Making faces to control electronics

Facial expressions from winking to sticking out one's tongue, using a new invention, can control electronic devices such as an iPod.

The Japanese inventor of the "Mimi Switch" or "Ear Switch", can make faces to change music on his iPod, with help from the headphone-like device containing tiny optical sensors that pick up subtle muscles movements in the ear canal, and translates the readings to electronic signals that play, stop or skip the music.

He says the device has potential to be used as a hands-free remote control for any electronic appliances in the near future and could also provide help for the elderly and people with disabilities.

He is currently looking for business partners to turn his invention into a commercial product.

(SOUNBITE) (Japanese) PH.D KAZUHIRO TANIGUCHI, GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING SCIENCE, OSAKA UNIVERSITY: "We designed this device, keeping Japan's increasingly aging population in mind. We wanted to make a device by which, even if you're not able to move your body freely, you can still control machines."