Claims
- 1. An interactive object identification system comprising:
user interface means for inputting at least one specified variable related to a first object, said specified variable being physically observed by a user of the system; database means for identifying a master object through comparison of known values against the specified variable; and display means for presenting information about the identified master object to the user.
- 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the display means includes selectively activated means for distinguishing the identified master object from a set of other objects.
- 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising: tracking means for recording and monitoring variables related to utilization of the system.
- 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the variables recorded and monitored by the tracking include information related to inventory levels for at least one item selected from the group consisting of: the identified master object and at least a portion of the set of other objects.
- 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for selectively updating elements of the system utilizing a computerized network.
- 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of user interface means connected to the database means via a computerized network.
- 7. The system of claim 3, further comprising means for selectively updating elements of the system utilizing a computerized network.
- 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of user interface means connected to the database means via the computerized network.
- 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the tracking means transmits the variables related to utilization of the system over the computerized network.
- 10. The system of claim 9, further comprising user help means for providing the user with assistance in operating the system.
- 11. The system of claim 10, further comprising verification means for confirming that the identified master object physically provided to the user matches the information about the identified master object presented to the user.
- 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the identified master object comprises a key blank.
- 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the identified master object comprises a key blank.
- 14. The system of claim 1, further comprising: tracking means for recording and monitoring variables related to utilization of the system.
- 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the tracking means transmits the variables related to utilization of the system over a computerized network.
- 16. The system of claim 1, further comprising verification means for confirming that the identified master object physically provided to the user matches the information about the identified master object presented to the user.
- 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the verification means includes at least one item selected from the group consisting of: a machine vision system and a radio frequency identification system.
- 18. The system of claim 1, further comprising user help means for providing the user with assistance in operating the system.
- 19. An interactive object identification system comprising:
a computer having: (i) a graphical user interface for inputting at least one specified variable related to a first object, said specified variable being physically observed by a user of the system, and (ii) a database for identifying a master object through comparison of known values against the specified variable, said computer producing an output signal indicative of the identity of the master object; and a display which receives the output signal and presents information to the user about the identified master object.
- 20. A system according to claim 19, wherein the display includes means for distinguishing identified master object for the user from a set of possible master objects.
- 21. A system according to claim 20, wherein the means for distinguishing the identified master object comprises a display rack having a series of lights wherein a single light indicative of the identified master object is selectively illuminated.
- 22. A system according to claim 21; wherein the means for distinguishing the identified master object further comprises: (i) at least one shift register operatively associated with the series of lights and (ii) means for selectively adjusting the output signal to be compatible with the shift register.
- 23. A system according to claim 22, wherein the identified master object comprises a key blank.
- 24. A system according to claim 19, further comprising an automated means for restocking at least selected portions of the set of possible key blanks, said automated means for restocking operatively associated with the computer.
- 25. A system according to claim 19, further comprising a means for tracking inventory levels of the set of possible key blanks, said means for tracking operatively associated with the computer.
- 26. A system according to claim 19, further comprising a means for confirming that the identified master object physically provided to the user matches the information about the identified master object presented to the user, said means for confirming operatively associated with the computer.
- 27. A system of claim 26, wherein the means for confirming includes at least one item selected from the group consisting of: a machine vision system and a radio frequency identification system.
- 28. A system according to claim 19, further comprising key replication means for creating a duplicate copy of the first object.
- 29. A system according to claim 19, wherein the identified master object comprises a key blank.
- 30. A system according to claim 19, further comprising a means for providing assistance regarding operation of the system to the user, said means for providing assistance operatively associated with the computer.
- 31. A system according to claim 19, further comprising a means for recording and selectively retrieving a historical log of information about the user or the operation of the system, said means for recording and selectively retrieving a historical log operatively associated with the computer.
- 32. A system according to claim 19, wherein the computer is selected from the group consisting of: a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a hand-held computing device and a miniaturized, embedded computer having an integrated and abbreviated alphanumeric display.
- 33. A system according to claim 19, wherein the system operates over a computerized network.
- 34. A system according to claim 33, wherein the database is selectively updated via the computerized network and wherein the computerized network is selected from the group consisting of: a local area network, a wide area network and the internet.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of systems for identifying objects and, more particularly to systems for utilizing electronic means for identifying key blanks that are functionally compatible with an unknown key for use in a key duplication system. This application is related to, and claims all benefits under of 35 U.S.C. 119(e), the Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/452,893 entitled “OBJECT IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM” and filed on Mar. 7, 2003 and the Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/400,772 entitled “IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM” and filed on Aug. 2, 2002.
Provisional Applications (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60452893 |
Mar 2003 |
US |
|
60400772 |
Aug 2002 |
US |