Patent Application
20220343715
The present invention is generally related to devices for programming vehicle keys and, more specifically, digital assistance for operating such a device. This application is related to applicant's commonly owned patents including: U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,891,919; 7,890,878; 8,634,655; 8,644,619; 9,101,990; 9,308,590; 9,963,908; and U.S. Published Application Nos. 2018/0307825 and 2019/0287332, each of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.
Programming vehicle keys often involves complex processes that must be followed precisely to be successful. Some aftermarket transponder key duplicating processes require collecting data from the vehicle. And, On Board Diagnostic (OBD) programming tool processes that can also be used to program new keys for a vehicle are typically even more complicated. Each manufacturer uses different programming methods and each has changed the methods over the years. As such, there are dozens of varying programming routines with different types of steps and different requirements depending on the vehicle make, model, year and key type. Because it is so complicated, the process has typically been done by only vehicle dealership technicians and experienced automotive locksmiths. In addition, the process of testing both cloned transponder keys and OBD programmed vehicle keys can also be confusing and, if not done properly, can lead to a temporarily disabled vehicle.
There is a need, however, in the retail store industry, to supply such duplicate keys to consumers. The challenge is that retail store associates will never do enough vehicles to become proficient in the dozens of different programming processes. This especially true since the typical OBD key programming tools on the market are designed for the experienced dealership technician and/or automotive locksmith user. As such, a user friendly mobile assistant tool would be of great benefit to such retail store associates in order to help them successfully program and test keys in the vehicle. A vehicle key programming mobile assistant tool would need to provide the guidance and knowledge of the experienced locksmith in a cost effective format that can be easily understood and followed by the store associate.
Some traditional key cutting devices may reduce errors that occur when store employees oversee the process of key duplication. Some of these devices may even allow store customers to oversee the process of key duplication. Store employees and customers may each require different amounts of information or guidance when replicating keys. Machines may thus provide an employee too much information or provide customers with too little information.
A system for providing assistance when operating a key duplicating machine and/or programming a vehicle key is provided. An application operating on a mobile device receives information from the key duplicating machine in order to assist the user operating the key duplicating machine, as well as when programming and/or testing a new vehicle key. In some examples, the key duplicating machine receives input from the user (sometimes referred to as “machine input data”) (e.g., year, make, and/or model of the vehicle, and/or key type, etc.) in the process of duplicating a key. When assistance is available, the key duplicating machine generates a code (e.g., a bar code, an identifier, a QR code, etc.) that communicates or provides the machine input data to the application operating on the mobile device either directly or indirectly using communications app, such as a mobile device's camera or QR code scanning app. The application provides general assistance for using the key duplicating machine as well as programming new vehicle keys and specific assistance based on the machine input data. For example, the features provided by the user may be customized by the input data. The application may provide steps and/or a questionnaire to guide the user. Inputs that result from these steps and/or a questionnaire are stored (sometimes referred to as “application input data”). Further, when the user indicates that they need further assistance (e.g., via a live operator, etc.), the application may communicate the machine input data and the application input data to a server to customized and/or prepopulate the information. This facilitates a user getting customized assistance while operating a key duplicating machine as well as for programming a new vehicle key while eliminating frustration of escalation of assistance without context of what the user has input into the system.
An example system includes a key duplication machine and an application operating on a mobile device. The key duplication machine duplicates keys. The key duplication machine displays an indicia unique to the key duplication process at hand. The application captures the indicia, and presents graphical interfaces to provide step-by-step instructions to operate the key duplication machine as well as programming a new vehicle key. In some examples, the system includes a support client operating on a computing device. The support client presents a tech support interface to facilitate helping a user of the app operate the key duplication machine as well as for programming a new vehicle key.
An example method includes, in response to an input, displaying, on a key duplication machine configured to duplicate a master key, an indicia unique to the key duplication machine. The method also includes capturing, on an app operating on a mobile device, the indicia. Additionally, the method includes presenting, on the app, graphical interfaces to provide step-by-step instructions to operate the key duplication machine as well as for programming a new vehicle key.
Operation of the present disclosure may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein:
Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the respective scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, features of the various embodiments may be combined or altered without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration only and should not limit in any way the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
As used herein, the words “example” and “exemplary” mean an instance, or illustration. The words “example” or “exemplary” do not indicate a key or preferred aspect or embodiment. The word “or” is intended to be inclusive rather an exclusive, unless context suggests otherwise. As an example, the phrase “A employs B or C,” includes any inclusive permutation (e.g., A employs B; A employs C; or A employs both B and C). As another matter, the articles “a” and “an” are generally intended to mean “one or more” unless context suggests otherwise.
The key duplication machine 102 is configured to duplicate a master key 124. The example key duplication machine 102 captures an optical image of a profile or silhouette of the master key, including the key pattern of the master key, and the capture of a profile or silhouette of a key blank. The captured images are analyzed to determine the proper key blank to be used for a duplicate key, validate the selection of the proper key blank, facilitate the accurate cutting of the key pattern of the master key into the key blank, and validate the accuracy of the key pattern cut into the key blank. The key duplication machine 102 cuts variety of key types, such as single-sided keys, double-sided keys, sidewinder keys, house keys, automobile keys, commercial keys, and the like. It should be appreciated that the key duplication machine 102 could be any type of key duplicating machine.
In the illustrated example, the key duplication machine 102 includes a screen 103 with a duplication interface. The duplication interface facilitated receiving input to duplicate the master key and receive input from the user. The input from the user and the result of the analysis is machine input data. The machine input data may include, for example, store type, store number, base key name, media codes, testing ID, troubleshooting ID, vehicle make, vehicle model, vehicle year, and/or language of the interface of the key duplication machine 102. After its analysis is complete, the key duplication machine 102 may display indicia 114 (e.g., a bar code, a QR code, an alphanumeric code, etc.) that incorporates and/or codes the machine input data such that the application 104 may receive the machine input data via visual input (e.g., via a camera, etc.). It should be appreciated that indicia 114 is just one example of a method for passing the machine input data to the application 104 and this invention is not limited to this one example. Any number of methods could be used to pass the needed data to the application 104 including manually entering or manually selecting the data on application 104, having a multitude of printed indicia 114 available to scan, passing a displaying and manually entering a coded message that is linked to the data, etc.
As described below in
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that the disclosure described herein is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter. The terms “includes,” “including,” and “include” are inclusive and have the same scope as “comprises,” “comprising,” and “comprise” respectively. The claims as follows are intended to include all modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalent thereof.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/178,080 filed on Apr. 22, 2021 and titled, “VEHICLE KEY PROGRAMMING MOBILE ASSIST SYSTEM AND METHOD” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63178080 | Apr 2021 | US |
