Found a strange PCB-based key, trying to find out what it is - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: johnkeates
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2016, 11:19:04 am
content: Hi everyone,I found a strange key-shaped piece of electronics. I suppose it's an electronic key for something, but it has no markings and doesn't look like some generic computer interface standard. I'm attaching some pictures, the front, the back and a USB-A plug for comparison.When I first saw it, I thought it was just some USB key, but it's too wide and has 2 extra pins. Since the same pins are on both sides, it's designed to be plugged in either way, and the slot it plugs in to only reads one side so it's a clear reversible design. Maybe it's USB + 2 non-standard additional connections if it's a 'secure' device, but I don't know anything about this thing so it could really be anything.A quick measure seems to point to the first one of the three bigger pads being ground, since it has a few M Ohm between any of the other pads, the two smaller pads also have continuity to each other and ground, but none of the other pins connect to each other.Before trying to melt/scrape the plastic cover, I thought it best to post the thing here just in case it's some standard that didn't come up in my searching. If anyone knows anything about this, by all means, enlighten me!

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2016, 11:35:29 am
content: Looks like a cypher key fill.The two uneven length barrow pins suggest the supply rails.I have not seen this particulat cypher key format before though.Fraser

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2016, 11:39:24 am
content: It's off a nuclear missile. Usually they come in pairs.(maybe)

author: johnkeates
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2016, 11:50:55 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on September 05, 2016, 11:39:24 amIt did smell a bit like world war 3, but I didn't find the other one anywhere, so it might be something else

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2016, 12:11:19 pm
content: Auto immobilizer key?Image search didn't really help:

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 05, 2016, 12:12:41 pm
content: Old electronic lock key. Sorry to burst your bubbleDon't know the manufacturer, but they used to be common as muck at cheap motels. Google brings up acoupleofpics.

author: johnkeates
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2016, 12:24:27 pm
content: Quote from: Tac Eht Xilef on September 05, 2016, 12:12:41 pmAh, that makes more sense. It does have that 'mass-production'-glow all over it, so hotel keys or other simple facility use makes perfect sense. I wonder how it works... to the gargler!

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2016, 06:57:30 pm
content: We must know what's inside!(A cob?)Hammer time?

author: johnkeates
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2016, 07:35:10 pm
content: Quote from: Cyberdragon on September 05, 2016, 06:57:30 pmIt might end up getting hammered, I was trying to find out if someone else already did it, but that doesn't seem to be the case so far (or my google-fu is way off). I can't really do it mikeselectricstuff-style since I don't have acid baths and x-ray machines laying around, but grinding it off, melting it off (hot air never lets you down!) and knifing it off should work.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2016, 08:22:37 pm
content: Quote from: Cyberdragon on September 05, 2016, 06:57:30 pmCould be as simple as an EEPROM.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2016, 03:24:59 am
content: 6 pins, maybe some security, more likely something closer to the IC you'd find in a smartcard.

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2016, 03:36:29 am
content: i used to see keys like those for electricity meters and pay-tv boxes.it will have a smartcard microcontroller in it.