The camera, which has been developed by Microsoft and can be pinned onto clothing, will automatically photograph each new person or surrounding that comes into contact with the user. Using infra-red sensors, the new Sensecam will document the wearer's entire day without them ever having to manually take a photo.

Researchers at Dublin City University (DCU) are working in conjunction with Microsoft to develop software which will reduce the number of photographs the user is left with at the end of each day. As it stands, the camera will take up to 3,000 photographs per day, but by developing software to reduce duplication and unwanted photographs, it is hoped this number can be brought down to something more manageable.

"We are working on reducing the number of photographs so as you just get a summary of your day, " said Prof Alan Smeaton of DCU.

"It will be able to compare photos and take out the ones that are different. It will also have a database of faces, so you won't get a hundred pictures of the same person sitting in front of you."

While the technology would be a boon to snapshotloving holidaymakers, it is also hoped that it may become a memory aid for sufferers of Alzheimer's or other memory-loss conditions.

The micro-camera, which produces digital images of similar quality to those currently produced by high-quality mobile phones, is activated by the movement and activity of the wearer, and also contains a light sensor which alerts the camera to a change of location.

"The user has to be sitting still for the camera to work, " explains Smeaton. "If somebody sits in front of the user, for example, the camera will take a photograph. When the user moves into a different room, the light sensor will recognise this and the camera will take another photograph."

At the end of each day, the camera can be plugged into a computer, where software being developed by DCU will analyse the pictures in order to isolate the day's 'highlights'.

DCU has just signed a 12month research deal with Microsoft to produce the software, after which time it is hoped the company will launch the product for sale.