Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Samsung’s next wearable could be a smart contact lens called Gear Blink

samsung smart contact lens news gear blink
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Samsung has virtual reality covered with the Gear VR, but the Korean giant might have also plans to enter the world of augmented reality. However, based on a patent, it won’t be with a headset or even a pair of glasses. It could very well be a smart contact lens.

The patent, titled “Smart contact lens for augmented reality and methods of manufacturing and operating,” was filed in South Korea in 2014 and was published recently. It’s a contact lens that consists of a small display, camera, RF antenna, and sensors to detect eye movement. The lens would connect to a smartphone, presumably a Galaxy phone, and the user would control certain inputs by blinking.

Related Offer: Virtual reality just got real. See the Samsung Gear VR here

Augmented reality differs from virtual reality in that the user can see the displayed image and the real world at the same time. With virtual reality, the user is totally immersed into another world because all that is visible is the display in the headset.

While a headset is okay for virtual reality, Samsung thinks a smart lens is the way to go for augmented reality. The patent states the need for a smart contact lens because the image quality that is projected suffers when using glasses. In fact, the patent specifically mentions “Google Glass” by name when referring to current heads-up displays. Incidentally, Google is rumored  to be developing its own smart contact lens as well.

samsung-smart-contact-lens-patent-drawing-01
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Samsung’s patent is mostly about the design of the lens, not what it can do. However, one example explained how blinking your eye would instruct the camera in the lens to take pictures. The patent never mentions receiving notifications from your phone, but we presume you would be able to.

As to what Samsung might call this smart lens, a Gear Blink trademark from 2014 might be our best clue. This trademark was filed in both South Korea and the U.S., and it was rumored to be associated with a Google Glass-type of product. However, a smart contact lens that detects eye blinking seems to make the most sense.

We do need to point out that just because a device is patented, it doesn’t mean that it will definitely come to market. It takes a lot of research and development to bring a product to market, and a company’s focus can turn on a dime. With that said, we won’t be surprised if Samsung does offer something like this in the future.

Editors' Recommendations

Robert Nazarian
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Robert Nazarian became a technology enthusiast when his parents bought him a Radio Shack TRS-80 Color. Now his biggest…
How to download iPadOS 17 on your iPad
New widgets for iPadOS 17.

While we have yet to see any new iPads this year, Apple has just unleashed iPadOS 17, a major update for its tablet operating system that promises to breathe new life into any recent iPad model you already own.

Once you install iPadOS 17, you'll be able to enjoy the iPhone's lock screen features on the larger screen, plus the interactive widgets that also came to the iPhone in this year's iOS 17 update. In addition, iPadOS 17 boasts some nice improvements to Stage Manager, a new tablet-sized Health app, significantly improved PDF support in Notes, and even a throwback wallpaper from the original iPad era.

Read more
Fujifilm’s new Instax Pal camera is fun, but pricey
Fujifilm's Instax Pal camera.

INSTAX Pal Promotional Video "Making small moments feel big"/FUJIFILM

Fujifilm has just unveiled the Instax Pal camera, a diminutive digital device targeted at teens who might want to print their pictures, too.

Read more
Do iPhone 14 cases fit the iPhone 15? There’s an interesting answer
Speck Presido2 cases for the iPhone 15.

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 series have identical display sizes, but there are slight variations in their total dimensions due to design changes. This has led to a common question of whether the cases designed for iPhone 14 would fit the iPhone 15 models. The answer to this question is not straightforward and depends on whether you are looking for a perfect or a reasonable fit.

The iPhone 15 series consists of four models, just like the iPhone 14 series. These are the 6.1-inch iPhone 15, 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus, 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro, and 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max. The prices of the iPhone 15 series are the same as the previous models, and they come with several improvements. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are made of titanium, while the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max have stainless steel bodies. Additionally, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus now have the Dynamic Island for the first time.

Read more