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Google patents contact lenses with iris-scanning technology
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Google has been awarded a patent for contact lenses that have the capability of using irises as a biometric fingerprint, according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's website.
In its application, Google explained that the lenses represent a new approach for user verification that is more convenient, but still secure.
The patent involves several implementations, as detailed in the application: a contact lens that aids in iris scanning, a method of conducting biometric iris recognition, a method of biometric identification and a device that would facilitate biometric identification.
Google wrote: "In one implementation, the contact lens can include: a transparent substrate formed to cover at least a portion of an iris of an eye and a circuit. The circuit can include: one or more light sensors disposed on or within the transparent substrate that detects light filtered through the iris and incident on the one or more light sensors; readout circuitry, operably coupled to the one or more light sensors, which outputs information indicative of the light filtered through the iris and incident on the one or more light sensors; and a power component that supplies power to the readout circuitry. In various implementations, the contact lens can be employed in systems and/or methods associated with authentication and identification."
The company is also working on developing a smart lens with Alcon that can be used to monitor patients with diabetes or other ocular conditions.