Finger print readers

[patrickl@xxxxxxx]

>From t day's evening standard (www.thisislondon.co.uk)
A house with fingerprint readers. The original article has a nice=20
picture too...

Patrick

Feel free t  dump your keys

by Harriet Arkell
The first home you cannot lock yourself out of has just gone on the=20
market at one of the most exclusive addresses in London. Whoever=20
comes up with the =A32.3million needed to buy 36F Eaton Square will be=20
presented not with a bunch of keys but a request t  have their=20
fingerprints taken.=20=20
=20
Key and easy: The flat in Eaton Square is the first in Europe t =20
dispense with keys
=20=20
Instead of turning a key in a lock, the owner will have t  put their=20
finger above a security sensor which, when it recognises the print,=20
will unlock the door and let them in.=20

The flat is being marketed by London property developer brothers Nick=20
and Chris Candy, who believe it is the first home in Europe t  have=20
such a system. In the US, Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates and=20
filmmaker Steven Spielberg already use fingerprint "keys".=20

"Within 20 years I honestly think we will have done away with keys=20
and everyone will be letting themselves through their front door=20
using fingerprint sensors,=EE said 28-year-old Nick. "You can't
lose=20
your keys or lock yourself out, and no one else can get in as=20
fingerprints can't be forged.=20

"It's also really useful for someone who spends a lot of time
abroad=20
but wants to be sure their staff are doing what they say they do,=20
such as cleaning the apartment every day. The system will log what=20
times they go in and out and can then send you the information over=20
the internet, to wherever you are."=20

The security system, imported by the Candy brothers from the Far=20
East, works using a tiny camera sensor built into a specially-
designed electronic door handle. As you stand at the door you wait=20
for the disembodied American voice to bark: "Place your user finger=20
on the sensor."=20

You do as you're told, wait while a light flashes, and then the voice=20
utters the magic words: "The door is open."=20

If the sensor does not recognise your prints, the voice says:
"Sorry,=20
you are not a registered user," and the door stays shut. So far so=20
straightforward, and there is, the brothers promise, little that can=20
go wrong.=20

"Even if you cut your finger badly it's not a problem, as you can=20
teach it t  recognise all of your fingers, and those of your partner,=20
friends, staff and guests," said Christian, 26. "If the worst
comes=20
to the worst and you cut all your fingers, there is a key to override=20
the system."=20

It can also be programmed with up to 100 different prints, so even=20
those with an extremely largefamily and staff can use just one system=20
for the lot.=20

Keeping track of the staff is, of course, only a worry for the=20
seriously rich. But then only the seriously rich are going to be=20
seriously interested in buying the Eaton Square home the fingerprint=20
system comes with. Spending that much money on a two-bedroom flat -=20
albeit in one of the capital's most sought-after spots - means you=20
expect every luxury, and the apartment in question is hardly short on=20
those.=20

>From remote-controlled blinds and curtains t  the remote-controlled=20
cinema screen that descends from the sitting room ceiling, this flat=20
is designed t  ensure the only time you need to lift a finger is to=20
get in.=20

It would particularly appeal t  those addicted t  the small screen,=20
with a built-in television at the end of the whirlpool bath so that=20
you can catch up on the soaps while you soak. Other features are=20
heated marble floors, bathroom linen embroidered with the flat's=20
address, and a =A32,000 coffee-table book in the sitting room.=20

While only fingerprints can be used to get int  the flat itself, the=20
whole building is keyless as access off the street is by small=20
plastic disc - a "proximity radar".=20

All the new owner must remember is the address - and if he or she is=20
worried they'll forget it, they can always carry one of the flannels.=20






____________________________________
Automated Home UK
http://www.automatedhome.co.uk
____________________________________=20

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject t  http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/=20