Self service key duplicating machine with automatic key model identification system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10737336-B2
Application number	US-201916505612-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 8, 2019
Priority date	Nov 28, 2006
Publication date	Aug 11, 2020
Grant date	Aug 11, 2020

Abstract

An automatic key duplicating machine is disclosed. A master key identification module includes at least one key blade cross-section detector with a plurality of sliding elements, the master key identification module being configured to determine a key type for a master key based at least in part on engagement of the plurality of sliding elements with a blade profile of the master key. A key extraction module is configured to retrieve a key blank of an identified key type. A key cutting module is configured to cut the key blank in accordance with a tooth pattern of the master key.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A key duplicating machine, comprising:
a housing;
an insertion slot associated with the housing configured to allow insertion of only the blade of a master key, the insertion slot configured to receive the master key having any of a plurality of cross-sectional profiles;
a key identification system comprising one or more optical scanning devices, wherein the one or more optical scanning devices are configured to detect a cross-sectional profile of the blade of the master key;
a magazine storing a plurality of key blanks;
a blank loading system configured to select a key blank from the magazine whose cross-sectional profile matches the detected cross-sectional profile of the master key;
a key cutting system configured to cut the selected key blank to duplicate a key tooth pattern of the master key; and
one or more vacuum sources within the housing configured to selectively provide vacuum pressure within the housing.

2. The key duplicating machine of claim 1 , further comprising a cut key cleaner configured to engage the cut key blank and remove material left over from the key duplicating process.

3. The key duplicating machine of claim 1 , wherein the one or more vacuum sources is configured to substantially remove debris from the cutting of the key blank from the inside of the housing.

4. The key duplicating machine of claim 1 , wherein the key identification system is further configured to detect that the master key is fully inserted.

5. The key duplicating machine of claim 1 , wherein the detected cross-sectional profile of the blade of the master key is utilized to identify the type of the master key.

6. The key duplicating machine of claim 1 , wherein the one or more optical scanning devices are further configured to detect a length parameter of the blade of the master key.

7. The key duplicating machine of claim 6 , wherein the key identification system is further configured to utilize the detected length parameter to identify the model of the master key.

8. The key duplicating machine of claim 1 , wherein the key identification system is further configured to determine the key tooth pattern of the master key.

9. A key duplicating machine, comprising:
a housing;
an insertion slot associated with the housing configured to allow insertion of only the blade of a master key, the insertion slot configured to receive the master key having any of a plurality of cross-sectional profiles;
a key identification system comprising one or more optical scanning devices, wherein the one or more optical scanning devices are configured to detect a plurality of key parameters including at least a cross-sectional profile of the blade of the master key and a key tooth pattern of the master key, and are further configured to utilize the detected plurality of key parameters to identify a matching key blank;
a magazine storing a plurality of key blanks;
a blank loading system configured to select a key blank from the magazine identified as a matching key blank; and
a key cutting system configured to cut the selected key blank to duplicate a key tooth pattern of the master key.

10. The key duplicating machine of claim 9 , further comprising a cut key cleaner configured to engage the cut key blank and remove material left over from the key duplicating process.

11. The key duplicating machine of claim 9 , further comprising one or more vacuum sources within the housing configured to selectively provide vacuum pressure within the housing.

12. The key duplicating machine of claim 11 , wherein the one or more vacuum sources are further configured to substantially remove debris from the cutting of the key blank from the inside of the housing.

13. The key duplicating machine of claim 9 , wherein the key identification system is further configured to detect that the master key is fully inserted.

14. The key duplicating machine of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the detected plurality of key parameters is a length parameter of the blade of the master key.

15. The key duplicating machine of claim 14 , wherein the key identification system is further configured to utilize the detected length parameter to identify the model of the master key.

16. A key duplicating machine, comprising:
a housing;
an insertion slot associated with the housing configured to allow insertion of only the blade of a master key, the insertion slot configured to receive the master key having any of a plurality of cross-sectional profiles;
a key identification system comprising one or more optical scanning devices, wherein the one or more optical scanning devices are configured to detect a plurality of key parameters including:
(a) at least a thickness and/or a length parameter of the blade of the master key; and
(b) a key tooth pattern of the master key, and

wherein the one or more optical scanning devices are further configured to utilize the detected plurality of key parameters to identify a matching key blank;
a magazine storing a plurality of key blanks;
a blank loading system configured to select a key blank from the magazine identified as a matching key blank; and
a key cutting system configured to cut the selected key blank to duplicate a key tooth pattern of the master key.

17. The key duplicating machine of claim 16 , wherein the key duplicating machine further comprises a cut key cleaner configured to engage the cut key blank and remove material left over from the key duplicating process.

18. The key duplicating machine of claim 16 , wherein the key identification system is further configured to detect that the master key is fully inserted.

19. The key duplicating machine of claim 16 , wherein at least one of the detected plurality of key parameters is a cross-sectional profile of the blade of the master key.

20. The key duplicating machine of claim 19 , wherein the detected cross-sectional profile of the blade of the master key is utilized to identify the type of the master key.

21. The key duplicating machine of claim 16 , wherein the key identification system is further configured to utilize the detected length parameter to identify the model of the master key.

22. The key duplicating machine of claim 16 , further comprising one or more vacuum sources within the housing configured to selectively provide vacuum pressure within the housing.

23. The key duplicating machine of claim 22 , wherein the one or more vacuum sources are further configured to substantially remove debris from the cutting of the key blank from the inside of the housing.

Assignees

• Hillman Group Inc

Inventors

• Freeman Daniel
• Freeman Ari

Classifications

• G07F17/26

  for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus (ticket printing or the like apparatus G07F17/42) · CPC title

• Y10T409/306048

  with means to advance work or product · CPC title

• B23C2235/32

  Measurement systems · CPC title

• Y10T409/301008

  Using templet other than a key · CPC title

• B23C2230/08

  Using suction · CPC title