New Surveillance camera Technology

March 31, 2008 Researchers at the University of Alabama (UAH) have developed a wide-angle camera that will assist security forces by enabling them to monitor large areas through high-resolution images taken from a satellite or an airborne craft. The proposed one giga-pixel camera was created after UAH researcher, David Pollock, discovered that if you point a large number of lenses toward a common point, and then make a small correction on each of the lenses, you have a camera with capabilities that far surpass existing technologies.

Current technologies used to capture high resolution images taken from satellites or aircraft suffer from a very small field-of-view. The new camera designed by Pollock and his team, allows the user to view the entire scene and to also zoom in closely on a certain area with very high resolution at real time. Flying at an altitude of 15,000 feet, a developmental version of the camera can see a 21-kilometer diameter area with a resolution of 0.3 meters. As a comparison, most Google Earth imagery is 1 meter.

The ability to view sections of the scene in high resolution has advantages for security forces. Images from existing cameras have to be tiled like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle before a full picture can be seen, a serious disadvantage for defense surveillance as vehicles can end up appearing more than once if they move from one image to the next between exposures. These types of errors frequently exist in online mapping tools, such as Google Earth or Microsoft’s Virtual Earth, according to Pollock. To rectify this problem, the new camera has an array of light sensitive chips - each one recording small parts of a larger image - at the focal plane of a large multiple-lens system. The system has the structure of a common kitchen utensil, a colander. The camera would have one giga-pixel resolution, and be able to record images at five frames per second. Ultimately the camera can cover nearly a hemispherical field-of-view with uniform image quality and sensitivity.

Pollock says the camera could have far-reaching implications for the military, crime prevention and enforcement as well as traffic analysis and emergency response support. The giga-pixel camera will fit in a one-meter cube, could be flown on any type of vehicle – airplanes, helicopters, blimps or unmanned aerial vehicles.

UAH has filed the patent for the large-format giga-pixel camera (which it shares on a 50-50 basis with Sony Corp).

Antique Furniture Locks

Many people love to shop for antique furniture. Many antique furniture pieces have old "antique" locks and keys. Very few companies repair or refurbish these old locks and keys. Locks210.com recently decided to bring back the art of the craftsman side of locksmithing, by repairing and refurbishing antique locks.

We are in the process of acquiring additional specialist tools and parts as well as procuring new "antique" style locks.

We are steadily adding to our collection of antique style keys and keyblanks. We are awaiting delivery of stock of fancy brass and ornamental designed keys.

For antique furniture lock repairs, refurbishment or to have keys made, contact us for a no obligation assessment.

Data Dot Systems

Data Dot systems are a product designed to tag your property items for identification, in the event they get stolen.

Nano technology is used in the creation of this brilliant product, designed to help police and law enforcement with identifying stolen property.

How it works: Apply the Data Dots to your items of value. Register in advance with the online database to record your details. In the event, your property is stolen, upon recovery, law enforcement can easily identify your property.

Entrance Sets

Some recent enquiries lead me to write this post. I am noticing more and more customers are starting to take notice of the hardware on their doors. Specifically, that their hardware, as it exists now, appears to be of poor quality.

As the Mid-West's premier dealer of the Bilock product, it is worth knowing that Bilock, dramatically improves the bump resistance, pick resistance and quality of the key mechanism in many leading brands of hardware.

Bilock does not make any of it's own entrance sets. We provide superior quality cylinders to dramatically improve the quality of most existing leading brands of hardware.

There are many brands of hardware that Bilock will work in and you can economically and effectively key alike and master key across multiple hardware brands using Bilock Extreme Security cylinders. So, you can have the greatest looking keys, the most secure lock cylinders and your choice of hardware. What more could you want?

Recent changes in the value of the $US have lead to price increases in many and varying brands of hardware and Bilock is no exception although, it is still by far the most competitively priced product in $ for $ value of all the competing brands in the same market (of which there are many choices). Yet it is the only brand that absolutely guarantees against duplication of keys.

Bilock branded products are specifically limited to very few OEM products because the market has demanded that manufacturers match to existing hardware so as to reduce costs, wherever possible.

Locks210.com are proud Bilock Extreme Security Dealers and are pleased to offer our 25 years experience in this product line to North America.

For an obligation free assessment and recommendation as to how Bilock can help you, contact us today on (314) 266-1533 or by email at sales@locks210.com.

"I've Locked My Keys In The Car"

Perhaps the most common cattle call I have heard in the last 25 years in this business. I receive probably 10-15 calls per week from people requesting access to their Car Keys, because they inadvertently locked them in the car.

Most, if not all, cars are fairly simple to get into, yet it is astounding as to the rediculous charges some companies command for gaining entry.

Just today, one customer commented on how prices vary between companies. I handled the call quickly as it was near my workshop and the customer was in his car within 20 minutes of calling me for $45.00. He mentioned that he did some price shopping first and found prices ranging from $30 to $140. He was also aware of the recently publicized scams that have been in the news about phony locksmiths ripping off the unsuspecting public.

I have worked on cars for most of the last 25 years and have made keys to a great many different types and vintages of vehicles. More common today, you will find "Chip" keys. These keys are basically a transponder chip located inside the keyhead of many modern cars, that interact with the computer in the ignition, allowing the car to operate.

These keys are relatively expensive to duplicate because they require special keyblanks and machinery to reproduce. It was once thought that car dealers were the only ones who could make these keys but the truth is, there are a few locksmiths who are also equipped to handle these requests.

Locks210.com does NOT provide duplicate Transponder keys (CHIP KEYS) nor can we provide originals. Our reasoning is simple. The cost for purchasing the suitable machinery for being able to make keys to the wide variety of vehicles on the road today is far too high, when you consider software updates, keyblank changes and the low demand for this type of work in the greater St Louis region. Combine this with the fact that many modern vehicles are using keyless remotes and that the technology is actually moving away from mechanical keys, we determined that there is insufficient call to make this a worthwile product offering especially when the prices we would need to charge would be incredibly high to cover costs alone.

We are happy to recommend other locksmith companies who have invested in such equipment.

Locks210.com still only charges $45.00* to open your car. We dont believe in fleecing our clients.

Strikemaster II

Having had a recent request to repair a customers door jamb after a recent break in, I installed one of these Strikemaster II jamb re-inforcers and the solution proved it's worth within one week.

The customer's home was revisited by a burglar the next week after the Strikemaster was installed, but this time could not break the door down. The obvious signs of attempts were boot marks on the door. This proved for me the absolute value of this brilliant product.

In many customers homes, their actual front doors (or back doors) may be constructed using metal casings (on the door itself), but the actual jamb (where the door closes into) is usually made from wood. Whilst the door may be reasonably strong enough to withstand an attempted forced entry, the jamb is usually not. Enter Strikemaster II.


Locks210.com is pleased to make this product now available to residents and businesses in St Louis.

StrikeMaster II offers a unique and innovative solution to prevent burglars from entering your home, StrikeMaster II strikes-back instantly. Its patented strike plates make the door casing virtually unbreakable.

The easiest way for a criminal to get into your house is just too kick-in your door! The FBI says every 12 seconds a home is invaded by going right through the front or back door. Open your front door and look at the dead bolt plate. There is one inch of soft wood protecting the safety of your home - your door casings can not protect you from a thief kicking your door

How much does a StrikeMaster II cost? $109.95 plus shipping/handling and installation.

A former police officer was recently quoted. "I am a retired Chief of Police with more than 30 years in law enforcement and security and have investigated 1000's of residential burglaries and domestic assaults that were due to the crashing or kicking in of the doors at the home. .... I am proud to announce that I have seen an amazing new product called the StrikeMaster II. This is inexpensive and stronger than any would-be homicidal maniac, I promise... the security market has finally produced a product that is better than locks and alarms. I highly recommend this product on all your outside doors at your home." - Donald Purnell CLL, CFE, Director of Security, Sentry Watch, Inc.

There are numerous testimonials to the quality of this product. One in particular is:
"On the 16th of May, 2005, our home in Chicago was broken into by thieves who shouldered/kicked their way in, through 3 separate doors, one entry and two apartments. A considerable amount of valuables and memorabilia were stolen, including identity theft. Upon observing the 'ease' of entry by these thieves, we set about investigating door protection measures on the internet.
After observing a very graphic video on the 'Safe Home International' site, we ordered the StrikeMaster II for overnight delivery, with the caveat that we would do a 'real-life' test after installation. My installer naturally had his doubts, as I asked him to kick and shoulder the door, after the product was installed. He asked me who would pay for the door frame repair 'in case it didn't work as advertised,'I said I would be responsible, since the safety of our family and property was of utmost concern. I weigh in at 240 lbs and I 'shouldered/kicked' the door three times, without it's failing. My installer, who closely approximates the LARGE individual in the graphic video, had at the door next. He shouldered it twice and kicked it last, his size 11 shoe imprint is still on the back door, although the wall seemed to 'bow in,' the door did not budge. My installer came away convinced, and I came away satisfied, that I made my Family and my Home that much more secure.
The cost/benefit ratio as well is definitely in favor of the StrikeMaster II in comparison with other devices currently on the market. To say that we are more than pleased with the results we obtained from the product, as well as it's support, would be an accurate assessment. -APA Chicago"

How much does it cost to change a lock?

Many enquiries that locksmiths receive, are about the cost to change locks.

Often, clients are meaning to inquire as to just changing the combinations of their existing locks, so they can maintain the same hardware on their doors.

Or when the keys to their house, office or automobile have been misplaced, stolen or even copied unknowingly (suspected), they have the need to re-code their locks.
Also many new home buyers or new tenants want to make sure that previous residents of their property can no longer gain entry.

Locksmiths across the country vary greatly in their fees. There are accepted industry averages published in locksmith publications like The National Locksmith magazine and the Locksmith Ledger magazine annually, but the going rate can vary from around $5.00 per keyhole to as much as $20.00 per keyhole for residential or commercial door locks and from $10.00 to $35.00 for automobile locks. Often this does not include labor for the removal and refitting of locks.

Master-keying is another charge that most locksmiths charge slightly higher fees for. Often, specialist products like Medeco or Multlock or Primus or Best or Assa or Abloy or Bilock products can incur significantly increased fees due to the higher cost for the pin or disc tumblers.

Locks210.com charges a standard fee of $17.50 per keyhole to re-key a standard residential or commercial door cylinder sometimes including labor for removal and refitting. Master-keying is $25.00 per keyhole.

We can offer automobile re-keying services but prices are subject to application. There are many and varying brands and manufacturers of automobile lock cylinders, requiring multiple different keying kits. Stocking all possible kits to service all makes and models of foreign and domestic vehicles requires significant amounts of warehousing that directly impacts costs.

If the products are brought to us, we charge the same fees without labor of course.

Most locksmiths will provide the first 2 keys at no charge. For residential or commercial doors (not automotive) we provide the first 3 keys.

As a guide, we charge $29 to attend your site (within 25 miles of our workshop) and $70 for the first hour labor on site, which usually includes up to the first four (4) keyholes rekeyed.

For an obligation free estimate contact us today on (314)266-1533.