Google patent application details micro camera system for contact lenses of the future

Google will soon open its Glass explorer program to all US residents for one day only, however a recent patent application from the search engine kingpin might make you reconsider making a purchase tomorrow. Spotted by the folks at Patent Bolt, Google has filed a patent application for a micro camera component to compliment its recently announced smart contact lenses.

In addition to being able to monitor a person’s vitals, this unannounced apparatus could be used to take a picture of something, simply by looking at it. Not stopping there, the application notes that the contacts may use more than one camera, which could help people who struggle with vision deficiencies. One example references a blind person using the contacts to scan raw image data of oncoming obstacles when crossing a street. The smart lenses could use this data to send an audio alert to the person’s smartphone advising them when it’s safe to cross.

As for those of you whose vision is already 20/20 or better, these high-tech contacts might help you live out your dreams of being a superhero by giving you superhuman eyesight. All hopes and dreams aside, this is only a patent application and not a product announcement. Google may never release this idea as a consumer product, however a patent application filing does suggest that the company has given it some thought.