Doors Unlock With Keyed Vibrations Sent From Your Smartphone Through Your Bones

Walk out of your house, trip down the stairs and break a leg, lose your vibration signal key and can't call 911! What a great idea!

combine that with an iris scanner disguised as a doorbell,
a camera above the door for facial recognition, and put a fingerprint scanner on the doorknob as well,
and a wii balance board under the doormat to determine bmi, weight and fidgetyness (in case someone is pointing a gun to your head trying o break into ur house by forcing you to open)

you got ur self a fool proof system.

On step closer to developing an "ATA Gene" system to access devices. I like it!

http://stargate.wikia.com/wiki/Ancient_Technology_Activation_gene

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In space, no one can hear a tree fall in the forest.

Dont let your arms get to fat, you might get locked out.

Be interesting to see how they overcome varying contact properties you are bound to encounter. In addition to the arm and hand altering the signal (based on all the properties mentioned), the interface conditions with the measurement object (door knob in this case) will make a huge difference on the measured signal. From how firmly the hand grips the door knob, whether gloves are worn, whether the muscles are tense or relaxed, these will all have a huge affect on the response that reaches the sensor.

If the signal is pretty weak to begin with it will be a huge challenge to filter out junk noise AND recognize the signal AND account to variation. A novel idea though.

I can only imagine there will be an App to hack past the knob. The only problem is as the hack tries various combinations, the hacker has to be standing there holding the knob, which makes them obvious to the public. Though if this App\hack process the combination variable quickly, it might not be obvious too,

I like keys, locks and dead bolts. All locks in fact are just deterrents to honest people tempted to become bad and walk in your house. A dedicated thief can be inside in seconds.

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Science sees no further than what it can sense, i.e. facts.
Religion sees beyond the senses, i.e. faith.
Open your mind and see!

This is like having your credit card number printed on your shirt. Just scan your vibrations from a distance with a laser, or record it if you are close enough and presto! All your keys are belong to us.

@killerT I'm sure you could have the vibration only trigger when in proximity to known locks. Would greatly complicate measurement of the signal.

Could always attach a small accel to the locked device and just record it when the item is opened. Though that may be noticeable.

Can predict this being used to integrate sniper and swat assault technology, and simple gun lock system. The vibration is picked up by the snipers laser as a no shoot of the swat team. The lock system prevents a stolen gun from being used against its owner as well. Heart beats of assailants and hostages are passively collected by snipers, or active sound feedback. Like a bat that can identify your skeleton or heart beat. This will protect the hostages, and swat team from friendly fire from snipers and each other. The sounds can be used to create active kill and no kill shooting zones.

I'd rather go with NFC if I'm taking advantage of my phone, or my traditional proximity badge at my work place. With wireless and proximity based sensors everywhere AT&T is taking me a step back. Not good for germaphobes. :) Now I have to physically touch a doorknob that everyone and their mother has touched. Let me share the love of my flu with you!;)

@Robot I have to agree with you, locks are just a psychological mechanism for regular people to feel safe inside their homes (an extra layer of worthless protection). Also it is a deterrent for regular folks. But f a thief cyber or otherwise wants in they will get in. No system is totally impervious. It won’t take long for this to be hacked. I buy a portable system that can duplicate the acoustic signal. Then point that signal at you and PRESTO, I have a “skeleton key” (good one Clay) for anyone I want . This is such a stupid application, maybe better for military use like someone suggested.