Knock-operated door unlocker keeps you on the DL

Ripping a page straight from James Bond, enterprising hacker sprite_tm built this knock-activated door unlocker to help out a friend who wanted to keep his access to a room in his apartment building a secret. The system listens for a particular pattern of knocks speakeasy style and triggers a decidedly low-tech unlock mechanism when you enter the right knock-code -- it winds a rubber band around the lock handle. We're not certain if we buy the backstory here (what happens when the landlord sees a giant motor gaffer-taped to the inside of the door?) but the idea is pretty sweet, and we're even thinking of a mod to make the door scream "TWO BIIIIIIIITS" when we knock "Shave and a Haircut".

[Via Hack A Day]

[dreampc @ Jun 13th 2007 9:13AM]

and nobody would be able to hear, remember and duplicate that knock?

sheesh... keypad entry would be safer...

[Colin @ Jun 13th 2007 10:02AM]

If you read the page, he says the landlord can't be able to see any tampering from the outside... so keypad is out of the question.

Someone could duplicate it, yeah, but I don't think his intention was to create a highly secure door lock.

[jared @ Jun 13th 2007 9:21AM]

Pblblblblblbleeeeeze, Eddie!

[Mr. B @ Jun 13th 2007 10:34AM]

How long before this is avaliable on TV for the low low price of $19.95?

[blackfeather @ Jun 13th 2007 10:36AM]

Why not make a bluetooth door unlocker? Then it'd be 100% safe.

(sarcasm)

[strider_mt2k @ Jun 13th 2007 10:37AM]

With a peep hole in the door and the right group of friends you could have a knocker-operated door unlocker.

Perhaps more fun as well, under the proper circumstances.

[defiant @ Jun 13th 2007 3:05PM]

OR
you could rig a camera to the peep hole with some face recognizing software that would trigger the unlocker...

[McGinley @ Jun 13th 2007 1:54PM]

Have you ever seen face off?

[Gwas @ Jun 13th 2007 11:18AM]

No toon can resist...

[blackfeather @ Jun 13th 2007 11:21AM]

Except maybe this one: Knocking on doors gives him a headache:
http://www.engadget.com/gallery/winners-of-the-engadget-mascot-contest/273394/

[piz @ Jun 13th 2007 4:00PM]

umm.. And this dude wasnt growing pot, storing stolen goods or abducting people? Why else would he need the old... "Its not my place" "I am just visiting a friend.. see I dont even have a key! "

[GabrielDunn @ Jun 13th 2007 8:01PM]

I prefer my painting that talks back to me Harry Potter style.

Lemon Drops...open up please.

[RijilV @ Jun 13th 2007 9:20PM]

this is exactly what they make plug pullers for - pick the lock, pull the plug, measure the pins, cut a key. What happens when the landlord busts in on your terrorist looking bomb device?

just make yourself a key...

[Steven @ Jun 14th 2007 10:31AM]

Try and open that door when you're drunk..

[edo @ Jun 15th 2007 8:52AM]

why he need to be so ghetto? you can just buy this lock- same idea, professional implementation.
works with a car-remote like keypad device, that you press the correct code and put against the door and it emits a super fast knock that opens the door.
http://www.knocknlock.com/