Whether your building or complex has indoor or outdoor parking, you can implement, essentially, an E-ZPass for parking. Such systems use RFID ("radio-frequency identification") readers, which consist of two parts: a card or tag on the vehicle, and an antenna/reader in the garage or lot. Aamong the latest models: this one from the 12-year-old California company Applied Wireless ID (AWID).

The LR-2000 reads UHF (ultrahigh-frequency) signals from encrypted cards or tags (at left) inside a vehicle, providing what the trade calls, naturally enough, "automatic vehicle identification" (AVI). The company says its antenna/reader — which, depending on the type of card/tag, can read from eight to 15 feet away — is compatible with all standard access-control systems; needs no programming for standard installation; and requires no FCC license for users.

Additionally, when used in conjunction with the company's UA-612 door-access reader, the same card or tag can be used for both vehicle-parking access and building/door access.

Oh, and it's another level of home security, of course. Fellow residents might still steal your parking space, but since the system keeps guests' cars, day-workers' trucks and other non-resident vehicles out, fellow residents' spaces won't get taken, and so they won't take yours. Sure, it's more Big Brotherish than your basic, anonymous garage-door opener or entry card, and it records your and other vehicles' comings and goings, as does E-ZPass, New York City MetroCards paid for by credit card, and other things like that but … well, there is no "but" — sadly, we're all being tracked more and more. Thank goodness most of us are too boring to have that matter much....

AWID / Applied Wireless ID • 18300 Sutter Boulevard, Morgan Hill, Calif. 95037 • (408) 825-1100 • e-mail contact form here

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