Systems and methods for creating duplicate keys
AssigneeiKeyless, LLC
InventorsDouglas Robertson, Adam Pizer, David Horsfall, Ian Simon Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention generally relates to the field of replicating or copying keys. More specifically, the present invention relates to creating a copy of a master key based on a captured image of the master key by using a laser scanning of the master key and decoding the master key based on the captured image. The present invention identifies a set of target key information based on the image of the master key to provide for the cutting of a duplicate key blade copy using a key scanning and cutting system located at a retail or end location. Additional key information may also be captured along with the image of the master key.
Claims18
A laser-based key cutting machine for making duplicate keys, the key cutting machine comprising:
- a master key imaging compartment having a scannable surface configured to receive and support a master key having a key blade for imaging;
- an imaging device disposed proximate to the scannable surface and positioned to capture image data of the master key key blade;
- a laser disposed proximate to the scannable surface and positioned to direct a laser line on the master key key blade;
- a processor and a memory having stored therein instructions executable by the processor, wherein the processor is adapted to send and receive signals to the imaging device and laser;
- a set of non-transitory instructions stored in the memory and configured, when executed by the processor, to:
- target a laser and project at least one laser line on the master key key blade based at least in part on captured image data;
- determine a set of measurements including distance and height measurements related to the master key and the projected laser lines;
- based on the determined set of measurements, determine a pitch angle of the master key key blade relative to the scannable surface;
- and
- target the laser and project a further laser line based at least in part on the set of measurements and the pitch angle;
- and
- a key cutting component configured to receive a signal from the processor and cut a key blank based on a set of master key bitting information included in the signal.
A method of operating a laser-based key cutting machine to make duplicate keys, comprising:
- receiving a master key having a key blade on a scannable surface of a master key imaging compartment of the laser-based key cutting machine;
- obtaining image data from an imaging device disposed proximate to the scannable surface and positioned to capture image data of the master key key blade;
- operating a laser disposed proximate to the scannable surface to project at least one laser line on the master key key blade based at least in part on the image data;
- determining a set of measurements including distance and height measurements related to the master key and the projected laser lines;
- based on the determined set of measurements, determining a pitch angle of the master key key blade relative to the scannable surface;
- targeting the laser and projecting a further laser line based at least in part on the set of measurements and the pitch angle;
- and
- operating a key cutting component of the laser-based key cutting machine to cut a key blank based on a set of master key bitting information included in the signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.