Keys respond to one of the most fundamental human needs: Security. They protect homes, safeguard businesses, and fortify privacy. However, if acquiring access to one’s most valuable belongings is as easy as a walk to the nearest key-cutting stand, are keys really fulfilling their raison d ‘être?
Even though locks and keys have been in use for millennia, their evolution was relatively slow. Up until the 20th century, the rudimentary key and lock systems remained loyal to the first ones that originated in ancient Mesopotamia thousands of years ago. Nevertheless, the recent spikes in access technologies are shifting the paradigms for keys too.
While the sky is the limit for access and entrance innovations, many still favor the more affordable and convenient options. Hence, mechanical lock systems remain popular as they’re one the easiest ways to protect properties and businesses. That said, their convenience can also be their shortcoming, as it can be effortless to copy regular mechanical keys. This is where patent-protection technologies can step in to embolden the good-old mechanical keys and compensate for their limitations.
Thanks to the following benefits, patent-protected keys, also known as restricted keys, are still a convenient choice for access, but without compromising from security.
1. Exclusive Access
A patent is an exclusive right to a product or a process. A patented product has never been made public in any way, anywhere in the world, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization.
Thus, patent-protected key systems share a similar trait with a musical or visual masterpiece: They’re all unique, attributed to one owner, can’t be copied, and have legal protection.
Patent-protected key systems ensure that no one other than the provider – or a third party appointed by the provider – can produce keys or key blanks.
Attempting to copy patent-protected keys have consequences not unlike violating copyright laws. Duplicating a patent-protected key without expressed permission of the owner or organization can face severe financial penalties.
2. Resistant to Lock Manipulation
Lock manipulation is the process of gaining unauthorized access to a place by applying methods like lock picking, key bumping, drilling, snapping, or key duplication.
While the low-tech, regular mechanical locks are vulnerable to these methods, manipulating a patent-protected lock system is much harder — if not impossible. Good patented-keys are of high-quality and durable material, which ensures they’re indestructible. Ideally, the “anti-snap” material will ensure that the key will break in a secure way to protect the premises in case of an attempt at lock manipulation.
Moreover, the new technology of mechatronic access takes the protection against lock manipulation to a new level. These mechanical keys with a digital chip for extra security are able to “delete” a key’s data — similar to cancelling a credit card. This way, in case the mechatronic keys are lost or stolen, unauthorized owners still can’t access the place the key is safeguarding.
The improbability of lock manipulation boosts a sense of control. It provides individuals and organizations with the peace of mind that their security protocols are beyond reproach.
3. Saving Money with Supercharged Security
In the United States, criminology researchers revealed that a property crime happens every 3.7 seconds, with the primary motive of obtaining money or valuables from the premises. The methods of gaining access to these properties aren’t necessarily innovative: 90 percent of the burglars in the UK enter homes through the front or back door.
Nevertheless, in 2018, property crimes resulted in losses estimated at USD 16.4 billion in the US. The majority of these offenses were burglaries that involved forcible and unlawful entry. In the meantime, homes with security systems were much less likely to be a target.
Thus, patent-protected keys not only lower the risk of unauthorized entry and financial losses as such, but they might also reduce a building’s insurance costs. Once a building is broken into, the insurance premiums will likely accelerate. Some providers might even refuse to insure the premises against another burglary. Hence, a low-quality lock system might come with a high price tag.
Patent-Protected Keys: Adding Value to Daily Life
Without intruders, buildings that use patent-protected keys supercharge their security. Thanks to these technologies, keys can genuinely fulfill the purpose assigned to them by the ancient civilizations.
Patent-protected keys are no longer crude metal tools, but smart instruments to add value to human life.
