three Five Systems Z86D-3 microdisplays<ref name="jpdhrv"/> || 800x600 (1.44 million pixels per display) || Equivalent to viewing a 70-inch monitor from 13 feet || Not specified || S-Video, composite video || Priced at $1,199 for 2D version and $1,499 for 3D-capable version in 2003.<ref name="jpdhrv"/>
|-
|-
| Special Features || VideoMute feature (see-through capability)
| '''[[Personal I-O Eye-Glasses]]/[[I-Glasses (GVD310)]]''' || Marketed for private entertainment in vehicles, public transport, and for hospital patients.<ref name="RockyAmericasGVD310">"Personal I-O Eye-Glasses/I-Glasses Virtual Reality Head-Mount Display (HMD) LCD - Rocky Americas", Rocky Americas, http://www.rockyamericas.com/gvd310.htm, accessed May 7, 2025</ref> || 180,000 pixels (800 x 225) || Virtual 36-inch screen from 6 feet || 7 ounces (198g) for head-wear part || RCA type AV source with 2-channel stereo audio (DVD, VCD, VCR, MP4, Game Console, PC, Digital Camera, Video Camera) || Featured detachable Dolby surrounding stereo earphones and on-unit controls for volume, brightness, and contrast.
|}
|}


The i-glasses PC models were promoted as providing a large-screen viewing experience in a portable format. Marketing materials often compared the experience to viewing an 80-inch screen. A distinctive feature was the "VideoMute" capability, which allowed users to see through the display when desired, making it an early implementation of what would later evolve into [[augmented reality]].<ref name="mindflux">MINDFLUX. "i-O Display Systems i-glasses! PC." http://www.mindflux.com.au/products/io-display/iglass_pc.html</ref>
Common features across many i-glasses models included:
*  Built-in or detachable stereo headphones
*  Lightweight design for comfort during extended use
*  Adjustable head straps
*  Compatibility with eyeglasses for many users
*  Controls for display adjustments like brightness, contrast, and color


=== i-glasses SVGA ===
===i-Theater===
The i-Theater was marketed as a lightweight mobile video eyewear.<ref name="Ultimate3DHeaven">"iTheater by iGlasses IO Display - Ultimate3DHeaven", Ultimate3DHeaven, https://www.ultimate3dheaven.com/itbyigiodi.html, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>
*  '''Resolution:''' QVGA (320x240), 230,000 pixels per [[LCD]]
*  '''[[Field of View|Field of View (FoV)]]:''' 25 Degrees Diagonal
*  '''Weight:''' 3.5 ounces (99g) without cable
*  '''Video Signal:''' NTSC / PAL / SECAM
*  '''Virtual Image Size:''' Equivalent to a 50-inch screen viewed from 8.5 feet
*  '''Power Consumption:''' Less than 450mW
*  '''Battery Life:''' 6-8 hours
*  '''Connectivity:''' Gaming Systems, VCRs, DVD players, Video iPods, Cell Phones
*  '''Patents:''' Technology protected by over 200 global patents


The i-glasses SVGA represented an advancement in the company's product line, offering higher resolution displays to meet increasing demands for better visual quality. These models were designed to accept [[Super VGA|SVGA]] (800×600) input from computer sources.
==Technology==
I-O Display Systems developed several patented optical and tracking subsystems:


{| class="wikitable"
=== Display Technology ===
! Feature !! Specification
The company's products utilized [[LCD]] technology to create [[virtual image]]s.<ref name="MindfluxSVGA"/> The i-glasses SVGA, for example, displayed a virtual image by scaling input from VGA, SVGA, or XGA sources down to an 800x600 resolution. It featured a fixed focus set at 3.9m and did not require inter-pupillary distance (IPD) adjustment. A 120Hz refresh rate was advertised to ensure a flicker-free display.
|-
| Display Type || High-resolution color LCD
|-
| Resolution || Support for up to 800×600 pixels
|-
| Compatibility || Plug and Play portable monitor
|-
| 3D Support || Optional stereoscopic 3D version available
|-
| Refresh Rate || Double the input refresh rate up to 60Hz; above 60Hz equals input refresh rate
|}
 
The SVGA models were available in both 2D and 3D-capable versions, with the stereoscopic 3D models supporting frame sequential stereo supplied by nVidia graphics card drivers or compatible applications. The i-glasses SVGA also featured an On-Screen-Display (OSD) system that allowed users to adjust settings such as brightness, contrast, audio balance, and color settings.<ref name="manual">I-O Display Systems. "I-glasses SVGA User Manual." https://www.manualslib.com/manual/631835/I-O-Display-Systems-I-Glasses.html</ref>
 
=== i-glasses HRV Pro ===
 
Introduced in April 2003, the i-glasses HRV Pro represented the company's more advanced offering. According to product information, the i-glasses SVGA Pro (part of this line) accepted VGA or higher input from computer sources and featured displays with 800×600 resolution, providing 1.44 million pixels per display. The viewing experience was described as similar to watching a 70-inch monitor from a distance of 13 feet.<ref name="jpdhrv">Jon Peddie Research. "i-O Display shows off PRO SVGA compatible headset at SID 2003." https://www.jonpeddie.com/news/i-o-display-shows-off-pro-svga-compatible-headset-at-sid-2003/</ref>


The SVGA Pro models were available in both 2D and 3D-capable versions, with prices starting at $1,199 for the 2D version and $1,499 for the 3D-capable version in 2003. The displays utilized Three Five Systems Z86D-3 microdisplays and were compatible with Nvidia-based graphics cards with stereo drivers.
Key technological innovations included:
 
== Technology ==
 
I-O Display Systems implemented various technologies in their HMD products that were innovative for consumer-level devices at the time:


* '''Catadioptric fiber‑optic faceplate optics''' – eliminated bulky relay lenses for a lighter visor.<ref name="Patent5642227">"Optical correction for virtual‑reality and heads‑up displays", US Patent 5642227, assigned to Virtual I/O, Inc., 24 Jun 1997</ref>
* '''Optical Design''': The i-glasses utilized an optical system that allowed for both immersive viewing and see-through capability (via the VideoMute feature).
* '''Optical Design''': The i-glasses utilized an optical system that allowed for both immersive viewing and see-through capability (via the VideoMute feature).
* '''Display Technology''': Over the years, the company transitioned from lower-resolution displays to SVGA-compatible microdisplays.
* '''Display Technology''': Over the years, the company transitioned from lower-resolution displays to SVGA-compatible microdisplays.
=== Tracking Systems ===
* '''Magneto‑inertial sourceless tracker''' – combined flux‑gate magnetometers with a sealed fluid‑tilt sensor to output yaw, pitch and roll without external beacons.<ref name="JustiaSensor"/>
* '''Stereoscopic 3D''': Some models supported stereoscopic 3D viewing, which was compatible with specific graphics cards and software.
* '''Stereoscopic 3D''': Some models supported stereoscopic 3D viewing, which was compatible with specific graphics cards and software.
* '''Audio Integration''': Built-in stereo sound was a standard feature across the product line.
* '''Ergonomics''': The designs aimed to provide a comfortable viewing experience despite the technological limitations of the era.


== Market Position and Competition ==
The company also held patents related to personal visual display systems, head-mounted display apparatus, depixelated visual displays, and optically corrected helmet-mounted displays.<ref name="GooglePatents5903395A">"US5903395A - Personal visual display system - Google Patents", Google Patents, https://patents.google.com/patent/US5903395A, accessed May 7, 2025</ref><ref name="GooglePatents5991085A">"US5991085A - Head-mounted personal visual display apparatus with image generator and holder - Google Patents", Google Patents, https://patents.google.com/patent/US5991085A, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>
 
==Market Position and Competition==


I-O Display Systems positioned itself in the consumer and prosumer segments of the early [[virtual reality]] market. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the company competed with other HMD manufacturers such as:
I-O Display Systems positioned itself in the consumer and prosumer segments of the early [[virtual reality]] market. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the company competed with other HMD manufacturers such as:
Line 92: Line 98:
* '''Canon''' with their HMDs
* '''Canon''' with their HMDs


The i-glasses products were generally positioned as more affordable alternatives to high-end professional VR systems while offering better quality than the most basic HMDs. Contemporary reviews often compared the i-glasses favorably to competitors like the VFX1 in terms of comfort and ease of use, though sometimes noting trade-offs in display quality or immersion.<ref name="vfxtest">VFX-1 Headgear versus I-Glasses. https://www.csoon.com/issue11/vrtest.htm</ref>
The i-glasses products were generally positioned as more affordable alternatives to high-end professional VR systems while offering better quality than the most basic HMDs. Contemporary reviews often compared the i-glasses favorably to competitors like the VFX1 in terms of comfort and ease of use, though sometimes noting trade-offs in display quality or immersion.<ref name="vfxtest">"VFX-1 Headgear versus I-Glasses", https://www.csoon.com/issue11/vrtest.htm, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>


== Legacy ==
=== Market Reception ===
Early press coverage praised the light weight (227g) and competitive price compared with the Sony Glasstron, yet criticized visible pixelation and limited software support.<ref name="Wired99">"Little Big Screen", Wired, 1 Aug 1999, https://www.wired.com/1999/08/little-big-screen</ref> Analysts at TWICE magazine cited insufficient in-store demonstrations and fragile demo units as key barriers to mainstream adoption.<ref name="PSBJMay97"/>


I-O Display Systems was one of the longest-running companies in the early consumer HMD market. The company was described as "one of the longest, most tenacious companies in this business" that "pioneered wearable, semi-comfortable headsets" designed to work with both PCs and video sources.<ref name="jpd">Jon Peddie Research. "i-O Display shows off PRO SVGA compatible headset at SID 2003." https://www.jonpeddie.com/news/i-o-display-shows-off-pro-svga-compatible-headset-at-sid-2003/</ref>
By late 1996, the company was shipping roughly 300 units per month, with professional and medical buyers representing 25 percent of volume.<ref name="3DOWorld"/> Despite modest early sales-about 30,000 units went to U.S. dentists alone for chair-side "patient distraction" video<ref name="Wired99"/>-revenue fell short of projections, contributing to the company's financial difficulties.
 
==Legacy==
I-O Display Systems was one of the longest-running companies in the early consumer HMD market. The company was described as "one of the longest, most tenacious companies in this business" that "pioneered wearable, semi-comfortable headsets" designed to work with both PCs and video sources.<ref name="jpd">"i-O Display shows off PRO SVGA compatible headset at SID 2003", Jon Peddie Research, https://www.jonpeddie.com/news/i-o-display-shows-off-pro-svga-compatible-headset-at-sid-2003/, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>
 
The company's contributions to VR technology include:
 
#'''Patent Portfolio''': Its patent portfolio covering lightweight catadioptric optics and magneto-inertial tracking was cited by subsequent VR manufacturers throughout the early 2000s.<ref name="Patent5642227"/>
#'''Virtual Cinema Concept''': The company's emphasis on an "80-inch virtual cinema" foreshadowed the media-consumption positioning later used by Sony Glasstron, Myvu, and Meta Quest "theater mode" features.<ref name="Wired99"/>
#'''Technological Advancements''': The challenges and innovations addressed by I-O Display Systems and its contemporaries helped pave the way for the more sophisticated immersive technologies available today.
#'''Historical Significance''': Surviving i-glasses units remain a reference platform for retro-VR enthusiasts and museums such as the Deutsches Museum in Munich.<ref>"Virtual i‑O i‑glasses! Personal 3D Viewer", Google Arts & Culture, https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/virtual-i-o-i-glasses-personal-3d-viewer-head-mounted-display/4wHrXHZrWs9ZBA, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>


While I-O Display Systems is no longer in operation, its products represented an important step in the evolution of consumer [[virtual reality]] technology. The company's efforts to create accessible HMDs helped introduce the concept of personal virtual displays to a broader audience during a period when the technology was still in its early stages of development.
While I-O Display Systems is no longer in operation, its products represented an important step in the evolution of consumer [[virtual reality]] technology. The company's efforts to create accessible HMDs helped introduce the concept of personal virtual displays to a broader audience during a period when the technology was still in its early stages of development.


I-O Display Systems' products can be seen as precursors to the more advanced VR and AR headsets that would emerge in later years, such as the [[Oculus Rift]], [[HTC Vive]], and various [[augmented reality]] glasses. The challenges and innovations addressed by I-O Display Systems and its contemporaries helped pave the way for the more sophisticated immersive technologies available today.
I-O Display Systems' products can be seen as precursors to the more advanced VR and AR headsets that would emerge in later years, such as the [[Oculus Rift]], [[HTC Vive]], and various [[augmented reality]] glasses.
 
==See Also==
*  [[Head-mounted display]]
*  [[Virtual Reality]]
*  [[Augmented Reality]]
*  [[Liquid Crystal Display]]
*  [[Stereoscopy]]
*  [[Forte VFX1]]
*  [[Sony Glasstron]]
*  [[Virtuality (company)]]


== References ==
==References==
<references>
<references>
<ref name="jpdformation">Jon Peddie Research. "i-O Display shows off PRO SVGA compatible headset at SID 2003." https://www.jonpeddie.com/news/i-o-display-shows-off-pro-svga-compatible-headset-at-sid-2003/</ref>
<ref name="SistematicsFormed">"Listado de productos por marca I-O Display Systems", Sistematics.com, https://www.sistematics.com/en/i-o-display-systems-m-353.html, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>
<ref name="xvrwiki">XVRWiki. "I-O Display Systems." http://www.xvrwiki.org/wiki/I-O_Display_Systems</ref>
<ref name="MindfluxSVGA">"i-O Display Systems i-glasses SVGA - Mindflux", Mindflux, https://www.mindflux.com.au/products/hardware/iglassessvga.html, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>
<ref name="mindflux">MINDFLUX. "i-O Display Systems i-glasses! PC." http://www.mindflux.com.au/products/io-display/iglass_pc.html</ref>
<ref name="Ultimate3DHeaven">"iTheater by iGlasses IO Display - Ultimate3DHeaven", Ultimate3DHeaven, https://www.ultimate3dheaven.com/itbyigiodi.html, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>
<ref name="manual">I-O Display Systems. "I-glasses SVGA User Manual." https://www.manualslib.com/manual/631835/I-O-Display-Systems-I-Glasses.html</ref>
<ref name="LXDCorp">"LXD Incorporated - Wikipedia", Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LXD_Incorporated, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>
<ref name="jpdhrv">Jon Peddie Research. "i-O Display shows off PRO SVGA compatible headset at SID 2003." https://www.jonpeddie.com/news/i-o-display-shows-off-pro-svga-compatible-headset-at-sid-2003/</ref>
<ref name="GooglePatents5903395A">"US5903395A - Personal visual display system - Google Patents", Google Patents, https://patents.google.com/patent/US5903395A, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>
<ref name="vfxtest">VFX-1 Headgear versus I-Glasses. https://www.csoon.com/issue11/vrtest.htm</ref>
<ref name="GooglePatents5991085A">"US5991085A - Head-mounted personal visual display apparatus with image generator and holder - Google Patents", Google Patents, https://patents.google.com/patent/US5991085A, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>
<ref name="jpd">Jon Peddie Research. "i-O Display shows off PRO SVGA compatible headset at SID 2003." https://www.jonpeddie.com/news/i-o-display-shows-off-pro-svga-compatible-headset-at-sid-2003/</ref>
<ref name="MindfluxPC">"i-O Display Systems i-glasses! PC - Mindflux", Mindflux, https://www.mindflux.com.au/products/hardware/iglassespcd.html, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>
<ref name="ManualsLibSVGA">"IO Display Systems i-glasses User Manual - ManualsLib", ManualsLib, https://www.manualslib.com/manual/110089/Io-Display-Systems-I-Glasses.html?page=1#manual, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>
<ref name="PearsonDentalHRV">"I-Glasses HRV (iO Display Systems) | Dental Product", Pearson Dental Supply, https://www.pearsondental.com/catalog/product.asp?majcatid=6655&catid=4529&subcatid=7091&pid=35311, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>
<ref name="RockyAmericasGVD310">"Personal I-O Eye-Glasses/I-Glasses Virtual Reality Head-Mount Display (HMD) LCD - Rocky Americas", Rocky Americas, http://www.rockyamericas.com/gvd310.htm, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>
<ref name="jpdhrv">"i-O Display shows off PRO SVGA compatible headset at SID 2003", Jon Peddie Research, https://www.jonpeddie.com/news/i-o-display-shows-off-pro-svga-compatible-headset-at-sid-2003/, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>
<ref name="vfxtest">"VFX-1 Headgear versus I-Glasses", https://www.csoon.com/issue11/vrtest.htm, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>
<ref name="jpd">"i-O Display shows off PRO SVGA compatible headset at SID 2003", Jon Peddie Research, https://www.jonpeddie.com/news/i-o-display-shows-off-pro-svga-compatible-headset-at-sid-2003/, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>
<ref name="PSBJMar97">"Financial reality pressures Virtual i‑O into Chapter 11", Puget Sound Business Journal, March 16, 1997, https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/1997/03/17/story6.html</ref>
<ref name="PSBJMay97">"Effort to salvage Virtual i‑O fails", Puget Sound Business Journal, May 25, 1997, https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/1997/05/26/story4.html</ref>
<ref name="3DOWorld">"IGlasses", 3DO World, https://3do.world/index.php?title=IGlasses, accessed May 7, 2025</ref>
<ref name="JustiaSensor">"Sourceless orientation sensor", US Patent 5526022, assigned to Virtual I/O, Inc., June 11, 1996</ref>
<ref name="Tampa97">"Reality has not lived up to the promise for virtual‑reality games", Tampa Bay Times, 28 Sep 1997, https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/09/28/reality-has-not-lived-up-to-the-promise-for-virtual-reality-games/</ref>
<ref name="VRShop">"Virtual IO I‑Glasses – Specs and Info", The VR Shop, 14 Feb 2022, https://www.virtual-reality-shop.co.uk/virtual-io-i-glasses/</ref>
<ref name="Patent5642227">"Optical correction for virtual‑reality and heads‑up displays", US Patent 5642227, assigned to Virtual I/O, Inc., 24 Jun 1997</ref>
<ref name="Wired99">"Little Big Screen", Wired, 1 Aug 1999, https://www.wired.com/1999/08/little-big-screen</ref>
</references>
</references>


[[Category:Companies]]
[[Category:Companies]]
[[Category:Virtual Reality]]
[[Category:Virtual Reality Companies]]
[[Category:Head-mounted displays]]
[[Category:Display technology]]
[[Category:1990s technology]]
[[Category:Defunct technology companies of the United States]]

Latest revision as of 21:27, 7 May 2025

I-O Display Systems
Information
Type Private
Industry Virtual Reality, Personal Display Systems, Stereoscopic 3D products
Founded 1993 in Seattle, Washington, United States
Founder Greg Amadon, Linden Rhoads
Headquarters Seattle, Washington, United States (originally); later Menlo Park, California (as division of Ilixco, Inc.)
Notable Personnel Greg Amadon (CEO, 1993–1997); Linden Rhoads (President, 1993–1996)
Products i-glasses series (i-glasses PC, i-glasses SVGA, i-glasses HRV), i-Theater
Parent Initially independent; later Ilixco (controlling interest); previously a venture with Liberty Media Group
Website (Defunct)
See also: Companies

I-O Display Systems, LLC (originally styled Virtual i·O) was an American technology company that specialized in the development and manufacturing of head-mounted displays (HMDs). Founded in 1993 in Seattle, Washington by entrepreneurs Greg Amadon and Linden Rhoads, the company is best known for its i-glasses product line, which provided personal display systems for virtual reality (VR) and video applications.[1] The company was a significant pioneer in the early consumer VR market of the 1990s, attracting almost US$20 million in venture funding before filing for bankruptcy in 1997.[2]

History

Origins and Formation (1993-1997)

I-O Display Systems began as Virtual i·O, founded in 1993 by Greg Amadon, a former Microsoft engineer, and attorney Linden Rhoads. The company attracted early investment after demonstrating a stereoscopic viewer prototype to cable-TV magnate John Malone, whose Tele-Communications Inc. (TCI) became the company's lead investor.[3]

By late 1994, the firm had developed prototypes using dual 0.7-inch LCDs and an in-house "sourceless orientation sensor," which was later patented in the United States.[4] The first retail models reached North American shelves in May 1995.

In 1997, the original Virtual i·O was restructured as I-O Display Systems, LLC ("IOD"), formed as a new venture between Ilixco, a privately held display technology company, and Liberty Media Group, an AT&T company with interests in video programming, communications technology, and Internet businesses.[5] Ilixco itself was a holding company formed in 1996 by Jeffrey Fergason, son of James Fergason (founder of the first LCD manufacturer, ILIXCO, in 1968). The new Ilixco held controlling interests in I-O Display Systems and Razor Digital Entertainment.[6]

Bankruptcy and Closure (1997)

Despite gaining market share in the emerging VR headset market, the company faced financial difficulties as consumer VR adoption grew slower than anticipated. Co-founders Amadon and Rhoads resigned in January 1997, and Virtual i·O filed for Chapter 11 protection on March 14, reporting US$9.7 million in assets against US$21.6 million in liabilities-most owed to TCI and Thomson SA.[1]

Annual headset returns peaked at 30 percent owing to fragile cables and dust ingress,[7] further complicating the company's financial position. A court-appointed turnaround team failed to secure a buyer, and operations ceased on April 30, 1997; the remaining assets reverted to TCI the following month.[2]

The company's intellectual property and brand would later be utilized in continued development of i-glasses products into the early 2000s.

Products

I-O Display Systems was best known for its "i-glasses" series of HMDs and the "i-Theater" personal display. These devices aimed to provide a large-screen viewing experience in a portable, head-worn form factor.

i-glasses Series

The i-glasses line included several models with varying specifications and target markets:

Selected i-glasses Models and Features
Model Name Key Features Resolution (per eye where applicable) Virtual Screen Size Weight Connectivity Notes
i-glasses (Original/PC Version) Full color video, stereoscopic 3D capable, optional head tracking, see-through capability ("VideoMute"), could be worn with eyeglasses.[8] 640x480 Claimed equivalent to an 80-inch screen from 13 feet.[8] Approximately 8 ounces (227g) PC (VGA), Video (Sega, Nintendo, Atari, 3DO) Released May 1995 at US$549.[9]
i-glasses SVGA Portable monitor, flicker-free (120Hz refresh), built-in stereo headphones, adjustable color/brightness/contrast.[10] Supported frame sequential stereo with nVidia game drivers or other applications (optional stereo version).[11] 800x600 (scaled from VGA/SVGA/XGA) Virtual image of a 90cm screen from 2m (approximately 35 inches from 6.5 feet) 7 ounces (198g) VGA Released 1998 at US$699 for 3D version.[12]
i-glasses HRV High-resolution video monitor for camcorders, VCRs, DVDs. Intended for patient comfort in dental/medical settings.[13] 640x480 (each eye) Equivalent to viewing a 70-inch monitor from 13 feet[14] Not specified S-Video, RCA stereo-audio, composite video (Incompatible with computer signals for the Pro version) A "Pro" version offered better video quality and contrast. Released 1999 at US$499.[9]
i-glasses HRV Pro Introduced in April 2003, used Three Five Systems Z86D-3 microdisplays[14] 800x600 (1.44 million pixels per display) Equivalent to viewing a 70-inch monitor from 13 feet Not specified S-Video, composite video Priced at $1,199 for 2D version and $1,499 for 3D-capable version in 2003.[14]
Personal I-O Eye-Glasses/I-Glasses (GVD310) Marketed for private entertainment in vehicles, public transport, and for hospital patients.[15] 180,000 pixels (800 x 225) Virtual 36-inch screen from 6 feet 7 ounces (198g) for head-wear part RCA type AV source with 2-channel stereo audio (DVD, VCD, VCR, MP4, Game Console, PC, Digital Camera, Video Camera) Featured detachable Dolby surrounding stereo earphones and on-unit controls for volume, brightness, and contrast.

Common features across many i-glasses models included:

  • Built-in or detachable stereo headphones
  • Lightweight design for comfort during extended use
  • Adjustable head straps
  • Compatibility with eyeglasses for many users
  • Controls for display adjustments like brightness, contrast, and color

i-Theater

The i-Theater was marketed as a lightweight mobile video eyewear.[16]

  • Resolution: QVGA (320x240), 230,000 pixels per LCD
  • Field of View (FoV): 25 Degrees Diagonal
  • Weight: 3.5 ounces (99g) without cable
  • Video Signal: NTSC / PAL / SECAM
  • Virtual Image Size: Equivalent to a 50-inch screen viewed from 8.5 feet
  • Power Consumption: Less than 450mW
  • Battery Life: 6-8 hours
  • Connectivity: Gaming Systems, VCRs, DVD players, Video iPods, Cell Phones
  • Patents: Technology protected by over 200 global patents

Technology

I-O Display Systems developed several patented optical and tracking subsystems:

Display Technology

The company's products utilized LCD technology to create virtual images.[10] The i-glasses SVGA, for example, displayed a virtual image by scaling input from VGA, SVGA, or XGA sources down to an 800x600 resolution. It featured a fixed focus set at 3.9m and did not require inter-pupillary distance (IPD) adjustment. A 120Hz refresh rate was advertised to ensure a flicker-free display.

Key technological innovations included:

  • Catadioptric fiber‑optic faceplate optics – eliminated bulky relay lenses for a lighter visor.[17]
  • Optical Design: The i-glasses utilized an optical system that allowed for both immersive viewing and see-through capability (via the VideoMute feature).
  • Display Technology: Over the years, the company transitioned from lower-resolution displays to SVGA-compatible microdisplays.

Tracking Systems

  • Magneto‑inertial sourceless tracker – combined flux‑gate magnetometers with a sealed fluid‑tilt sensor to output yaw, pitch and roll without external beacons.[4]
  • Stereoscopic 3D: Some models supported stereoscopic 3D viewing, which was compatible with specific graphics cards and software.

The company also held patents related to personal visual display systems, head-mounted display apparatus, depixelated visual displays, and optically corrected helmet-mounted displays.[18][19]

Market Position and Competition

I-O Display Systems positioned itself in the consumer and prosumer segments of the early virtual reality market. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the company competed with other HMD manufacturers such as:

  • Forte Technologies with their VFX1 headset
  • Virtual Research Systems
  • Sony with the Glasstron series
  • Olympus with the Eye-Trek displays
  • Canon with their HMDs

The i-glasses products were generally positioned as more affordable alternatives to high-end professional VR systems while offering better quality than the most basic HMDs. Contemporary reviews often compared the i-glasses favorably to competitors like the VFX1 in terms of comfort and ease of use, though sometimes noting trade-offs in display quality or immersion.[20]

Market Reception

Early press coverage praised the light weight (227g) and competitive price compared with the Sony Glasstron, yet criticized visible pixelation and limited software support.[21] Analysts at TWICE magazine cited insufficient in-store demonstrations and fragile demo units as key barriers to mainstream adoption.[2]

By late 1996, the company was shipping roughly 300 units per month, with professional and medical buyers representing 25 percent of volume.[3] Despite modest early sales-about 30,000 units went to U.S. dentists alone for chair-side "patient distraction" video[21]-revenue fell short of projections, contributing to the company's financial difficulties.

Legacy

I-O Display Systems was one of the longest-running companies in the early consumer HMD market. The company was described as "one of the longest, most tenacious companies in this business" that "pioneered wearable, semi-comfortable headsets" designed to work with both PCs and video sources.[22]

The company's contributions to VR technology include:

  1. Patent Portfolio: Its patent portfolio covering lightweight catadioptric optics and magneto-inertial tracking was cited by subsequent VR manufacturers throughout the early 2000s.[17]
  2. Virtual Cinema Concept: The company's emphasis on an "80-inch virtual cinema" foreshadowed the media-consumption positioning later used by Sony Glasstron, Myvu, and Meta Quest "theater mode" features.[21]
  3. Technological Advancements: The challenges and innovations addressed by I-O Display Systems and its contemporaries helped pave the way for the more sophisticated immersive technologies available today.
  4. Historical Significance: Surviving i-glasses units remain a reference platform for retro-VR enthusiasts and museums such as the Deutsches Museum in Munich.[23]

While I-O Display Systems is no longer in operation, its products represented an important step in the evolution of consumer virtual reality technology. The company's efforts to create accessible HMDs helped introduce the concept of personal virtual displays to a broader audience during a period when the technology was still in its early stages of development.

I-O Display Systems' products can be seen as precursors to the more advanced VR and AR headsets that would emerge in later years, such as the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and various augmented reality glasses.

See Also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Financial reality pressures Virtual i‑O into Chapter 11", Puget Sound Business Journal, March 16, 1997, https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/1997/03/17/story6.html
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Effort to salvage Virtual i‑O fails", Puget Sound Business Journal, May 25, 1997, https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/1997/05/26/story4.html
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "IGlasses", 3DO World, https://3do.world/index.php?title=IGlasses, accessed May 7, 2025
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Sourceless orientation sensor", US Patent 5526022, assigned to Virtual I/O, Inc., June 11, 1996
  5. ↑ "Listado de productos por marca I-O Display Systems", Sistematics.com, https://www.sistematics.com/en/i-o-display-systems-m-353.html, accessed May 7, 2025
  6. ↑ "LXD Incorporated - Wikipedia", Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LXD_Incorporated, accessed May 7, 2025
  7. ↑ "Reality has not lived up to the promise for virtual‑reality games", Tampa Bay Times, 28 Sep 1997, https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/09/28/reality-has-not-lived-up-to-the-promise-for-virtual-reality-games/
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "i-O Display Systems i-glasses! PC - Mindflux", Mindflux, https://www.mindflux.com.au/products/hardware/iglassespcd.html, accessed May 7, 2025
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Virtual IO I‑Glasses – Specs and Info", The VR Shop, 14 Feb 2022, https://www.virtual-reality-shop.co.uk/virtual-io-i-glasses/
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "i-O Display Systems i-glasses SVGA - Mindflux", Mindflux, https://www.mindflux.com.au/products/hardware/iglassessvga.html, accessed May 7, 2025
  11. ↑ "IO Display Systems i-glasses User Manual - ManualsLib", ManualsLib, https://www.manualslib.com/manual/110089/Io-Display-Systems-I-Glasses.html?page=1#manual, accessed May 7, 2025
  12. ↑ "i‑glasses SVGA product sheet", Mindflux Archive, https://web.archive.org/web/20000818064717/http://www.mindflux.com.au/products/io-display/iglassesSVGA.html, accessed May 7, 2025
  13. ↑ "I-Glasses HRV (iO Display Systems) | Dental Product", Pearson Dental Supply, https://www.pearsondental.com/catalog/product.asp?majcatid=6655&catid=4529&subcatid=7091&pid=35311, accessed May 7, 2025
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 "i-O Display shows off PRO SVGA compatible headset at SID 2003", Jon Peddie Research, https://www.jonpeddie.com/news/i-o-display-shows-off-pro-svga-compatible-headset-at-sid-2003/, accessed May 7, 2025
  15. ↑ "Personal I-O Eye-Glasses/I-Glasses Virtual Reality Head-Mount Display (HMD) LCD - Rocky Americas", Rocky Americas, http://www.rockyamericas.com/gvd310.htm, accessed May 7, 2025
  16. ↑ "iTheater by iGlasses IO Display - Ultimate3DHeaven", Ultimate3DHeaven, https://www.ultimate3dheaven.com/itbyigiodi.html, accessed May 7, 2025
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Optical correction for virtual‑reality and heads‑up displays", US Patent 5642227, assigned to Virtual I/O, Inc., 24 Jun 1997
  18. ↑ "US5903395A - Personal visual display system - Google Patents", Google Patents, https://patents.google.com/patent/US5903395A, accessed May 7, 2025
  19. ↑ "US5991085A - Head-mounted personal visual display apparatus with image generator and holder - Google Patents", Google Patents, https://patents.google.com/patent/US5991085A, accessed May 7, 2025
  20. ↑ "VFX-1 Headgear versus I-Glasses", https://www.csoon.com/issue11/vrtest.htm, accessed May 7, 2025
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 "Little Big Screen", Wired, 1 Aug 1999, https://www.wired.com/1999/08/little-big-screen
  22. ↑ "i-O Display shows off PRO SVGA compatible headset at SID 2003", Jon Peddie Research, https://www.jonpeddie.com/news/i-o-display-shows-off-pro-svga-compatible-headset-at-sid-2003/, accessed May 7, 2025
  23. ↑ "Virtual i‑O i‑glasses! Personal 3D Viewer", Google Arts & Culture, https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/virtual-i-o-i-glasses-personal-3d-viewer-head-mounted-display/4wHrXHZrWs9ZBA, accessed May 7, 2025
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