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.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A key duplication system, comprising:
 a key blank identification system to identify keys including a housing with an optical imaging device, a database and a logic wherein said optical imaging device captures an image of a master key, said logic identifies features of the master key, and said logic compares said features of the master key with data in said database; and   a key cutting system for cutting keys, wherein the key cutting system includes at least one cutting member configured to receive a blade of a key to be cut by said at least one cutting member;   wherein the key blank identification system is configured to interact and share information.   
     
     
         2 . The key duplication system of  claim 1  wherein said database includes key blank data. 
     
     
         3 . The key duplication system of  claim 1  wherein said database includes data that relates to physical dimensions of key blanks. 
     
     
         4 . The key duplication system of  claim 1  wherein said optical imaging device captures an image of a portion of a key blank or a master key. 
     
     
         5 . The key duplication system of  claim 4  wherein said optical imaging device captures an image of a portion of said master key to compare said image with a plurality of key blanks to aid in determining an appropriate key blank. 
     
     
         6 . The key duplication system of  claim 4  wherein said optical imaging device captures an image of a portion of said master key and utilizes said image to provide key pattern information to be cut into a key blank. 
     
     
         7 . The key duplication system of  claim 1 , wherein said key blank identification system and said key cutting system are located within the same housing. 
     
     
         8 . A plurality of key duplication systems, comprising:
 a key blank identification system including a housing with an optical imaging device, a database and a logic wherein said optical imaging device captures an image of a master key or a key blank, said logic identifies features of the master key or the key blank, and said logic compares said features of the master key with data in said database; and   a key cutting system including at least one cutting member configured to receive a blade of said key blank to be cut by said at least one cutting member;   wherein the key blank identification system is configured to interact and share information with said key cutting system.   
     
     
         9 . The key duplication system of  claim 8  wherein said database includes key blank data. 
     
     
         10 . The key duplication system of  claim 8  wherein said database includes data that relates to physical dimensions of key blanks. 
     
     
         11 . The systems of  claim 8  wherein said logic aids in determining a proper key blank for the master key. 
     
     
         12 . The systems of  claim 8  wherein said logic aids in selecting the proper key blank. 
     
     
         13 . The systems of  claim 8  wherein said at least one key cutting system includes a retention mechanism, and at least one cutting member. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the retention mechanism and said at least one cutting member further comprising a reflector plate wherein a lighting panel emits light that is reflected off the reflector plate and directed towards said master key. 
     
     
         15 . The systems of  claim 14  wherein said master key is imaged and compared with a plurality of key blanks to aid in determining an appropriate key blank while utilizing the image to provide key pattern information to be cut into a key blank. 
     
     
         16 . The systems of  claim 8 , wherein said key blank identification system and said key cutting system are within a single apparatus.