From: CSBVAX::CSBVAX::MRGATE::"SMTP::PYRITE.RUTGERS.EDU::SECURITY" 16-MAR-1989 22:31 To: MRGATE::"ARISIA::EVERHART" Subj: Re: Simplex locks Sender: security@pyrite.rutgers.edu Date: Thu, 9 Mar 89 00:29:28 EST From: deh@eng.umd.edu Subject: Re: Simplex locks To: nichols@cbnewsc.att.com Cc: security@pyrite.rutgers.edu The number of combinations can be cut down quite a bit by spraying or dusting the button tops with an organic dye (or whatever) that will display pretty colors when illuminated with UV light. I always prefered a coupld of strange organic dyes used in dye lasers, but they are expensive, and a lot of comon household things work just as well (the proof is left as an exercise for the reader). For a portable UV light source, you can get fancy, but I like the little EPROM eraser lights. Small, portable, and intense. A battery powerd device would be better of course if 120VAC is not available in the target area. In any case, the buttons without powder left on them are the ones that you want to play with. This works great in elevators that have button code systems in them for after hours use. The MIT Media Lab is a good example of such a facility (I wonder if they still glow over there?). Doug