Apple once planned to develop a pair of hi-tech goggles similar to Google Glass, a patent filing suggests, according to Digital Spy.

A patent from the Cupertino firm dating back to 2008 has surfaced, describing a headset that syncs with a mobile device and projects its display before the user's eyes.

The device, which has also drawn comparisons to the Oculus Rift gaming headset, was said to be capable of compensating for the individual's eyesight limitations.

"In some embodiments, the goggle system may include data processing circuitry operative to adjust left and right images generated by the optical components to display 3D media, or account for a user's eyesight limitations," the filing reads.

Apple has not given any indication that the patent will ever be realised, but wearable technology is expected to be an area of great interest for the major tech companies in 2014 and beyond.

Samsung and Microsoft have also been linked with a move into the headset market in the future.