Why fumble around looking for the right key to open the door?
A 'keyless' lock with a metal contact point. When touched, it sends a super-low voltage electric signal through the finger. This voltage is picked up by electronics built into a watch. The electrical signal contains the lock's key code. The watch has several key codes and unlock data for different locks that have been programmed by the owner. The watch then produces the code response as a low-voltage reply back through the finger (this all happens in less than a second) and the door unlocks. The 'watch' should be able to contain additional electronics to allow it be used as a timepiece. Unless the watch itself is stolen, it would be more secure than the fingerprint locks.
Note: will work with any exposed body part - elbow, nose, etc...-- Cedar Park, Aug 11 2010 1-Wire http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1-WireWidely known to exist [8th of 7, Aug 11 2010] human area network http://news.cnet.co..._105-9937828-1.htmlUsing skin to create a human area network [xaviergisz, Aug 13 2010] .....so, it's not "keyless". The key just looks like a watch.-- hippo, Aug 11 2010 Most of the technology for this is already available.
RFID would work just as well.
<link>-- 8th of 7, Aug 11 2010 so... RFID watch ?-- FlyingToaster, Aug 11 2010 Not RFID. This could be used for situations where you want to open a particular lock in close quarters. I am thinking about lockers, automobiles and other situations where you don't want to just be near, you will want to touch the exact lock you want to open.
[Ian], the wrist watch is named after the watchmen, people who would call out the time in a town square. The mechanized replacement of this job was still called a 'watch'.-- Cedar Park, Aug 12 2010 [8th], the 1-wire technology looks like the protocol, however this system uses a fob with its own metal contact. I propose a system that is tuned to communicate through low-voltage signals along human skin.-- Cedar Park, Aug 12 2010 [Ian] No, no, no, the term "wristwatch" derives from early handheld timepieces being novelty items designed to humourously resemble female genitalia; "risible" or "wrisibal" (OE from OHG), giving us "wris-", and "twatish" or "-twatch" from OHG and Flemish roots.-- hippo, Aug 12 2010 Unless she were Brazilian.-- hippo, Aug 12 2010 Would they keep it in a fanny-pack?-- pocmloc, Aug 12 2010 [+] for hippo-- FlyingToaster, Aug 12 2010 I was thinking about this idea some more, and though it could also be used in factories as secure switches to turn on machinery. The worker is given 'clearance' for certain operations, and others are 'locked out'. Just don't forget your watch at home...-- Cedar Park, Aug 13 2010 random, halfbakery