Decoding tumbler locks

摘要

In order to determine the particular cut possessed by a tumbler of a mechanical lock, the tumbler is stimulated with mechanical energy. The vibrational response of the tumbler is detected, and the detected response is used in determining which of the possible cuts the tumbler possesses. The cut of a lock tumbler is defined by its shape and/or size. For example, in the case of a pin tumbler lock, the cut of a pin is defined by its length. Different cuts of tumbler will therefore exhibit different vibrational responses to stimulation by mechanical energy, and these different vibrational responses can be used to determine which cut the tumbler possesses, for example by comparing with the vibrational responses of real or modeled tumblers with known cuts. The tumbler may be stimulated by an impulse of mechanical energy, and, after stimulating the tumbler, the vibrational response of the tumbler may be detected over a period of time.

主权项

1. A method of determining a particular cut possessed by a tumbler of a mechanical lock, the particular cut being one of a plurality of possible cuts, the method comprising the steps of:
stimulating the tumbler by an impulse of mechanical energy; detecting, over a period of time, the vibrational response of the tumbler to the stimulation; and processing the detected response in determining which cut of the plurality of possible cuts the tumbler possesses.