Key identification system
AssigneeThe Hillman Group, Inc.
InventorsJohn Campbell, George Heredia, Michael A. Mueller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for identifying the key blank corresponding to a master key is provided. The system includes a first luminous surface and a second luminous surface. The second luminous surface is disposed opposite the first luminous surface such that the master key is disposable therebetween. The first and second luminous surfaces are operable to generate an image of the master key. A receiver is provided to capture the image of the master key. The system also includes a control having a memory that stores information on a plurality of key blanks. The control is operable to identify the key blank corresponding to the master key based on the image captured by the receiver.
Claims17
A system for identifying a key blank from a master key, the system comprising:
- a first luminous surface configured to backlight a first surface of a master key;
- a second luminous surface configured to illuminate a second surface of a master key opposite the first surface, each of the first and second luminous surfaces disposed opposite each other such that the master key is disposable therebetween, the first and second luminous surfaces disposed in a fixed position relative to the other of the first and second luminous surfaces and adapted to generate an image of the master key;
- a receiver operable to capture the image of the master key;
- and
- a control having a memory operable to store information on a plurality of key blanks, the control operable to identify the key blank corresponding to the master key based on the captured image.
A method of identifying a key blank from a master key, comprising the steps of:
- disposing a first luminous surface configured to illuminate a first surface of a master key and a second luminous surface configured to illuminate a second surface of the master key opposite the first surface in a housing, each of the first and second luminous surfaces disposed in a fixed position relative to the other of the first and second luminous surfaces;
- positioning the master key between the first luminous surface and the second luminous surface;
- backlighting the first surface of the master key with the first luminous surface;
- illuminating the second surface of the master key with the second luminous surface;
- capturing the image of the master key generated by the one of the first and second luminous surfaces;
- and
- comparing the captured image of the master key with information from known key blanks to identify a key blank corresponding to the master key.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.