So, did you hear the latest news surrounding toys that supposedly will be able to read brain waves? It's a few years down the road, but it's on the horizon nonetheless.

According to news reports, NeuroSky Inc. is hot on the trail in developing toys and video games that can read brain waves. One of the prototyes making the rounds at NeuroSky is a Darth Vader getup complete with mask, cape and lightsaber. However, behind the mask is a sensor that touches the person's forehead and reads that person's brain signals. These signals are then sent to a wireless receiver on the lightsaber, which glows or stays dormant depending on the user's thoughts. So I guess if you're thinking about taking down Darth Maul, it stays lit. However, if an ice cream sundae is on the brain, good luck protecting yourself against Stormtroopers.

This brain-reading technology has been used on athletes for quite a while. Apparently, this helps people maintain mental focus, and the idea with incorporating it into toys and games is to help those afflicted with hyperactivity disorder, autism and mood disorders. One of the first toy-related products using this technology is expected to debut in the U.S. at the American International Fall Toy Show in October.

Well, I've always been hesitant against people knowing what I'm thinking, but this could be rather fun. Many people have questioned my attention span, but now I can see the results for myself. While I'd rather there be a better way to improve mental focus than by playing games, if this can indeed offer some relief to those suffering from disorders, I'm all for it.

I'll be real interested to see how these technological wonders will work. I could be a test person. If I can keep my lightsaber lit up all day while at work, does that reflect my superior mental focus or the fact that I'll do anything to avoid any actual work? I suppose this is just the tip of the technological iceberg in toys and games. I just wonder when the teleporter will be ready.