Google contact lens with built-in microcameras patented

Google scores a patent on a “smart” contact lens system that users could control by the way they blink their eyes. People with eye problems (even the blind) can greatly take advantage of this new technology. Find out why after the jump.

The futuristic contact lenses was reported to have embedded microcameras (take note, more than one). These microcameras are impressively small that they don’t affect the thickness of an ordinary contact lens. Once worn, they line up to the iris in a way that it can “look” where you’re currently looking. To control these contact lenses, a system will be developed that will understand the user’s blinks as it corresponds to specific functions or commands.

Apart from not looking like a total geek by wearing these contact lenses instead of the Google Glass, Patentbolt shares that they can be used to help people with eye problems and even save lives. The lenses could alert the user’s paired device (such as a smartphone) when a dangerous instance arises.

“For example, a blind person wearing Google’s contact lens with a built-in camera may be walking on a sidewalk and approaching an intersection. The analysis component of the contact lens can process the raw image data of the camera to determine processed image data indicating that the blind person is approaching intersection with a crosswalk and establish that there is a car approaching the intersection,” Patentbolt explained.

We’re only scratching the surface here when it comes to functionalities. We’re sure that as time progresses, the company will be able to come up with more use for this technology that looks like it came from a sci-fi movie. We’re also pretty sure that it will stir some reactions regarding issues like invasion of privacy as Google Glass is already experiencing as of now.

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