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US 11,642,744 B2Granted
Identification module for key making machine
AssigneeThe Hillman Group, Inc.
InventorsByron Keith Grice, Phillip Gerlings, John Clayton Campbell, Michael James Schmidt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An identification module is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The identification module may have a key receiving assembly configured to receive only a shank of an existing key. The identification module may also have a tip guide, configured to receive a tip of the shank of the existing key. The tip guide may have a slot that exposes a tip end of the shank. The identification module may also have an imaging assembly configured to capture an image of the tip end through the slot.
Claims19
A key making machine, comprising:
- a housing including a slot configured to receive an existing key;
- an identification module, including:
- a key receiving assembly configured to receive a shank of the existing key;
- an imaging assembly comprising at least one light source and at least one camera;
- a tip guide configured to receive a tip of the shank, the tip guide being movable from a first location adjacent to the slot to a second location away from the slot,
- wherein the camera is configured to be selectively triggered to capture an image of the shank of the existing key based on a position of the tip guide, and
- wherein the imaging assembly is configured to identify a key blank associated with the existing key based at least on the captured image;
- a fabrication module configured to cut a bitting pattern into the key blank based on a bitting pattern of the existing key determined by the identification module based on the captured image;
- and
- a contaminate containment device configured to isolate the imaging assembly from the fabrication module, wherein the contaminate containment device includes a removable translucent plate.
7 more elements
A system for duplicating a key, comprising:
- an identification system, including:
- a housing including a slot configured to receive an existing key;
- a key receiving assembly configured to receive the shank of the existing key;
- a tip guide configured to receive a tip of the shank, the tip guide being movable from a first location adjacent to the slot to a second location away from the slot;
- an imaging system comprising at least one camera, wherein the imaging system is configured to determine at least a channel profile of the shank of the existing key, wherein the identification system and the imaging system are configured to be activated based on a position of the tip guide;
- a user interface associated with the housing,
- wherein the user interface includes a touch screen, and
- wherein the user interface is configured to provide status information to a user regarding a key duplication process;
- a fabrication system including at least one system for duplication of the existing key;
- and
- a contaminate containment device configured to isolate the imaging system from the fabrication system,
- wherein the contaminate containment device includes a removable translucent plate, and
- wherein the identification system is configured to wirelessly transmit information associated with the determined channel profile to the fabrication system.
10 more elements
A system for duplicating a key, comprising:
- an identification system, including:
- a housing including a slot configured to receive an existing key;
- a key receiving assembly configured to receive the shank of the existing key;
- a tip guide configured to receive a tip of the shank, the tip guide being movable from a first location adjacent to the slot to a second location away from the slot;
- and
- a sensor associated with the tip guide, the sensor being configured to generate a first signal when the tip guide moves from the first location and a second signal when the tip guide stops moving at the second location;
- an imaging system comprising at least one camera, wherein the imaging system is configured to determine at least a channel profile of the shank of the existing key, wherein the identification system and the imaging system are configured to be activated based on a position of the tip guide;
- a user interface associated with the housing,
- wherein the user interface includes a touch screen, and
- wherein the user interface is configured to provide status information to a user regarding a key duplication process;
- a fabrication system including at least one system for duplication of the existing key;
- and
- a contaminate containment device configured to isolate the imaging system from the fabrication system,
- wherein the identification system is configured to wirelessly transmit information associated with the determined channel profile to the fabrication system.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.