Online ordering system and method for keyed device

Abstract

An online lockable device ordering system and method for lockable devices such as padlocks including a key matching module configured for user entry of at least one key identifier configured to unlock certain lockable devices. The key matching module matches the key identifier with a range of stored key identifiers stored in a storage device. Images of lockable devices corresponding to the matched range are displayed on a user display screen, and the user can select a lockable device from the displayed images. The selected lockable device is customized to open with the user's existing key.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising using at least one hardware processor to:
 generate a screen comprising an image of a lock model and a plurality of selectable representations of available choices for each of a plurality of customizable options for the lock model; and,   in response to a user selection of one of the plurality of selectable representations of available choices for at least one of the plurality of customizable options, update the image of the lock model to comprise a graphical representation of the selected available choice for the at least one customizable option and any previously selected available choices for other ones of the plurality of customizable options.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein updating the image comprises:
 generating the image of the lock model by combining a base image of the lock model with an image of each selected available choice; and   updating the screen to include the generated image of the lock model in place of a previous image of the lock model.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of customizable options comprises a shackle material. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of customizable options comprises a shackle length. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of customizable options comprises a body size. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of customizable options comprises a color. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of customizable options comprises a body material of the selected lock model. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of customizable options comprises a keying option. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the available choices for the keying option comprise a keyed-differently choice, which specifies that each unit of the lock model should be openable using a different key than any other unit of the lock model, and a keyed-alike choice, which specifies that all units of the lock model should be openable using a same key. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the available choices for the keying option further comprise a keyed-different-master-key choice, which specifies that each unit of the lock model should be openable using a different key than any other unit of the lock model and that all units of the lock model should be openable using a same master key. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the available choices for the keying option further comprise a keyed-alike-master-key choice, which specifies that each unit of the selected lock model may be organized into a plurality of groups, such that each unit within a group is openable using a shared key assigned only to that group, and all units of the selected lock model across all groups are openable using a single shared master key. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of customizable options comprises a custom marking, and wherein the method further comprises, in response to user selection of the custom marking from the plurality of customizable options, using the at least one hardware processor to:
 show an input box for specifying a custom marking for an imprintable area of the lock model; and,   in response to a user specification of a custom marking, updating the image of the lock model to comprise the specified custom marking within the imprintable area.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the custom marking comprises text. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using the at least one hardware processor to generate an order screen comprising one or more inputs for purchasing one or more units of the lock model that have been customized according to the selected available choices for each of the plurality of customizable options. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising using the at least one hardware processor to generate an order for the one or more units of the lock model, based on one or more user operations received via the one or more inputs of the order screen. 
     
     
         16 . A system comprising:
 at least one hardware processor; and   one or more software modules that, when executed by the at least one hardware processor,
 generate a screen comprising an image of a lock model and a plurality of selectable representations of available choices for each of a plurality of customizable options for the lock model, and, 
 in response to a user selection of one of the plurality of selectable representations of available choices for at least one of the plurality of customizable options, update the image of the lock model to comprise a graphical representation of the selected available choice for the at least one customizable option and any previously selected available choices for other ones of the plurality of customizable options. 
   
     
     
         17 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to:
 generate a screen comprising an image of a lock model and a plurality of selectable representations of available choices for each of a plurality of customizable options for the lock model; and,   in response to a user selection of one of the plurality of selectable representations of available choices for at least one of the plurality of customizable options, update the image of the lock model to comprise a graphical representation of the selected available choice for the at least one customizable option and any previously selected available choices for other ones of the plurality of customizable options.