Hi,
[Amusing that we tend to call the *button* and the *annunciator* "The Doorbell"! :-/ ]Anyway...
I'm looking for an unusual idea as to how to implement the "button" portion of a (home) "doorbell". I.e., the interface that is presented to the *visitor*.
Note that this need not be electronic. Or, could be some perversion of an electronic adaptation of a *mechanical* device.
Goal is to "mess with the heads" of (first-time) callers (I expect folks who visit often to quickly understand the mechanism).
Note that actually *knowing* that a visitor is "at the door" is not an issue -- I can do that a number of different ways. What I am actually interested in is how the *visitor* thinks he has to signal his presence.
The sorts of things I've been exploring:
- a "knocker" that is not movable (no "hinge")
- a knocker that is hinged at the *bottom*
- a knocker that "fights back"
- a knocker that "makes no noise"
- a knocker that FALLS OFF when actuated
- a "button" that you *pull* (Addam's Family)
- a button that isn't "pushable"
- a *group* of buttons ("which one do I press??")
- a numeric keypad ("what do I *type*??")
- a telephone *dial* ("WTF??")
- a coin slot (or dollar bill validator! :> )
- a big red "HAL" eye
- "In case of Emergency, break glass" (with LEXAN :> )
etc. (I've heard some REALLY off-the-wall ideas that I won't even mention, here :> )
[Remember, I am not interested in how you would *sense* the visitor's action -- that's typically easy]I.e., the point is to force first-time visitors (e.g., solicitors) to pause and have to think about how to proceed -- set them back on their heels, momentarily. ("regulars" won't think twice about any scheme I come up with AFTER their first encounter)
So, how would you "confound" someone interacting with your door for the first time?