Key identification system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10007979-B2
Application number	US-201615387731-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 22, 2016
Priority date	Jul 15, 2010
Publication date	Jun 26, 2018
Grant date	Jun 26, 2018

Abstract

A key identification system that includes a key identification system housing, a key clamp, a key ring support tray, and two digital identifiers is disclosed. The key identification system housing may include a key receiving aperture extending through housing and sized to receive at least some of a key blade of a key. The key clamp is positioned adjacent to the key receiving aperture and allows the system to maintain the key blade in a fixed position within the key identification system housing when the key is inserted into the key receiving aperture. The key ring support tray is typically coupled to the key identification system housing below the key receiving aperture. The two digital identifiers are positioned within the key identification system housing and designed to capture key blade information.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of identifying a key in a key identification system, comprising:
inserting a key blade of a key into a key receiving aperture of a key identification system housing;
fixedly positioning the key blade within the key identification system housing with a clamp positioned adjacent the key receiving aperture;
aligning the key with a plurality of arms of an alignment clamp, the plurality of arms comprising a fixed first arm, a movable second arm, a movable third arm, and a movable fourth arm that form a boundary of an alignment aperture, wherein the second, third, and fourth arms are biased toward the alignment aperture such that when the key is inserted into the alignment aperture, the second, third, and fourth arms move outward from the alignment aperture and each of the first, second, third, and fourth arms exert pressure on each side of the key blade;
supporting key chain items on a key ring support tray positioned proximate the key receiving aperture;
capturing an image of the key blade with at least one digital identifier positioned within the key identification system housing; and
removing the key blade from the key receiving aperture.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein supporting the key chain items on the key ring support tray comprises supporting the key chain items on the key ring support tray positioned with an upper surface at between about one half to four inches vertically below the key receiving aperture and extending out from the key identification system housing between about two to about four inches.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein capturing the image of the key blade with the least one digital identifier comprises capturing the image of the key blade with a first digital identifier positioned substantially perpendicular to the key blade.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein fixedly positioning the key blade with the clamp comprises fixedly positioning the blade within the key identification system housing by clamping a key head of the key with a biased clamp.

5. A method of identifying a key in a key identification system, comprising:
inserting a key blade of a key into a key receiving aperture of a key identification system housing;
fixedly positioning the key blade within the key identification system housing with a clamp positioned adjacent the key receiving aperture;
aligning the key with a plurality of arms of an alignment clamp, the plurality of arms comprising a first arm, a second arm, a third arm, and a fourth arm, wherein together the first, second, third and fourth arms surrounding a key alignment clamp aperture, wherein relative to a position of the first arm, the second arm is moveable in four directions, the third arm is moveable in four directions and the fourth arm is moveable in at least two directions;
supporting key chain items on a key ring support tray positioned proximate the key receiving aperture;
capturing an image of the key blade with at least one digital identifier positioned within the key identification system housing; and
removing the key blade from the key receiving aperture.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein supporting the key chain items on the key ring support tray comprises supporting the key chain items on the key ring support tray positioned with an upper surface at between about one half to four inches vertically below the key receiving aperture and extending out from the key identification system housing between about two to about four inches.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein capturing the image of the key blade with the least one digital identifier comprises capturing the image of the key blade with a first digital identifier positioned substantially perpendicular to the key blade.

8. The method of claim 5 , wherein fixedly positioning the key blade with the clamp comprises fixedly positioning the blade within the key identification system housing by clamping a key head of the key with a biased clamp.

Assignees

• Hillman Group Inc

Inventors

• Mueller Michael A
• Hagen George Lynn
• Basham Scott
• Hamblin Ryan
• Ito Carl
• Booth Kenneth C

Classifications

• G06T2207/30136

  Metal · CPC title

• B23C2235/12

  Using a database to store details of the key, the information in the database being used for the generation of the profile of the key · CPC title

• E05B19/00

  Keys; Accessories therefor ({key modifications or attachments preventing removal from the lock E05B11/005; key rings A44B15/00; key cases A45C11/32; key holders A47G29/10;} making keys, see the relevant places, e.g. B21D53/42; milling grooves in keys B23C3/35) · CPC title

• Y10T409/301064

  Complete cycle · CPC title

• B23Q3/00

  Devices holding, supporting, or positioning work or tools, of a kind normally removable from the machine (work-tables or other parts, e.g. faceplates, normally not incorporating means for securing work B23Q1/00; automatic position control B23Q15/00 {; food cutting boards A47J47/00; workpiece support for dies B21D37/02}; rotary tool heads for turning-machines B23B3/24, B23B3/26; non-driven tool holders B23B29/00; general features of turrets B23B29/24 {; drawbars in spindles B23B31/261; for electrical discharge machining B23H11/003; for welding B23K37/04; means for securing grinding wheels B24B45/00; mountings for abrasive wheels B24D5/16}; tools or bench devices for fastening, connecting, disengaging or holding B25B {; chucks for percussive tools B25D17/084; work benches for manual work B25H1/00; devices for securing circular saw blades B27B5/32; for assembling or manufacturing aircrafts B64F5/10; devices for holding circuit boards H05K13/0061; for holding semiconductors or wafers H10P72/00}) · CPC title