An electronic key with a chip in its tip is to be marketed by the locksmiths,
Chubb Security of Sunbury-on-Thames. The key, called Eloctro, has a tiny
silicon chip which stores a unique number ranging from 10 to 70 000 billion.
The key fits a special battery-powered lock which stores all the authorised
numbers in a memory chip. When a key is inserted, the lock generates an
electromagnetic field, which is picked up by an antenna on the chip. The
antenna switches on the chip, allowing the lock to read the key鈥檚 unique
number. If the number matches one in the lock鈥檚 memory the key can turn.
The numbers in the lock鈥檚 memory can be stored individually, by inserting
a controllor鈥檚 key followed by the numbered key; or, a computer can load
a list of authorised numbers.
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Although individually numbered swipe cards have been available for years
storing the number on a chip is more secure because it is almost impossible
to read or reprogramme the number without breaking the key. It is not available
for homes yet.
