The Hillman Group, Inc.

Axxess Technologies, Inc.

Roger F Kromann

Wesley A Schroeder

Norman N Axelrod

Phillip R Wills

Bryce Burba

James A Berilla

An apparatus and method for determining a bitting pattern of a key comprising a housing used for optically outlining at least the profile of the blade of the key so as to form an image. The image is digitized and information created therefrom, including information about the width of the blade of the key at a plurality of selected longitudinal positions along the length to include the width of the blade at the location of at least one cut of the bitting pattern. The information about the bitting pattern of the key digitized can then be used to cut the bitting patten into a key blank. Alternatively, the information can be compared to stored information and the detected width of the blade adjusted at a location of at least one cut to be one of a plurality of predetermined widths from the manufacturer, thereby creating a regenerated bitting pattern of the key.

Method and apparatus for aligning keys for cutting

An apparatus and method for identifying a key using a housing having a support that allows light to pass therethrough adjacent the key, a light source for emitting light through at least a portion of the support so as to form a first image of at least a portion of the profile of the key, a substantially planar light beam directed at the key so as to form a second image as the light beam interfaces with the side of the key, and a receiving means for receiving the first image of the profile of the key and receiving the second image so that the non-planar portion of the side of the key forms a non-linear segment across the width of the key. The present invention then can digitize the first and second images and create key information from the digitized images, in which the information is compared to stored information about a plurality of reference keys. Reference keys are eliminated by comparing the length, the head shape, and information of the light beam interfacing with each of the reference keys to determine the type of key in the housing.

Method and apparatus for using light to identify a key

Growing community of inventors

Atlanta, GA, United States of America

Roger F Kromann