Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• G06F 19/00 - Équipement ou méthodes de traitement de données ou de calcul numérique, spécialement adaptés à des applications spécifiques (spécialement adaptés à des fonctions spécifiques G06F 17/00;systèmes ou méthodes de traitement de données spécialement adaptés à des fins administratives, commerciales, financières, de gestion, de surveillance ou de prévision G06Q;informatique médicale G16H)

Abrégé

A system for duplicating a master key includes a clamping 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. The key blade has an upper surface and a minor key axis along a key thickness. A mechanical measurement device includes a probe that deflects along the intermediate key axis during a measurement process. A movement mechanism imparts relative motion along the major key axis between the mechanical measurement device and the master key. The mechanical probe follows the upper surface of the key blade. The mechanical measurement device generates a signal indicative of the deflection of the probe. A processor receives the signal and generates information usable for defining the machining of a duplicate key.

Classes IPC  ?

• B23C 3/35 - Fraisage de rainures dans les clés

Abrégé

A self-service, fully-automatic kiosk for duplicating keys includes a kiosk housing having a customer interface for receiving payment from a customer for the purchase of at least one duplicate of the customer's key. A key analysis system within the housing analyzes the blade of a key inserted in the key-receiving entry to determine whether the inserted key matches one of a group of preselected key types and, if so, which preselected key type is matched. A key blank extraction system extracts from a magazine within the kiosk a key blank for the preselected key type matched by the blade of the key inserted in the key-receiving entry. Then a key duplicating system within the kiosk replicates the tooth pattern of the blade of the key inserted in the key-receiving entry, on the blade of the extracted key blank. The kiosk includes a processor coupled to sensors and controllable devices within the kiosk and to a communications port for communicating with a remote central server. The processor displays multiple available manual commands in response to an input signal requesting such a display, and, in response to manual selection of the commands, produces signals that energize and de-energize selected devices within the kiosk, thereby permitting remote manual control of the devices and mechanisms associated with those devices. The processor also transmits signals from a video camera within the kiosk, and signals representing the status of multiple devices within the kiosk.

Classes IPC  ?

• G07F 11/62 - Appareils déclenchés par des pièces de monnaie pour distribuer ou délivrer d'une façon analogue, des articles d'une façon discontinue dans lesquels les articles sont stockés en compartiments dans des casiers fixes
• B23C 3/35 - Fraisage de rainures dans les clés

Abrégé

A self-service, fully-automatic kiosk for duplicating keys includes a kiosk housing having a customer interface for receiving payment from a customer for the purchase of at least one duplicate of the customer's key. A key-receiving entry in the housing receives at least a portion of the customer's key to be duplicated, and a key analysis system within the housing analyzes the blade of a key inserted in the key-receiving entry to determine whether the inserted key matches one of a group of preselected key types and, if so, which preselected key type is matched. A key blank magazine within the housing stores key blanks for each of the preselected key types. A key blank extraction system extracts from the magazine a key blank for the preselected key type matched by the blade of the key inserted in the key-receiving entry. Then a key duplicating system within the kiosk replicates the tooth pattern of the blade of the key inserted in the key-receiving entry, on the blade of the extracted key blank.

Classes IPC  ?

• G07F 11/70 - Appareils déclenchés par des pièces de monnaie pour distribuer ou délivrer d'une façon analogue, des articles d'une façon discontinue dans lesquels les articles sont formés dans l'appareil à partir de composants, d'ébauches ou d'éléments constitutifs
• B23C 3/35 - Fraisage de rainures dans les clés
• B23Q 35/00 - Systèmes ou dispositifs de commande pour le copiage direct à partir d'un modèle ou d'un gabaritDispositifs pour le copiage manuel

Produits et services

(1) Self-service machines containing electronic equipment which cuts, copies, and fabricates keys; self-service kiosks which cut, copy, and fabricate keys; self-service machines and kiosks which dispense custom cut keys, keychains, and keyrings; self-service machines and kiosks which dispense prefabricated keys, keychains, and keyrings. (1) Key cutting, copying, and fabricating services; providing automated kiosks which cut, copy, and fabricate keys.