RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) SYSTEM FOR MANUFACTURING, DISTRIBUTION AND RETAILING OF KEYS

• US 20110079652A1
• Filed: 12/10/2010
• Published: 04/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hy-Ko Products Company
• Original Assignee: Hy-Ko Products Company
• Inventors: Ryai, Richard W. SR., Steinberg, Robert, Dively, Sandra, Bass, Michael A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,074,481 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/0004 Lock assembling or manufacturing making locksmith's goods of sheet metal B21D53/38; assembling in general B23P21/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/00 Keys; Accessories therefor key modifications or attachments preventing removal from the lock E05B11/005; key rings A44B15/00; key cases A45C11/32; key holders A47G29/10; making keys, see the relevant places, e.g. B21D53/42; milling grooves in keys B23C3/35
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/62 Comprising means for indicating the status of the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/26 for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus ticket printing or the like apparatus G07F17/42
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5978 With switch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7073 Including use of a key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7876 Bow or head
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8676 Key holders

Abstract

A key assembly having an identification member secured to the key. In one embodiment, the identification member includes a programmable device that contains information indicative of one or more characteristics of the key that can be used to identify at least one of a) the type of key, b) the type of key blank, c) an origination address, d) a destination address, e) a manufacturer, f) a manufacturing date, and g) a lot number. Another embodiment may include a key, and an identification member secured to the key, wherein the identification member includes a programmable device that contains information indicative of a) the key type, b) the type of key blank, and c) cutting instructions for a key cutter to determine cut characteristics. Additional embodiments may include an automobile key and an identification member secured to the automobile key, where in the identification member includes memory for use as mobile data storage.

Claims

1. A key assembly comprising:

a key; and

an identification member secured to the key,

the identification member including a programmable device that contains information indicative of one or more characteristics of the key that can be used to identify at least one of a) the type of key, b) the type of key blank, c) an origination address, d) a destination address, e) a manufacturer, f) a manufacturing date, and g) a lot number.

2. The key assembly of claim 1 wherein the identification member is configured to be programmed with information indicative of one or more characteristics of a second key.

3. The key assembly of claim 1 wherein the identification member comprises a sheath.

4. The key assembly of claim 1 wherein the programmable device is an RFID.

5. The key assembly of claim 1 wherein the identification member is contained in a head of the key.

6. The key assembly of claim 1 wherein the identification member is secured to the key by an adhesive.

7. The key assembly of claim 1 wherein the identification member is tethered the key.

8. A key assembly comprising:

a. a key; and

b. an identification member secured to the key,

the identification member including a programmable device that contains information indicative of one or more characteristics of the key that can be used to identify at least one of a) the type of key, b) the type of key blank, and c) cutting instructions for a key cutter to determine cut characteristics.

9. The key assembly of claim 8 wherein the programmable device is an RFID.

10. The key assembly of claim 8 wherein the identification member comprises a sheath.

11. The key assembly of claim 8 wherein the identification member is integrated into a head of the key.

12. The key assembly of claim 8 wherein the identification member is removably secured to the key.

13. The key assembly of claim 8 wherein the identification member is configured to be separable from the key and the identification member contains sufficient information to identify a key blank and cut a second key.

14. The key assembly of claim 8 wherein the identification member is sized to fit in a wallet.

15. A key assembly comprising:

an automobile key; and

an identification member secured to the automobile key;

wherein the identification member includes memory for use as mobile data storage.

16. The key assembly of claim 15 wherein the mobile data storage is programmed with warranty information or maintenance information.

17. The key assembly of claim 15 wherein the programmable device is an RFID.

18. The key assembly of claim 15 wherein the mobile data storage is programmed with key cutting characteristics for cutting a duplicate key.

19. The key assembly of claim 15 wherein the identification member is separable from the automobile key.

20. The key assembly of claim 19 wherein the identification member has a rectangular shape.