Smart Contact Lens Power Maintenance Through Eye-Motion Induction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Smart contact lenses require efficient power management to sustain operations, particularly in augmented reality applications, as existing systems struggle to maintain optimal power levels due to varying user activities and environmental factors.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that monitors power levels and predicts future needs by analyzing historical data and user activities, initiating relative motion between induction coils and environmental magnetic fields to generate power through electromotive force, using prompts and augmented reality displays to guide user exercises.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If a power storage module and power generation system are included in smart contact lenses, then the lens can sustain operations for longer periods, but the device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational durationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The smart contact lens system generates its own power through user-driven eye movements that induce current in the induction coil, eliminating the need for external charging and reducing reliance on complex power storage modules. The system serves itself by converting natural user activity into electrical power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical power sources (batteries, motors) with an electromagnetic induction system that generates power through eye movement-induced magnetic field changes. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining operational duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Power

If the induction coil is moved within a magnetic field to generate power, then electrical power is produced, but user fatigue and strain increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical power generationVSAvoiduser fatigue
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses natural, partial eye movements that occur during normal viewing activities rather than requiring excessive or deliberate exercise movements. This approach generates sufficient power without causing user fatigue by utilizing incidental eye motions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The power generation system leverages the user's natural eye movements during normal visual tasks to generate power, rather than requiring the user to perform additional exercises. The system converts existing physiological activity into useful power without imposing extra burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If power levels are maintained through continuous power generation, then operational reliability is improved, but energy efficiency decreases due to constant motion requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower level stabilityVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system accumulates power during periods when eye movements occur (such as during normal visual exploration) and maintains power levels during periods of relative stability. This periodic charging approach improves energy efficiency by generating power only when natural movements occur rather than requiring continuous motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively maintains power levels by dynamically generating power based on user activity trends, reducing fatigue and strain while ensuring continuous functionality of smart contact lenses.

Implementation Method 1

The power generation system may include an induction coil which will generate electrical power when moved within a magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The conductive coils can inductively couple to the electronic contact lens by producing magnetic fields that the electronic contact lens can convert into power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field generation: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentEP4275262B1Maintaining smart contact lens power levels
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • EP4275262B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4275262B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4275262B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Maintaining a smart contact lens power level by receiving smart contact lens power level data, determining a smart contact lens power level need according to the power level data, and instigating relative motion between a smart contact lens induction coil and a static magnetic field to meet the smart contact lens power level need.