The Tospom: A camera that plays catch

Clearly, some researchers at Japan's Okude Laboratory are having too much fun with their work.

Their latest invention, the Tospom, is a ball-shaped camera takes a picture of the receiver when he catches it. The rationale, according to its inventors, is to engage the photographer and his subject while snapping a picture and also to "draw out a more natural and relaxed expression from the subject."

While its Web site gave a demonstration of how to use the ball-cam, it didn't state how it worked. All we can figure out is that you can also hold a special bracelet over the ball to view old images. There is also no mention of image resolution or memory expansion slots.

The Tospom is being demonstrated at several research forum and international conferences. While it is not commercially available yet, we're can't wait: We're already clearing a section of the wall to pin up pictures of unsuspecting passers-by who will be on the receiving end.