Google files patent for contact lenses with tiny cameras

Google has in a Glass-related patent, claimed a technology that envisages smart contact lenses equipped with tiny cameras.

The patent, said to be a top hush-hush product from Google X lab describes a pair of lenses each incorporating a camera, capable of capturing images and analysing light, colour, patterns, objects, faces and motion.

The smart lenses would be controlled by blinking and additionally incorporate a zoom function to give people superhero style incredible vision.

The patent also outlines a system that people with visual impairments would find useful. The system would connect to a device delivering voice alerts. The camera /phone combination could warn if it was not safe to cross a road, for example.

The system could also warn the visually impaired of obstacles along the sidewalk, and also incorporate facial recognition technology, a feature that it suggested might also be useful for law enforcement officers checking to see if potential suspects were already on their records.

With Glass, Google had been trying to reassure those concerned with privacy issues that  it would not be offering facial recognition features.

According to commentators, it was not certain that such functionality – which could also include taking photos with the blink of an eye – would become part of the company's envisaged lens.

They further say the lens's technology could ultimately be worked into Google's smart contact lens was in the news at the start of the year.

The concept which looked at harnessing power from a static electricity charge, envisages a tiny glucose sensor capable of providing the user with constant data on blood sugar levels – ideal for those with diabetes.

According to gadgethelpline, "The device sandwiches a small microcircuit between the two halves of a 'biocompatible' contact lens which contains the glucose monitoring chip and a wireless transmitter/receiver chip, which also draws power from the signal carrier wave to power the device which is so small the signal alone provides enough electricity to fuel the minute power consumption needs of the lens."

Currently, the internet search company is not known to have any release plans for any of the smart lens, but it had carried out a number of clinical research studies to gain a better understanding of its potential.