Apparatus and method to visually decipher a keyed lock cylinder
OwnerKeith Capehart, Brian Capehartinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for digital decoding and deciphering a lock cylinder pin configuration, such as for a Kwikset or a Smart Key lock is disclosed. The digital decoder includes a light source placed inside of the keyhole that eliminates glare from the face of the lock and improves the decoding process. A digital camera is configured to provide an optical view of an interior of the lock cylinder to detect the pin settings for each of a plurality of lock tumbler pins carried by the lock cylinder. The digital camera is configured to provide a live feed displayed on a video screen or recorded for later analysis.
Claims19
A lock cylinder decoding apparatus for decoding a lock cylinder of a lock, comprising:
- a cylinder probe having a proximal end and a distal end, the cylinder probe dimensioned to be received within a keyhole of the lock cylinder;
- a channel defined within the cylinder probe has an opening to a pin side of the keyhole;
- and
- a mirror attached at a distal end of the channel, wherein the mirror is angled to orient a sight line aligned with the channel of the cylinder probe on a selected pin of a plurality of pins carried by the lock cylinder.
A method of decoding a lock cylinder having a plurality of pins, comprising:
- inserting a cylinder probe removably coupled to a distal end of a lock cylinder decoding device, the cylinder probe dimensioned to be received within a keyhole of the lock cylinder, a channel defined within the cylinder probe has an opening to a pin side of the lock cylinder, a mirror attached at a distal end of the channel, wherein the mirror is angled to orient a sight line aligned with the channel on a selected pin of a plurality of pins carried by the lock cylinder to provide a visual observation of the selected pin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.