Explore technology innovation and intelligence for IoT (Internet of Things) based eyewear technology

Advances in wireless Internet and mobile communications devices have driven significant development in the Internet of Things (IoT), bringing a stream of innovative technologies and services. This study explores the technology innovation and intelligence for IoT (internet of things) based eyewear technology. This study proposes a two-stage patent analysis based on the quality function development (QFD) method which adopts customer requirement and technology viewpoints to explore key technologies. This methodology can recognize the specific technologies with development potential in the eyewear industry, and identify holders of key relevant patents. This study finds that consumers value functions including motion tracking, reminders, eye state detection, and non-eye disease detection. Key technologies with development potential for satisfying customer demand include eyewear, communications protocols, and sensors. Thus, embedding micron-scale sensors directly into contact lenses to monitor user physiological data can satisfy customer demand and is considered as emerging technology in the smart eyewear industry. Furthermore, patent portfolios of these technologies vary among different countries and regions, with the US and EU focusing on eye tracking, motion tracking, and identity verification, while China focuses on eye fatigue detection, distance measurement, and wireless frequency technologies. Visualizations of overall research results can benefit eyewear-related patent holders, eyewear manufacturers and smart wearable manufacturers to build their patent portfolio strategies on the basis of regional or country considerations.