Key duplication machine

Abstract

Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a key duplication machine are described. In one embodiment, an assembly for duplicating a master key includes an optical imaging device, a logic, a clamping assembly, and a cutting member. The optical imaging device is capable of capturing an optical image of at least a portion of the master key. The logic is capable of determining a key pattern of the master key from the optical image of the master key. The clamping assembly is capable of clamping a key blank and the cutting member is capable of cutting a key pattern into said key blank.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A key duplication system comprising:
 a kiosk comprising:
 an imaging device configured to capture data related to a master key at a key load position; 
 a key cutting device configured to cut features in a key blank; 
 a user interface display; 
 an antenna configured to communicate with said master key; and 
 a database including a logic that is operative to communicate with said imaging device, said key cutting device, said user interface display, and said antenna; 
 wherein said database and logic are operative to regulate operation of the imaging device and the key cutting device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The key duplication system of  claim 1 , wherein said master key includes a microchip embedded therein. 
     
     
         3 . The key duplication system of  claim 1 , wherein said antenna comprises at least one pair of windings. 
     
     
         4 . The key duplication system of  claim 1 , wherein said kiosk accepts inputs from a user and provides outputs to the user to facilitate key duplication. 
     
     
         5 . The key duplication system of  claim 4 , wherein said inputs and outputs are provided by the user interface display. 
     
     
         6 . The key duplication system of  claim 1 , wherein said master key is inserted into said kiosk and the imaging device captures an image of a key pattern of said master key;
 wherein said logic analyzes said image and compares said image with data from said database.   
     
     
         7 . The key duplication system of  claim 6 , wherein said logic compares said image with the data from said database to determine a proper key blank for duplicating said master key. 
     
     
         8 . The key duplication system of  claim 7 , wherein output information identifying said proper key blank is displayed on the user interface display. 
     
     
         9 . The key duplication system of  claim 1 , further comprising a display rack for storing a plurality of key blanks. 
     
     
         10 . The key duplication system of  claim 1 , wherein said antenna reads data from said master key and said logic compares the data read from said master key to data stored on said database. 
     
     
         11 . The key duplication system of  claim 10 , wherein said logic compares the data read from said master key to the data stored on said database to determine a proper key blank for duplicating the master key. 
     
     
         12 . The key duplication system of  claim 11 , wherein output information identifying said proper key blank is provided by the user interface display. 
     
     
         13 . A key duplication machine comprising:
 a kiosk comprising:
 a key blank identification system including an imaging device and an antenna; 
 a key cutting system configured to cut features in a key blank; and 
 a user interface display; 
   wherein said kiosk accepts inputs from a user and provides outputs to the user to facilitate key duplication wherein said inputs and said outputs are provided by the user interface display.   
     
     
         14 . The key duplication machine of  claim 13  further comprising a database including a logic that is operative to communicate with said imaging device, said key cutting device, said user interface display, and said antenna wherein said database and logic are operative to regulate operation of the imaging device and the key cutting device. 
     
     
         15 . The key duplication system of  claim 14 , wherein a master key is inserted into said kiosk and the imaging device captures an image of a key pattern of said master key;
 wherein said logic analyzes said image and compares said image with data from said database.   
     
     
         16 . The key duplication system of  claim 15 , wherein said logic compares said image with the data from said database to determine a proper key blank for duplicating said master key. 
     
     
         17 . The key duplication system of  claim 16 , wherein output information identifying said proper key blank is provided by the user interface display. 
     
     
         18 . The key duplication system of  claim 14 , further comprising a display rack for storing a plurality of key blanks. 
     
     
         19 . The key duplication system of  claim 14 , wherein said antenna communicates with said master key and said logic compares data read from said master key to data stored on said database. 
     
     
         20 . The key duplication system of  claim 19 , wherein said logic compares data read from said master key to the data stored on said database to determine a proper key blank for duplicating the master key.