Electronic Key Impressioning (EKI) Device, Method and Program Product

A method, comprising:

• securing a key decoder to housing with a portion extending there from, the key decoder insertable in a keyway and having a longitudinal groove along a surface thereof;
• installing an insulated connector in the groove for connection to an electronic measuring device, the connector having an exposed surface serving as a reader
• urging the key decoder through the keyway via the slider, the key decoder successively engaging wafers of a lock, the measuring device providing signals to a computer system, the signals indicating the position of the reader in contact with and out of contact with the wafers as the slider urges the connector through the keyway;
• and
• transmitting electrical signals from the measuring device to the electronic circuitry, the signals indicative of the position of the reader in the keyway, the computer system using the signals for mathematically identifying a cut for each wafer in forming an impression of the wafer tumblers in the lock as a basis for fabricating a replacement key.

A medium containing stored program instructions, executable in a computer system, for impressioning a lock, comprising:

• program instructions for securing a key decoder to housing with a portion extending there from, the key decoder insertable in a key way and having a longitudinal groove along a surface thereof;
• program instructions for installing an insulated connector in the groove for connection to an electronic measuring device including a slider, the connector having an exposed surface serving as a reader;
• program instructions for urging the key decoder through the keyway via the slider, the key decoder successively engaging wafers of a lock, the measuring device providing signals indicating the position of the reader in contact with and out of contact with the wafers as the slider urges the connector through the keyway;
• and
• program instructions transmitting electrical signals from the measuring device to a computer system, the signals indicative of the position of the reader in the keyway, the computer system using the signals for mathematically identifying a cut for each wafer in forming an impression of the wafer tumblers in the lock as a basis for fabricating a replacement key.