Patent ID: 7218202

Claim:
A biometric key in the form of a mechanical key having: a key body incorporating a biometric sensor for transmission of a signal represented by a biocode of data generated by the biometric sensor, said key body engageable with a mechanical lock body and having one or more electrical contacts for engaging mating electrical contact(s) of the mechanical lock body, wherein in use said signal is forwarded to processing means interfaced with or electrically connected to the mechanical lock body for granting access to an authorized user to a facility accessible by the biometric key upon engagement of the key body with the mechanical lock body, wherein the sensor is surrounded by an insulator in the key body and is accommodated within a mating recess of the insulator, wherein the sensor is electrically connected to a circuit board associated with the insulator, the circuit board being electrically connected to said one or more contacts, and wherein the insulator is insertable into a slot of the key body and attached thereto.