System for identifying and duplicating master keys
First Claim
1. A system duplicating a master key comprising:
- a mechanism for receiving and positioning a master key wherein the master key defines a major key axis, an intermediate key axis along which a key blade variably extends, and a minor key axis along a key thickness;
optical path components, that direct a light beam along the minor key axis wherein the light beam impinges upon the key blade such that a portion of the light beam is blocked by the key blade and another portion of the light beam traverses across the major axis of the key blade;
a detector that receives the portion of the light beam that traverses the key blade;
an apparatus that imparts relative motion along the major key axis between the light beam and the master key wherein the light beam scans along the major or key axis of the master key; and
a processor that receives a signal from the detector as the beam scans along the major key axis and generates information usable for defining the machining of a duplicate key.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for duplicating a master key includes a mechanism for receiving and positioning a master key. The master key defines a major key axis and an intermediate key axis along which a key blade variably extends, and a minor key axis along a key thickness. Optical path components direct a light beam along the minor key axis. The light beam impinges upon the key blade. A portion of the light beam traverses the key blade. A detector receives the portion of the light beam that traverses the key blade. An apparatus imparts relative motion along the major key axis between the light beam and the master key. The light beam scans along the major key axis of the master key. A processor receives a signal from the detector as the beam scans along the major key axis and generates information usable for defining the machining of a duplicate key.
22 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system duplicating a master key comprising:
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a mechanism for receiving and positioning a master key wherein the master key defines a major key axis, an intermediate key axis along which a key blade variably extends, and a minor key axis along a key thickness; optical path components, that direct a light beam along the minor key axis wherein the light beam impinges upon the key blade such that a portion of the light beam is blocked by the key blade and another portion of the light beam traverses across the major axis of the key blade; a detector that receives the portion of the light beam that traverses the key blade; an apparatus that imparts relative motion along the major key axis between the light beam and the master key wherein the light beam scans along the major or key axis of the master key; and a processor that receives a signal from the detector as the beam scans along the major key axis and generates information usable for defining the machining of a duplicate key. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of duplicating a master key comprising:
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receiving and clamping a master key defining a major key axis, an intermediate key axis along which a key blade variably extends, and a minor key axis that defines a key thickness; generating a light beam extending along the minor key axis, wherein a portion of the light beam is blocked by the key blade and another portion of the light beam traverses across the major axis of the key blade before reaching a detector; imparting relative motion along the major key axis between the light beam and the key wherein the light beam scans along the major key axis; and the detector generating a signal versus time that corresponds to the height of the key blade along the intermediate axis. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for duplicating a master key comprising:
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a mechanism for receiving and clamping a master key in a fixed position, the master key defining a major key axis, an intermediate key axis along which a key blade variably extends, and a minor key axis along a key thickness; a light source that generates a light beam; a detector; a moveable stage configured to move along the major key axis; optical path components affixed to the movable stage that receive the light beam from the light source and direct the light beam along the minor axis of the key blade such that a portion of the light beam is blocked, by the key blade and another portion of the light beam traverses across the major axis of the key blade and from the key blade to the detector, wherein motion of the moveable stage causes the light beam to scan along the major key axis; and a processor that receives a signal from the detector and provides information used to machine a duplicate key. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification