Patent Application
20070003388
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method to make a copy of a key, especially a method to make a copy of a key from stored data.
2. Description of the Prior Arts
Keys are used to lock and unlock locks in doors, and each key has a key blank with tooth. To lock and unlock a specific lock, the key blank and the tooth must fit the lock cylinder of the specific lock. When the user wants to copy a key, the user must take the key to a locksmith, and the locksmith selects a proper blank, mounts the key and the blank in a key cutting machine and cuts proper tooth on the blank to copy the key. Therefore, the user cannot obtain a copy of a key without having the key. Furthermore, a person is forced to change the entire lock when the key for the lock is lost. Changing the entire lock is much more expensive than just making a copy of a key.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a method to make a copy of a key from stored data to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.
The main objective of the present invention is to provide a method to make a copy of a key from stored data. The method to make a copy of a key from stored data comprises acts of: inputting identifier data, comparing the input identifier data with stored identifier data, responding to the identifier data, transmitting stored key data to a key cutting machine and making a copy of the key. Therefore, a person can make a copy of a key without actually having the key. Even when no key is available, a person can still make a copy of a key because the key data has already been stored in the memory.
Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
With reference to
Inputting identifier data (10) may be implemented with optical or magnetic scanners, key pads or the like. Consequently, the identifier data may be a fingerprint, a person's voice, a data sequence recorded on an identification card, a password, a digitized picture or the like.
Dealing with the identifier data and key data comprises acts of determining if the input identifier data is the same as the stored identifier data (20), determining if desired key data is stored in memory (50) and determining if new identifier data is to be added to stored key data (60).
With further reference to
With further reference to
With further reference to
Retrieving the desired stored key data (70) comprises acts of retrieving a copy of the desired stored key data and converting the retrieved key data to a format to drive a key cutting machine.
Transmitting the key data to the key cutting machine (80) simply sends the converted key data for the selected key to an appropriate key cutting machine.
Making a copy of the key (90) comprises acts of selecting and mounting an appropriate key blank in an appropriate key cutting machine and cutting the key blank.
The method to make a copy of a key as described has numerous advantages. The identifier data prevents unauthorized users from accessing the stored key data. An authorized user can make a copy of a key without the key. Even when the user loses the key, the user can still make a copy of the key because the key data has already been stored in memory. Therefore a user does not have to change the entire lock when the key is lost and can save a lot of money.
Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
