Method and apparatus for automatically making keys

A key making apparatus utilizing attributes of an object key comprising:

• means for loosely supporting the object key comprising a surface;
• a non-contact means for extracting attributes including at least one of laterally protected attributes of the object key and laterally exposed attributes of the object key which include laterally exposed key cuts, comprising means for determining the initial relative orientation of the object key comprising:
• means for backlighting arranged and adapted to pass light through a transparent section of the surface and project an image of the object key positioned thereon,
• means for receiving at least one object image of the object key positioned on said transparent section and producing an output signal, and
• means for identifying attributes of the object key that is operably connected and responsive to the output signal from the means for receiving at least one object image of the object key;
• means for computing angular displacement of a longitudinal axis of the object key relative to a line perpendicular to a fixed datum;
• a light stripe generator for projecting a light stripe parallel to the fixed datum on to the object key;
• means for determining a true reflected light stripe including means for receiving an object image arranged and adapted to receive an image of the projected light stripe reflected from the object key,
• said true reflected light stripe being computed utilizing the computed angular displacement to compress the reflected light stripe to compensate for an elongation of the reflected light stripe caused by a lack of perpendicularity between the fixed datum and the longitudinal axis of the object key,
• whereby, a key blank and key cut codes from which the object key is made can be identified.

A key making apparatus utilizing attributes of an object key comprising:

• a non-contact means for extracting attributes including at least one of laterally protected attributes of the object key and laterally exposed attributes of the object key, said laterally exposed attributes including laterally exposed key cuts, having means for determining the initial relative orientation of the object key as loosely supported on a surface having means for computing angular displacement of a longitudinal axis of the object key relative to a line perpendicular to a fixed datum and means for ascertaining the distance between the tip of the blade of the object key from an end of the surface,
• said distance being computed along a line perpendicular to the fixed datum,
• a light stripe generator for projecting at least one light stripe parallel to the fixed datum on to the object key, said light stripe generator being pivotally disposed about a fixed line parallel to the fixed datum, said light stripe generator being selectively rotatable between a first position where the light stripe generated projects adjacent to an end of the transparent section of the surface and a second position where the light stripe generated projects adjacent to the opposite end of the transparent section of the surface and means for determining a true reflected light stripe,
• means for receiving an object image, comprising a stationary camera, arranged and adapted to receive an image of the projected light stripe reflected from the object key,
• said true reflected light stripe being computed utilizing the computed angular displacement to compress the reflected light stripe to compensate for an elongation of the reflected light stripe caused by a lack of perpendicularity between the fixed datum and the longitudinal axis of the object key,
• whereby, key cut codes of the object key can be recognized.

A method for automatically making keys utilizing attributes of an object key having a longitudinal axis which comprises:

• a. loosely supporting the object key by receiving said object key on a surface;
• b. determining the initial relative orientation of the object key including computing angular displacement of a longitudinal axis of the object key relative to a line perpendicular to a fixed datum;
• and
• c. extracting attributes including at least one of laterally protected attributes and laterally exposed key cuts of the loosely supported object key,
• whereby, key cut codes of the object key can be recognized.

A method for automatically making keys utilizing attributes of an object key having a longitudinal axis which comprises:

• a. loosely supporting the object key by receiving said object key on a surface;
• b. determining the initial relative orientation of the object key including computing angular displacement of a longitudinal axis of the object key relative to a line perpendicular to a fixed datum and ascertaining the distance between the tip of the blade of the object key from an end of the surface, said distance being computed along a line perpendicular to the fixed datum;
• c. extracting attributes including laterally exposed key cuts of the loosely supported object key;
• d. projecting a light stripe parallel to the fixed datum on to the object key and selectively rotating the light stripe generator about a fixed line parallel to the fixed datum to position the light stripe generator to cause sequentially generated light stripes to be projected along a plurality of locations on the blade of the object key;
• e. receiving an object image of the projected light stripe reflected from the object key;
• and
• f. determining a true reflected light stripe by computing a compressed reflected light stripe to compensate for an elongation of the reflected light stripe caused by a lack of perpendicularity between the fixed datum and the longitudinal axis of the object key.