Infrared sensor controls the device with facial features

A tiny remote-controlled Japanese-styled remote control device can help users pause the iPod by ... sticking out their tongue or switching to another song with their eyes open.

Device lets the user smile to open the song, sticking out the tongue to stop the iPod. Picture: Physorg.

The Mini Switch or Ear Switch tool looks like a regular headphone, but has infrared sensors that track tiny movements in the ear created from facial expressions.

"Users can turn on a room light or turn on the washing machine with a movement of their mouth," said Kazuhiro Taniguchi, who created the product from Osaka University. "Equipment can be programmed to recognize different facial expressions."

Mimi Switch also recognizes data to "understand" the user, for example, if they do not laugh enough "fresh", it will announce with a funny song. While many see this as a way to relax with the music player, Taniguchi says the technology can be applied to many areas such as helping people with disabilities, examining the diet of the elderly, fat people and sending Notify if abnormal.