'Secret Knock' Door Lock defends home from rhythmically-impaired perps (video)
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted Nov 4th 2009 8:14PM
posted Nov 4th 2009 8:14PM
The Arduino board has been the engine of many wild and wacky projects over the years, from bakery tweeting to various musical instruments. For its next trick, our man Steve Hoefer has taken his microcontroller and, along with a piezoelectric speaker, a gear reduction motor, and some PVC pipe, programmed it to listen for a preset sequence of knocks -- a secret knock, if you will -- and unlock the deadbolt upon hearing the right combination. Although this might not be the security system you want to put in place for your home, this definitely looks like a fun weekend project. Check out the read link for instructions and schematics, but not before you see the video of the thing in action. It's after the break.
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Awesome
You said it, man. THIS is innovation. Seriously
and everyone else is all wacky over multitouch...
It will be henceforth known as:
Knock Lock (tm)
oh, how i love Arduino!
I got back from work and found my door all knocked up.
I'm a door, and the 'Secret Knock' Door Lock was my idea.
hahaha. Took me a second to get the reference.
This looks fun although if someone hears it once your secret stash is pretty much compromised.
Knock knock who's there jokes goes here ...
this is why i love arduino; its like a festivus for the rest of us
I see what you did there...
alright keys im happy for ya and im gonna let you finish, but secret knock detecting lock had one of the best door unlockers of all time
engadget ban this person plz... im very offended
Get over it.
i'm kinda tired of that joke, but seriously, using that word, ESPECIALLY in that context, is NOT ok.
Want
It brings new meaning to port knocking.
When I first saw the three feet, I thought it detects the location of the knocks. Like an invisible numpad.
Now that would be awesome
Love that project.
What if you lose your arms, and after being in the hospital for six weeks come home to this? Guess you can always bang your head against the door.
If you lost your arms I think trying to knock on the door would be the least of your worries. Let alone how the hell would you unlock your door with keys with no arms?
"Special" agent, indeed.
My giant dong opens any door.
If by 'door' you mean your boyfriends pants, then yes.
Hrm.. gays are normally pretty tolerant about jokes, but they might actually find you putting him in their category (even for a laugh) offensive.
also: giant in internet inches = 2cm. you can't knock with an innie, stupid.
Incredible idea, unless there is a woodpecker in your back yard.
I can't wait for the Ministry of Silly Walks theft deterrent system...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqhlQfXUk7w
Wait, so that one knock is called "shave and haircut"? really? alright, something I didn't know there.
You haven't seen Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
the words go:
shave.and-a-hair.cut.....two.bits
oh man, its been a very long time since I have seen that movie. I wouldn't remember.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shave_and_a_Haircut
Best DIY gadget ever!
I have a clapper version of this device.
This is a must for that secret panel in your wall where you don't want handles to show! genius!
ahh man, i was thinking the same thing!
Exactly my thought too!
FBI knocking on your door? No problem. Run to secret wall, knock, knock-knock, knock, and *bam* wall opens to your secret hideaway.
I'm surprised nobody commented on how you can't get in the door if your battery runs out. :)
You can still use the key.
Yes, I'm assuming the motor will turn without damage if the battery fails, allowing you just to use the good ol' tumbler device :P
Don't use the Terminator theme. It's too catchy. *tap,tap...TAP...tap,tap*
So, everytime you bring someone home, you have to say "wait a minute, put on your earmuffs and close your eyes" so you can unlock your door? Brilliant.
This one is inferior to the real one...the real one you can "enter" as many digits before you start to enter the real code, so you can enter 100 'digits' before entering the up to 6 digit code. Or just enough to confuse anyone who might be listening.
Ahhh! endless jokes about drummers spring to mind!
Man...this kills my idea of a Laser that kills people that don't get the combo right.
I guess I got Kanye'd.
http://www.nokey.com/knocknoctoac.html
Knock locks have been available for over 7 years now (that's just the time I vaguely remember considering one anyway)......just need an electronic strike.
Is this news?
You must be new.
lol@ dzi. so true.
Metro: I agree - This would make a great secret entrance to a top secret secret lair/lab!
I dont know about for the front door of my apartment, but maybe for like bedroom or something like that lol.
Yeah, I'm sure you have a problem with all the people trying to get into your bedroom.