OBJECT IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

• US 20180067636A1
• Filed: 09/19/2017
• Published: 03/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hy-Ko Products Company
• Original Assignee: Hy-Ko Products Company
• Inventors: Bass, Michael A., Ryai, Richard W., Hanish, Michael B., Thompson, Chester O.D., Mutch, William R., Shaner, David E., Work, Joseph M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,503,384 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2428 Query predicate definition using graphical user interfaces, including menus and forms G06F16/2423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/245 Query processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/70 in which the articles are formed in the apparatus from components, blanks, or material constituents

Abstract

A system and method for identifying objects possessing minute but significant details is described. At its core, the system includes a user interface, means for comparatively identifying the object and means for displaying results. Notably, because the system does not rely upon highly specialized or complex equipment, the invention is expected to have particular applicability in a wide variety of every-day situations. Moreover, the system is explicitly designed for user friendliness, so as to eliminate that need for extensive training for any prospective user of the system. The system should have particular applicability in key blank identification and key duplication processes.

Claims

1. An interactive key identification system comprising:

a database containing known values representative of key blanks, said database operative to receive at least one input representative of a master key and to compare said input with said known values representative of key blanks and to produce an output representative of at least one key blank for replication of said master key;

a housing including an operator interface in communication with said database, said operator interface configured to indicate said output representative of at least one key blank for replication of said master key;

a storage location that includes an inventory of key blanks with associated indicia of recognition; and

a verification device configured to recognize said indicia of recognition associated with a key blank for replication of said master key.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said verification device is configured to verify proper key blank selection.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said verification device includes a bar code scanner.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said verification device includes a radio frequency identification device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said database is operative to communicate key cutting information to a key cutting device to make a duplicate key.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said indicia of recognition includes a bar code.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said indicia of recognition includes a radio frequency identification device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said indicia of recognition includes at least one of a number system and a letter system.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a key cutting machine configured to cut a profile of said master key into said key blank.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said database is operative to record at least some of the number, or type or other characteristic of the key blanks cut.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a retrieval system adapted to retrieve key blanks from said storage location.

12. An interactive key identification system comprising:

a database including a processor that is operative to receive an input representative of a master key and match a key blank through comparison of known values against said input representative of said master key;

a housing including a user interface configured to interact with said database for producing an output signal indicative of at least one key blank; and

a storage location adapted to hold a physical set of key blanks; and

an indicator operative to distinguish an identified key blank from the physical set of key blanks in response to the output signal.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said input includes a specified variable that is an identification of an intended use of said key, said specified variable being known or physically observable based upon inspection of the key or of its intended use.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said specified variable is related to a make or model of an automobile.

15. The system of claim 12 further comprising a key cutting machine configured to cut the profile of said master key into said identified key blank.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said database is operative to record at least some of the number, type or other characteristics of the key blanks cut.

17. The system of claim 12 further comprising a detector to compare a selected key blank with the output signal to verify proper selection of the identified key blank.

18. An interactive key identification system comprising:

a database of known key blanks including known identifiers of key blanks, said database includes a processor that is operative to match an input representative of a master key with at least one identified key blank;

an interactive user interface adapted to indicate at least one identified key blank;

a storage location that includes a stock of key blanks associated with indicia of recognition; and

a detector that compares said key blank selected from said storage location with said identified key blank.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said detector includes a machine-recognizable object verification device configured to verify proper key blank selection.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said database is operative to verify proper key blank selection.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein said detector includes a bar code scanner.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein said detector includes a radio frequency identification device.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein said database is operative to direct an automated device driver to retrieve at least one matching key blank from said storage location.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said automated device driver includes an auto-retrieval system that includes movable subpanels configured to revolve so as to present one location or a series of related locations to a user.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the automated device driver is a retrieval system that includes a combination of motors to cause an arm-like device to retrieve the key blank.

26. The system of claim 18 further comprising a key cutting machine configured to cut the profile of said master key into said key blank.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein said database is operative to record at least some of the number, type or other characteristic of key blanks cut by a cutting machine.

28. The system of claim 18, wherein said indicia of recognition includes at least one of a bar code, a number system, and a letter system.

29. An interactive key duplication system comprising:

a housing including at least one operator interface connected in communication with a database and processor, said operator interface capable of receiving a user input;

a storage location that includes an inventory of key blanks with associated indicia of recognition;

said database and processor having a memory and containing known values representative of key blanks and operatively connected to receive one or more inputs and to compare said input(s) with said known values representative of key blanks and to produce an output signal representative of at least one key blank;

a detector capable of recognizing said indicia of recognition associated with a key blank, said detector connected in communication with said processor to communicate to at least one operator interface.

30. The interactive key duplication system of claim 29, wherein said detector produces an output wherein said processor compares said output to said output signal representative of said at least one key blank.