BioKnob adds biometrics to doorknob

Sure there are plenty of biometric locks out there, but the BioKnob from Tychi Systems adds a twist that may make it a little easier to install: the biometric reader is built into the doorknob itself, rather than a separate mechanism, and fits into any door that can handle a normal doorknob with a latch. The knob can store up to 100 fingerprints, and can also log up to 1,000 entry attempts. The BioKnob is powered by a rechargeable battery that lasts for about 1,000 openings per charge.

[Guy Via @ Feb 1st 2006 1:53PM]

If they can make it charge through a connection in the metal thingy (sorry for using scientific words) in the door jam, this product might go over huge.

[Elrond Hobbert @ Feb 1st 2006 2:09PM]

Can it tell if the finger is still attached to its owner or has been sliced off by a robber?

[.overlord. @ Feb 1st 2006 2:16PM]

why not just have it charge itself with the moving of the handle? surely that generates some kind of electrical charge (or it could)

[Sirius @ Feb 1st 2006 2:17PM]

Murphy says that the batteries will run out when you're in a hurry don't have the time/tools to change it :)

[Ryan Dunn @ Feb 1st 2006 2:18PM]

And what happens when the battery has run dry? Ooops, sorry, you can't go into your house. Now my cellphone always runs dry and I can't even go home to get my other phone...

[keylessdepot.com @ Oct 18th 2006 1:33AM]

There is always a key to override when battery run dry. If you forget your key, there is actually a connector allowing you to plug in 9volts battery to make biometric locks to work. more information can be found from www.keylessdepot.com

[PodMonkeys @ Feb 1st 2006 2:19PM]

1000 openings doesn't seem like a whole lot. This definately wont be on a front door to an office. They should make one that runs on a lland line, with a data connection to a central server for centralized logging and administration.

Of course, its still not the most secure of systems, but could be good for internal office rooms.

[Reese @ Feb 1st 2006 2:29PM]

and if you happen to forget to charge the battery? Maybe they should make it so that it somehow charges when it is closed... but i guess that would no longer "make it a little easier to install"

[popeye @ Feb 1st 2006 2:31PM]

Why not make it look nice for a start, gawd that thing if fugly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[parrainsweb @ Feb 1st 2006 2:34PM]

A must ?

[airpolgas @ Feb 1st 2006 2:47PM]

it would be better if it were a lever instead of a knob, that way your thumb is actually resting on the sensor before you twist the thing down. And yes, it should be wired to the juice, and the baterry acts only as a backup.

[matt chanoff @ Feb 1st 2006 2:55PM]

The battery is supposed to last 3 years and have an advanced warning. That should be plenty, particularly for office applications.

I'd still like to see a key or keypad override for occasions when you want to let a visitor in, the battery does die, or the thing doesn't work for some reason. Otherwise, I like it a lot better than carrying a key-like token around, like they have on most new cars.

This would be great on cars, by the way - one on the door handle and another on the steering wheel. Get rid of the ignition switch alltogether.

[Nobuyuki Idei @ Feb 1st 2006 3:40PM]

What about people with no hands? You evil bastards!

[Pants McPherson @ Feb 1st 2006 4:15PM]

Heh, heh. BioKnob

[lol @ Feb 1st 2006 4:25PM]

BioKnob? I have prior art...that's what I call my pecker!

[Liam @ Feb 1st 2006 5:01PM]

Man, time to charge the door again...

[mardoen @ Feb 1st 2006 5:10PM]

This is a waste of everybody's time and money. Fingerprint-driven security is flawed, insecure, and won't be secure for a long while.

There is a lot of related research by the CCC in Berlin (mainly by Starbug), but I couldn't find good articles in English -- start searching at http://www.ccc.de/topics?language=en (in 2004 and 2005 they demonstrated how easy it is to circumvent these kinds of systems with minimum effort).

[Le_Pen @ Feb 1st 2006 6:16PM]

So it's insecured and flawed as opposed to say...a key?

[PhilJ @ Feb 1st 2006 7:13PM]

#17, Oh snap! Good call.

I'd still like to do the RFID-in-the-hand thing, but since there's those systems that kill RFID chips dead, that'd be a royal pain to have a dead chip in my hand for the rest of my life (and then some).

[kamet @ Feb 1st 2006 7:41PM]

haha, #17 has a good point

but I somewhat agree with #16 about justifying the cost for the increased security measure and increased inconvenience for the battery life, i mean, a keypad would be just as secure and less expensive, right?

[John @ Feb 2nd 2006 1:17PM]

Anyone else notice that this picture shows the scanner side is mounted on the INSIDE of the door (pay attention to the direction of the part that holds the door closed in the jam)?

[Arcsbite @ Feb 7th 2006 10:54AM]

i'd be person 1001

*sigh*

[saleh @ Feb 8th 2006 3:18PM]

Wireless Solutions S.A.Ltd is a licensed e-business, solutions provider, marketing of consumer products, information and transfer technology with commercial registration No.4030153251

We have found interest in your products to be marketed in Saudi Arabia. Need to know your comments on marketing and selling your BioKnob.

Saleh S.Al Matrafi / CEO

W.S Ksa Ltd

Tel: [phone]
00966 555 670 434
00966 567 122 132

www.ws-ksa.com
[e-mail]

[Product Reviews @ Sep 9th 2006 7:44PM]

Always thought keys were soooo 19th century, but the battery thing needs some creative thinking now...

[keylessdepot.com @ Oct 18th 2006 12:39PM]

You just need to pay attention that the key inserts are usually the front part of the locks. If you need to find out left-hand or right-hand. visit http://www.ca-tec.com/keyless-door-lock-faq.php to find out the link. The picture in here http://www.keylessdepot.com/shops/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=28&products_id=78 is a right-handed lock, cheers!

[keylessdepot.com @ Oct 23rd 2006 8:40PM]

The picture shows correct latch (jam position) if door swing away from you. John probably is referring to door locks that swing towards you. There are more images on http://www.keylessdepot.com/shops/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=36&products_id=81 which you may compare with if you are interested in finding about how fingerprint keyless locks going to workout.

Regards,

Art
KeylessDepot.com