Key duplication machine

• US 9,925,601 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2015
• Issued: 03/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hy-Ko Products Company
• Original Assignee: Hy-Ko Products Company
• Inventors: Mutch, William R., Porras, Randall A., Fiore, Thomas F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US14/795,397
• Publication Number:
  US 20150306684A1
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B23C 2235/08 Brushes
• CPC Class Codes: B23C 2235/12 Using a database to store details of the key, the information in the database being used for the generation of the profile of the key
• CPC Class Codes: B23C 2235/24 Electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B23C 2235/41 Scanning systems
• CPC Class Codes: B23C 3/35 Milling grooves in keys
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 15/005 keys making keys without essentially removing material, e.g. by punching B21D53/42; milling grooves in keys B23C3/35
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10316 using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers antennas in general H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 2201/121 using special illumination
• 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 409/301008 Using templet other than a key

Abstract

Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a key duplication machine are described. In one embodiment, an assembly for duplicating a master key includes an optical imaging device, a logic, a clamping assembly, and a cutting member. The optical imaging device is capable of capturing an optical image of at least a portion of the master key. The logic is capable of determining a key pattern of the master key from the optical image of the master key. The clamping assembly is capable of clamping a key blank and the cutting member is capable of cutting a key pattern into said key blank.

Claims

1. A key data capture device comprising:

a key load position to receive a key;

an outer shell having an opening positioned about said key load position;

an antenna configured to communicate with said key located at said key load position, said antenna is a write device configured to transmit data to said key; and

an imaging system configured to capture data related to said key at said key load position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said key is a master key.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said key is a key blank.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said key includes a microchip embedded therein.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said antenna comprises at least one pair of windings.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said opening is circular.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said antenna is wound about said opening.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said key load position comprises a base and a door clamp.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said door clamp is movable with respect to said base.

10. The device of claim 8 further comprising at least one lever configured to actuate movement of said door clamp.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a cutting member that is a cutting wheel.

12. A key identification system comprising:

a key load position to receive a key;

an outer shell having an opening positioned about said key load position;

an antenna configured to communicate with said key located at said key load position, said antenna is a read device configured to receive data from said key; and

an imaging system configured to capture data related to said key at said key load position.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said key is a master key.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein said key is a key blank.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein said key includes a microchip embedded therein.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein said antenna comprises at least one pair of windings.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein said opening is circular.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein said antenna is wound about said opening.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein said key load position comprises a base and a door clamp.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said door clamp is movable with respect to said base.

21. The system of claim 19 further comprising at least one lever configured to actuate movement of said door clamp.

22. The system of claim 12, wherein said imaging system includes a camera.

23. A method of identifying a key, the method comprising:

receiving a key at a key load position of an apparatus, the apparatus having an outer shell with an opening positioned about said key load position;

communicating with the key with an antenna located at said key load position; and

capturing data related to said key at said key load position with an imaging system.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprises transmitting data to the key from said antenna.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprises receiving data from the key at the antenna.