Operator assisted method for making keys

An operator assisted method of making keys comprising the steps of:

• a. determining a positional relationship of the clamped key blank relative to a preselected datum;
• b. rejecting the positional relationship of the clamped key blank by generating a signal verbally announcing to the operator the need to reposition and re-clamp the key blank, when the positional relationship is beyond a predetermined threshold;
• c. making adjustments to cutting key cuts to correct for the positional relationship of the key blank relative to the preselected datum;
• d. comparing key cuts made to the corresponding key blank with key cuts in line with the corresponding key cut codes to determine a cutting variance and adjusting the selected datum to correct for the cutting variance;
• and
• e. rejecting the cut key blank and informing the attendant to replace the corresponding key blank.

An operator assisted method of making keys comprising the steps of:

• a. automatically extracting key attributes from an object key;
• b. comparing the key attributes of the object key to known manufacturer's key attributes stored in memory of a data processing unit to identify a corresponding key blank;
• c. verbally announcing to the operator the identity of the corresponding key blank, whereby, the operator can secure the corresponding key blank in a clamp for cutting,
• wherein the verbally announcing to the operator the identity of the corresponding key blank comprises at least one of a voice identifying and a visually displaying of the identification of the corresponding key blank;
• and
• d. comparing the key attributes of the object key to known manufacturer's key attributes stored in memory of the data processing unit to determine a corresponding key cut code for the corresponding key blank.