Headphones, including in-ear ones, should have a little LED in the middle that lights up to indicate sound levels. That way, I can tell if my colleage is really listening to music, or just has the headphones on and can hear every dumb word I'm saying.

As an added extra, they could respond better to low sound, and so pulse with the beat of my music.

This would also be useful with handsfree kits - you can see from the flickering light that they really are talking to somebody, not just themselves.
-- sadie, Apr 29 2002

Perhaps they could show EEG activity as well. You could tell whether said colleague has _anything_ going on.
-- bristolz, Apr 29 2002


What's to stop people having fake flashing lights so it just looks like they're listening to music? This idea's dumb. If people ignore you, there may be a reason.
-- pottedstu, Apr 29 2002


"Are you talking to me? Are you talking to me? I don’t see anyone else here."

I’ve gotten used to people at work or on the street who seem to talk to themselves in a loud voice, but when they approach looking straight at me or with dark glasses, it would be nice to know if they’re addressing me or using their cell. A blinking, orange, diode lamp or small red flag would do to show brain-busy and might warn motorists as well.
-- FarmerJohn, Jun 18 2002


3-colour LED traffic lights:

Green: Data Terminal Ready

Orange/Yellow: Interrupts enabled, but expect slow system response.

Red: On A Call/Go AWAY !
-- 8th of 7, Jun 18 2002


Sadie, as an old friend, trust me: he's ignoring you.. ;op
-- yamahito, Jun 18 2002


I like this idea because a lot of the people I work with are often on calls. Sometimes I start talking to them because I don't realize they are on a call. This would prevent that.... great idea!
-- flynn, Jan 02 2007



halfbakery