Doorknob - New Advances in Keyless Technology
The days of the conventional doorknob may be numbered. Make way for the digital fingerprint version of this device. It's science fiction come true. Now available to the general public, it makes for a quick and easy upgrade to your current mechanical door knob. The principle is simple as well. You imprint your fingerprint into the associated memory of the fingerprint knob. Because your fingerprint is unique to you and to no one else, you alone have the possibility to operate the fingerprint door knob.
This capability is important in more ways than one. Because a fingerprint doorknob no longer has a keyhole or similar accessible entrances, it becomes impossible for anyone to pick the lock to gain access to what is behind the door. There's no chance either of someone guessing or eavesdropping on your secret code, which puts the fingerprint knob one step ahead of most credit and debit cards in the world today.
With new digital technology comes a range of additional functionality. Built in to the micro-processor and memory of the doorknob are functions to allow you keep the door locked permanently during your absence or to allow it to be open during particular times of the day. This functionality also works to allow you to set the door to lock automatically within a short period of you closing it. In this way you no longer have to torture yourself with the question "did I lock the door", because you know that this was automatically the case.
Installation is typically simple, given a screwdriver. Fingerprint door knobs work with a spring latch mechanism similar to the one that you probably have now. They also typically have the spring-loaded automatic locking feature, where when you pull the door shut, it automatically locks. In past times, this could be very frustrating if you left your keys on the inside. However, with a fingerprint lock, your key is always literally in the end of your finger.
But what if all this sounds a little too technical? Don't worry; you'll still be able to buy the good old conventional door knob for quite a while. You may need to spend some time repairing them from time to time, as wear and tear on the door knob and the associated central spindle sometimes causes the doorknob to lose its grip and weakens its effect while turning the spindle. This is often repaired by tightening or replacing the screws that fasten the door knob onto the spindle.
Whether fingerprint or classical, a doorknob is that also an easy way for germs to spread. With anyone and everyone touching the door knob, the risk is understandable. For fingerprint door knobs, there is no real solution as the surface that is sensitive to your fingerprint also harbors germs. However, for the classical doorknobs made of brass or copper, these materials have the interesting property of killing germs and are literally able to disinfect themselves within eight hours. So maybe there's still a future for the classical doorknob after all.
Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of a wide variety of online specialty shops like http://www.shopdoorknobs.com that offer both items and information on how you can easily furnish and decorate your space. Whether it's your living, bedroom, or even your deck or patio, there are many tips you can use to make those spots both functional and beautiful. Today, she offers advice on how to create a fabulous living area by using sparkling glass door knobs for a Victorian vibe.
