I would like to see a device that can triangulate the location of an activated cell phone and cast a spot light on that person. This could be used as a deterent to people to bringing in cell phones to the theatre. No worries about infringing on peoples right to be connected, but you must deal with the popcorn assault you will receive when you don't turn the bugger off. Would like to see the same thing for laser pointers, perhaps we could use a laser of our own for that one instead of a spot light.
-- TBK, Nov 10 2002

Theater sniper http://www.halfbake...ea/Theater_20sniper
Puts the *Pop* in Popcorn [thumbwax, Oct 04 2004]

variation on a theme http://www.halfbake...lphone_20flashlight
Where I hoped this Idea was going [senatorjam, Oct 04 2004]

Yes. The technology is there; a small spotlight on a video camera tilt/pan head, and a few microphones to triangulate the sound source.

We make an announcement before every performance and we have signs up everywhere and people still either forget or don't bother. Disgusting.
-- 8th of 7, Nov 11 2002


No need for triangulation. Have a separate receiver imbedded in each seat, coupled with a light. Let the current supplied to the light be proportional to the power of signal received in the uplink band of the mobile phone transmission spectra.

Therefore, if your phone is on your seat will be lit (and the adjacent ones as well - but not to the same extent).

Or... instead of light bulb, electric shock in the seat. If your arse starts to tingle, someone has a phone on next to you (and their tingle will be more painful than yours).
-- Jinbish, Nov 11 2002


Do I detect a rant caused by inadvertent phone-itude in a local entertainment centre manned by thespians?
-- PeterSilly, Nov 11 2002


I disagree with the m-f-d. I don't care for blatant cell phone rants but I don't think this is one of them. There's an invention here and it's a reasonably clever one.

I think that just a single vari-light with the appropriate triangulation and control system could work.
-- bristolz, Nov 11 2002


I too wish to dispute the [m-f-d]. The style of the idea is reasoned and objective and addresses a genuine problem. It is not a punish-all-who-do-X rant, it is an identify-all-those-who-disturb-the-pleasure-of-other-paying-customers suggestion. There is no suggestion of punishment, only mild public humiliation.

Once we know who the b*st*rds are, then we can punish them later, round the back of the theatre in a dark corner of the car park, with chair legs and baseball bats.
-- 8th of 7, Nov 11 2002


Okay, another argument: the light merely is there to help the the cell phone user to better see the "off" button on his or her phone. In this way it is actually of benefit to the cell user. Quite the opposite of a punish rant.
-- bristolz, Nov 11 2002


SMASH, BURN, KILL THE CELLPHONE USER!!!!

(Sorry, too much coffee today)
-- Mayfly, Nov 11 2002


What happens when a phone rings in the movie?
-- BunsenHoneydew, Jan 03 2004



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