Viewing direction independent single-layer, pixelated light dimming filter

In a wearable viewing device, a system for preventing a reduction in legibility of a near-eye image display for observation in combination with an observer's visual exterior view, comprising:

• a near-eye image source from which emanates near-eye image-carrying light, the near-eye image source positioned out of the observer's direct visual exterior view;
• a dimming matrix display including multiple pixels and positioned so that the observer can see the exterior view through the multiple pixels, the exterior view including a scene, and locations in the scene viewed by the observer defining lines of sight for the observer, the lines of sight intersecting and passing through the multiple pixels at polar and azimuthal angles;
• a partly transparent optical element positioned so that the observer can see the scene in the visual exterior view and so that the near-eye image-carrying light reflects off the partly transparent optical element to provide an image for observation by the observer;
• and
• a dimming controller operatively connected to the dimming matrix display to control amounts of scene-carrying light propagating through the multiple pixels from the locations in the scene, so that the scene-carrying light, as perceived by the observer, has for the lines of sight passing through the multiple pixels at their respective polar and azimuthal angles a value within an operational tolerance that prevents wash-out of the near-eye image when outside illumination is very bright.