You push the button, and get prompted to speak into the mic stating your name and business. It then plays back to the person what they said and says "Are you ready to announce yourself with this message?" Push yes, and the speaking doorbell says: (recording) "Joe the Plumber" (doorbell voice) is at the door (recording) "I'm here to fix the water heater".
The door announcement system would have a contact mic on the door that would sense when somebody knocked and tell them to record and send their name and business announcement.
Of course friends would have great fun with this system "Doug" is at the front door "To kick your ass for not having a regular doorbell like everybody else."
This is an improvement over the current intercom style systems where the homeowner has to get involved by announcing to the person at the door that they're home. This way it's just like a phone with caller id. Answer it or don't. No need to get involved beyond that.
A much simpler version would just be an array of 9 or so buttons each with a title of who you are. Friend, salesman, neighbor, delivery person, etc. Push "Friend" and the voice says "There's a friend at the front door". Of course keep in mind this system is pretty easy to hack. If you're a robber just push the friend button. Standard verification protocols remain obviously.-- doctorremulac3, Apr 16 2015 Gentleman Caller ID Gentleman_20Caller_20ID [theircompetitor, Apr 16 2015] Surely this is what butlers are for?-- MaxwellBuchanan, Apr 16 2015 Hmm. "Door Butler" announcement system.
Me likey.-- doctorremulac3, Apr 16 2015 Would make for much better pranks by the neighborhood punks than just ringing and running.-- the porpoise, Apr 16 2015 This isn't going to get you out of handing out candy on Halloween you know?-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Apr 16 2015 Not just voice recognition but fingerprint recognition is possible too - although widely baked.-- AusCan531, Apr 16 2015 <Jack Nicholson>
"Little pigs, little pigs, let me come in !"
</Jack Nicholson>-- 8th of 7, Apr 17 2015 //This isn't going to get you out of handing out candy on Halloween you know?//
Well, there you go, another button idea. "Trick or treat".
Which would be very scary on any day other than Halloween. I would highly suggest not opening the door.
//"Little pigs, little pigs, let me come in !"//
Of course, there would be a second button right next to that that you'd push if nobody answered the door, which again, would be a very bad idea for the occupant.-- doctorremulac3, Apr 17 2015 [MaxwellBuchanan] I don't know about your household, but that's my footman's job-- Dub, Apr 19 2015 How do you manage with just the one footman?-- MaxwellBuchanan, Apr 19 2015 random, halfbakery