Carrying a bunch of keys in your trouser pockets could soon be a thing of the past if a fresh patent filed by Apple is anything to go by.
In the patent application, Apple has described a technology that can replace conventional locks with electronic alternatives that can be opened via your iPhone.
Dubbed the iKey, the technology would let any of the portable electronic devices like the iPhone, iPod or possibly even the iPad to replace your key. The technology would require the user to pair up their iPhone with the electronic lock on their front door or car. To open the lock, the user has to enter a unique PIN code on the iPhone and wave the device across an electronic pad on the door. If the encrypted data from the iPhone matches with the stored password, the door shall open. Otherwise, the electronic system may send notifications to the owner alerting them of an attempt to open the door.
To be fair, an electronic lock based technology is not exactly new and is already available in the market. Apple's patent application merely describes a technology to use motion detection to generate an input. However, Apple's invention may pave the way for a future where people may no longer be constrained by the need to manage several physical keys and may replace them with just their handset.
Incidentally, the iKey technology also sheds light on an earlier Apple invention that pertained to the use of Near Field Communications technology like RFID on the iPhone. As the recently filed patent notes, the communication between the iPhone and the electronic pad lock happens via NFC technology.
An iKey on the iPhone can be a revolutionary move forward for consumer security systems. Do you want an iKey to replace your physical keys? Let us know in the comments.
[via The Telegraph]
hey,
I don't think this is a good idea because imagine your battery is empty , how do you open your door , you are locked outside …. and if you lose your iphone your s****ed … or even if you want to sell it , you will have to clean it up carefully and everything … its innovating but there would be too much problems.
I hope to see other comments to have deferent points of vue
I agree that if it gets stolen or the battery dies, it would suck. but the locks can possibly have built in chargers to give your phone some juice to open the door, and people run the risk of losing physical keys, too- you just have to be careful
All they're doing is cashing in on possible future technology
Non-issues. You never design a lock that can only be unlocked wirelessly – you always have a backup method, either a key, or a numeric keypad (preferably both, in case the lock loses power).
You should always wipe your phone before selling it anyway – you already have personal information on it. Best to have a remote solution as well in case the phone is lost or stolen. iLocalis for jailbroken phones, or MobileMe for those too timid for jailbreaking.
That's My thoughts also, Apple are just forward thinking of upcoming ideas and banking them so other companies cant use it without a license from Apple. I don't like this behavior I think it slows progress down.
This is pointless. I will still need my keys in my hand to start my truck. Using my phone would take more time and be a pain. Why would I get my phone out, find the app, enter a password, do some waving motion, then put the phone back in my pocket, and then have to get my keys out to start it when I can just hit the unlock button on my Viper remote attached to my keys that I am already getting out to start my truck.
I love my iPhone but this is getting ridiculous. I think the ultimate goal of Steve Jobs is for our iPhones to never leave our hands.
It has its pros and cons like anything else out there. Its cool if your in a situation were you forget your keyes you have your phone as back up so you avoid calling AAA. But like some people here said if you lost your keyes and your phone is dead then good luck.
na man..like it says…they already have this tech. surely all the luxury auto makers offer this, or something similar. Even MAZDA (3 years ago) had something like this…but better. No need to type in a password. You just carried around a computer chip (the size of a credit card but slightly thicker) that would easily fit in your wallet. Then whenever the chip gets within 5 feet or so of your car, it would automatically unlock..you can just open the door, start the engine (push button, no key needed) then when you walk away, you don't even have to lock your doors, Once the chip moves beyond the 5 or so feet, the doors automatically lock.