Mobile Technology

Apple to replace keys and wallet with iKey app?

Apple to replace keys and wallet with iKey app?
Apple's iKey would see your keys and wallet replaced by an iPhone or similar device
Apple's iKey would see your keys and wallet replaced by an iPhone or similar device
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Apple's iKey would see your keys and wallet replaced by an iPhone or similar device
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Apple's iKey would see your keys and wallet replaced by an iPhone or similar device
iKey would allow unlocking with a wave of an iPhone
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iKey would allow unlocking with a wave of an iPhone
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The combination lock would see users rotating the iPhone to turn the dial
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The combination lock would see users rotating the iPhone to turn the dial
Apple's iKey would see your keys and wallet replaced by an iPhone or similar device
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Apple's iKey would see your keys and wallet replaced by an iPhone or similar device
Apple's iKey would see your keys and wallet replaced by an iPhone or similar device
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Apple's iKey would see your keys and wallet replaced by an iPhone or similar device
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The humble mobile phone. What started out as a communication device has quickly evolved to become a take anywhere entertainment apparatus and essential tool for work and play. So much so that many people feel panic-stricken if they accidentally leave their phone at home. Such separation anxiety could be even worse in the future with a patent filed by Apple suggesting that the company wants the iPhone to replace your house and car keys and wallet, thereby making it even more indispensable.

Nicknamed “iKey” the technology would see users entering a PIN code on the device (such as an iPhone) using an onscreen rotating combination lock and waving it over an electronic pad located beside a door to open it. The system relies on a new technology called Near Field Communication (NFC) - a short-range high frequency wireless communication technology primarily aimed at usage in mobile phones which enables the exchange of data between devices over about a 10 centimeter (around 4 inches) distance.

The NFC technology is a simple extension of the ISO/IEC 14443 proximity-card standard found in contactless card and RFID devices that combines the interface of a smartcard and a reader into a single device. An NFC device can communicate with both existing ISO/IEC 14443 smartcards and readers, as well as with other NFC devices, and is therefore compatible with existing contactless infrastructure already in use for many public transportation and payment systems. This means that an iKey device could also be used as a digital wallet.

Apple lists the iPhone as an example of a device that could use iKey technology, but the patent also says, “the external device may be any suitable electronic device such as a portable media player, personal data assistant or electronic lock that may be used to access a door, car, house or other physical area.” The iKey technology could also be used to lock/unlock a computer and transfer data between devices.

Many car manufacturers, including Mercedes, Lexus and Toyota, are already starting to install keyless entry systems for their vehicles through key fobs, and many public transportation systems around the world use or are implementing contactless card access entry systems. So presumably using an iKey device for such systems wouldn’t be that difficult to implement. Homes and offices, however, would need to have their existing locks replaced with electronic, computer-controlled locks.

The “iKey” patent is the second one to refer to NFC. The previous one filed in November 2009 detailed a simplified data transfer application called “Grab & Go” that was intended to allow the transfer of data between different kinds of devices just by tapping them together. It has been suggested that in such cases NFC could be used to pair the devices before initiating communication through a higher data rate channel such as 802.11x, 3G, HSDPA or Bluetooth.

There is speculation is that the upcoming 4G iPhone will contain iKey capabilities but Apple might face a tough task convincing some people to entrust all their keys and digital cash to one easy-to-lose device – even if the patent says any information that passes between the devices would be encrypted.

And what happens when the battery dies? They might be just as easy to misplace, but my current keys and wallet don’t ever run out of power. That said I’m sure there is no shortage of people willing to jump at the iKey technology.

Via SmartCard Trends, The Telegraph, Newsolio

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5 comments
5 comments
Ed
Unfortunately, with many of the smart-phones being owned by companies and given to employees for their use, these personal apps will be of little use to these people! Why would I want to configure a cellphone with personal information and allow the phone to access my home and automobile, when my company can take the phone from me at any time? And why would a company allow a phone that they own to be used to make purchases? This will never take off in the united states.
Stan Sieler
No patent needed ... just get the car manufacturer to treat recognition of the bluetooth enabled phone (that\'s already been paired with the car) and treat it just like a key. I already have keyless (technically, key-in-pocket) entry and ignition ... the security would remain the same if the car simply reacted to my phone instead of my key.
Nicolas
Using any electronic portable device to open a door?
If you can file a patent for something with such a vague description as this then it just makes the whole process a complete farce.
m_s_w
Interesting Apple is trying to patent an idea that was conceived and visually / physically implemented 35 years ago on the British Science Fiction TV show \"Space: 1999\". They used the \"COMMLOCK\" in the exact same method as described in this patent.
http://www.space1999.net/catacombs/cybermuseum/MATN/matn2001.html
http://www.space1999.net/catacombs/main/cguide/umcomlock.html
MJRydsFast
Flash! Apple will soon be patenting a new oxygen molecule and the old one will be phased out. If you wish to keep breathing, it will be available for .99c per breath.