Control systems – Ear Switch: a device to control the iPod through facial movements

 9 Mar 2009 - By Omar Mariño+
 omar@myddnetwork.com


Sticking out the tongue, smiling, raising an eyebrow, or winking an eye is now enough to control the iPod, the famous Apple music player. According to some reports, the music player can be controlled through  facial movements by using a new device or gadget created in Japan. This device was named “Ear Switch”.


Control systems - Ear Switch: a device to control the iPod through facial movements


According to the website Physorg.com, the innovative product looks like a normal set of average earphones, but it is equipped with small infrared sensors that allow to detect ear movements that are caused by other facial movements.

This way, the users only would need to make a facial gesture in order to play a different song on their iPods (for example). This is possible thanks to a micro-computer that is able to control electronic devices in a wireless mode, so it can potentially be a hands-free remote control for many other cases as well. For instance, you would be able to turn on room lights or swing your washing machine into action with a quick twitch of your mouth.

The inventor of this gadget is Kazuhiro Taniguchi of Osaka University in Japan. He explained that it is possible to play or pause a song when a person sticks out the tongue or with the eyebrow movements, the same person would be able to skip to the next tune and if this person winks the right eye, then the previous song would be played again.




3 Responses to “Control systems – Ear Switch: a device to control the iPod through facial movements”
jordy says:
March 10th, 2009 at 3:19 pm

these head phonesz are hot how much do they cost and when do they come out???????

email me at DrSzDoPeKiD7@aol.com i’llo be waiting for your respondsz

omarinho says:
March 10th, 2009 at 10:55 pm

Jordy,

Thanks for your comment.

The “Ear Switch” is a conceptual device and no price or launch date have been announced officially.

Shadow says:
March 17th, 2010 at 8:52 am

it will be annoying for the song keep on changing if we only wink



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