Why do we still have house keys?
I was walking inside my house last night and had a lot in my hands. I had to get my key out, stick it in the doorknob and turn it. I thought, "Oh, why couldn't I just have a key card like at work?"
That got me thinking some more. Why do we still use keys so much? They have to be cut just right, they're heavy, you have to put them in a slot and turn. Why NOT just have key cards (or similar) to get into your home, start your car, etc.?
Businesses have been using this technology for years! I'd love to have a card or device that I hold up to a pad and unlocks my house. It could even turn my lights on for me. The technology to do all sorts of great stuff is there, waiting. Why are we stuck using it only at work?
That got me thinking some more. Why do we still use keys so much? They have to be cut just right, they're heavy, you have to put them in a slot and turn. Why NOT just have key cards (or similar) to get into your home, start your car, etc.?
Businesses have been using this technology for years! I'd love to have a card or device that I hold up to a pad and unlocks my house. It could even turn my lights on for me. The technology to do all sorts of great stuff is there, waiting. Why are we stuck using it only at work?
Comments
I'd hate to have my locks inop simply because the electricity was out.
I'd also not want to have to remmeber to change the batteries in a lock-set on a regular basis.
??? And is it actually easier to fish a card out of your pocket/purse than a key ???
Originally posted by CosmoNut
I was walking inside my house last night and had a lot in my hands. I had to get my key out, stick it in the doorknob and turn it. I thought, "Oh, why couldn't I just have a key card like at work?"
FWIW, we have a radio controlled deadbolt. I have a little fob like you use for car unlocking these days. One button to lock, one button to unlock.
It came with the new house we bought. I thought it was a rather foolish luxury, but with an armload of groceries it's pretty handy to just push the button rather than negotiate the key/keyhole interface.
- Jasen.
Originally posted by KingOfSomewhereHot
Amazingly, keys still work when the electricity doesn't.
I'd hate to have my locks inop simply because the electricity was out.
I'd also not want to have to remmeber to change the batteries in a lock-set on a regular basis.
??? And is it actually easier to fish a card out of your pocket/purse than a key ???
There are very simple work-arounds for power going out, backup batteries being one of them. Anymore, batteries are efficient enough that you'd only have to change them once in a LONG while, especially if they're only backups.
And yes, using a key card is easier. I don't have to play a little game of target practice, having to get the key into the hole and turn the darn thing. I can rub my pocket up against the plate and the door is unlocked. Hell, I can get in 10-foot proximity of the door and it could unlock.
On the other hand, i think one thing that is preventing them from being very popular is fear. I am not one of them, but i can imagine that some people don't like the idea of easy access to their house being at the hands of a computer rather than a trusted pin-tumbler lock. Personally, the way i see it is a) i use a garage door opener which doesn't bother me at all and b) if someone really wants to get into my house, they will. Locks prevent the casual to semi-casual from just getting into the house. Professionals won't have a problem either way.
Now, with that being said, i have no desire to change my locks in favor of the electric and radio possibilities. I like the simplicity and the ability to make copies. I also don't see any real benefit for me. I do have the dead-bolt have a combination keypad too which is great for others who need to get it.
Originally posted by CosmoNut
There are very simple work-arounds for power going out, backup batteries being one of them. Anymore, batteries are efficient enough that you'd only have to change them once in a LONG while, especially if they're only backups.
Except during construction. I'm glad I only have to key one lock for all the trades -- a lock I can easily swap after the job is done.
Originally posted by CosmoNut
And yes, using a key card is easier. I don't have to play a little game of target practice, having to get the key into the hole and turn the darn thing. I can rub my pocket up against the plate and the door is unlocked. Hell, I can get in 10-foot proximity of the door and it could unlock.
Keycards are a PITA.
I get out of the car, keys in one hand, backpack or other random crap in the other, the last thing I need at 10:00 at night is to be fiddling with my wallet to get a card.
Originally posted by Timo
Except during construction. I'm glad I only have to key one lock for all the trades -- a lock I can easily swap after the job is done.
Listen, I'm not saying that key locks should disappear altogether! I'm just saying that with all the technology that's available, I'm amazed that we don't see more electronic lock saturation.
Originally posted by a_greer
Keycards are a PITA.
I get out of the car, keys in one hand, backpack or other random crap in the other, the last thing I need at 10:00 at night is to be fiddling with my wallet to get a card.
Well, I'd argue that your car shouldn't need a key anymore either. Some cars don't...though they are very expensive.
Late at night, I'd much rather pull out my wallet and swipe it against a pad than fumble in the dark with my keychain to find the right key, THEN get it into the keyhole, turn, and remove it.
For most applications, I really don't see how keys are more efficient than electronic locks.
Originally posted by CosmoNut
Listen, I'm not saying that key locks should disappear altogether! I'm just saying that with all the technology that's available, I'm amazed that we don't see more electronic lock saturation.
Most jobs aren't centered around the IT industry where card key access is a security measure.
Remember, 95% of all US businesses are small businesses.
K.I.S.S. Learn it. Live it. Love it.
Right solution for the proper problem.
"Help 911! I've bent my card key and I can't get into my house!"
"Call a cardsmith."
"Do you have any idea what they charge?"
"A hell of a lot more than a locksmith."
If this kind of "brainstorming" is what wins you over so be it.
A mechanical engineer doesn't contact civil engineer to discuss stress and strain, nor does he contact an electrical engineer about heat transfer, but he sure as hell wouldn't waste his time inventing a solution to replace a proven solution that is both efficient, cost effective and readily available.
Pick a room in your house with all of your sensitive equipment to have a cardkey access switch.
Then when the professional thief sees it he goes to your circuit breaker and bypasses the power, takes a sledge hammer to the door and cleans out your home.
The card keys would also really ruin it for politicians who like to give out keys to the city.
Here's the card to the city.
OOOOO. It says Visa on it. THANKS!
Originally posted by mdriftmeyer
Most jobs aren't centered around the IT industry where card key access is a security measure.
I work for an insurance company and all 7 floors are card key access only. If you go to the floor with the mainframe, then you need another card key plus the keypad combination.
Most of the skyscrapers in my city that I've been to require a card key to get beyond the elevator lobby.
I personally like the old fashioned tumbler lock. It's proven, reliable and doesn't require batteries.
Originally posted by PBG4 Dude
I work for an insurance company and all 7 floors are card key access only. If you go to the floor with the mainframe, then you need another card key plus the keypad combination.
Most of the skyscrapers in my city that I've been to require a card key to get beyond the elevator lobby.
I personally like the old fashioned tumbler lock. It's proven, reliable and doesn't require batteries.
Except that is very different than the original question. A business keycard system is very, very useful. A system such as the one you described, allow your employer to track you. Whether or not you like that is up to you.
i know at my dad's office, everybody has only thier one ID card which gets set for where you can go. For example, my dad can go anywhere he wants but his secretary could not go to the mainframe without him escorting her. He and his secretary can get into the Executive wing (which is good to have being an executive) but a regular employee can't
Originally posted by Jwink3101
Locks prevent the casual to semi-casual from just getting into the house. Professionals won't have a problem either way.
I find it scary how quickly some people can get past most house locks. It really isn't hard. Takes a couple seconds at worst. As fast as me using a key.
Originally posted by a_greer
Keycards are a PITA.
I get out of the car, keys in one hand, backpack or other random crap in the other, the last thing I need at 10:00 at night is to be fiddling with my wallet to get a card.
I used to keep a magnetic card on my keys so not an issue.
Originally posted by murk
This should cover all the bases: Fingerprint, code or key lock
If it works as well as the fingerprint readers at Disney and Universal Studios in Orlando then I think I'll pass -absolutely shocking! If your finger was moist at all then it couldn't read your print. That's a bit of a design failure when you consider how humid Florida is and it's propensity for thunderstorms.
One step further is to rig up pneumatic sliding doors a-la Star Trek.
Originally posted by Splinemodel
If you're really inclined to fix this situation, attach a 900MHz RFID tag onto your wallet and put a reader above the door.
So there is a need for RFID that doesn't entail the government tracking the every move of citizens!