Sharp's camera that zooms via squinting

Not sure when they might be commercializing this, but Sharp says they've built a prototype of a camera that lets you zoom just by partially closing your eyelid (this is different from eye-controlled auto-focus, which has been around for ages). How does it work? By placing a small optical sensor right below the viewfinder which measures how much of the white of your eye is visible and then adjusting accordingly (sounds like you have to squint all the way to maximum zoom before the lens will zoom out again). Apparently merely using your fingers, which are presumably already holding the camera, to hit the zoom button was enough of an annoyance for Sharp to dedicate some R&D dollars to this, but we'll take off the snarky hat for a moment (just a moment) and note that something like this could potentially be useful for the disabled and/or turn up in wearable cameras and displays.

[Rkmase @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

Like I need bigger crow's feet.

[All Music Site @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

Imagine that with a camera that record everything you see....

[dramjo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

WARNING: Should not be used if you suffer from blepherospasm, on botox, or if you can't say "cheese" while squinting ...

[Spence @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

I think this may be really cool. Most home video cameras have very crummy zoom controls. Consumers find it difficult to slowly push or pull while handling the camera.

If instead someone can "slowly" squint and achieve a slow push/pull I think its great!
!

[weasel ball @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

Yes, but how will Gilbert Gottfried take pictures now? How?

[jake @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

this sounds like it'd be way more annoying than useful...

or maybe I'm just one of those weird people that like a bit more dissociation between me and my technology.

[austinkennethlee @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

dude, i'm asian. is this still gonna work?

[VK @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

#6
I was just thinking that.
-_-

[AlanAudio @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

Does New Scientist ( who published this story ) have a track record for April Fool's pranks ?

[Phil @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

Sounds annoying. To activate it you have to close your eye longer than it takes to blink.

Also, I don't know anyone who still uses the viewfinder when taking pictures. I like using the LCD screen.

[Brendon Chrus @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

im a pothead is it still going to work?