User:Gessner-uk

Key Finders – For when you just lose it.
The key to the very first lock ever created was probably lost at some point. Keys are still in use today, and are the most mislaid of all personal possessions causing much stress.. Technology has had several stabs at a practical key finder. Here are the various generations so far.

The first generation consisted of a small device you added to your key ring. It listened for the sounds of whistling or clapping, sounding a beeper for you to follow. These were spectacularly unreliable, going off when they heard any sound, and rarely when you actually did clap or whistle. They drove people crazy, often in libraries and church.

Second generation key locators used low power radio. A receiver unit on your keys is made to beep using a separate transmitter you carried around. Fears of losing the transmitter itself, coupled with memories of the first generation meant these did not have universal adoption either, although they are still sold today.

The third generation key finders are still radio based, but are now 2-Way. That is, each item, your keys included, can both transmit and receive radio. The very latest ones will not even need to rely on your hearing the beep from the lost item as it will “ping” a radio found signal back. Now, with one in your wallet, on your keys, on a cell phone (for when you leave it off) you can find your things even when away from home. Example. Find One Find All ®

The fourth generation is starting to appear too. This is where the third generation system is built in to the things we look for, those increasingly expensive electronic items that our lives are so dependant on.