Patent Application
20100316250
This invention relates generally to a device capable of reading, recording, and identifying keys for mechanical locks.
Many individuals commonly have a wide variety of keys for an equally wide variety of locks. For example, it is typical to have keys for many locks around a home, such as a lock for a front door, a back door, a garage door, and certain interior doors for bedrooms or bathrooms. In addition, storage sheds, lockers, and other facilities may have locks that use keys to open them. Office buildings and other work-related facilities likewise have many different locks for doors, gates, garages, lockers, and other areas.
In many cases, it can be difficult to keep track of the many different keys that one person might have. It can also be a challenge for a company to keep track of its many keys. When a reasonably large number of keys are involved, it can sometimes be virtually impossible to determine which lock goes with a particular key unless there are identifying indicia on the key. If there are not, the key may be essentially worthless. Unfortunately, there is nothing available today to readily identify an orphan key in order to associate it with a particular lock.
The present invention in its various versions includes devices and methods for recognizing, naming, storing, identifying, and reproducing keys. In one preferred example, a relatively small hand-held device includes a key-receiving slot having an internal scanner that captures an image of a key inserted into the slot. In a data storing mode, the key can be named and identified and then stored in memory. In a recognition mode, the scanned image of an inserted key is compared with previously stored keys to find a match. In the event a match is found, an associated display presents information identifying the key, such as the name of the key, the door or other locking device it is assigned to, or other desirable information.
In other versions of the invention, the key reading and storage device may be connected to one or more other computers and additional databases over the Internet or other networks. In this fashion, the device may be communicatively coupled to a wide range of data such as key blank data relating types of keys to manufacturers and particular serial numbers or other codes.
Likewise, in some embodiments the scanned key data is stored on the reading device. In other versions it may be stored on a computer or a remote database associated with a remote server.
In additional versions of the invention the reading device may be connected to a computer-controlled key cutting machine in order to produce replacement keys in accordance with the prior scanned key image. Similarly, the scanned key image (or related data) may be provided over a network, a flash memory device, or by other means in order to facilitate its use by a computer-controlled key cutting device.
These and other examples of the invention are discussed in greater detail below.
Certain preferred examples of the invention are described below with reference to the following drawings. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not drawn to scale, and some of these elements are arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn are not intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements, and have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the drawings.
A preferred example of the invention is illustrated in
The reading device 10 includes a substantially rigid outer case 20 having an external display 30. The display is configured to present information about the key such as a code 32 that may be a serial number, a key type, or a key manufacturer, for example. The display may also present additional information such as an indication 34 of the lock associated with the key. In some versions, the display may be large enough to also display an image 36 of the scanned key, including the cuts and grooves forming the key. The image may be an actual photographic or scanned image of the key, or may be an illustration representing the shape of the actual key. Yet other information may also be presented, with the amount of information only being limited by the size and capabilities of the display screen.
The housing 20 includes a slot 22 for receiving a key 40. As shown, the key 40 is extended into the interior of the device sufficiently to enable internal components to fully scan the teeth, grooves, and any other aspects of the working end of the key. In some versions of the invention, the slot allows the entire key to fit within the device, and the entire key is scanned. Though configured as a slot in the preferred form, in other versions of the invention the slot may be replaced with a door that is pivotably, slideably, or otherwise openable to allow the key to be placed in a scanning position. For example, a hinged door at the rear of the housing 20 may open in a pivotal fashion and snap shut to retain the key in place for scanning.
In the version as shown, the housing includes a power button 24 and a connection port for a USB or other computer communications cable 26. Bluetooth, infrared, or other wireless communications transceivers may also be provided in other examples of the invention, though they are not shown in the version of
One or more buttons 27, 28, 29 are provided as a user interface. As discussed in greater detail below, the buttons allow the user to scroll up or down through a variety of menu options, as well as to indicate a selection of a desired menu item. Other user input structures are provided in different examples of the invention, such as incorporating a touch screen into the display 30.
In some examples of the invention, the device 10 is configured to communicate with an external computer. With reference to
The computer provides several possible options for different versions of the device. In one form, the amount of memory on the reading device 10 is relatively small. The computer 50, on the other hand, has access to a larger memory storage. Moreover, the computer may be connected to any number of remote servers over the Internet or other communications channels to access larger amounts of data. Thus, the computer (directly or via the Internet) accesses a storage database of key types. When a key is scanned in the reading device 10, the reading device passes the scanned image data to the computer 50, which operates stored programming software to identify aspects of the key such as its length, width, head configuration and markings, and grooves. These aspects are compared with key type data on the computer 50 in order to determine the type and manufacturer of the key. This information is then passed to the reading device 10 where it is stored in the reading device's internal memory.
As will be discussed in greater detail below, a preferred reading device is configured to scan a key, name it, identify it, and store the associated data. In the version of
While a relatively small and portable key reading device 10 is the preferred form of the invention, in some versions the invention is implemented without a specially tailored device. Thus, in an alternate example of the invention, the key is read by a standard flat bed scanner 70 such as is shown in
The data related to the key—such as its label, manufacturer, and type, are preferably stored on the reading device 10 and/or the computer 50. In addition, the key data may be stored remotely in a database associated with a remote server in communication with the reading device or the computer. Preferably, such storage would include encryption and passwords known only to the owner of the key (or a manufacturer, store owner, or other trusted agent) so that others could not access the key data in order to produce duplicate keys without the owner's permission.
A battery or other power source 82 is provided and is operably connected to the other internal components as necessary. An internal microprocessor 80 is operably connected via a data bus 85 to a memory 83 that is configured to hold key scanning and identifying software, key data, and other information. The memory is preferably flash memory, but can be any suitable form of computer-readable media. One or more user input devices 84 (such as buttons or a touch screen, as discussed above) are likewise in communication with the processor, either directly or via the communications bus 85. The power button 24 is also in signal communication with the processor, as is the communications port 26.
One preferred method of using the key reading and storing device is shown in the flow diagram of
After the key has been placed in an appropriate location to facilitate scanning, at a next block 104 an image of the key is scanned. The scanning image may be taken in any form such that an image of the key is captured in a computer-readable form. Preferably the scanning step obtains at least an outer image of the perimeter of the key, including the teeth. More preferably, the scanning step is configured to capture slots or grooves in the key, as well as the configuration of the head of the key. In yet more sophisticated versions of the invention, the scanned image is sufficiently detailed such that it captures etched, raised, printed, or other surface indicia on the key so that the indicia may be interpreted by the accompanying key interpretation software. The printed or other surface indicia may include, for example, the maker of the key and an indication of a type or category of the key. Preferably such information is scanned and the stored programming instructions are provided to use optical character recognition (OCR) to interpret such images and store them in a database associated with the key.
When a key has been inserted and its image scanned or captured, the method next queries whether the scanned key is intended to be added to the database of stored keys or compared with previously stored keys in the database to look for a match. Thus, at a next block 106, the method asks whether the user wants the system to look for a match or to save the key to the database.
If the user indicates a desire to add the key to the database, the method proceeds to a next block 112 where the user applies a name for the key. The naming step may be performed in a variety of ways, such as by selecting from a list of provided standard key names or by entering a custom name via a keyboard or other user input device. Once the key has been named, the method proceeds to a next block 114 at which point the data related to the scanned key image and the assigned name are saved in a key storage database.
Optionally the method may compare the scanned image against a stored database of key data to determine data related to the key type such as the manufacturer and the particular type of key blank from which the key was produced. The manufacturer and key blank data may be stored on the reader device, an associated computer, or on a remote server. In either case, the software stored on the device, the computer, or the server compares scanned key data against stored key data to try to find a match for the manufacturer and blank code. In many cases, the manufacturer can be determined by the configuration of the head of the key, while the blank code can be determined by the shape and grooves of the key. Likewise, raised or etched indicators on the head of the key may convey blank code information. Where the system has been able to determine a match by comparing scanned against stored data, it stores the associated manufacturer and key code data in association with the scanned key and assigned name.
Returning to block 106, if the user indicates the desire to find a match for the key, the method proceeds to a block 108 at which point the scanned image of the recently inserted key is compared with the scanned images of keys previously stored in the database. The key comparison routine preferably includes a comparison of the outline of the scanned key against the outlines of previously stored keys. For the majority of keys having a straight upper edge, the comparison routine aligns the straight upper edge of the scanned key against corresponding straight upper edges of stored scanned key images, then compares digital images of teeth profiles with respect to the straight upper edges. The routine may further compare key head outlines and groove profiles for matches.
After comparing the scanned image against stored images, the method may determine that it has found a match. In this sense, a match may be a perfect overlay of the key under investigation against the scanned image of a previously stored key. More likely, especially as the resolution of the scanned image increases, the scanned image will not result in a completely perfect match with any stored image. The deviations may be the result of, for example, slight differences in scanning angles caused by key insertion differences, dirt or other debris on the surface of a key, or wear to one or more of the teeth of a key over time. Thus, a match amounts to a substantial match in which the teeth and groove profiles for the scanned and stored keys are substantially the same.
When a match has been found, the display of the device indicates that there has been a match. In one example of the invention, as shown in
In the example of
The device may further include sub-menus for additional selections as desired. For example, if the “home” option is selected in
Further sub-menus are also possible in other examples of the invention. Thus, as shown in
Any number of additional menus and sub-menus may be included to facilitate the identification of a key and association with desired labels or other data. Likewise, the device may include a keypad or other form of text data entry (implemented on a touch screen or by other means) to allow the user to enter specifically tailored labels or other information associated with a key.
In an alternate version of the invention, the device is configured to present information on a PDA, cellular phone, or other hand-held device. Thus, as shown in
In yet another version of the invention, the key reading device is configured to facilitate an automated production of a key. As shown in
The key reading device is illustrated as being connected directly to the computer 210. Alternatively, the key reading device may be connected to a user's personal computer as discussed above, with the personal computer being in communication with a server over the internet or other communications channels. The server 230 may include a database 232 that stores scanned key data along with other indicia such as the name of the key and the owner of the key. As discussed above, the information is preferably encrypted for security purposes. The server 230 is optionally in communication over the Internet 220 with the computer 210 in order to retrieve and transfer scanned key data to the computer in order to produce new keys from blanks. In this configuration, a computer maintained in communication with the server and a key cutting device may reproduce fresh keys at any location without having access to the original key.
The computer is shown as being in communication with a computer-controlled key cutting device. The key cutting device includes a key blank 240 mounted in a clamp 242 or other holding device so that the teeth may be cut into the blank. The cutting device further includes a grinding or cutting head or wheel 250 (or other means of cutting) secured to a motor 260 that provides an abrasive means of cutting the blank. The motor or cutting device is mounted so that the cutting head 250 is able to travel along at least two axes with respect to the key. Thus, as shown a drive motor 270 operates a first worm drive 272 in a horizontal direction and a second worm drive 274 in a vertical direction with respect to a horizontal axis defined by the length of the key 240. As the computer 210 is in communication with the drive motor to provide appropriate commands, the cutting head 250 travels up and down, left and right as appropriate to cut the desired teeth into the key.
It should be understood that other cutting equipment may be used to perform the task of cutting the key, and that the particular use of a motor driven cutting device with worm drive positional configurations is merely one example.
The scanned key data used to produce a key in the configuration as shown in
Additional registration locations are also preferably used for particular keys. Thus, for example, a flat upper surface 310 and a tip of a key 320 may be identified in a scanned image. The combination of those known locations together with the known true dimensions allows the computer or the device to determine the precise measurements for locations along the teeth 330, 340 for precise computer-controlled cutting. Indeed, the entire key profile is readily determined in true physical dimensions from the registration or other reference points and an indication of the actual size of the key.
Many other changes can be made in light of the above detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all types of remote controls, computers, and data communication means that operate in accordance with the claims. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the disclosure, but instead its scope is to be determined entirely by the following claims.
