Key identifier method and apparatus
AssigneeAxxess Entry Technologies
InventorGeorge Heredia
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A key identifier enables an operator to select a key blank design functionally compatible with an unknown key by directing the operator to implement a primary classification step followed by a secondary classification step to sort an unknown key into a specified secondary classification category. The key identifier operator then implements a key blade matching procedure within the specified secondary classification category where the cross section of the blade of the unknown key is matched with a defined blade cross sectional configuration. When a match is obtained between the unknown key blade configuration and the known blade configuration, the known key blank design can be identified and a compatible key blank can be selected.
Claims55
A method for selecting a key blank design functionally compatible with an unknown key having an identified primary classification category, a secondary classification attribute, and a key blade with a defined cross sectional configuration, where the selected key blank design is functionally compatible with, but not necessarily geometrically identical to an original key blank from which the unknown key was cut, comprising the steps of:
- a. identifying the primary classification category of the unknown key to sort the unknown key into a specified primary classification category;
- b. within the specified primary classification category sorting the unknown key by the secondary classification attribute into a specified secondary classification category;
- c. implementing a key blade matching procedure within the specified secondary classification category where the cross sectional configuration of the unknown key blade is compared with at least one cross sectional configuration corresponding to a known blade cross sectional configuration of a known key blank design to determine whether the cross sectional configuration of the unknown key blade matches the known cross sectional configuration;
- d. implementing a sequence-prioritized matching procedure where the cross sectional configuration of the unknown key blade is compared with a sequence-prioritized group of known cross sectional configurations where each cross sectional configuration within the group is different;
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- e. identifying the known key blank design when the key matching procedure yields a match between the unknown key blade cross sectional configuration and the known cross sectional configuration.
Apparatus for selecting a key blank design functionally compatible with an unknown key having an identified primary classification category, and a key blade with a defined cross sectional configuration, where the selected key blank design is functionally compatible with, but not necessarily geometrically identical to an original key blank from which the unknown key was cut, comprising:
- a. a sequence-prioritized set of slots grouped together according to the primary classification category where the cross sectional configuration of each slot corresponds to the cross sectional configuration of a blade of a known key blank design, wherein the slots are configured to enable the cross sectional configuration of the blade of the unknown key to be compared with the cross sectional configuration of each slot on a sequence-prioritized basis to determine whether a match exists between the unknown key blade and a designated slot;
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- b. means for relating a matched slot to a specified key blank design functionally compatible with the unknown key.
Apparatus for selecting a key blank design functionally compatible with an unknown key having an identified primary classification category, a key head, and a key blade with a defined cross sectional configuration, where the selected key blank design is functionally compatible with, but not necessarily geometrically identical to an original key blank from which the unknown master key was cut, comprising:
- a. a sequence-prioritized set of paired slots and key head outlines grouped together according to the primary classification category where the key head outline corresponds to the outline of a head of a known key blank design and the cross sectional configuration of each paired slot corresponds to the cross sectional configuration of the blade of the same known key blank design, wherein the paired key head outlines and slots are configured to enable the key head and the blade cross sectional configuration of the unknown key to be compared with each key head outline and with the cross sectional configuration of each paired slot on a sequence-prioritized basis to determine whether a match exists between the key head and the blade of the unknown key and a designated key head outline/slot pair;
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- b. means for relating a matching key head outline/slot pair to a key blank design functionally compatible with the unknown key.
Apparatus for selecting a key blank design functionally compatible with an unknown key having an identified primary classification category, and a key blade with a defined cross sectional configuration, where the selected key blank design is functionally compatible with, but not necessarily geometrically identical to an original key blank from which the unknown key was cut, comprising:
- a. a first sequence-prioritized set of slots grouped together according to the primary classification category where the cross sectional configuration of each slot corresponds to the cross sectional configuration of a blade of a known key blank design, wherein the slots are configured to enable the cross sectional configuration of the blade blank of the unknown key to be compared with the cross sectional configuration of each slot on a sequence-prioritized basis to determine whether a match exists between the unknown key blade and a designated slot;
- b. a second sequence-prioritized set of paired slots and key head outlines grouped together according to the primary classification category where the key head outline corresponds to the outline of a head of a known key blank design and the cross sectional configuration of each paired slot corresponds to the cross sectional configuration of the blade of the same known key blank design, wherein the paired key head outlines and slots are configured to enable the key head and the blade cross sectional configuration of the unknown key to be compared with each key head outline and with the cross sectional configuration of each paired slot on a sequence-prioritized basis to determine whether a match exists between the key head and the blade of the unknown key and a designated key head outline/slot pair;
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- c. means for relating the matched slot and the matching key head outline/slot pair to a key blank design functionally compatible with the unknown key.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.