The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 28, 2004
Filed:
Sep. 26, 2001
John Campbell, Chandler, AZ (US);
George Heredia, Paradise Valley, AZ (US);
Michael A. Mueller, Phoenix, AZ (US);
The Hillman Group, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (US);
Abstract
A method and system for identifying a key blank corresponding to a master key is provided. The system includes a housing. A first source of uniform light is fixed relative to the housing. A second source of uniform light is fixed relative to the housing and is disposed opposite the first source of uniform light such that the master key is disposable therebetween. The first and second sources of uniform light are operable to generate an image of the master key. A receiver captures the image of the master key. A control having a memory configured to store information on a plurality of key blanks identifies the key blank corresponding to the master key based on the captured image.