System for contact lens wireless communication

• US 9,459,469 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2015
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EP Global Communications, Inc (InWith Corp.)
• Original Assignee: EP Global Communications, Inc (InWith Corp.)
• Inventors: Markus, David T., Hayes, Michael C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cumming, William D
• Application Number:
  US14/668,957
• Publication Number:
  US 20150281411A1
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 455/70, 455/90.3, 351/159.03, 351/159.39, 351/159.4, 351/209, 351/210
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/005 Contact lens cases A45C11/046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/04 Contact lenses for the eyes disinfection or sterilisation of contact lenses A61L12/00

Abstract

The present invention will provide a vision correction device which makes use of wireless transmissions and/or wireless charging to transfer data between the vision correction device and an external device. More specifically, the present invention will incorporate radio frequency technology onto a contact lens, including passive and active embodiments, and may further include wireless charging capability. This is accomplished by positioning an extremely small RF device onto a contact lens, along with an antenna and/or battery, and using a fluid medium to enhance the signal to and from an external device.

Claims

1. A system for contact lens wireless communication comprising:

a contact lens;

a wireless communication device positioned within said contact lens;

a fluid medium;

an external storage device in fluid contact with said contact lens through said fluid medium;

a case wireless communication device positioned within said external storage device; and

an antenna assembly configured to amplify the wireless signal transmitted and received, wherein a lens antenna is positioned on the outer perimeter of said contact lens, a top antenna is positioned within an external device cap, and a bottom antenna is positioned within said external device around said fluid medium;

wherein said external storage device is configured to send and receive wireless data with said contact lens through said fluid medium.

2. The system for contact lens wireless communication of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication device is positioned on the outer perimeter of said contact lens and is configured to transmit and receive data with said case wireless communication device using radio frequencies.

3. The system for contact lens wireless communication of claim 2, wherein said wireless communication device is a passive Radio Frequency Identification device with no power source having a range between 0-1 m and a frequency range between 10 kHz-100 MHz.

4. The system for contact lens wireless communication of claim 2, wherein said wireless communication device is an active Radio Frequency Identification device with a power source positioned on the outer perimeter of said contact lens having a range between 0-100 m and a frequency range between 10 kHz-5 GHz.

5. The system for contact lens wireless communication of claim 4, wherein said wireless communication device further comprises a microprocessor positioned on the outer perimeter of said contact lens.

6. The system for contact lens wireless communication of claim 1, wherein said fluid medium is an electrolytic fluid antenna configured to improve the wireless signal capacity between said contact lens and said external storage device.

7. The system for contact lens wireless communication of claim 6, wherein said fluid medium further comprises a saline solution configured to disinfect, and improve surface wettability of said contact lens.

8. The system for contact lens wireless communication of claim 1, wherein said external storage device is configured to transmit an interrogation message and said wireless communication device is configured to receive and authenticate said interrogation message.

9. A method for contact lens wireless communication comprising:

placing a contact lens within an external storage device;

receiving an interrogation message from said external device;

authenticating said interrogation message within said contact lens; and

transmitting data between said contact lens and said external storage device once authenticated;

wherein said data is transmitted wirelessly between said contact lens and said external storage device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said contact lens further comprises a wireless communication device, an antenna, a power source and microprocessor.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said data is transmitted over a period of 2-8 hours.