How can I remotely unlock my front door while I'm away?

At the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show, tech innovators from across the globe gathered to showcase their latest groundbreaking products and ideas they hoped would dominate the market. The displays ranged from high-definition televisions to immersive sound systems to cutting-edge computer microprocessors. However, amid the expected tech giants, there were a few companies that might have caught you by surprise.

Think about all the high-tech items in your life. It's likely that the lock on your front door doesn't rank among them. However, one company aims to change that with a new lock system designed to bring the traditional door lock into the modern age. That company is Schlage, and the system is the Schlage LiNK.

The Schlage LiNK system consists of key components, including an electronic lock, a wireless control unit known as the Bridge, and specialized software you install on your computers or web-enabled cell phones. A high-speed Internet connection is also required. Why such advanced technology? It's because the Schlage LiNK allows you to manage your home's locks remotely.

The LiNK's locking mechanism closely resembles other electronic lock systems, featuring an electronic bolt lock paired with a standard keypad with numbers from 0 to 9. Owners can program multiple four-digit codes for locking and unlocking doors. Many electronic locking systems are already available on the market.

The LiNK system uses a wireless technology called Z-Wave. Z-Wave is a narrow band of low-power radio frequencies that the system employs to transmit information and commands. These commands include the ability to lock or unlock the door remotely using a device like a laptop or smartphone. No need to create spare keys or stash one under the mat – in fact, you can open your door without ever needing a locksmith.

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The Schlage LiNK System

To get started with the LiNK system, you must purchase the $299 starter kit, which includes a lock, a door knob, a numeric keypad, the Bridge, a Z-Wave light module, and the necessary software. Installing the door knob is easy – Schlage estimates that most consumers can complete the setup in about 30 minutes. The Bridge requires an Ethernet cable to connect it to a router, cable modem, or DSL modem.

Next, install the software on your computers and web-enabled cell phones. This software lets you manage lock codes and control other devices connected to your Z-Wave network. It's also where you'll set up your initial lock code. You can even assign multiple codes for the same lock, which is helpful if you'd like to monitor who is entering through that door. Simply give each person their own unique code.

You can also control multiple locks with a single Bridge. The LiNK software lets you label each door with names like "Front Door" or "Carport Door." You can assign different codes for each door or use a single code for all of them – the choice is yours. Additional locks are available for $199 each.

The Bridge transmits electronic instructions to the locks and receives feedback from them. Its role is to take commands sent from your computer or cell phone and convert them into signals sent via low-power radio waves. Since these waves have a limited range, it's important to place the Bridge in a central location relative to all the doors you intend to equip with LiNK locks.

The system’s software also lets you set temporary codes that expire after a defined time. This feature is useful if you expect someone at your house at a specific time. There's no need to share your main door code. Once the time limit expires, the temporary code will no longer function on the lock.

Other Z-wave Devices

Schlage’s software offers more than just locking and unlocking capabilities. It enables you to create multiple codes and track when they are used. Instead of handing out keys to each family member, you assign them a personal code. The software logs every use, maintaining a 90-day record of when each code was used to unlock the door.

This feature could be especially helpful for parents. For example, if you're a parent of a teenage son who says he got home at 9 p.m., you can access your LiNK software and check the log to see if he's telling the truth. Simply search for his code and the timestamp for when it was used. Alternatively, you can configure the system to send you a text message whenever a specific code is used to enter the house.

The LiNK system is not just for locking devices; it also supports a range of Z-wave devices like light modules, thermostats, window shade controls, and video cameras. These devices can receive commands from the Bridge, enabling you to manage your home’s lighting and temperature from anywhere, no matter where you are in the world.

By adding a camera to a Z-wave module, you can stream live video. Placing a camera outside your front door allows you to check who’s there at any time. This is especially useful if you need to let someone in without giving them a temporary code. You can have the person call you upon arrival, and you can verify their identity via the camera before unlocking the door. The camera can also record footage, which could be helpful in the event of a break-in attempt.

Could Schlage's system change home security? The list of features is certainly compelling, but the technology comes with a hefty price tag and an ongoing $12.99 monthly subscription. It remains to be seen whether consumers will consider the system's value worth the cost.