I hate it that a doorbell is always one volume. Even if you want to politely inquire "is anybody home?" you still get the same BUZZ! And you're equally stymied by a quiet doorbell if you really mean "get the heck out here, your dog pooped on my lawn again!"

The product is a simple, pressure-sensitive button for your doorbell. The force of the press translates in to the volume of the ring.
-- drzeus, May 24 2007

Just carry a klaxon when you go visiting.
-- DrCurry, May 24 2007


How will the presser know how hard to press?

I think normally the presser gets feedback in the form of the switch reaching its travel limit. If this works like that, the occupants of the home will need earplugs.
-- half, May 25 2007


//How will the presser know how hard to press?// Feedback could be in the form of electric current. [+]
-- nuclear hobo, May 25 2007


how about putting a few buttons with illustrations as to what volume you want the house owner to hear?

Press 1 for Loudest Press 5 for Softest
-- hangman, May 25 2007


This is good - almost. I foresee a problem, with salesmen and RSPCA representatives wanting your money using the loudest ring as default: "get the heck out here, to hear about these fantastic cable TV, telephone and broadband bundle offers again!"

No thanks.

I get the feeling that those that used the quieter settings would be those that you least minded demanding your attention in the first place - and vice-versa.
-- TheLightsAreOnBut, May 25 2007


I think this presents the same quandary as the car horn. Usually, if you are really mad you lay on the horn for a long time, it would be the same with a doorbell...or pressing it many times over in a row.
-- xandram, May 25 2007


My in-laws have this horrid buzzer thingy like you'd expect to be used at the back alley door entrance to a butcher shop or something. I can assure you that a prolonged press of their doorbell button will have the effect intended by this idea.

Maybe the answer to the user interface is not pressure, but duration. Hold down the button and when it's released, the sound will be proportional to how long you held the button down. This would keep someone from ringing loudly many times in quick succession.
-- half, May 25 2007


I like the duration-based approach, that'd be very effective for the homeowner. A little non-obvious for the user, though.
-- drzeus, May 25 2007



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